Best Family Friendly Dessert Spots Around Columbus

Katie G.:  Introduce your kids (or yourself) to macarons at Pistacia Vera. This local pastry kitchen was founded by a brother and sister team looking to expand their pastry techniques in their hometown of Columbus. If macarons aren't your thing, you and the family can enjoy other delicious desserts such as croissants, galettes, eclairs, tarts, cookies and cake.

Katie G.:  If you're looking for a sweet treat in the German Village area, then you won't want to miss out on the giant cream puffs from Schmidt's Sausage Haus. These half pound delicate pastry shells are filled with fresh whipped cream and sure to please your appetite. Share with the family or if you're feeling brave, attempt to eat one all by yourself. Cream puffs comes in seasonal flavors and you may just want to try them all.

Brittany Kozielski:  Do you sometimes have a craving for a doughnut but the shop isn't open yet or has closed for the day? Buckeye Donuts is open 24 hours. They have over 31 varieties of donuts, everything from Boston Creme to old fashioned. Everything is made fresh daily. The shop also sells coffee, espresso, gyros and salads.

Brittany Kozielski:  This shop makes donuts fun! Made fresh several times a day, The Little Donut Shop provides its customers with a donut that is delicious and ultra fresh. A very unique and affordable donut would pair great with a cup of coffee. Little Donut serves Peet's coffee. Some of the unique flavors include chocolate pretzel, cookie dough, dirty worm, Milky Way, maple bacon and fruity pebbles. In a time crunch? Order online and your yummy donuts will be ready when you get there.

Katie G.:  DK Diner, located in Grandview Heights, is a well-known restaurant for their amazing and delicious diner food. Tucked away in the middle of the tiny restaurant is a donut counter serving a wide variety of cake and yeast donuts each day. Get there early because they only make one batch of donuts each morning and once they sell out, they're gone. Call ahead to pre-order donuts of 3 dozen or more.

Katie G.:  The Chocolate Cafe is a restaurant in the Grandview Heights/Upper Arlington area serving up casual food and fine desserts with a variety of chocolates. The dessert menu is extensive and includes chocolate fondue, table side smores, milk and cookies and a many flavors of ice cream. If you're looking for something to-go, head to the counter and choose one of the many cookies, brownies, truffles, turtles and chocolate covered strawberries.

Katie G.:  Belle's Bread is a Japanese style bakery with European influences. Guests can enjoy fresh, homemade baked goods and sweets prepared in-house each day. From breads such as crossiants, baguettes and danishes to cakes and cookies and macarons, you are sure to please your sweet tooth with a dessert from Belle's Bread.

Brittany Kozielski:  Amy's Donuts is a very unconventional and inventive shop. A fun and creative way to eat your favorite breakfast treat. Amy's offers traditional donuts but has also taken that a step further. Baked fresh daily, these creations are anything from cherry frosted to the "Elvis" which is a donut topped with peanut butter, banana chips, bacon and a chocolate drizzle. There are more than 100 options for donuts. A shop you must try!

Brittany Kozielski:  Resch's Bakery is a family owned and operated business. They have celebrated over 100 years in business. Currently they are on their 6th generation of Resch bakers. Resch's offers an artisan- crafted "doughnut" with many varieties from chocolate coated to cream filled. Resch's also specializes in other bakery related items; cakes, cupcakes, pies, breads and cookies.

Brittany Kozielski:  Lil Donut Factory is a hidden gem. You will want to get to this shop early in the morning if you have a donut craving as they typically sell out of their donuts daily.

Brittany Kozielski:  Duck Donuts is Columbus obsession! Offering a fun family friendly experience and creating some of the best donuts in the area. All orders are warm, delicious and made to order. They also serve premium roasted coffees.

Kelly R.:  Schneider's Bakery in Westerville offers a variety of donut types. The star of the show is the celebration donut, a 10" diameter donut that serves 15-20. It can be ordered plain (glazed) or decorated, so it would make for a fun alternative to a birthday cake!

Kelly R.:  Sweet Tooth Cottage is a family-owned bakery, making all of their treats in-house and from scratch with the freshest ingredients. They are known for their amazing frosted butter cookies, which are decorated by hand and can be customized to go along with any theme. These cookies make awesome party favors (I know from experience), and can be personalized with each kid's name and individually wrapped.

Kelly R.:  The bakery at Der Dutchman serves up some amazing from-scratch donuts. My family's personal favorite is the apple fritter. Stop in and pick up a few treats to enjoy on the porch, then let the kids browse around the large gift shop.

Katie G.:  Lindsey's Bakery has been serving the town of Circleville for more than 50 years. You'll want to visit in the fall when Lindsey's is serving up their famous pumpkin doughnuts. Speaking from experience, these doughnuts are worth the drive and the wait. They sell out quickly so get there early.