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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Costa Mesa

Unique dessert spots

You are looking for a dessert that breaks the mold and offers something you cannot find just anywhere.

Based on 641 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard image 1
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard image 2
Confetti Italian Ice & Custard image 3
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Ice cream shop with clean interior and friendly staff creates a welcoming atmosphere full of fun energy. Customers enjoy a wide variety of unique flavors and custard options that stand out from typical frozen treats. The place offers thoughtful touches like free ice packs for takeout to keep desserts fresh.

Offers Italian ice and custard with excellent quality and top-tier customer service. Provides to-go bags with ice blocks to keep desserts fresh for takeout.

Combining ice cream, soft serve, and Italian ice creates unique textures and flavors. The rotating options and delicate blends offer a distinctive experience not found in typical grocery brands.

People are saying

"I thought the ice cream here was amazing and unlike anything I had before."

"The unique flavor combinations here are delicious and keep the menu interesting."

"The Italian ice and custard desserts are so creamy and smooth."

Good to know

1

The shop offers a huge variety of flavors and fun options.

2

Parking is available in a large lot next to the shop.

3

To use the restroom, request the key from an employee.

02
Heybings Desserts image 1
Dessert shop

Small dessert shop offers cozy, modern vibe with Pinterest-style decor and ample outlets for working. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, suitable for socializing or quiet time. Desserts focus on fluffy bingsoo and unique mochi waffles, with large portions ideal for sharing.

Desserts here carry love and soul in every bite, with a Nutella mochi waffle standing out as a unique treat. Options include coconut milk bingsu for those avoiding dairy or seeking plant-based sweets.

Many unique flavors stand out here, offering tastes unlike anything else. The desserts create a relaxed experience with distinct and delicious combinations.

People are saying

"I thought the Ube Latte and Iced Latte were delicious and satisfying."

"The bingsoo here is light, fluffy, and delicious."

"The emerald dream bingsu is a unique matcha must-order for matcha lovers."

Good to know

1

The store closes at 10 PM, which is later than other nearby stores.

2

There was plenty of parking at the shop.

3

They have limited seating during busy hours.

03
Sugo Costa Mesa image 1
Pizza restaurant

Compact space blends New York feel with Cali vibe featuring creative decor and neon signs. Atmosphere stays cozy and casual with excellent music enhancing the relaxed mood. Small bar seating and limited outdoor tables create an intimate setting for enjoying artisan pizza with unique flavors.

Desserts highlight a Nutella dessert pizza that blends pizza and Nutella with just the right sweetness. The strawberry dessert offers a creamy texture with refreshing mint pieces, balancing sweetness well.

Slices feature unique flavor profiles like bonito flakes with miso kewpie sauce and a taco-inspired chorizo pastor. The crust stands out as thicker yet airy and chewy, blending deep dish and focaccia qualities.

People are saying

"I thought the pizza here was the best I had ever tried."

"The pizzas here have unique flavor combinations, like the Japanese one."

"You have to try the dessert pizza, it's amazing."

Good to know

1

Parking can be challenging, especially during busy holidays like July 4th.

2

Seating is very limited, with only high stools available.

3

Pizzas are sold by the square slice, priced at $8 each.

04
Yu Cake image 1
Dessert restaurant

Elegant interior features black and gold decor with comfortable velvet seating creating a cozy yet classy atmosphere. The space maintains a lively but quiet vibe, suitable for socializing or relaxing. Automated ordering and some outdoor seating add convenience to the experience.

Desserts feature a wide variety of Mille crepe cakes and cheesecakes with flavors like matcha, durian, and rose. Presentation is aesthetic and the flavors are delicious and unique.

Desserts feature unique flavors and a distinct matcha aroma that stands out. Presentation is beautiful and adds to the overall appeal.

People are saying

"I found the cakes here to be delicious and not too sweet."

"I loved the delicious desserts here."

"I was shocked by the unbelievably tasty and intensely flavorful mango and grape fruit cake."

Good to know

1

Yu Cake is located on the first floor next to Saks Fifth Avenue.

2

Most items sell out quickly; arrive early to avoid disappointment.

3

Prices are high, with slices costing over $10 each.

05
Sushi K's Bistro Costa Mesa image 1

Small sushi bar creates an authentic Japanese vibe with calm, tranquil atmosphere and peaceful jazz music. Fresh, exceptional sushi pairs with a diverse sake selection for a standout omakase experience. Interior feels brand new and clean, offering a cozy, elevated dining environment.

Desserts include a sweet potato brรปlรฉe that stands out. The selection offers a satisfying finish after sushi or other courses.

Every sushi piece offers unique flavors crafted with high-quality ingredients. The drink menu features a diverse sake selection and unique options like yuzu sake.

People are saying

"I had some of the best Japanese food I've ever tasted."

"The sushi here is unbelievably fresh and delicious."

"The monkfish liver here is uniquely buttery and melts in your mouth."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers rotating specials and a selection of sake.

2

Expect a unique menu crafted with authentic Japanese ingredients.

3

Reservations are recommended, especially during peak dining hours.

06
Trenta Pizza & Cucina and Trenta Lounge image 1

Outdoor dining dominates with a large, heated patio converted from a parking lot, featuring al fresco seating and a full bar. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting, blending authentic Sicilian style with lively live music. Indoor space is small and cozy, creating a slightly cramped feel during busy times.

Desserts here are consistently amazing and complement the authentic pizza well. They add a satisfying finish to the meal.

Taste combinations stand out as unique and amazing. Lasagna shines with a rich, creamy texture and distinct flavor, while pizza offers a nice crust but leans salty and less memorable.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the pizza and pasta, tasted like it was from Italy."

"The desserts here are just perfect and top-notch."

"It's a charming spot with a warm, inviting atmosphere."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited; valet service is the only option available.

2

Reservations are recommended, especially for outdoor seating.

3

The kitchen closes 10 minutes before the restaurant closes.

07
Il Girasole image 1
Restaurant

Cozy restaurant blends Tuscan atmosphere with modern decor and bold graffiti art. Warm, inviting vibe suits romantic dinners and casual brunches, with dog-friendly patios featuring heaters and blankets. Guests enjoy authentic Italian dining paired with attentive service.

Warm flourless chocolate cake comes with rich custard. Desserts here go beyond typical sweets and impress with their depth.

Modern, fresh Italian dishes come with a unique flair. The Caesar salad features a distinct crouton topped with gelatin-like cream and egg for a non-predictable dining experience.

People are saying

"The fresh pasta dishes here are incredible."

"This Italian spot is an excellent choice for date night."

"The food here is modern Italian with a unique, artistic flair."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended as the restaurant gets busy.

2

Happy hour is available daily with a casual lunch menu.

3

A $35 corkage fee applies if you bring your own wine.

08
Mercado Gonzรกlez Northgate Market image 1

Mexican grocery store combines vibrant decor with live mariachi music and a full bar inside. Atmosphere feels lively and festive, often with a DJ and food stations creating a chaotic yet welcoming vibe. Outdoor seating adds a quaint touch, making it a unique blend of shopping and entertainment.

Many Mexican desserts fill the market with authentic flavors. Options range widely, creating a feast for the senses alongside food and crafts.

Unique space offers produce items rarely seen north of the border. The overall experience stands out from typical supermarkets.

People are saying

"This grocery store has amazing prepared Mexican food and fresh items."

"You'll find a great choice of desserts, like fresh churros and Mexican bread."

"I found the shopping environment unique, like a culinary tour."

Good to know

1

Live music happens every weekend, enhancing the shopping experience.

2

Menudo is served only on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 AM to noon.

3

Parking can be challenging, especially on weekends.

09
Knife Pleat image 1
Fine dining restaurant

Fine dining space blends elegant minimalism with an intimate atmosphere and surprisingly casual energy. Guests experience impeccable afternoon tea with tiered presentations and enjoy creative menus featuring standout dishes like American Wagyu steak and duck confit. Cocktails and wine pairings complement the refined yet approachable vibe.

Chocolate desserts stand out with tonka beans adding a unique twist. Appetizers and desserts both deliver excellent flavors, with ratatouille and chocolate sweets being favorites.

A chocolate dessert with tonka beans offers a unique and memorable finish. The tea selection stands out with a good variety of black and white teas.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and beautifully presented."

"The tea selection is unique with adorable edible flowers."

"The chocolate desserts were my favorites."

Good to know

1

Reservations are highly recommended due to the small size of the restaurant.

2

Expect a 25% automatic gratuity added to your bill.

3

The afternoon tea costs $115 plus a 23% service charge.

10
Paradise Dynasty image 1
Chinese restaurant

Large space with modern Chinese decor and plenty of seating creates an elegant atmosphere. Background music plays, sometimes loud, contributing to a lively but occasionally noisy environment. The setting suits date nights and casual dining with a mix of Northern and Southern Chinese cuisine.

Taro Xiao Long Bao stands out as a unique and indulgent dessert. The fried pumpkin mochi-like rice and chocolate bao buns also deliver consistent, impressive flavors.

Rainbow xiao long baos offer unique flavors with juicy, flavorful fillings. Seasonal options like Dungeness chili crab soup dumplings add to the distinctive menu.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and top quality."

"The colorful dumplings had unique, juicy, and flavorful fillings."

"I could eat the mango dessert every day; it's that good."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 5 pm with 40% off select items.

2

During happy hour, many dishes are 40% off with few menu restrictions.

3

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to avoid long wait times.

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Costa Mesa, California

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