Food & Drink

Sweet treats: 5 new spots to grab dessert around Manatee County

Stories by Bradenton Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Recent business openings in Manatee County include several new places to grab a sweet treat.

From handmade chocolate on Anna Maria Island and coffee and cake in Palmetto to dessert bagels in Lakewood Ranch and "dirty sodas" in Bradenton, there's a fun assortment of new confections to try.

Read more about the new offerings below.

Salted caramels at the Chocolate Emporium at 216C Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, on August 6, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 1: ‘MADE WITH LOVE.’ TAKE A LOOK INSIDE ANNA MARIA’S NEW CANDY SHOP

Chocolate spins on a wheel, while nearby, taffy is stretched on a machine that was built in 1910. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Swig has launched a soft opening on Cortez Road serving “dirty sodas” shown on August 25, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 2: WHAT IS A DIRTY SODA? NEW BRADENTON SHOP OPENS SELLING THIS POPULAR SOFT DRINK

Cars are lining up for Swig, a drive-thru drink shop, which recently opened its first Bradenton location. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Rita’s Italian Ice is planned for Shoppes at University Town Center in Manatee County. This is the shop at the Lakewood Ranch Gateway Shopping Center on Feb. 24, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 3: RITA’S ITALIAN ICE OPENS ANOTHER SHOP SELLING FROZEN TREATS IN MANATEE COUNTY

Rita’s Italian Ice recently opened its Shoppes at University Town Center store. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Jeff’s Bagel Run at 14624 State Road 70 East on Oct.6, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 4: THIS NEW LAKEWOOD RANCH BAKERY IS DRAWING CROWDS FOR ITS FRESH BAGELS

Since opening in late August, Jeff’s Bagel Run has been a popular grab-and-go spot in Lakewood Ranch. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The newly-opened Eleanor’s Coffee and Cakes in Palmetto’s historical State Bank building on 10th Avenue West on Oct. 21, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 5: THIS NEW PALMETTO COFFEE AND CAKE SHOP REPURPOSES HISTORIC BUILDING. TAKE A LOOK

In 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg on its fateful voyage and Palmetto’s State Bank was chartered — it also happens to be Ella Scarberry’s favorite year. | Published November 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.