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Grab Something Sweet in Gainesville

By: Carly Zinderman

Traveling is not the time for worrying about your waistline. Instead, give yourself permission to indulge your sweet tooth. Gainesville has plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet spot, from coffee houses with rich creations to ice cream shops to help you keep your cool. There are also great bakeries, restaurants and more. Take a look at some of the gooey goodness that Gainesville has to offer.

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams Homemade Ice Cream
Sweet Dreams Homemade Ice Cream

Sweet Dreams has been dubbed a “local treasure.” Since 2004, Sweet Dreams has been serving up no less than 24 flavors of creamy homemade ice cream, including sugar-free and dairy-free versions. A welcome part of the community, Sweet Dreams is part of many events that benefit the surrounding area when the friendly staff isn’t helping folks pick out a favorite flavor. From dishing out over 40 types of chocolate ice cream delights to hosting theme nights, dessert fiends will find something to satisfy their cravings with the assortment of Italian ices, ice creams, sorbet and other cool creations Sweet Dreams has to offer.

Flaco’s Cuban Bakery

Flaco’s Cuban Bakery is the perfect place to get something sweet and savory. Because no trip to Florida is complete without a taste of Cuba, Flaco’s Cuban Bakery serves up delicious Cuban sandwiches on sweet bread with perfectly flakey pastries to finish up your meal. Even better, the late night hours that have made Flaco’s a favorite with University of Florida students mean that you can indulge your craving for a guava and cheese pastry just about any time you want.

Karma Cream

Ice Cream at Karma Cream
Ice Cream at Karma Cream

Karma Cream is dedicated to making sure your indulgence is extra sweet by using  environmentally and socially responsible products without any artificial ingredients. Karma Cream offers both dairy and nondairy ice creams in addition to an array of homemade vegan-only cupcakes, cookies and other freshly baked treats. Nearly all products Karma Cream uses, from the organic coffee to accompany your dessert to the compostable cup it is poured into, are earth-friendly, so you won’t have to feel quite so guilty about those guilty pleasures.

Sweetberries Frozen Custard

Sweetberries Frozen Custard has homemade frozen custard in a variety of flavors every day.  You can also choose from their selection of baked goods or enjoy a tasty sandwich or salad for lunch.

Colsie Coffee

Colsie Coffee in High Springs is worth the trip. There you will find a selection of cupcakes, cookies and other outstanding baked goods.  You can taste the homemade goodness in every bite!


No matter if you wake up with a hankering for a memorable muffin or find yourself in need of a homemade cookie, Gainesville offers plenty of places that hit the sweet spot.

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