All my life I have had an incredible sweet tooth. Anytime we went to the movies I would be standing in the candy aisle at the gas station for a while just deciding what I wanted. Going to the candy store takes way too much time for me because I am extremely overwhelmed. I’ve been living in Richmond, Virginia all my life and am still finding new places to grab something sweet. This is a nice list of my favorite places to go to when my craving for sugar is at an all-time high.

1. Proper Pie

I’m not a huge pie fan, mostly because of my hatred of warm fruit, but this place is one if my favorites. They have a lengthy selection of both sweet and savory pies and practically everyone can find something they love there. My go-to order includes a Mince Meat Pie and a sweet slice of Lemon Meringue. Since I can never choose between whether to get a savory or a sweet pie, I compromise and get them both. (On a side note, I just saw that they have a turkey, cranberry and brie pie that I absolutely have to get next time).

2. Charm School

This place has been on my list for a while now, and it was only a few weeks ago that I actually decided to go to.Their ice cream is so incredibly milky and delicious that it’s a little dangerous how close I live to it. The first flavor that I tried there was Ube, which is a purple sweet potato. I tried it because I thought “what the hell,” where else in Richmond can you find this flavor for ice cream.

3. Shyndigz

I started going here almost 5 years ago with some friends. I couldn’t imagine a time without it. Their incredibly tall slices of cake make you question if you’ll walk out with diabetes while knowing that it was worth it. My favorites include their Fresh Fruit Cake, Key Lime Pie, and the classic brownie with a scoop of ice cream on top. The few times that I’ve actually been able to finish anything I order there is when I get the Key Lime Pie, any other time you can find me doing the “walk of shame” of deserts with my to-go box.

4. For the Love of Chocolate

This candy store has been with my family for a very long time. I remember going there when it was in two connected buildings: chocolate vs. everything else. But that was back when I hated chocolate for some unknown reason. Since then they’ve moved and expanded and my love for that place has grown vastly. My only issue is that their wide selection of sweets usually ends with me being there for a very long time while deciding what I want.

5. Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe

I had no idea this place existed until my sophomore year of college when we had their cake pops at my sororities’ recruitment. Those things were so moist and delectable, at the time I was devastated that I only got one. Now I go there to increase my supply of French Macaroon’s; my favorite being pistachio. They are so enormous, and don’t even cost that much (which is a win win)!

6. Duck Donuts

Even though Duck Donuts is not a place that is specific to Richmond, it is still my favorite place to get donuts. Unlike the rest of my family, I am a huge fan of cake donuts and how dense they are. One of my favorite parts about this place is that you can choose what goes on each donut. It’s basically the Chipotle of donuts. My personal favorites include a maple-glazed donut with bacon crumbles on top, and a blueberry glazed donut with Oreo crumbles on top. The best part, they’re always hot and ready.

7. Gelati Celesti

After going to Italy many years ago, I’ve constantly been trying to find something similar to their gelato. This place comes close to that amazing frozen treat. I will admit that even though I do try their new flavors, I most likely stick to my usual Strawberry with a sugar cone on the side. I especially love how late it’s open on the weekends and just in general. If I could live on just their product, I would, that’s how good it is.

Now, after writing this, I think I might go and to grab something sweet very soon.