Rick's Dessert Diner, Sacramento

Outfitted with neon lights, black- and white-tiled flooring, and vibrant murals of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart, Rick's Dessert Diner seems like the perfect place to grab a classic cheeseburger. But you won't find those on the menu—instead, you'll see an expansive array of nearly 300 kinds of American and European desserts. Much like its decor, Rick's recipes come from a bygone era: they were handed down by the grandmothers of the diner's original owners.

The specialties here are strictly sweets, starting with the renowned red velvet cake filled with cream cheese buttercream and glazed with red-white chocolate. Cheesecakes and pies fill out the rest of the decadent smorgasbord, including a chocolate caramel mousse tart blanketed in a buttery, chocolaty Oreo crust. In addition to serving guests on site, Rick's pastry experts also craft custom cakes for special events, such as weddings, anniversaries, and Cake Day, a self-appointed holiday in which you can only eat cake.