After long days spent beachcombing, kayaking, fishing and swimming in Navarre’s coastal paradise, one thing is certain – you’ll work up an appetite. When the time comes to satisfy your sweet tooth, take your pick from the beach town’s scrumptious selection of dessert shops and eateries. From classic frozen custard stands to restaurants plating mouthwatering cakes, Navarre offers plenty of choices for capping off meals or an afternoon pick-me-up. Here are some of the top spots for indulging your cravings for all things sweet.
Kilwin’s Chocolate Shoppe & Candy Kitchen
This wildly popular chain brings the scent of waffle cones and just-made fudge to the Navarre beach strip. Watch as they whip up batch after batch of fudge in flavors like rocky road, peanut butter and turtle. Or opt for their handcrafted truffles, nut clusters and chocolate-dipped treats made on-site. Of course, you can’t leave without trying their ice cream waffle cones swirled with your choices of creamy flavors.
Kilwin’s uses only the finest ingredients like real vanilla and dairy from a Michigan farm. The bright and cheerful ambiance matches the bold colors and flavors of their confections. Grab amixed box of goodies or an ice cream cone to devour as you stroll the beach boardwalk just steps away.
Daddy’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant
For a more classic ice cream parlor experience, head to this family-owned shop dishing up indulgent sundaes, shakes, floats and splits since 2012. Sit at the retro counter or neon-trimmed booths to enjoy hand-scooped cones and dishes made with creamy White Mountain ice cream. Espresso shakes, banana splits, or hot fudge sundaes hit the spot on hot Florida days.
In addition to ice cream treats, they also serve appetizers, savory crepes, salads and sandwiches at the eatery. The kid-friendly atmosphere makes this a perfect pitstop for families seeking an ice cream fix. Daily flavor specials like cookies and cream or chocolate peanut butter cup ensure something new to try with each visit.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Using milk from cows not treated with artificial hormones results in incredibly creamy premium ice cream at Bruster’s. Their wide array of classic and creative flavors includes standouts like wild honey graham and strawberry cheesecake. Fans rave over their freshly made waffle cones and bowls.
Top off your customized crunchy or smooth ice cream creation with sauces, nuts, fruit and other crunchy or sweet add-ins. On hot Navarre days, handmade shakes and misty floatslike their Cookie Monster hit the spot. Swing through the drive-thru or enjoy the cheerful, nostalgic ambiance inside this ice cream lover’s destination.
Blessed Sweet Shop
At this heavenly gourmet bakery café, choose from cakes, cupcakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies and bars in rotating flavors. Their signature ambrosia cake with coconut pecan icing draws raves. Showstoppers like the caramel sea salt cake make perfect special occasion treats.
Savory homemade quiches, soups and sandwiches are also available if you want something hearty to balance the sugar rush. However, their sweets are the star – a case proudly displays the bakery’s photogenic creations. Take home a pie, share a six-pack of assorted cupcakes or pause for an espresso and slice of cake.
Shrimp Boat Restaurant
Following fresh Gulf seafood entrées, save room for the house specialty dessert here – their family recipe coconut cream pie. The towering mile-high pie earns accolades for its perfect balance of rich filling and flaky crust. Drizzled with chocolate and toasted coconut, it’s divine.
Their classic Southern banana pudding with fresh bananas and Nilla wafers also makes a refreshing light finish. Or opt for the tart key lime pie, another Florida classic. Since 1960, the Shrimp Boat has been wowing diners with coastal cuisine and old fashioned from-scratch desserts.
Juana’s Pagodas
The expansive Sailor’s Grill at Juana’s is famed for seafood, but save room for their unique sopapillas. These warm Mexican pastries dusted in cinnamon sugar pair perfectly with honey for dipping. Light and airy fried dough makes them dangerously addictive.
More traditional options like Key lime pie and flourless chocolate cake are also on the menu. Or order the Tres Lechescake soaked in three kinds of milk for irresistible moistness. Whichever you pick, leave room for something sweet after your savory seafood feast.
McGuires Irish Pub
While McGuire’s technically sits just across the Navarre border in Pensacola, it’s a favorite dessert stop. Alongside classic Irish fare, they serve indulgent desserts like the Down Home Bread Pudding made with whiskey sauce and pecans for a true taste of the south.
Those with a bigger sweet tooth may tackle the signature Mile-High Seven-Layer Cake with chocolate, coconut, and butter cream icing. Their recipes have been perfected over decades to deliver huge portions of sweet Southern comfort.
The Gulf Restaurant
Scenic views of the Gulf complement the tempting dessert menu at this Navarre Beach favorite. Choices range from Southern pecan pie to NY style cheesecake topped with fresh berries. Or dive into their quickly disappearing Molten Lava Cake oozing with chocolate.
Capping off lunch or dinner with one of their indulgent desserts is a fine way to fuel up for more beachcombing or seaside relaxation. Watching the waves and sunset makes every bite even sweeter.
Navarre truly covers the full range of sweet treats from old fashioned ice cream parlors to gourmet bakeries. Next time your sugar cravings strike, visit any of these fantastic local spots whipping up delightful flavors. You’ll leave satisfied with the perfect sweet ending to another memorable day of fun in the Floridian sun.