clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Aggie Chin's custom-made pastry cart at Mirabelle.
Aggie Chin's custom-made pastry cart at Mirabelle.
Mirabelle

Dessert Carts Are on a Roll in D.C.

Because you just can't say no, when dessert is right in front of you.

View as Map
Aggie Chin's custom-made pastry cart at Mirabelle.
| Mirabelle

There's an old-school dining trend that's making the rounds across the DMV. Dessert carts are making a comeback — and the latest restaurant to add mobile confectionaries into the mix is classically French newcomer Mirabelle.

Executive pastry chef Aggie Chin is the brains behind the push cart presentation. In her mind, a dessert cart harkens back to the days when dining out marked a special occasion. "I think things are moving back to formal, fine dining," Chin said. "For a while dining has been super casual, but I think its starting to come back from a bygone era. Dessert carts and cheese carts are great ways to have a fun interaction and show."

Although Mirabelle has only been open a few weeks, the dessert cart is already Insta-famous. And Chin's cart is not the only tasty train in town. Just one block away at The Lafayette, inside the Hay-Adams Hotel, the dessert trolley snakes between tables while diners look on in sweet anticipation. After all, who can say no to a Meyer lemon and mascarpone tart that melts in the mouth?

Dessert carts are not the only showstoppers. Cheese carts have been moving into the spotlight slowly but surely. The cow cart, named "Faira," at The Inn at Little Washington has an almost cult-like following. For local options try Plume's or Masseria's cheese trollies.

Regardless of whether it's stocked with cheese or chocolate, a dessert cart seems to be a great way to roll up sales. "Once the cart is in front of you, it's just hard to say no," Chin said.

In the mood for something sweet or savory? Indulge in a guilty pleasure by taking one of these carts for a spin.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Masseria

Copy Link

An assortment of cheeses arrives table-side at Nick Stefanelli's modern Italian restaurant. And, as it turns out, dessert cheese pairs really well with cannolis and Italian rainbow cookies. Choose three cheese for $18 or five for $25.

Le Diplomate

Copy Link

In the summer months, Le Diplomate wheels out a sorbet and glacés cart. It's a fun addition to the patio with flavors such as framboise and banana-passion fruit.

The cheese cart at Plume is not to be fooled around with. The daily cheese selection makes the rounds after the three-course, $102 prix fixe menu.

The Layfayette

Copy Link

At lunch the dessert train pulls up to each table with several varieties of sweet puffed pastry. It's almost impossible to say no to the Meyer lemon and mascarpone tart.

Mirabelle

Copy Link

Executive pastry chef Aggie Chin spent a lot of time menu testing for the roll out of her dessert cart, which features classic French desserts, like tarte tatin and gâteau filled with plum preserves.

Chef de cuisine Shawn Matijevich stocks the smörgåsbord of sweets, which at any time features more than 25 different desserts, including confections, bon bons, and truffles. His current favorite dish is a yuzu meringue pie with miso graham cracker crust.

Inn at Little Washington

Copy Link

This is definitely not near D.C. It's destination dining, but the cheese cart at the Inn at Little Washington appears to be quite the mooo-ving experience among locals. The cheese cart is also a nice transition between savory and sweet, featuring more than 25 types of cheese.

Masseria

An assortment of cheeses arrives table-side at Nick Stefanelli's modern Italian restaurant. And, as it turns out, dessert cheese pairs really well with cannolis and Italian rainbow cookies. Choose three cheese for $18 or five for $25.

Le Diplomate

In the summer months, Le Diplomate wheels out a sorbet and glacés cart. It's a fun addition to the patio with flavors such as framboise and banana-passion fruit.

Plume

The cheese cart at Plume is not to be fooled around with. The daily cheese selection makes the rounds after the three-course, $102 prix fixe menu.

The Layfayette

At lunch the dessert train pulls up to each table with several varieties of sweet puffed pastry. It's almost impossible to say no to the Meyer lemon and mascarpone tart.

Mirabelle

Executive pastry chef Aggie Chin spent a lot of time menu testing for the roll out of her dessert cart, which features classic French desserts, like tarte tatin and gâteau filled with plum preserves.

Range

Chef de cuisine Shawn Matijevich stocks the smörgåsbord of sweets, which at any time features more than 25 different desserts, including confections, bon bons, and truffles. His current favorite dish is a yuzu meringue pie with miso graham cracker crust.

Inn at Little Washington

This is definitely not near D.C. It's destination dining, but the cheese cart at the Inn at Little Washington appears to be quite the mooo-ving experience among locals. The cheese cart is also a nice transition between savory and sweet, featuring more than 25 types of cheese.

Related Maps