28 Mar Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Marietta
Marietta offers museums, theaters, galleries, pickleball courts, and shops, but it’s also a perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth! There is literally something for everyone. Whether you are a visitor to the area or a hometown tourist, you can enjoy authentically southern specialties and an assortment of international treats in a variety of delicious local sweet-spots.
Recently I let my sweet-tooth lead the way while exploring the colorful selection of deliciousness.
Here are some of the highlights.
On the Square
Pie Bar – 60 Powder Springs St
This local husband-wife owned dessert spot focuses strictly on homemade pies (both sweet and savory) along with coffees and lattes. Their signature pies include Apple Streusel, Key Lime, Bourbon Pecan, & Peanut Butter Cream. My favorite is the Brown Sugar Chess, which is gluten-free with an oat flour crust. They are also known for their savory pies & quiches. Try Pie Bar for a slice or take the whole pie to go!
Australian Bakery Cafe– 48 S Park Square NE
Just as the name suggests, this Marietta Square favorite specializes in the Land Down Under. Their signature items include Pavlova (as seen in the children’s TV show Bluey), which is meringue with fresh cream & fruit on top and is gluten-free! They also serve Lamington, an Australian sponge cake with desiccated coconut and chocolate sauce, Vanilla Slice, which is puff pastry filled with homemade vanilla custard and topped with buttercream icing, and an Australian favorite, Cherry Ripe Bar. The bakery’s handmade version is one of their best sellers. Australian Bakery is also known for their meat pies.
Sweet Treats – 134 South Park Square NE
Ice cream and a coffee house. It’s all in the toppings for Sweet Treats. The variety is outstanding – with over 50 choices to add in or top your chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Seasonal toppings for spring are matcha green tea or peanut butter chips. The Espresso Storm is another signature item consisting of two shots of espresso with the choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. It’s described as a milkshake in overdrive!
Warm Hugs – 156 Roswell St.
Formerly known as Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes, new owner Tugba Firat has maintained Miss Mamie’s recipes for cupcakes and cookies and added to the menu with her own Turkish confections. House specialty is the Cheesecake Baklava. Warm Hugs also offers a tasty collection of cookies, desserts, and flavored baklavas. In addition to the assortment of Turkish coffees and teas, my new favorite is a delicious Turkish cookie called Acibadem, which is a gluten-friendly almond cookie.
Sarah Jeans Ice Cream- 109 North Park Square
Known for their large variety of ice cream flavors, banana splits, shakes, and fruit smoothies, this old-fashioned ice cream parlor has been treating guests on the Square for about 12 years. Some of the most popular flavors at Sarah Jeans are the salted caramel and the raspberry roadrunner (vanilla ice cream, raspberry swirls, with chunks of chocolate.) For a dairy free treat, try their Italian Ices. In the warmer months they serve dairy-free, oat milk-based ice creams.
Sugar Cakes Patisserie – 101 N Park Square NE
A local breakfast and lunch spot, Sugar Cakes also offers a variety of desserts. Best sellers include the Mirage, Chocolate Eclairs, and Chocolate Raspberry Mousse.
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop – 128 South Park Square NE
Find this nostalgic candy and soda store in the heart of the Marietta Square. Check out Rocket Fizz for childhood favorites or unique treats from all over the world. Lots of fun!
Off the Square
Café Rivkah – 2100 Roswell Rd, Ste 1204
Billed as “Your neighborhood café with a Mediterranean flair,” Café Rivkah offers a variety of bakery, breakfast and lunch dishes. Owner Vicky Savrin says their specialty is their croissants which they offer plain, chocolate, or almond. The Morning Bun, similar to a cinnamon bun, is made from croissant dough, orange zest, sugar and cinnamon, is their number one seller. They can make gluten-free delectables with a days’ notice.
Gabriel’s Bakery – 800 Whitlock Ave, NW
This truly authentic southern bakery is a don’t-miss. Everything is home-made and there is such a plentiful assortment you may need to make return trips to try all that catches your eye! This hometown favorite was established in 1996 by Miss Johnnie Gabriel (who has written three cookbooks) and though she has now sold the bakery, the recipes are all hers. The very friendly staff shared that their signature item is strawberry cake. Gabriel’s offers a huge variety of southern desserts, cookies, lemon bars, pound cakes, red velvet, and other traditional indulgences. The crème de menthe brownies looked especially tempting. My favorite is the gluten-free Flourless Chocolate Heart made with 3 types of chocolate and is simply decadent!
Douceur de France – 277 S Marietta Pkwy, SW
This locally owned business specializes in all home-made French desserts, pastries, breads, and also offers breakfast, lunch, and adult beverages including bottomless mimosas, chocolate martini wine, and chocolate coffee bombs. I spoke with loyal customer Dominick while in line for a delicious coconut macaroon (delightfully gluten-free!) He has frequented the bakery since it opened and says the new owners are living up to the stellar reputation that the founders established. His favorite is the Pain aux Raisins. GM Michele Ortiz says they have some exciting plans to expand Douceur de France’s menu so be sure to check them out!
La Suprema Bakery & Panaderia– 12 Cobb Pkwy S
This family-owned bakery specializes in Mexican and Latin American pastries, cakes, cookies, and decorated doughnuts with everything from soccer themes to lovely holiday designs. Their best sellers are Concha (a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll), and Tres Leches Cakes, (ultra-light cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon,) though you may want to fill up a whole box with so many tempting choices!
Brazilian Bakery Café – 1260 Powers Ferry Rd SE
This popular bakery café boasts all the traditional Brazilian favorites including Brigadeiro (a truffle-style gooey chocolate candy, one of the best sellers), Beijinho, (a coconut version of the Brazilian truffle) and Mousse Maracujá (a delicate, creamy and decadent mousse blending chilled sweet condensed milk, fresh cream, and passion fruit.)
Bernhard’s German Bakery – 1592 Atlanta Rd SE
Bernhard’s most popular desserts are their German Chocolate Cake, Black Forest Cake, and Bee Sting Cake (vanilla cake filled with Bavarian cream and topped with honey almonds.) They also offer the specialty cake, Granat Splitter, which translates to “Chocolate Mountain” in English and consists of vanilla and chocolate cake topped with brandied cherries and covered in chocolate. For those seeking gluten-free options, Bernhard’s offers six different cookies. The staff favorite is the Almond Cream Horn, which is a marzipan bar dipped in chocolate and coated with almonds. Yum!
Marietta Diner – 306 Cobb Parkway South
For those whose sweet tooth never sleeps, check out the Marietta Diner for a vast assortment of cakes, pies, and indulgences. They are open 24 hours!