Portland's Vibe

Portland, Oregon is known for its outstanding culinary scene, which includes some great dessert options. After having dinner in one of Portland's many restaurants, it can be fun to switch things up by going somewhere else for dessert. Luckily, Portlanders have some great dessert-oriented restaurants to choose from.

Cool Moon Ice Cream

Located across from Jameson Square in Portland's Pearl District neighborhood, Cool Moon Ice Cream has a great location and the best ice cream in town. Cool Moon is best known for its vast array of unique rotating flavors, such as Fiery Chocolate, Ginger Cookies and Cream, Lemon Saffron, Kulfi and Thai Iced Tea. They also offer more traditional ice cream flavors, like vanilla, chocolate and mint chip. The flavors change regularly, but you can always find delicious adventurous and classic options to try. The ice cream is perfectly textured - not too fluffy and not too hard. The store also keeps at least a few dairy-free sorbets in stock at all times.

Cool Moon is locally owned and operated, and all ice cream is made onsite. The store uses all-natural ingredients, so you can feel good about eating ice cream without ingesting artificial dyes or preservatives. Besides regular cups and cones of ice cream, Cool Moon also offers a variety of interesting float flavors, sodas, outstanding Batdorf and Bronson espresso drinks, milkshakes, chocolate-covered bananas, and other creative treats. They also sell made-to-order ice cream cakes and large containers of ice cream for special events.

Hours: Noon - 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, Noon - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; pints are $4 during a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Moonstruck specializes in all things chocolate - chocolate truffles, chocolate bars, hot chocolate, mochas, chocolate fondue, and even chocolate baked goods. The shop hand-makes its truffles using high-quality cocoa from around the world, sometimes combined with local ingredients. Seasonal truffles, such as Easter egg-shaped truffles during spring, help make Moonstruck chocolates an ideal cute gift. It is a great place to sit and catch up with a friend or pop in for treats to take home for later. Moonstruck also has a handful of locations around Portland, making it very convenient. Hours vary depending on location.

Pix Patisserie

Pix Patisserie offers creative and tasty desserts at two intimate locations in Northeast and Southeast Portland. The Northeast location is slightly more upscale than the Southeast one, although both are cute and comfortable. The treats at Pix are visually beautiful, perfectly textured and, of course, delicious! Pix has more of a European influence than many Portland restaurants, giving it a unique feel. Pix also serves great coffee, beer, spirits and an array of dessert wines. It is a perfect late night date spot, and both locations also host private parties. 

Hours: Southeast location is open 2 p.m. - midnight Monday - Thursday, 2 p.m.- 2 a.m. Friday, noon - 2 a.m. Saturday, and noon - midnight on Sundays

Northeast location is open Sunday - Thursday 10 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Papa Haydn

Papa Haydn is one of Portland's most popular dessert spots. Although the restaurant serves great lunches and dinners, many guests go to Papa Haydn just for dessert. The dessert menu is extensive. It always has several cake options, pies, cheesecake, creme brulee, custards and other creative choices. Diners can sit down and order from the dessert menu, and there is also a glass case of desserts so you can see what looks best. Papa Haydn also has a selection of coffee drinks, wines and cocktails, including dessert wines and delicious sweeter cocktails (try the Spanish coffee!). They try to use local ingredients whenever possible, and they also use high quality chocolate. The service is always spot-on, and the restaurant has a great feel for a date or night out with friends and family.

Hours: Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Check out other great Portland restaurants on Portland.com

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