City Editor Cat here. 👋 I consider myself a sweets enthusiast, so I felt compelled to check out The Dessertery (for investigative reasons, of course). This holiday-themed cafe is popping up at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts now through Friday, Dec. 23.

What we tried (with pricing):

When I opened the cafe doors, I was transported to a festive wonderland filled with carefully selected holiday decor, handcrafted desserts, and a hot chocolate bar featuring 50+ toppings (tickets are $25). Follow along to see how you can Try This — and maybe even kick off a new holiday tradition.* 🧁

What not to miss:

Did I mention that the cafe is all-you-can-eat? Think: Cupcakes, cheesecakes, petit fours, and assorted chocolates, all made by an in-house pastry chef. After I selected my sweet treats, I relaxed by one of the ornamented trees with an adult beverage from the bar.

Pro tip: Wear your holiday best to take pictures in the photo room. Photos are sent directly to your email.

What we’re still talking about:

The hot chocolate bar was laid out beautifully — I truly felt like a kid in candy store. For my toppings, I opted for caramel drizzle on the inside, whipped cream on top with a chocolate swirl, crushed candy cane, and red and green sprinkles to complete my masterpiece. Talk about a perfect sip.

How you can experience this:

If I wasn’t in the holiday spirit before, I am now. Purchase tickets to secure a 45-minute time slot to get your fill of desserts and hot chocolate. Bonus: Select nights will feature appearances by Santa or live bluegrass music.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: The Dessertery pop-up
Price: $15-25
Website: dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/dessertery
Address: Kennedy Theatre at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East S. St., Raleigh, NC
Hours: Times vary
Social: Facebook | Instagram*