Where to Find the Best Desserts from Niche Food Group in St. Louis

Guests make their dining decision for a multitude of reasons. Some people choose a restaurant by location. Convenience. Craving pasta vs. a burger. No matter what drives you to our Niche Food Group restaurants, we always want to end on a sweet note with dessert. 

It’s never an afterthought for us. In fact, thoughtful desserts are a signal of hospitality across our group. From our gelato at Pastaria in Clayton, a recipe that required careful tweaks over time, to classic French sweets in the Central West End from our James Beard semifinalist pastry chef Elise Mensing, warm brunch pastries at Bowood, and grab-and-go cookies and brownies from Pastaria Deli & Wine, there’s always room for dessert.

Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Gerard Craft, Niche Food Group has built its reputation on restaurants that drive connection and comfort. Dessert is a great way to leave that memorable impression on our guests. Some are nostalgic, some are perfected takes on classics, but each is meant to make a new memory for you as our guest. 

Here’s where to find some of the best desserts around Niche Food Group in St. Louis.

Pastaria: Italian Comfort in Clayton with Gelato & Tiramisu 

Our mantra at Pastaria, which now extends to our entire group, is “La Verità,” which represents our commitment to the authentic, unadulterated "truth" of regional Italian cooking. After handmade pastas and wood-fired pizza, enjoy one of our signature gelatos and sorbettos, available in a rotating selection of flavors. Menu options include flavors like vanilla bean, dark chocolate, salted caramel, milk & cookies, peanut butter chocolate-covered pretzel, sprinkle cake, pistachio, strawberry, and cherry berry sorbetto. Guests can order it by the scoop or enjoy it as an affogato with a double shot of espresso.

You can also enjoy it a few extra ways now. We have limited flavors of single-serve gelato available at Pastaria Deli & Wine and Fordo’s Killer Pizza. That means Pastaria gelato can be enjoyed at dinner in Clayton, as a daytime treat from the deli, or after pizza at City Foundry or UCBC Grove Bierhall.

Then there is Mama Rodolico’s Tiramisu, an old family recipe from friends in Florence. Made with layers of espresso-soaked biscuits and topped with an airy mascarpone mousse, it is the kind of dessert that feels personal. Chef Craft states, “Years ago, the Rodolico family — barely knowing who we were — invited another chef and me into their home for dinner. It happened to be their daughter’s birthday, and they served their family’s incredible tiramisu. The light, fluffy texture was life-changing. We asked if we could share it at our soon-to-open restaurant, Pastaria. Every time I take a bite, I remember their warm hospitality, and it reminds me why I fell in love with Italy.”

Try it when you want: gelato in Clayton, tiramisu in St. Louis, family-friendly desserts, an affogato after pasta, or a sweet ending to a Pastaria dinner.

Brasserie by Niche: Classic French Desserts in the Central West End

Brasserie by Niche’s desserts apply award-winning technique to classic French desserts. Spearheaded by 2022 James Beard semifinalist Elise Mensing, Brasserie’s desserts highlight classic French dishes from profiteroles to the signature Floating Island. 

Located in the Central West End, Brasserie is known for timeless French fare and warm hospitality, and no meal is complete without the classic comfort of the team’s desserts.

The Floating Island is one of the standouts. Made with poached meringue, crème anglaise, and toasted almonds, it is delicate and airy, showcasing how simple ingredients like eggs can be transformed into something magical. Sauce Magazine specifically called out Brasserie’s Floating Island in its praise for the restaurant, describing it as one of the desserts not to miss. We also LOVE this take from @royz_cooking on IG! 

For chocolate lovers, the Chocolate Mousse offers a richer finish and is served with a brown sugar cocoa nib tuile. It is the dessert to order when you want something classic and indulgent without overcomplicating things

And then there are the classic Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. They are celebratory, shareable, and ideal after a Bistro Steak, Roasted Chicken, Trout Amandine, or a glass of French wine.

Brasserie’s dessert menu also rotates seasonally, which gives regulars a reason to keep checking back. Alongside the French staples, guests may find options such as fruit-forward seasonal desserts, ice cream, sorbet, cookies, and a cheese selection.

Try it when you want: French desserts in St. Louis, date-night dessert in the Central West End, floating island, profiteroles, chocolate mousse, or a classic bistro finish.

Bowood by Niche: Pastries, Tea Cake, and Brunch Desserts in a Garden Setting

Bowood by Niche is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy something sweet in St. Louis. Tucked inside Bowood Farms in the Central West End, the restaurant feels like a European escape, and our pastry program embraces that vibe. We produce a limited quantity daily, so be sure to get there early to snag favorites like our croissants.  

Eater has praised the restaurant’s light-filled, garden-adjacent atmosphere and noted the menu's strength from every angle, including coffee and pastries.

Whether you are grabbing something before work, meeting a friend for coffee, or easing into brunch, the pastry case is part of the experience. Also, try our Pistachio Brown Butter Tea Cake. It is simple and elegant, with rich and earthy undertones from the brown butter and pistachios, making it easy to pair with coffee, tea, or a slower morning. 

For something more indulgent, Bowood’s Brioche Bread Pudding is served with whipped cream and maple syrup. We could argue you can make our signature Pancakes dessert, too.

Try it when you want: pastries in the Central West End, brunch desserts, coffee and croissants, a pistachio tea cake, or brioche bread pudding in a beautiful garden setting.

Pastaria Deli & Wine: Cookies, Brownies, Gelato Cups, and Sweet Treats To Go

Located in Downtown Clayton next to Pastaria, Pastaria Deli & Wine offers housemade sandwiches and salads, as well as curated pantry staples, natural wines, and easy grab-and-go options. That quick-but-quality mindset is also applied to dessert. For a quick sweet treat, especially if you are already picking up lunch, wine, or provisions, snag one of our Chocolate Chip Cookies or Brownies. They make for an easy addition to a deli order, whether you are grabbing lunch at the office, packing a picnic, or bringing something back for the team.

Try it when you want: cookies and brownies to go, an office treat, a lunch dessert, or something sweet to pair with wine.

From Clayton to Central West End and stops in between, what makes our dessert lineup so strong is that each restaurant offers a different kind of sweet ending. Whether you are planning date night, brunch with friends, lunch in Clayton, a family dinner, or a casual pizza night, may we suggest a dessert crawl on your next dining adventure?