Look, I love dessert. I spend most of my days looking forward to eating dessert and trying new cafes. So here’s a list of 19 transit-oriented deliciousness/dessert spots I love to frequent. This list is by no means comprehensive — if there’s a dessert cafe you think is awesome that also happens to be near transit, let me know in the comments so I can go try it!
Waffles de Liege
Why I like it: Sugary warm waffles + Fosselman’s ice cream. What is there not to like? Make sure to bring an appetite or take a friend to share with because the waffles are thick and delicious.
How to get there: Take the Gold Line to Memorial Park Station. Foothill Transit Bus 187 also has multiple stops in the area.
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Amara Chocolate and Coffee
Why I like it: SPANISH. CHURROS. Dipped in dark chocolate. If you have not tried this, get thee to Amara post haste. Also, their hot chocolate is awesome. Make sure to ask for toasted marshmallows.
How to get there: Take the Gold Line to either Del Mar Station or Memorial Park Station or take Metro Bus 256 to Raymond/Green.
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
La Monarca Bakery
Why I like it: Go for the pan dulce, stay for the café de olla — it’s delicious both hot and cold.
How to get there: There are multiple Metro-accessible locations. The one I’ve been to most often is located across from the Gold Line South Pasadena Station. The store in Boyle Heights if located near Mariachi Plaza Station, or take Metro Bus 30 to 1st/Boyle. There’s also a new store near Highland Park Station.
Yelp: South Pasadena store gets 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Fugetsu-Do
Why I like it: Traditional Japanese sweets! If you like mochi — sweet rice cake — you’ll love this store. Everything is tasty and cute. They also have a good selection of Japanese candies.
How to get there: Take the Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, or Metro Bus 30 or 40 to Judge John Aiso/1st.
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
The Pie Hole
Why I like it: They have both traditional pies and specialty pies. I know everyone raves about the Earl Grey pie, but it really IS good. Don’t discount their savory pies either — the veggie curry pie makes for a great breakfast (or lunch or dinner).
How to get there: Both stores are Metro accessible. Take the Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station (or DASH A bus to 4th/Hewitt) for the DTLA location, or go in the other direction to Memorial Park Station (or Metro Bus 180 to Colorado/Raymond) for the Pasadena location.
Yelp: DTLA store gets 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Republic of Pie
Why I like it: Full disclosure, I have never been to this place but everyone keeps telling me to go there. So it makes the list because I trust my friends and also, you can never have too much pie.
How to get there: Take the Red Line to North Hollywood Station, or hop on Metro Bus 156 or 183 to Lankershim/Magnolia.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.
Why I like it: Yes, it’s kind of touristy, but it’s so bright and colorful! How can you possibly hate chocolate + Disney?
How to get there: Take the Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station, or Metro Bus 212, 217 or 222 to Hollywood/Orange.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Big Sugar Bakeshop
Why I like it: I love their cinnamon cupcakes. I know there are lots of cupcake places nearby that are more famous — Sprinkles, Big Man Bakes — but these cinnamon cupcakes are everything. They have other desserts, too. Make sure to try a reverse cookie.
How to get there: Take the Red, Purple, Blue or Expo Line to 7th St/Metro Center for the DTLA shop.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Syrup Desserts
Why I like it: I used to frequent this place quite regularly when I lived in DTLA and I still love it. I personally recommend any of the liege waffles. Share the cakes because they’re hefty. And get a latte because it will have a cute face on it.
How to get there: Take the Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square Station, or Metro Bus 16, 18 or 33 to Spring/6th.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Sul & Beans
Why I like it: I fancy myself a connoisseur of bingsoo (shaved ice) and this place has some of the best. They give you the condensed milk on the side so you can drink it right out of the cup so you can drizzle it on yourself to suit your tastes. They also serve sikhye (Korean sweet punch). The store itself is kind of plain but hey, you’re there to eat, right?
How to get there: Take the Purple Line or Metro Rapid 710, 720 or 757 to Wilshire/Western Station.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Caffé Bene
Why I like it: Okay, I’m not going to lie, mostly I like this place because of actor Kim Soo Hyun. What can I say, I’m a fangirl. As for the cafe itself? The drinks are fine, the bingsoo is very pretty and offends no tastebuds and the store is a nice and comfy place to hang out.
How to get there: There are two locations in Koreatown, I prefer the one near the Red/Purple Line Wilshire/Vermont Station. You can also get there via Metro Bus 18 or Rapid 720 to Vermont/Wilshire.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Honeymee
Why I like it: I love honey, so any dessert that can showcase it well get a A+ from me. I’m still not sure what “true milk” is but it doesn’t matter, it’s delicious and order the one with pure honeycomb, okay?
How to get there: For the Koreatown store, take the Purple Line to Wilshire/Normandie Station, or take Metro Bus 20 to Wilshire/Alexandria.
Yelp: 3.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
CremeBee
Why I like it: Speaking of honey + ice cream, I have to mention my other favorite spot. CremeBee offers more toppings, such as cotton candy and white chocolate syrup, so I think their soft serve is also a little less sweet to compensate, but it works. Oh, and every cup is Instagramable.
How to get there: Take Metro Bus 78/79 or 258 to Main/2nd.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Ubatuba Açai
Why I like it: While açai bowls may not actually be that much healthier in terms of sugar-consumption, it does make you feel healthier when you eat them. Which means you can then enjoy an extra empanada or two.
How to get there: Take the Purple Line or Metro Rapid 710, 720 or 757 to Wilshire/Western Station.
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Sweet Dixie Kitchen
Why I like it: They have a fantastic brunch and great desserts. It’s the best of both worlds! Make sure to try the blueberry turnovers.
How to get there: Take the Blue Line to 1st Street Station, or Long Beach Transit Bus 151 to Elm/3rd.
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Cophenhagen Pastry
Why I like it: I’m a big fan of marzipan and I mean, just look at those slices of almond mazarin. Just look at them. (Then eat them because they are SO GOOD.)
How to get there: Take Culver City Bus 1 to Washington/Harter. There is also a location in East Pasadena that is approximately a mile away from the Gold Line Sierra Madre Villa Station, or take Metro Bus 266 to Rosemead/Colorado.
Yelp: 5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Hygge Bakery
Why I like it: Copenhagen Pastry is good, but you can’t discount Hygge. They have a a few different marzipan cake choices and I especially like the mazarin apricot.
How to get there: Take the Blue/Expo Line to Pico Station, or Metro Bus 70, 76 or 96 to Grand/11th.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Kind Kreme
Photo: KindKreme official Instagram
Why I like it: Vegan ice cream isn’t something I usually search out, but I have nothing against it — especially when it’s actually good. I’ve always enjoyed whatever I order from Kind Kreme. And okay, I’m pretty fond of the kombucha float. I know, I know. So hipster.
How to get there: For the Pasadena store, take the Gold Line to Del Mar Station. For the Echo Park store, take Metro Bus 2 or Rapid 704 to Sunset/Echo Park.
Yelp: 3.5 out of 5 stars (reviews)
Milk
Photo: Milk official Facebook page
Why I like it: For awhile, this place was a secret, then it became trendy, and now it’s just there. But it’s still good! The Blue Velvet cake is fun and I really, really like the macaron ice cream sandwiches — the Thai ice tea flavor in particular.
How to get there: Take Metro Bus 14 or 37 to Beverly/Formosa.
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars (reviews)
All photos, unless otherwise noted, were taken by me. For more transit-oriented food misadventures, follow me on Twitter / Instagram.
Categories: Go Metro