Oh chocolate cake, how we love thee! Flourless, layer cake, black forest, ganache, fudge, devil’s food, chocolate souffle – San Diego has some of the most delicious chocolate cakes southern California has to offer. And to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day on Jan. 27 (yes, there is an actual day), we’ve researched the best out there, just for you! Now you can have your cake and eat it too!
Photo: Sherry Aikens via Flickr Creative Commons
Chocolate Buttercream Cupcake at Babycakes
If you like your cake in mini sizes then Babycakes in Hillcrest is for you. This cafe celebrates all-things mini so you can get a hit of chocolate cake in cupcake style. Their ever-so-popular chocolate buttercream is a delicious combination of a light and fluffy chocolate cake with a rich chocolate buttercream. It flies out the door and is the perfect hit of chocolate without being too rich or too big. Babycakes has plenty of areas for you to savor your treat. There is a 1,000-square-foot patio out front with plenty of seating and a garden courtyard out back. And there are more than 25 cup cake flavors, plus cakes, cookies, cheesecakes and tarts to choose. Parking is on street, so be prepared to walk a few blocks.
Insider’s Tip: There’s full bar service starting at 4 p.m. and all day on the weekends. So if you prefer a more family-friendly vibe, come on weekdays and earlier in the day.
3766 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92103
619-296-4173
Online: babycakessandiego.com
Photo: Michael Seachang via Flickr Creative Commons
Extraordinary Desserts
A visit to Extraordinary Desserts is a must for any chocolate cake connoisseur. A wall length counter that’s filled with cakes, cupcakes and other sweet treats await you. Innovative flavors and cakes decorated to look like works of art really make this place extraordinary. Regulars swear by the the Viking, chocolate crème brulee and milk chocolate cremeuse are hidden between chocolate cake layers. And to up the ante crushed chocolate almond pralines are sprinkled all around. There are two locations to check out: a cozy cafe in Hillcrest and a larger cafe in Little Italy. Be prepared that there will be a queue to order your treats at the counter. But as long as you nab a table, most of your party can hang out. The pricing can be a bit indulgent, but it’s worth it for an occasional treat.
Hillcrest
2929 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92103
619-294-2132
Little Italy
1430 Union St.
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-294-7001
Online: extraordinarydesserts.com
Photo: Chris Hui via Flickr Creative Commons
Linda’s Fudge Cake at The Cheesecake Factory
Don’t be deterred by the name Cheesecake Factory. While you’ll find more than 30 delicious cheesecakes to tempt, hidden away and just waiting for you to devour is Linda’s fudge cake. This is a mix of chocolate goodness — seven tiers of chocolate cake, covered in a rich fudge topping and then dropped and rolled in chocolate chips for as far as the eye can see. It’s so big and so good that one piece could easily be shared. And of course while you are here you can grab a meal, a drink or a coffee. There can be a wait during peak periods, so prep some entertainment options for the kiddos if you need to hang for twenty minutes of so to be seated.
Otay Ranch Town Center
2015 Birch Rd.
Chula Vista, Ca 91915
Fashion Valley Mall
7067 Friars Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92108
The Headquarters at Seaport District
789 W. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
Westfield North County Mall
200 E. Via Rancho Parkway
Escondido, Ca 92025
Online: thecheesecakefactory.com
Photo: Cheri T via Yelp
The Elby at Sage French Cake
Head to Kearny Mesa to the Sage French Cake and you’ll start to hear whispers of “The Elby.” This famed cake is layers made up of chocolate ganache, followed by chocolate cake, white chocolate mousse, more chocolate cake, chocolate mousse then one last glorious layer of chocolate cake. As decedent as it sounds, Sage French Cake is a Japanese-French fusion bakery known for lighter and less sugary styles of cake, so while it will be rich it won’t be an overload! The bakery itself is straightforward — you can pick up a tea or coffee and grab a small table outside to enjoy our slice of goodness. Hot Tip: The cakes are made later in the morning, so we recommend arriving after 1 p.m. to make sure you have maximum choices!
3860 Convoy St.
San Diego, Ca 92111
858-571-3484
Where’s your favorite chocolate cake in San Diego? Let us know in the comments below!
– Lenya McGrath
