Here in the ATL Airport District, we believe everybody deserves a little treat. And we don’t just mean after dinner. Any time of day, any sweet craving. We’re talking cakes, pies, ice cream, smoothies, pastries, paletas, beignets – you name it, we’ve got it! Check out our list of favorite local desserts below. You can eat your vegetables tomorrow.
Bakes by Drae
🍰 1860 Harvard Ave, College Park, GA 30337
This bakery, owned by mother-son duo Marla and Andrae Jones, all started as a way for Andrae to practice stress relief during the pandemic. Several lucky friends and family members taste-tested these early items and encouraged him to start selling his baked goods. Just a few years later, Bakes by Drae has its own storefront in College Park, open for business every weekend! With a sweet foundation of family recipes passed down through generations, plus constant innovation in new creations – including vegan options – this bakery has become a fast community favorite. Specialties include their cinnamon rolls and Southern-inspired cakes, cobblers and cookies. Check their socials for new flavors and stop in to become part of the family.
ButterSweet Bakery
🍪 625 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30365
Pastry chef Charlita Varner keeps customers happy with her assortment of cupcakes, tartlettes, cookies, cakes, and more! She creates goodies for any occasion and even offers cute customizable mini cakes for those who crave more than a cupcake...but might not be able to polish off an entire 10-incher. Buttersweet offers baking and decorating classes, camps for kids, and has partnered with Jubilee Pop-Up Bookstore, so you can feed your creativity, your mind, and your belly, all in one place! Chef Varner shares her scrumptious pineapple upside-down cake and melt-in-your-mouth flourless chocolate cakes with Hapeville neighbor, Folk Art, so if you miss her during regular business hours, you can still sneak in a slice right next door.
Café Belli Coffee & Cocktail Bar
☕ 673 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
This modern European-style café transforms into an intimate bar at night, and at all hours of operation they offer an array of mouthwatering delicacies that pair perfectly with any coffee or cocktail. Every morning, fresh seasonal pastries are delivered from Alon's Bakery. Imagine a peaceful start to your day with a comforting cup of coffee, plus a warm, flaky chocolate croissant, luscious raspberry cheese Danish, or yummy blueberry muffin. Come back later to impress your special someone on date night and you can enjoy a decadent dessert prepared by owner Mario Ali. With a rotating menu, guests have been lucky to enjoy his velvety creme brûlée, silky smooth chocolate mousse and a luxurious Dubai chocolate mousse. You're bound to be in for a sumptuous surprise no matter what time of day you visit.
Gabby’s Paletería
🍧 415 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
Gabby’s fiery main menu of authentic Mexican flavors will have you begging for a way to cool off. Good thing they are fully stocked with ice cream, paletas (think popsicle, but better for you), and can whip you up a delicious milkshake or banana split. For something truly unique, order a Mangonada – a sweet and spicy Mexican frozen treat made with shaved ice, mangoes, chili lime Tajin, and served with a tangy tamarind straw.
Jake's Ice Cream
🍦 755 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
Jake’s touts over 200 frozen dessert flavors, all handmade with natural ingredients, hormone-free dairy, or house-made oat milk. While the Chocolate Slap Yo Mama and Brown Shugah Vanilla are two of their best-selling classics, ice cream fans can also celebrate rotating seasonal flavors, as well as their signature Cakescreams and Piescreams, boozy Prohibition concoctions, fruity vegan sorbets, and oh so much more! A local favorite is definitely Delta's Delight, made with Biscoff cookies and Bailey's Irish Cream - it'll have you ready for take-off. While they spend hours in the test kitchen, many of their flavor ideas come straight from loyal customers. Could yours be next?
Kula Bowls by Icey Chicks
🍍 615 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
For a guiltless treat that’s good for your gut, stop by Kula Bowls (located inside Chapman Drugs). You can choose from a selection of healthy ingredients to build your own bowl with bases like açai, matcha, blue spirulina, and more. Plus, they add an assortment of seeds, berries and drizzles, like peanut butter or honey. For an extra punch of protein, try one of their scoops of vegan vanilla, chocolate, or collagen protein powders. Not sure where to start? Try their crowd-favorite Happy Bowl 😊 Speaking of crowds, you can also book their food truck to come out to your next event!
The Pie Shop at the Dwarf House
🥧 461 North Central Avenue Hapeville, GA 30354
Located inside the famous Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, The Pie Shop is its own little slice of heaven on earth. Legendary baker, Zelma Calhoun, spent 40 years perfecting their classic lemon meringue with Nilla wafer crust, dreamy chocolate and creamy coconut pies, sometimes making 100 pies per day! The secret to her success? It’s actually pretty simple: “Always be nice and sweet.” Zelma’s tradition continues with each pie handmade with love at this Hapeville landmark. In fact, the Dwarf House offers guided tours, so you can witness the pie-making magic up close and personal, and taste the love for yourself.
Yay! Beignet
🥐 755 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
Bringing a taste of New Orleans home to Hapeville, this locally owned dessert and coffee shop offers hot, fluffy, pillowy pockets of powdered beignets that are made even more delectable with a drizzle (or generous dunk) of bourbon praline caramel sauce. Have we got your mouth watering yet? These amazing creations are made to order and pair perfectly with a fresh cup of single-origin craft Harar Ethiopian coffee. For a taste of culture with your caffeine, come by on a Saturday morning to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony that celebrates hospitality, heritage, and community.
We know it might be impossible to choose just one of the District's delightful desserts, so grab a friend and take a sweet tour of all the tempting treats we have to offer! We give you permission not to share.
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