Edible Indy Contributor Kylee Scales recommends these four spots for a special date night with Dessert and Drinks.
When I became a mom, I realized it was very important for me to still go on dates with my husband in order to maintain a sense of self. But it’s tricky to leave the house for an hours-long dinner, and it’s especially difficult to find a babysitter who is able to successfully tackle our toddler’s bedtime routine.
So instead of going out for “dinner and drinks,” we like to go out for dessert and drinks. We have a babysitter come over after our toddler is already asleep, and we go out for about an hour. It’s cheaper than dinner, and I think it’s fun to sit at a bar and socialize with bartenders.
I compiled a list of our favorite places for dessert and drinks. My criteria are simple: they must have both excellent drinks and dessert as well as an interesting ambiance at the bar.
Vida’s Ricotta Doughnuts
My love for the ricotta doughnuts at Vida is so strong it could be considered a personality trait. They may be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth, and I tell everyone about them. Imagine the fluffiest little pillows covered in maple glaze and served with caramel ice cream, crunchy candied bacon, and brown butter bits.
The doughnuts are best consumed with one of their unique seasonal cocktails. The menu lists the overall vibe of each drink, which is so incredibly helpful. They also have several no-abv options for anyone who doesn’t want to consume alcohol but wants to sip on something fun.
Festiva’s Churros
Name the most iconic duos: peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, and Festiva churros and their seasonal margarita.
My husband orders churros every time he sees them on a menu, and the churros at Festiva are our favorite. The outside is perfectly crisp, providing great contrast to the light and fluffy interior. The churros are drizzled in dulce de leche and served with a chocolate dipping sauce—the best of both worlds. Pair them with a refreshing seasonal margarita for the perfect treat. Tip: Ask for a candied and tajin rim on your drink for double the fun!
Root & Bone’s Banana Crème Brûlée
I would return to the bar at Root & Bone solely for the ambiance. The best way to describe it is southern chic—upscale but still very warm and inviting.
But the desserts and the drinks are the real reasons we frequently visit the SoBro restaurant for date night. The banana pudding crème brûlée is unlike anything else you’ll find in the city. Root & Bone serves the dessert with house-made vanilla wafers, caramelized bananas, and a big cloud of whipped cream. Crack through the torched layer to uncover the warm and indulgent crème.
You can’t go wrong with anything from their drink menu. I love an herby cocktail, and their seasonal cocktail menu offers a lot of unique offerings with tarragon, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
Late Harvest Kitchen’s Sticky Toffee Pudding
From the intimate bar to the elegant fireplace to the outdoor patio with a fire pit and herb garden—Late Harvest Kitchen may be the coziest date night spot in the city.
The cocktail list frequently changes with creative and unique offerings, but the real star of the show is the sticky toffee pudding. There’s a reason this dessert has received numerous accolades. It’s a pillowy cake drowning in toffee sauce and topped with a big mound of whipped cream. It’s undeniably very rich, but so incredibly addictive.
My husband and I considered sharing the dessert once, but we decided it was in the best interest of our marriage to order our own.