Over the years, I’ve had many MANY desserts in Mexico City but never written about them (until now). This is one of the best foodie cities in the world in my opinion for street food, tacos, fine dining, and specialty coffee.
The sweet treats don’t disappoint, either. You can find quality bakeries to rival those in France, as well as churrerias serving everyone’s favorite Mexican dessert: churros! In hip Roma and Condesa, the international eating scene includes American-style donuts and Middle Eastern baklavas.
So, where to treat your sweet tooth in CDMX?
Churrería el Morro, multiple locations
If you haven’t heard of this iconic establishment, you’ve been living under a rock. As the name Churrería el Morro suggests, churros are the specialty but you shouldn’t underestimate the hot chocolate and luxe dipping sauces. Choose from chocolate, cajeta (caramel), or condensed milk.
When it comes to drinking chocolate, there are several types to choose from. I recommend the especial or the Mexicano if you want something a bit lighter.
The key branches to visit:
- Condesa – the most atmospheric with outdoor seating beside Parque Mexico.
- Centro – the flagship store that has been open for decades with an old-school interior.
- Roma – best visited after dinner at Tacos Frontera across the road.
- Juarez – there are two, on both sides of the Angel.
- Polanco – there are two in this area offering the cheapest desserts in Polanco (probably)!
Pasteleria Ideal, Centro
Moving away from the tourist bubble, Pasteleria Ideal is a must-visit location in busy Centro Historico. At this two-story venue, tables heave with every type of cake and pastry imaginable.
Grab a tray and fill it with sweet treats. At the counter, you’ll be given a bill to pay at a different window; when you return with your receipt, your bagged-up cakes will be good to go. Everything’s cheap!
Secret Donut Society, Roma
For dessert in Mexico City with an interactive experience to boot, don’t miss the Secret Donut Society on Tabasco in Roma Norte. Finding your food is a mission but it’s worth it!
Recommended are the Da Vinci with Nutella, nuts, and Ferrero Rocher, and the Sir Issac with cream cheese, cinnamon apple, and dulce de leche.
The toppings are phenomenal but I wouldn’t say the base of the donuts are especially good and they’re pricey at 100 pesos.
Craving Knafeh, Middle East Sweets and Deli, Condesa
I’d had this dessert cafe on my radar for ages and it didn’t disappoint!
For those who don’t know, knafeh is a popular Middle Eastern sweet made from spun pastry, syrup, and typically cream, cheese, or pistachio. Here they serve it topped with a dollop of ice cream.
As well as their namesake dish, Craving Knafeh serve other desserts like shaabiyat (pictured below), similar to baklava but with a cream cheese filling.
This is a chilled cafe in Condesa near the parks.
Panaderia Rosetta, Roma
If we were listing these CDMX desserts in order of fame, Panaderia Rosetta would be number one. It’s owned by Elena Reygadas who was recently voted the world’s top female chef. This is a great place to sample her creations if the Rosetta restaurant in Roma Norte is above your budget.
The guava ricotta roll is the star dish but so many others are worth trying, too, like the layered mille-feuille below with berries, cream, and a custard layer.
It’s also a good place for coffee and breakfast in CDMX.
It’s also a good place for coffee and breakfast in CDMX.
It’s also a good place for coffee and breakfast in CDMX.
The cafe on Colima is incredibly popular so arriving early is essential if you don’t want to queue. There’s a smaller cafe on Puebla but there’s little seating so it’s better to grab a roll to go.
Neveria Roxy, multiple locations
This old-school ice cream shop hasn’t changed for decades, not that you’d want it to.
Flavors include passion fruit, tuna fruit, guava, coffee, pistachio, rompope (eggnog), and rich zapote fruit native to this part of the world.
Choose between helado (rich and creamy like ice cream) and nieve (icy like sorbet).
There are a few branches around Condesa, Polanco, and Lomas, all with retro diner style. It’s not for show: they’ve looked that way since the 1940s, long before us foreigners were traipsing the Hippodrome and Instagramming our desserts.
Clemont
This is my other favorite place for ice cream in CDMX. Rather than the icy nieve style, Clemont serve creamy ice cream and gelato. Enjoy simple flavors or go luxe with Ferrero Roche and marzipan, and upgrade to a chocolate cone.
Despite being a little expensive with some ice creams costing 120 pesos, it’s worth it on a hot summer day.
Another fantastic ice cream place is Joe’s Gelato in Juarez!
Ficelle
This French patisserie has been pleasing the people of CDMX with quality pastry for years. The croissants, macaroons, meringues, and eclairs are all divine.
Prices are high but for the quality and location (Condesa), it’s not a big surprise.
I Quit!, Roma
Hungry vegans need look no further for delicious and creative desserts in Mexico City.
I Quit serve an incredible range of baked goods from brownie smores to Ferrero Rocher cookies, washed down with hot drinks like tea, coffee, and matcha lattes. As you’d expect, they have a wide range of plant milks to choose from.
You certainly don’t need to be vegan to enjoy visiting this Roma Norte cafe!
Read next: a vegan’s guide to CDMX
Tout Chocolat
For unique desserts in Mexico City, sample artisanal chocolates at Tout Chocolat on Calle Amsterdam. The gourmet chocs in the counter can be bought individually – if you can ever choose between the luxe flavors like passion fruit ganache!
Alternatively, sip drinking chocolate (the lavender and Earl Grey blend was delicious) over chocolate-based desserts like eclairs.
Honorable mentions
These places aren’t specifically dessert cafes but have some tasty offerings:
- Bagels Lepu in Juarez – if you visit the Juarez neighborhood of CDMX, do yourself a favor and order an authentic New York bagel at this casual cafe. Don’t leave without trying the desserts, too: the carrot cake and cinnamon rolls never miss.
- Braided bread at Boicot Cafe (multiple locations) – although I think there are better places for coffee in Mexico City, I can’t say a bad word about the braided bread. There are countless flavors to choose from like marzipan.
Thanks for reading!
More Mexico City blogs:
- Best brunch & breakfast in CDMX
- Restaurants in Roma Norte
- 43 best taquerias in Mexico City
- Cocktail bars in Mexico City
- Speakeasy bars in CDMX
- Veggie and vegan food in Mexico City
- CDMX cafes and coffee shops
- A guide to CDMX Centro Historico
- Roma CDMX neighborhood guide
- Juarez CDMX neighborhood guide
- San Angel area guide
- San Angel Sabado Market
- Hiking in Desierto de los Leones National Park