Breakfast and dessert are in tight competition for the “Most Important Meal of the Day” title. You can find a mean dessert at these Nevada restaurants, whether you’ve got a sweet tooth for a triple chocolate fudge brownie or an insatiable craving for an ice cream sundae. Here are the best places for dessert in the state!
Scoopers Drive-In, Sparks, NV
While the Gas Lamp’s menu is divided into courses, Scooper’s Drive-In is divided by burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream. This “family-style drive-in diner” has been in business since 1980 and still serves some of the best milkshakes, soda floats, and ice cream sundaes in the area.
Arawan, Las Vegas, NV
Arawan in Las Vegas offers Thai options for lunch and dinner. The dessert menu may be even more impressive than the mouth-watering main menu, with options like the Manga Island (created by the chef, their most popular dessert combines mango gelato, passion fruit cremeux, sweet sticky rise, crispy waffle, and crunchy almonds with a creamy coconut sauce) and Sweet Sensation (Thai pancake served with tea ice cream), you’ll find yourself rushing to get to the dessert portion of the meal.
Lone Eagle Grille, Incline Village, NV
The Lone Eagle Grille is one of Lake Tahoe’s favorite restaurants. A Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, they have frequent live music to complement their “oversized panoramic windows, heavy wooden beams… and custom-made wooden tables.” Everything on the dessert menu is delicious, but we recommend trying the Artisan Cheese Plate.
Red’s Old 395 Grill, Carson City, NV
Red’s Old 395 Grill often has a wait. That might be the only downside, though, as the food is always worth it. Red’s Super Sundae, served with mounds of rich vanilla bean ice cream and topped with sauce, peanuts, and whipped cream come in a close second to their Deep Fried Xangos (cheesecake rolled in a melt-in-your-mouth flaky pastry).
Tao, Las Vegas, NV
Tao in Las Vegas has an Asian bistro, beach club, and nightclub. But the reason we’re looking at it on this list? Giant. Fortune. Cookie. We didn’t know how much we needed this until now.
Crème, Reno, NV
It’s never too early for dessert. That’s why Crème in Reno offers sweet crepes any time of day. Try a Nutella and banana crepe, a “German” crepe (actually, four crepes with lemon butter and powdered sugar), or the Cobbler Crepe (three crepes topped with cider spiced apples, whipped cream, and oat crumble).
Machi’s Saloon and Grill, Elko, NV
Machi’s Saloon and Grill serves upscale entrees with a diverse menu inspired by cuisine from around the world. A relatively recent review begins with this sage piece of advice: “Eat dessert first!” Go for the mud pie.
Strip House Steak, Las Vegas, NV
The Strip House, located at Planet Hollywood Resort, is known for their tender, mouth-watering steaks. But the steak isn’t what got them on Thrillist’s “Best, Most Epic and Creative Desserts in Vegas” list, written by Joanna Haugen. What did? A see-it-to-believe-it 24-layer chocolate cake. Sign me up.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Scoopers Drive-In: Since 1980, this classic "family-style drive-in diner" has served up some of the area's best milkshakes, soda floats, and ice cream sundaes, making it a favorite for dessert lovers.
- Arawan: Famous for its Thai dishes, Arawan's dessert menu might steal the show. Try their Mango Island, a flavorful dessert combining mango gelato, passion fruit crème, sweet sticky rice, and crispy waffle topped with crunchy almonds, or indulge in Sweet Sensation, a Thai pancake served with refreshing tea ice cream.
- Lone Eagle Grille: Nestled at Lake Tahoe, Lone Eagle Grille's panoramic views and live music set the perfect atmosphere for enjoying their standout Artisan Cheese Plate or any of their other tempting desserts.
- Red's Old 395 Grill: Known for its rich Super Sundae and Deep Fried Xangos, this grill serves up irresistible desserts, making it worth the wait even if there's a line.
- Tao: A multi-faceted spot known for its beach club and nightclub, Tao's giant Fortune Cookie dessert earns it a place on this list. It's the surprising treat you didn't know you needed!
- Crème: Crème is the place to be if you want crepes all day. From Nutella and banana to their Cobbler Crepe topped with cider-spiced apples, whipped cream, and oat crumble, this spot satisfies any sweet craving.
- Machi's Saloon and Grill: Serving globally-inspired cuisine, Machi's Saloon and Grill also offers one of the most decadent mud pies you'll find, perfect for dessert first.
- Strip House Steak: While Strip House Steak is famous for its tender steaks, their 24-layer chocolate cake is the real showstopper. It’s a must-try dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth in Las Vegas.
