Dessert. This seven-letter word is the way to my heart!
One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday (or any other day of the week, for that matter) is to discover a new-to-me dessert shop right here in Wichita.
Getting dessert can be a great bonding time for friends, a special family outing that the kids will love, a nice low-pressure first date, or a good way to get together with work colleagues.
Of course, you can also just stop in at a local sweet shop to treat yourself – no reason required!
Below we have compiled a list of sweet shops, candy stores, and dessert places in Wichita that we’ve tried or readers have recommended. And believe me – we’ll be adding to this list as we add holes to our belts. Let it be your go-to guide the next time you have a sweet tooth.
Do you know of a great sweet shop or candy store we’ve missed? Please tell us about it in the comments!
Wichita Sweet Shops
Stop and stay a while at these Wichita dessert places.
Milkfloat
A personal fave of ours. Their desserts are made fresh, you can even see where it all happens toward the back of the store. This little dessert shop in Delano has such a cute atmosphere. It might become your favorite too. 535 W Douglas Ave #140, Wichita, KS 67213
Cocoa Dolce
This local shop makes artisan chocolate – the kind you take pictures of first, and then enjoy slowly. Everything is made in-house. They have three locations – one in Bradley Fair, one downtown, and one in NewMarket Square. You can sit and enjoy your chocolates in their seating area or take them with you. 2132 N. Rock Rd., Suite 100; 235 N. St. Francis; 2442 N. Maize Rd., Suite 123.
Frost
A from-scratch dessert shop in good ol’ College Hill, right next to Andy’s Frozen Custard! Frost’s sign says it’s a “Bakehouse & Creamery.” Reason enough to go in and try something, like artisan ice cream, oatmeal cream pie, or chocolate cake. 3429 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67218
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Andy’s Frozen Custard is a chain of stores, and in Wichita, they have a nostalgic, walk-up vibe. Frozen custard is a lot like ice cream, with a smoother and creamier texture. Some popular treats at Andy’s are concretes, sundaes, and banana splits. Andy’s has three Wichita locations.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
It’s easy to forget the frozen custard when the steakburgers are so good, but this Wichita-born fast food chain puts dessert first – at least in its name. The frozen custard is a must. Locations all over the world, but the original is still in Wichita at 21st and Tyler.
Papa’s General Store
It’s a fun experience with unique and delicious ice cream flavors.
Paleteria La Reyna
This is one of Wichita’s favorite ice cream stores! Just look at any post about ice cream places in social media groups, and it’s almost always mentioned four or five times, at least. Try the tacos, then follow up with any of the beautiful and delicious desserts. You can find it all at 2925 N Arkansas Ave, Wichita, KS 67204.
Candy Stores in Wichita
Like a kid in a candy store! Here’s where to pick up sweets and treats around town.
The Farris Wheel
When you walk into the Farris Wheel, you feel exactly like a kid in a candy store. It’s a terrible place to go if you’re indecisive – everything catches your eye and you want to try one of everything. Thankfully, they have a nice selection of bulk candies and nut mixes, and they offer weekly samples. It’s a perfect place when you’re feeling nostalgic for old-fashioned candies and sweets. In Cambridge Market, 9747 E. 21st St. N., Suite 107.
Rocket Fizz
This candy store in east Wichita is all about fun. You can buy sodas with the zaniest names, like Ranch, Pickle Juice, Apple Pie. (Some sound gross but taste good, but a few supposedly taste like they’re named – you’ll have to ask the staff or take your chances.) They also have classic soda flavors and candies. Everything here is novel and fun. Don’t miss it if you’re an adventurer. Oh, also remember it for April Fool’s Day. 2350 N. Greenwich Rd., Suite 700.
Nifty Nuthouse
Practically everyone in Wichita knows about Nifty Nuthouse, which Alton Brown called a national treasure. You can find great gifts here for special occasions, from fancy nut mixes to Easter baskets filled with kid favorites. 537 N. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67214
Sweet N Saucy
This local place sells crazy sodas, candy, hot sauce, steak sauce, BBQ sauce, etc. and un-boring socks and cute bath products! We can’t wait to visit the shop, which is located at 535 W. Douglas, Suite 110, in Delano. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory at SCHEELS Sporting Goods
What better way to end (or begin!) a Scheels shopping spree than getting some tasty hand-crafted chocolates, store made fudge, caramel apples, and packaged or bulk candy? In Towne East, 7700 E. Kellogg Dr., Wichita, KS 67207.
You might also like our roundup of great Wichita Coffee Shops! And if you’re looking for other inexpensive ideas for spending time with your sweetheart, scroll through our big list of Wichita Date Ideas.
Fond Remembrances
We like to recollect desserts from days-gone-by.
Churn and Burn (now closed)
This place was an absolute treat in Wichita if you love both coffee and ice cream. We already thought it was cool (pun intended) that they froze the ice cream with liquid nitrogen, but we didn’t know the results would be so delicious. We went to the Oliver location, which has retro video games you can play in the casual, eclectic seating area. At one time, they had locations at 548 S Oliver St, Wichita, KS 67218 and 11414 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206.
The Donut Whole (closed)
The best part about the Donut Whole was the donuts, but they also had a giant rooster outside above their shop, and that’s pretty great. Inside, you could grab a donut and coffee and sit to enjoy it, or you can get a dozen and be the most popular person at wherever you’re going. Some evenings they had live local entertainment. 1720 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67214 (At one time, they had a second location. Donut Whole Plus, at 3750 N. Woodlawn.)
Little Lion Cafe (closed)
Wichita used to have Little Lion ice cream carts around town to enjoy their made-from-scratch ice cream, waffles, coffee and other goodies, and then we had the Little Lion has a permanent cafe. It was a little stone cottage in the new Revolutsia retail development at 2721 E. Central.
