Let\u2019s put modesty aside for a moment. Dessert is here for one reason: to make us feel good. Thankfully, Austin, a city that\u2019s existentially obsessed with whimsy and novelty, is the perfect place to explore the limits of dessert \u2014 whether it\u2019s a sweet snack on the go or the most meticulous finale of a multicourse meal. <\/p>\n
To give us a nice excuse to order everything on the menu, we\u2019re doing something new in the Dessert Program category at the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards<\/a>. This year\u2019s nominees are entire restaurant concepts \u2014 not specific dishes or pastry chefs \u2014 really getting into their philosophies about what a sweet treat can do.<\/p>\n The Tastemaker Awards judges<\/a> are taking all this and more into consideration when choosing the sweetest dessert program that’ll take home the trophy. Only one can walk away with it at our awards ceremony and signature tasting event on April 9 at Distribution Hall. Read up on the 10 contenders below, and consider doing your own delicious field research.<\/p>\n You can see all of the Tastemaker Award nominees here<\/a> and learn more about them in our special editorial series<\/a> leading up to the big event.<\/p>\n A limited number of Early Bird tickets<\/a> are available now at discounted rates of $65 for general admission and $110 for VIP (includes early access to the event and a dedicated bar). Prices will increase after March 19. Grab your tickets now before they sell out.<\/p>\n Enjoy a sweet moment with our 10 nominees for Dessert Program of the Year 2026:<\/p>\n Dolce Neve Gelato Fonda San Miguel JP’s Pancake Company Launderette Mercado Sin Nombre Oseyo Peace Bakery and Deli Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop Round Rock Donuts Uchi —<\/p>\n
<\/a>Dolce Neve Gelato mainly offers one type of dessert, but there are endless ways to keep things creative. Some simple flavors, like the signature custard with lemon zest, are always available; some more adventurous ones like ricotta with honey and pistachio rotate. The shop also makes a few other types of desserts \u2014 always beautiful \u2014 including tiramisu cakes and gelato sandwiches.<\/p>\n
<\/a>This longstanding Austin restaurant is an icon across the board, but its dessert lineup is the cherry on top. Enjoy the traditional tres leches cake with mango sorbet, or try the indulgent crepas de cajeta with goat milk caramel, toasted almonds, and a scoop of Mexican vanilla ice cream. Even with elevated presentation, the homey feelings are baked in.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Before you panic about the taxonomy of adding a breakfast classic to a dessert list, note that JP\u2019s Pancake Company makes \u201cgourmet dessert pancakes\u201d with fruit, sweet syrups, whipped cream, and other fun toppings. Joy is the goal for JP Udenenwu, and there\u2019s no occasion that isn\u2019t suited for a stack of pancakes.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Landerette is a well-rounded restaurant, and its most iconic dish is a dessert. Guests love pastry chef Laura Sawicki\u2019s Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwich, a neat cube topped with colorful nonpareils. It\u2019s one of the most recognizable desserts in Austin. Others, like the beet cremeux with poached pear, candied rosemary, and Pedro Xim\u00e9nez wine, skew more mature.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Mercado Sin Nombre is a Michelin-recognized caf\u00e9 and bakery in East Austin specializing in masa-based delicacies, Mexican heirloom corn, and maintaining lasting relationships with Mexican and Central Texas producers. Its desserts are straightforward and inspire obsession: fan favorites include the gluten-free masa pancakes and \u201cBad Honey Bunny\u201d masa milk buns.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Another, very different restaurant is also blessed by Laura Sawicki\u2019s touch, resulting in comforting, Korean-tinged treats. It\u2019s hard to pick between four different house-made ice cream flavors at Oseyo, plus a brown butter pound cake, the milk \u201ctea-ra-misu,\u201d or milk chocolate ganache and black sesame fudge. Why choose, then? Send it all out.<\/p>\n
<\/a>There are two things the world definitely needs more of: peace and Peace Bakery and Deli\u2019s pistachio baklava. The delicately balanced dessert is a popular way to end a full meal from the deli on a high note. Other sweet specialties to try include different baklava varieties and kunafa with cheese or custard.<\/p>\n
<\/a>From savory bagels to perfectly layered mille feuille, pastry chef Amanda Rockman can do it all and make a delicious latte to go with it. Maybe even dip a halva chocolate chip cookie. If the pastries aren\u2019t sold out, lucky visitors can nab them for 50 percent off during the bakery\u2019s \u201cpastry happy hour\u201d from 6-7 pm.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Though it\u2019s in a suburb, Round Rock Donuts is an Austin institution. Drive-thru lines can snake around the block as locals and tourists try to get their hands on a Texas-sized doughnut. But there\u2019s more to this shop than absurdly large doughnuts, like kolaches, cinnamon rolls, and cakes for all occasions. <\/p>\n
<\/a>Dessert is fine art at Uchi at the hands of Ariana Quant, one of the city\u2019s most innovative pastry chefs. Quant is masterful with layers, whether she\u2019s stacking flavors, textures, or temperatures. The coconut tapioca is a triumph that made our Favorite Meals of 2025 list<\/a>, and there\u2019s always a delightful new surprise to look forward to.<\/p>\n