Utah is full of sweet treats and there are whole stores dedicated to gourmet cookies, cheesecakes, milkshakes and more. But for many, a good dessert is better when it accompanies a good meal, and it’s even more interesting to the palate if it’s something that’s new. 

Here are eight restaurants across Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties that not only bring good food to the table, but follow up with delicious and lesser-known desserts. The list is for all price-ranges, starting with the most expensive on the top. Prices range from $3 to $14. 

Antica Sicilia - torta della nonna

Italian desserts at Millcreek’s Antica Sicilia are made fresh daily by restaurant co-owner, Giuseppe Mirenda’s mom, Margherita D’Alessandro. He said he doesn’t know of anyone else in Utah who makes the dessert. 

“It’s the cake my grandma used to make all the time,” said Mirenda.

The recipe for the torta della nonna or “Grandma’s cake,” is an olive oil cake served at the restaurant made of fresh ingredients with a zabaglione sauce. The restaurant serves 40 portions of the cake every night, and is almost always sold out before close.

Libertango - pera al vino 

This Argentine steakhouse in Sandy promises you a taste of the fancy life. Libertango also has some desserts you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in Utah. Their pera al vino is a sliced pear soaked in a red wine sauce paired with vanilla ice cream. They also offer a guava marmalade and mozzarella stuffed empanada drizzled with citrus and honey yogurt.

Mumbai House - kheer, kulfi, gulab jamun

Traditional homemade Indian desserts at Mumbai House in Salt Lake City feature cardamon, golden raisins and rose syrup. Kheer, cardamom rice pudding with cashews and golden raisins; kulfi, a homemade Indian ice cream with cream, pistachios, cashew nuts and cardamom seeds; and gulab jamun, a pastry soaked in rose syrup, are all available to satisfy your sweet tooth at a good price.

Vietopia Bistro - chè 3 màu

Vietopia Bistro in Farmington Station offers a wide variety of Vietnamese cuisine, including a dessert known as “chè 3 màu” or “three colors dessert.” Made in distinct layers, there are sweetened red and mung beans on the bottom, usually green pandan jelly, and a white sweet coconut sauce.

Aubergine Kitchen - cocoa and peanut power haystacks

As a healthy vegan, gluten free and no sugar added option, Aubergine Kitchen (various locations) has you covered for dessert. The haystacks look almost like a power bite sweetened with dates rather than sugar, so you can get your sugar fix without the processed sugar. 

Chicho’s Flavors - dessert empanadas

Caribbean food, such as found in the Dominican Republic, can be found on a food truck that drives around Utah. Although it’s technically not a restaurant, this one had to make the list. Chicho’s Flavors offers sweet options of the traditional empanada full of coconut, pineapple and apple.

99 Thai Fusion - mango sticky rice

When you think of rice, you may not think of something sweet. But a traditional Asian dessert with real mango, coconut milk and sticky rice from 99 Thai Fusion in Layton may change your mind. It’s also one of the healthier dessert options out there if that’s important to you.

The Smoked Taco - churro fries

With three locations in Utah County, The Smoked Taco has a fun spin on a classic Mexican dessert. Churro fries bring all that you love about churros in a more bite-sized form. Plus, who doesn’t want some added whipped cream and a caramel drizzle on top? In the past, the restaurant has even had a strawberry and Nutella specialty flavor.