Best Dessert in Lincoln 2016

Let’s get this out of the way: give me a choice between dessert and more entrée, I’m picking the entrée. But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate really good dessert. One of my favorite night out “hacks” is to go out to eat one place, but skip dessert there and go to a completely different place for the sweet stuff. It extends the evening & gives you the opportunity to experience multiple places in one night without spending much more (especially if you planned on getting dessert anyway).

So everywhere on this list follows that concept: a place that’s fun to go after dinner. That excludes a few very dessert-worthy bakeries since they’re not open late, but I’m sure they’ll get their own write-up on here someday.

 

1. Ivanna Cone

Who doesn’t like ice cream? Ivanna cone has it. They have some traditional favorites but they really stand out with all the creative flavors that rotate through. They are within walking distance if you just had dinner in the Haymarket and have a really cool atmosphere inside. I love getting a waffle cone with a couple flavors and sitting out front on one of the benches. It’s a great places to people-watch and enjoy whatever crazy flavor they have this week. Given the entire package Ivanna Cone provides, I’m not bashful about saying it’s probably my favorite ice cream joint I’ve ever visited. Anywhere.
http://www.ivannacone.com/

2. Parthenon

Oh Parthenon, I love you. You have saganaki, which I could eat all day every day. Dolmathes which I often crave, specials that are amazing and an owner (George) who does a great job at making you feel welcome in his restaurant. But it’s the desert that really makes the place stand out. They have multiple flavors of awesome homemade ice cream, my favorite being the coffee. You can also go up to the dessert display and go crazy with all the great stuff in there. My choice is usually a raspberry Kok.
http://www.theparthenon.net/

3. Wilderness Ridge

Talk about another place with atmosphere, Wilderness Ridge has it. The lodge is gorgeous and they definitely have the best outdoor deck in town. They are probably a bit of a drive if you’re coming from dinner, but they have a very large parking lot so it shouldn’t be a problem. They also have one of the nicer golf courses in town, but but don’t let the golf course part scare you away, it’s fully public and not overly stuffy. Their non-dessert food is usually fantastic, though having a disappointing experience there a couple times keeps it from earning a blue mark. But we’re talking about dessert. They have a pastry chef dedicated to the stuff and they have a great selection with some creative & tasty desserts. The dessert menu is always changing which is a great excuse to go back a lot: you have to find their latest creations! Combine that with the view and it’s a can’t-miss when you’re craving an after dinner treat.
http://www.wildernessridgegolf.com/

4. JTK

JTK should probably be first on my list. Well OK, second, I love Ivanna Cone too much for first. They have everything I typically look for at dessert: good whiskey selection? Yep. A nice desert wine list that pairs well with each of their desserts? Got it. A cheese plate for dessert? Mmmmm. A good brandy selection? Good coffee? Custom dessert drinks? Oh yeah. But I’m going to judge them only on the sugary types of dessert most people think of when searching for good dessert. Even there, the chocolate tart pictured above was by far the winner when doing reconnaissance for this article (see what pain I have to go through for you, handful of readers who will ever see this page?). So don’t ask me why I have them 4th, just let it illustrate how much I also enjoy the dessert at the other places on this list. The upscale atmosphere also adds to the reasons I enjoy going there for dessert only: you can eat in a really nice place and walk out with a very reasonable tab since you’re only getting dessert. It’s location in the Haymarket also makes it another great place that’s in walking range if you’re already down there.
http://www.jtkrestaurant.com/

5. Green Gateau

For dessert, the Green Gateau used to have an option to toast your own s’mores. I know, making s’mores is something you can do at home. But you’re not at home, you’re in a restaurant and the experience was just neat. Why am I telling you this? Maybe they’ll bring it back if enough people ask about it :). But in spite of the blunder to remove the s’mores from their menu, they still land on this list because their other dessert is pretty darn good. They usually have a good selection, make sure you stop by the display cabinet on your way in to check them out. Their signature is the “Green Gateau” cake. It’s delish.
http://www.greengateau.com/

---

There you go, my favorite dessert places in town. If you have an awesome place or specific dessert that you’ve found, let me know in the comments. I want to try it!

 

---

Tags: Green Gateau, Ivanna Cone, JTK, Parthenon, Wilderness Ridge