The Best Desserts in the World (and Where to Get Them)
Use your sweet tooth to find your next destination. We've zeroed in on the cities known for their delicious treats and the best places to get them.
By Lianna Trubowitz, CNTraveler.com
1. STROOPWAFELS
Amsterdam
What it is: Warm, gooey caramel sandwiched between two layers of crispy baked batter.
Where to get it: Street carts throughout Amsterdam sell this yummy Dutch waffle, but the cozy, four-generations-old Lanskroon café offers the treat along with homemade ice cream in flavors like rhubarb or pistachio. In winter months, order the stroopwafel with a steaming cup of coffee, and do as the Dutch do, placing the waffle on top of your cup, so the drink's hot steam can warm the caramel (Singel 385, Amsterdam; 020-623-7743).
Photo: Peter Eric Forsberg/Alamy
2. PASTEL DE NATA
Lisbon
What it is: A flaky, circular pastry filled with egg custard and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Where to get it: The well-known Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, which opened its doors in 1834, cannot cook its beloved dessert fast enough, serving on average 10,000 pastels daily. Enjoy the treat in the high-ceilinged, 17th-century tiled dining room or on the go, while you wander the beautiful Belém neighborhood known for its Belém Tower (Rua de Belém, 84-92, Lisbon; 351-21-363-7423).
Photo: Adam Eastland/Alamy
3. BEIGNETS
New Orleans
What it is: A square-shaped piece of deep-fried dough topped with powdered sugar.
Where to get it: The landmark Café du Monde has been around since 1862 and is the must-visit spot for New Orleans beignets. Order a coffee au lait to complement and cut the sweetness of the dessert. The café is conveniently open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and it's located by the water for a scenic mid-afternoon or midnight snack (80 Decatur Street, New Orleans; 800-722-2927).
Cubo Images SRL/Alamy
See Also: America's Best Sandwiches
4. SACHERTORTE
Vienna
What it is: A fluffy, chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and preserves, usually topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
Where to get it: Located inside the Hotel Sacher, Café Sacher Wien is an opulent spot to enjoy the decadent tart. It's also historically fitting: This is the place where the sachertorte was supposedly invented. (Philharmonikerstraße 4, A-1010 Wien; 43-1-514-560).
Photo: National Geographic Image Collection/Alamy
5. CHURROS
Madrid
What it is: The churro, created centuries ago by Spanish shepherds, is a hollow cylindrical fried dough treat, coated in sugar and best-eaten dipped in thick hot chocolate.
Where to get it: Guests crowd into Chocolatería San Ginés to sit in green velvet chairs and dunk churros in rich hot chocolate. The café is open 24 hours, making it a delicious place to end the night, or technically, start the morning (Pasadizo de San Ginés 5, Madrid; 91-365-6546).
Photo: Hemis/Alamy
6. RUGELACH
Jerusalem
What it is: A bite-size morsel of sweet dough rolled around layers of chocolate, fruit filling or nuts, then brushed with an egg white glaze and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Where to get it: Café Marzipan is located in the bustling Machne Yehuda market, where locals go to stock up on essentials: fresh vegetables, spices, and fresh-out-of-the-oven rugelach. (44 Agripas Street, Jerusalem; 972-55-664-6684).
Photo: Eyel Nahmias/Alamy
See More: 10 Delicious Ways to Celebrate World Nutella Day
7. BAKLAVA
Istanbul
What it is: Crispy on top and gooey in the middle, the many phyllo layers are separated by chopped nuts and layers of syrup or honey.
Where to get it: The family-owned landmark Karakoy Gulluoglu, which serves 3,000 to 4,000 people on an average Saturday, emphasizes the freshness of their ingredients: all-natural milk, butter, pistachios, and walnuts (Mumhane Street No. 171, Karakoy, Istanbul; 90-212-249-9680).
Photo: Imageimage/Alamy
8. ALFAJORES
Buenos Aires
What it is: Dulce de leche sandwiched between plain or chocolate-dunked cookies.
Where to get it: There are quite a few small bakeries that have devoted local followings, but the Havanna chain is known for its alfajores, and the packaged version is a perfect gift to bring home to friends or family (multiple locations, Buenos Aires).
Photo: Ildi.food/Alamy
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