Newport does a lot of things right—lobster rolls, harbor tours, oysters, ocean views—not to brag or anything.

Then, there's dessert. Whether you're just visiting, or you're a local here, you may have heard of the iconic Snowball In Hell from Clarke Cooke House, served with homemade roulade and a sparkler on top. Or it's possible you've had your share of BOGO Awful Awfuls.

No matter your sweet tooth, these iconic desserts are a must-try. 

 

Best Desserts around Newport, Rhode Island

Sweet spots you don't want to miss. 

  1. Snowball in Hell
  2. Gelato
  3. Grand Marnier Souffle
  4. Waffles on a Stick
  5. Awful Awful
  6. Old-Fashioned Root Beer Float
  7. Sticky Toffee Pudding
  8. Malt Bomb
  9. Cereal Ice Cream
  10. Tavern Candy Bar
  11. Espresso Martini Crème Brûlée
  12. Ma's Donuts
  13. Tarta de Santiago
  14. Lemon Ginger Cheesecake
  15. Apple Cider Doughnuts

Snowball in Hell

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📍 CLARKE COOKE HOUSE, NEWPORT

Snowball in Hell is a must-stop no matter what occasion brings you to Newport.

This top-selling chocolate lover's dessert is decadent and grand, consisting of chocolate roulade and vanilla ice cream served in a goblet glass coated with Callebaut chocolate and coconut flakes. Served with a sparkly surprise. 

Aside from short stints of trying to flambee it, the Snowball in Hell has remained the same since its introduction to the CCH menu back in 1973—the chocolate roulade is made in house: a sponge-like cake that’s rolled with chocolate mousse and cut into circles. The vanilla ice cream has been sourced from Buck’s Ice Creams for 30 years. And the Callebaut chocolate is imported from Belgium.

Snowball in Hell Clarke Cooke House

 

Gelato

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📍 ​GIUSTO, NEWPORT

Imagine this: a chilled martini-style glass with photo-worthy scoops of decadent gelati for you to enjoy.

Giusto offers a rotating selection of gelati seasonally. Some favorites include:

  • Stracciatella, with compliments of orange zest and whipped espresso
  • Salted Caramel, served with a hazelnut brownie and hot fudge

For dairy-free friends, one rotating sorbet is. offered; like pineapple sorbetto, garnished with basil and white chocolate.
 

Looking for gelato a bit farther north?

Try a “Gelato Bomba,” with seasonal house made gelato sandwiched between a fluffy, warm Italian donut. Find one (or more) at Prica Farina Pasta Co. in Warren, Rhode Island. 

 

Grand Marnier Souffle

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📍 AUDETTE, NEWPORT

The perfect soufflé is like magic.

The "epitome and triumph of the art of French cooking," as Julia Child described it. Over-whip the egg whites and your soufflé will inevitably sink into itself. Whip the egg whites just enough and fold just right, and you'll have yourself a puffy, browned-to-perfection soufflé.

Perhaps that's why the Grand Marnier Soufflé remained when the restaurant became Audette (formally Chanterelle and Bouchards). This french delicacy is one of the many reasons this storied address is known as one of the most romantic restaurants in the country; a highly sought after dining experience from both past and present visitors.

This classic treat is created with Grand Marnier, baked until golden brown, served with creme anglais, and topped with powdered sugar.

Pro-tip: Order the soufflé at the beginning of your meal, as this delicacy takes extra time to prepare. 

Grand Marnier Souffle

 

Waffles on a Stick

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📍 ​STICKS + CONES, NEWPORT

This is what dreams are made of.

Located on the corner of Thames Street and Memorial Boulevard, Sticks & Cones offers Newport’s ONLY Waffle-on-a-Stick, alongside over 30 flavors of ice cream and gelato, milkshakes, sundaes, and more.

Pretty much any mashed variation of sweets can be requested at the doors of this must-stop sidewalk shop.

  • Try a Hot Belgian or Bubble Waffle with Strawberry Cheesecake and Cake Batter ice cream.
  • Or a Salted Pretzel Cookie Cone filled with S’mores and Chocolate Peanut Butter swirl.

For simpler folk, a classic powdered sugar and cinnamon waffle stick for the road will hit the spot. Think: sauces, toppings, candy clusters, and iconic combinations to top off a great day or night in Newport. 

 

Awful Awful

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📍 ​NEWPORT CREAMERY, MIDDLETOWN & BARRINGTON

There are milkshakes, and then there are Awful Awfuls. If you know, you know.

And if you don't know, you should probably get your hands on one. Unlike ordinary milkshakes made with ice cream, the Awful Awful is created with ice milk and syrup.

The Awful Awful was first created back in the 1940s by a popular New England chain named Bond's. Soon after its creation, the Awful Awful was adopted by Friendly (at the time, it had no 's) and Newport Creamery where it was spread throughout New England, all under the agreement that if either chain spread into New Jersey (Bond's territory) the name would have to be changed.

All was well and good until the 1960s when Friendly (still no 's) expanded into New Jersey, at which point they renamed the Awful Awful as a Fribble.

Over time, the Fribble transformed into a milkshake, while Newport Creamery continues to make Awful Awfuls the thick, rich, old fashioned way: with ice milk, syrup, and ice cream. 

Newport Creamery

 

Old-Fashioned Root Beer Float

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📍 WHARF SOUTHERN KITCHEN & WHISKEY BAR, NEWPORT

For southern food mavens, Wharf Southern Kitchen has it all.

After indulging in fried green tomatoes and chicken and waffles, don't skip the dessert menu.

A signature Old-Fashioned Root Beer Float is calling your name. Complete with root beer, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and cherry—this classic drink offers a bit of nostalgia at the end of your meal.

If you are over 21, make it boozy with a spike of bourbon, maple rum, or grand mariner. Still hungry? Pair it with Banana Pudding or some Warm Homemade Bourbon Pecan Pie.

 

Sticky Toffee Pudding

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📍 ​LITTLE CLAM, NEWPORT

Meet Newport’s newest hotspot: Little Clam. A hidden gem residing just outside downtown inside Wayfinder Newport. 

This locally inspired restaurant welcomes flavors celebrating Rhode Island farmers, fishermen, and rich culinary heritage.

Executive Chef Antonio, and soon food reality show contestant, features a unique take on Sticky Toffee Pudding. Accompanied with sweet corn ice cream and dulce de leche, this is a refreshing twist on a dessert with historically British roots.

 

Malt Bomb

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📍 MALT, NEWPORT

Welcoming all with friendliness, great food, and good spirits, this family-run Irish restaurant on Broadway should not be missed (especially if you’re looking for a memorable namesake dessert).

Malt Bomb, features house-made chocolate mousse with a chocolate cake base contained in a hard shell, alongside salted caramel ice cream and decorative caramel drizzle.

This is a chocolatey delight absolutely worth saving your appetite for.

 

Cereal Ice Cream

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📍 TIZZY K'S, WARREN

File under: places that make you feel just like a kid again. Welcome to Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream.

Imagine an angelic blend like Cinnamon Toast Crunch with Golden Grahams. Or the popular Cookie Crisp with cookie dough, and Reese’s Puffs with chocolate covered peanut butter cups.

These sweet ice cream combinations aren’t just coated in cereal wonder, but blended to harmonious perfection as if they always coexisted outside of breakfast and dessert.

Stop by the Warren location for a sentimental flashback and nostalgic treat.

 

Tavern Candy Bar

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📍 WHITE HORSE TAVERN, NEWPORT

Even in the most esteemed establishments, dessert is prioritized.

At White Horse Tavern, an ever-evolving selection of wines, digestives and spirits accompany your dessert.

A highlight on the menu is the Tavern Candy Bar. A triple chocolate brownie, paired with salted caramel chunk gelato, coconut magic shell, and toasted almonds.

Looking for more? Try the Seasonal Bread Pudding or the Orange Vanilla Crème Brûlée. 

Speaking of Crème Brûlée...

 

Espresso Martini Crème Brûlée

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📍 BOAT HOUSE WATERFRONT DINING, TIVERTON

Just about a 30-minute drive from Newport, Boat House offers some of the best dining views around, overlooking Mount Hope Bay in Tiverton. 

After your dock to dining experience—make sure you save room for dessert. One to note, combines two fan favorites: the Espresso Martini and Crème Brûlée.

This crème brûlée has notes of coffee and liqueur blended into its custard base, caramelized at the top with chocolate covered espresso beans.

Double the joy and order a classic espresso martini to sip on while you enjoy. 

 

Ma's Donuts

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📍 ​MA’S DONUTS, MIDDLETOWN

For over 25 years, Ma’s has remained an essential roadside stop for tasty treats in Middletown.

Select from a wide variety of house-made donuts, pies, pastries, sweet breads, and coffees to fulfill your midday or late-night craving.

There is something for everyone, with over 40 kinds of donut options; plain, powdered, filled, or frosted.

Want to switch it up? Try a donut hole or go big and get the giant donut cake. 

 

Tarta de Santiago

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📍 ​MADRID BAKERY, BARRINGTON

Looking for a little piece of Madrid in Rhode Island? We know just the spot. 

Madrid Bakery, in Barrington, offers a magical atmosphere full of European accents, familiar charm, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries. A house favorite, Tarta de Santiago is a simple and delightful combination of almond flour, eggs, sugar and other natural flavors. Plus, it is gluten-free and can be prepared in chocolate-hazelnut, classic almond, lemon, and orange chocolate flavors.

Idyllic with an espresso or tea, this is a dessert you’ll travel back for time and time again.

Tarta de Santiago

Lemon Ginger Cheesecake

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📍 ​THE FRANKLIN, BRISTOL

The Franklin, a newly opened modern French brasserie introduced by the Groundswell Guild out of Tiverton.

No matter what you order here you will be happy. When it comes to dessert, you can't go wrong. A favorite is the refreshing Lemon Ginger Cheesecake; made with a thyme shortbread base, lemon elderflower coulis (a thin puree or sauce), and topped with honeycomb.

Take it to the next level and add a seasonal ice cream scoop on the side. You can thank us later.

 

Apple Cider Doughnuts

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📍 HARD-PRESSED CIDER CO., JAMESTOWN

Head over to Windmist Farm, the family-run farm in Jamestown, where cows and horses roam free and chickens patrol the line for pop-up Hard Pressed Cider Co. serving up fresh apple cider made hot, cold, or in a slushie with one ingredient: apples, alongside cider doughnuts, made on site and served warm.

There’s not much that compares to dunking cinnamon sugar-coated, delicately fried doughnuts into a hot cup of mulled cider. Wander the farm, snap some candids with views of the Newport Bridge, and indulge in these classic seasonal treats from an unmistakable farm coast backdrop.

The Hard Pressed Cider Co. pop-up is open on the weekends (and on holiday Mondays) through Thanksgiving. 

Hard Pressed Cider Co.

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