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Best Sweet Treats Escapes Restaurants in Pleasanton

6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
Meadowlark Dairy
Historic drive-thru soft-serve with daily rotating dairy-free fruit flavors.

Notable Picks

$ Pleasanton
Century-old drive-thru known for creamy soft-serve and rotating fruit flavors, including vegan options. Locals line up for quick cones after downtown strolls and Little League games.
Must-Try Dishes: Vanilla–chocolate twist cone, Pineapple whip (vegan), Seasonal special (e.g., coconut or peach)
What makes it special: Historic drive-thru soft-serve with daily rotating dairy-free fruit flavors.
$$ Pleasanton
Downtown European-style bakery known for elegant cakes, fruit tarts, and laminated pastries baked through the day. Locals lean on it for celebrations and late-evening dessert runs thanks to longer hours.
Must-Try Dishes: Assorted Fresh Fruit Tart, Bourbon Maple Éclair, Custard Croissant
What makes it special: Celebration-ready pastry case with award-winning cakes and classic tarts.
$$ Pleasanton
Downtown gelateria crafting traditional Italian gelato fresh daily, from toasted almond with caramelized figs to stracciatella. A post-dinner stop for dense flavor and tidy portions.
Must-Try Dishes: Toasted Almond & Caramelized Figs, Stracciatella, Lavender Blueberry
What makes it special: Owner-made Italian gelato churned daily with seasonal ingredients.
$ Pleasanton
Classic, family-run counter turning out fresh raised and cake donuts, apple fritters, and breakfast sandwiches from pre-dawn until early afternoon. Locals stop for quick boxes before work and weekend coffee-and-fritter runs on the Sunol Blvd corridor.
Must-Try Dishes: Apple Fritter, Glazed Old-Fashioned, Maple Bar
What makes it special: Pre-dawn bakes with reliably fresh fritters and classics.

Worthy Picks

$$ Pleasanton
French café-bakery focused on sweet and savory crêpes plus coffee and ice cream. Downtown crowds use it for casual brunch and afternoon treats with made-to-order crêpes.
Must-Try Dishes: Chocolate Bonus Crêpe, Salmon Fumé Crêpe, Cinnamon & Apple Crêpe
What makes it special: Crêpes made to order with both playful sweets and savory options.
$$$ Pleasanton
Long-running downtown custom cake bakery specializing in celebration cakes, cupcakes, and macarons. It’s the go-to for birthdays and weddings, with classic American flavors and detailed designs.
Must-Try Dishes: Pink Champagne Cupcakes, Strawberry Fields Cupcakes, Custom Celebration Cakes
What makes it special: Decades-established custom cakes with classic fillings and precise decoration.