Knowing how much I like desserts, were you surprised I didn’t feature them in my best dishes of 2019? You should have known I’d do a separate post on sweet decadence in Miami. And here they are, the best desserts in Miami of 2019. Fast forward June, 2020. Look at the end for a new find for the best apple pie in Miami and Viennese style pastries from a home baker.

The ultimate dessert destination has to be The Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa and the star sweet is their tarte tatin which they feature in their coffee table book on the restaurant. It’s the French apple tart with vanilla ice cream. OMG. The pastry of the French apple tart was uber buttery and flaky, and the apples were perfectly caramelized. And, of course, it was topped with vanilla ice cream.

STK Miami on the Beach injects some drama into everything – its décor and even its desserts. A favorite is its instagrammable cotton candy confection called “the cloud” . It’s flamed at the table, unveiling ice cream, strawberries and angel food cake.

Myn Tu French Vietnamese restaurant in South Beach came up with the the Ultimate Classic Lemon Tart. Its cool, sharp lemon filling contrasted nicely with the flaky, sweet pastry crust and oh so airy meringue. Come with a group? You may want to consider the Myn-Tu dessert party grazing plate which can be adapted for small or large parties.

Award for the celebration dessert of the year goes to Zuma in downtown Miami. Everyone can join in, enjoying the sweet decadence with a large vessel filled with several cakes, ice creams, and fresh fruit. Then it’s topped off with a sparkler. Super festive.

My choice for my own birthday cake once again was the Great Wall of Chocolate Cake at would you believe, P.F.Chang’s in the Brickell area, at Dolphin Mall and The Falls. The seven layer cake is moist and tasty, but best is the chocolate butter cream frosting that is laced between the layers as well as on top. It’s a chocoholic’s dream.

Combining the best of chocolate and caramel style sundaes is the flambeed nutty d’angelo. It’s frozen crushed pecans flamed with brown sugar and brandy, served over vanilla ice cream, dipped in white chocolate and toasted almonds. You have to push your spoon through the outside “crust” to find the ice cream as in a treasure hunt. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill (Coral Gables).

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention other “sweet destinations” that consistently get high ratings and are well worth a visit. These include Bachour Bakery (Coral Gables, Time Out Market in Miami Beach and The Citadel in Little River); Madlab Creamery (Design District); Zak the Baker (Wynwood); and True Loaf (Sunset Harbour).  Kudos too, to Granier with several locations in Miami and  branches in Europe for its  cronut, a cross between a croissant and doughnut).

A new dessert discovery, June, 2020:

A Best Miami Find: Artisanal Pastries and Cakes