Best Places for Dessert in the Quad Cities

Soon we’ll be hearing the familiar broadcast from ice cream trucks traversing the neighborhoods and kids will be begging for a couple dollars to claim a frozen treat. As tempting and easy as that may be, there are plenty of other places around the Quad Cities to grab dessert! From artisan and handmade chocolates to French pastries and award-winning ice creams, check out some of these tasty options.

Lagomarcino’s Confectionary

2132 E. 11th Street, Davenport, Iowa
1422 5th Avenue, Moline, Illinois
Known for their hand-dipped chocolates, this is best visited for dessert. Their signature dish is a simple hot fudge sundae complete with your own pitcher of hot fudge. They also offer shakes, old-fashioned sodas and have their hand-dipped chocolates and other confections to choose from as well. Regardless what you order, be sure to grab a couple pieces of deliciousness to go.

Whitey’s Ice Cream

Multiple locations throughout the Quad Cities.
This is a hometown favorite that is starting to branch into nearby cities. With a variety of homemade ice creams to choose from, I recommend that you sample a few until you find one that meets your taste preference for the day. Me? I order a specialty shake on virtually every visit, preferably a different one than I ordered the prior half dozen visits. No matter what I order, I’m always happy. Here’s a tip – if you order a shake or malt, spring for the largest size. The cost isn’t much more and they’re just as delicious as leftovers.

Here’s the Scoop 

1104 Mound Street, Davenport, Iowa
Looking for unique flavors of ice cream? Nestled in the iconic Village of East Davenport, Here’s the Scoop offers flavors such as Strawberry Balsamic, Apple Cider Sorbet, Maple Bacon Brittle and Goat Cheese & Roasted Cherries. Those sound a little to off-the-wall for you? Don’t worry. There are plenty of traditional flavors to choose from as well. Flavors change with the season which gives you a reason to go back! 

Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie 

314 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa
If we’re in downtown Davenport for a festival or have room after dining at Me & Billy, we pop in this sweet shop for dessert. They offer quiches and breakfast sandwiches in the morning as well as sandwiches at lunch but we can’t attest to how they are since we’ve never tried any. If I step foot in this shop, I’ll enjoy whatever sweets I want and gladly call it a meal.

Cones on the Corner

1152 15th Ave, East Moline, Illinois
They aren’t open year-round, but when they are it’s worth the trip. We stumbled across this hidden treasure while attending an event nearby a couple years ago. We decided to try their “Peanut Butter and Jelly Gelato” and we were amazed by how fantastic it was. It tasted just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! They hand make the Gelato then mix in flavored jelly (or maybe it was jam, I don’t remember).

Wilton Candy Kitchen

310 Cedar Street, Wilton, Iowa
You’ll have to head to the outskirts of the Quad Cities to enjoy these longstanding soda fountain. It’s the oldest continuously running soda fountain in the country having opened in 1867 which is why it’s a popular stop for celebrities. We sat in a booth with a sign that read “Gregory Peck sat here” and more recently enjoyed reading about Mark Zuckerberg’s visit to the shop. They’ve been remodeling so we’re anxious to see what it looks like now!

Baked Beer & Bread Company

1113 Mound Street, Davenport, Iowa
With a full service menu, including alcohol, this might not be where you would think to stop for dessert, but one look at their menu and all the options and you’ll understand why you should. Sure you can plan to have a meal there, but don’t feel ashamed about making a special trip just to appease your sweet tooth.

The Shameless Chocoholic

200 Jones St., LeClaire, Iowa
Plan a visit to the town for some shopping then treat yourself to dessert at The Shameless Chocolate. With a variety of handmade confections and a mix of traditional penny candies, you’re sure to find something delightful!

Country Style Ice Cream

Various locations around the Quad Cities
I was always baffled by the location of Country Style Ice Cream right next to Whitey’s in Moline until I learned that the companies were owned by brothers. While they both have a variety of shakes and ice cream flavors, Country Style’s roots are in soft serve. They also offer a variety of coffees and other beverages.

National Chains / Franchises

Peachwave

3431 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, Iowa
There are a lot of yogurt shops around, but Peachwave offers consistent quality of yogurt as well as toppings. I love that they provide sampler cups so you can test out the flavor before committing to it. I’ve purchased some that I might not have otherwise tried had I not sampled it first. As a bonus, the staff is always super friendly, they have WiFi and the place is bright and cheery.

Steak ‘n Shake

Various locations around the Quad Cities
The reason to eat here is right in the name. Their shakes are delicious and there are always coupons that make them even more affordable. Yes, I know it’s a chain, but seriously… yum.

The Quad Cities isn’t a major metropolitan area, but we’re certainly holding our own with quality places to dine in the Quad Cities, including dessert.

What types of sweets do you seek out for dessert?