Salt Lake dessert makers go harder in summer than any other time of year. It’s not just the usual rotation getting refreshed. These are limited runs, small-batch flavors, and builds that only make sense when Utah farms are in full swing. Some of this disappears next month. Here’s what’s actually worth going out of your way for right now.
MONKEYWRENCH
📍 53 E Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Monkeywrench is a small-batch vegan ice cream shop downtown with a coffee bar and housemade baked goods. The Butter Pecan is my go-to but honestly the Lavender Blueberry Honeycomb keeps me coming back. Everything is dairy-free so if you think you’ll miss the cream, you won’t. Their waffle cones are made in-house and I always spring for one because they’re that good.
It’s on Gallivan Ave in downtown Salt Lake, open noon to 10 most nights and till 11 on weekends. There’s no indoor seating but the outdoor tables work fine. If you’re trying multiple flavors, get a double scoop and split it, the portions are generous.
Sweet Hazel & Co. Bistro & Bakeshop
📍 1000 S Main St #100, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Sweet Hazel is a full vegan bakery and dessert shop downtown, and they also do breakfast, lunch, and brunch if you want to make a meal of it. The candy bars are what I always grab, they’re all housemade and you can taste the difference. They’ve got tiramisu, brownies, cannoli, and a whole case of gluten-free options that don’t taste like compromises. If you’re not vegan, don’t let that stop you, I’m not and I keep going back.
It’s on Main Street in Central City, open Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday till 7:30, Sunday and Saturday mornings for brunch. They’re closed Wednesdays. Prices are reasonable for what you’re getting, I had a cinnamon roll that could feed three people for under 15 bucks.
Beaumont Bakery & Cafe
📍 3979 Wasatch Blvd, Millcreek, UT 84124
Beaumont is a bakery and cafe on Wasatch Boulevard in Millcreek with a full menu but the pastries are what you’re really there for. The cruffin is the move, it’s a crossover between a croissant and a muffin and it sells out fast. They’ve got gelato too and the white chocolate raspberry is worth trying. French pastries done well, outdoor seating if you want to sit with a view of the mountains.
Open daily, weekdays till 8 and weekends till 9, Sunday brunch ends at 3. They have a drive-thru if you’re just grabbing pastries. Go early if you’re after a cruffin because once they’re gone they’re gone.
Love & Light Bakery
📍 2142 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Love & Light is a small vegan donut shop in Sugar House making everything from scratch, and I mean everything, including the glaze. The old fashioned donut is fluffy with a nice chew and not too sweet. They use organic ingredients and no dyes ever, so the flavors are real. Fridays they do apple fritters and those go fast.
They’re on Highland Drive, open Thursday through Sunday 9 to 2:30 or till they sell out. Show up early because once the donuts are gone that’s it for the day. They also do gluten-free cake donuts on Thursdays.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
📍 3165 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Menchie’s is a self-serve frozen yogurt spot in Canyon Rim where you build your own cup with whatever flavors and toppings you want and pay by weight. It’s the kind of place where you can pile on mochi, pomegranate seeds, and as much chocolate frozen yogurt as you can handle. They have gluten-free options and rotate seasonal flavors so there’s always something new. It’s straightforward, nothing fancy, just solid frozen yogurt and a lot of choices.
It’s on 3300 South near the mouth of Millcreek Canyon, open till 10 most nights and 11 on weekends. Go light on the toppings if you don’t want to pay a fortune, the weight adds up quick. Good spot if you’re bringing kids, they love the self-serve setup.
Every summer I end up saying I’m going to try a bunch of new places, then somehow keep going back to the same one. So this list is as much a reminder for me as it is for you.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get out of the house, this is it. Order the dessert you’ve been thinking about all week. Summer’s too short to keep putting it off.
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