Best Birthday Cake Delivery Services

Best Overall: Goldbelly

Special Offer: SIMPLY15 for $15 off of minimum $50 spend, first-time customers only, excludes shipping, standard T&C applies.

Why We Chose It: This service allows you to choose cakes from hundreds of bakeries all across the country.

Pros
Huge selection of flavors, themes, and designs
Features some of the country's best bakeries
Search by price, diet, and other criteria

Cons
Inconsistent shipping rates, delivery dates
Many cakes can’t be customized

Whether you’re on the hunt for a rainbow explosion cake or a classic seven-layer cake with caramel frosting, this service will have what you’re looking for. Goldbelly is a one-stop shop for cakes (and other foods) from bakeries and restaurants all across the United States. The convenient service, founded in 2012, has quickly become popular with some of the country’s best chefs and restaurants.

Customers can pick on-trend cakes from famous shops like New York’s Ferrara Bakery and New Jersey’s Carlo’s Bakery (the site of the TV show "Cake Boss") or standbys from spots like Junior’s Cheesecake. Plus, because Goldbelly offers all kinds of foods, you could cater your entire party from the site by ordering snacks or even full meals at the same time as your cake.

Most cakes on the site start at around $50 or $60, but you can find some options under $40 and some splurge-worthy cakes that cost upward of $150. While some come with free shipping, others add fees of between $20 and $45, depending on how fast you want it and both the shipping and delivery locations.

Best for Same-Day Delivery: Postmates

Why We Chose It: Postmates quickly delivers cakes from local restaurants and bakeries and is flexible enough to order cakes for friends and family in other parts of the country.

Pros
Fast delivery, usually under an hour
Easy to send cakes to others
Allows you to see items available later in the day

Cons
Search function results get cluttered
Limited availability

Postmates operates as a third-party service, like Uber, with independent drivers who pick up food from local restaurants and bring it directly to your door. Customers choose from the cakes that are available at local bakeries and order when the shop is open. (The site also shows items that are “available later” so you can plan future orders). The selection of cakes varies based on locale, and each city has a different mix of chain stores and local favorites: Customers in Los Angeles can order a horchata cake from La Monarca or a mini layer cake from Cake Monkey Bakery, while those in Washington, D.C., can opt for a hummingbird cake from Cakeroom Bakery or a birthday cake from Milk Bar. (While you’re at it, you could also order an entire meal from a nearby restaurant and have it delivered around the same time.)

Because the service buys cakes directly from local bakeries and restaurants, prices can vary significantly, though most stay in the range of $32–$74 for a 6- or 8-inch cake. Offerings also change throughout the day and week as restaurants and bakeries update their inventory. The interface is flexible enough to let you change your location before you search, so you can order delivery for someone in another city (a function some other services don’t offer). Delivery fees are based on a percentage of the purchase and range from $2.99 to $9.99.

Best Budget Option: Instacart

Why We Chose It: This grocery-delivery service offers highly affordable cakes and same-day delivery from a variety of grocery stores.

Pros
Very affordable cake options
A large selection of markets to choose from
Quick and easy delivery

Cons
Have to search each store individually
Some stores have limited cakes for sale online
Only available in metropolitan areas
Cakes aren't customizable

This popular grocery delivery service will bring cakes (and pretty much anything else you need to throw a party) directly to your door from a number of grocery and big-box stores in your area. The company, which contracts with independent shoppers, works with most of the large grocery chains in the country—including Safeway, Costco, Wegmans, and Kroger—as well as larger independent groceries and some specialty stores. Use the very clear website to choose a cake from one of the stores in your area, and someone will bring it to your doorstep later that day. You can also set up an appointment for later in the week if you prefer to pre-order.

Because Instacart works with grocery chains rather than small bakeries, you can use the site to find a wide variety of classic cakes at very affordable prices: 8-inch cakes and sheet cakes from stores like Andronico’s or Safeway often cost somewhere in the range of $12–$35. Instacart’s delivery fees are also very reasonable. There are small service and delivery fees that users can see at checkout; orders over $35 are delivered for $3.99 (though adding an additional tip for your delivery person is highly encouraged).

Best for Mini Birthday Cakes: Send a Cake

Why We Chose It: Mini cakes come in a variety of flavors and are packaged in themed boxes with decorations and other treats.

Pros
Wide variety of flavors
Eye-catching decorations
Fun concept that adds additional decorations
Ability to customize elements

Cons
One option each for vegan and gluten-free
Cakes are not customizable

Just because you order a tiny cake doesn’t mean it can’t make a big impact. Send a Cake specializes in mini cakes packaged in unique boxes that open to reveal surprise decorations. You can opt for a “pop box” with little cubes and confetti that spring from the packaging or an “explosion box” that collapses to reveal cloth flowers, candy, or tiny stuffed animals surrounding your cake. Some have an option to upload personal photos to be printed on the box, and explosion boxes can include wind-up butterflies that burst into the air.

While the cakes themselves can’t be personalized (there are nine possible flavors, ranging from a red velvet bundt cake to chocolate with peanut butter frosting), each has unique and elaborate decorations, and the add-ins make the entire experience very personal. You can also opt to add a card at checkout. The cakes, with basic boxes or pop boxes, range from $34.95–$74.95, depending on the flavor, and the added decorations cost $5­ to $18. Shipping adds another $10 per box for overnight delivery, though on some dates you can opt for next-day delivery for an additional fee. The company also offers full-sized cakes in 16 flavors, two of which can be ordered as part of a “cake bomb” that pops open to reveal a pop-up bear and faux flowers.

Best for Gluten-Free Birthday Cakes: Karma Baker

Why We Chose It: Karma Baker features a wide variety of classic and inventive flavors, all with beautiful decorations, and all are gluten-free.

Pros
Variety of flavors
Eye-catching decorations
Ability to add candles and mini balloons

Cons
Cakes ship separately from other items
Only ships Monday–Thursday

This Los Angeles-based bakery has been a local favorite since it opened in 2013. The shop ships over 20 different cake flavors, ranging from classics like red velvet, chocolate, and carrot cakes to inventive combinations like strawberry éclair crunch and “Snickerzzz,” and all the cakes have elaborate decorations. In addition to being gluten-free, all of the cakes are also vegan, kosher, and soy-free, and many are also nut-free, making them ideal for customers with a variety of dietary restrictions. While you can’t customize the cakes themselves, the bakery offers the option to add candles that spell Happy Birthday and mini balloons shaped like numbers to stick into the cake.

All of Karma Baker’s cakes are made to order, and orders need to be received at least a week ahead of the desired delivery date. All of the cakes serve eight to 12 people and cost from $74.95 to $89.95, plus shipping. They are sent frozen with ice packs and dry ice, using FedEx overnight service, and delivery is only available Monday through Friday. The bakery also sells a variety of cookies, donuts, and other sweet treats, but if you order them with a cake, the two packages will ship separately.

Best for Vegan Birthday Cakes: Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen

Why We Chose It: These vegan cakes come in a wide variety of flavors with beautiful decorations, and many can be customized.

Pros
Wide variety of flavors
Cakes can be ordered in a variety of sizes
Some customization available

Cons
Not all cakes are available for shipping
Only ships Monday–Thursday

This popular vegan bakery offers 25 different cake options with beautiful, on-trend decorations. Flavors include triple chocolate, crème de menthe, and vanilla-lemon with raspberry jam “buttercream.” While the Pasadena-based company calls attention to the fact that all of its goods are vegan, the cakes (and other goods) are also gluten-free. And unlike the majority of mail-order bakeries, Yvonne’s allows you to add customized flavors and decorations. Depending on which cake you choose, you can opt to add berries, nuts, or jam between the layers or decorate the cake with more berries or nuts, additional sprinkles, or frosting text.

The cakes range in size and price: A 4-inch, two-layer cake starts at $30 without decorations; basic 6-inch chocolate or vanilla cake starts at $60, and an 8-inch confetti cake costs $92. Extra sprinkles, berries, and nuts range from $7 to $25, depending on whether you want them between layers, on top of the cake, or both. Cakes ship overnight, and costs vary from around $35 to $82 in the continental U.S. Customers should order at least one week ahead, and there is a $30 rush fee if you need your cake to ship in less than a week. The bakery also offers cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, and pies that can be shipped with the cake.

Best for Ice Cream Cakes: Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream

Why We Chose It: This shop offers high-quality ice cream cakes in a number of flavors.

Pros
Unique variety of flavors
Free shipping

Cons
No customization 
Only ships once a week

This popular New York City ice cream shop offers cakes made from a variety of high-quality, hand-crafted ice cream flavors developed by pastry chef Nicholas Morgenstern. Each cake includes two thin layers of chocolate or vanilla cake (one on the bottom and one in the middle) and two thick layers of ice cream. The cakes are finished with swirls of whipped cream frosting and other decorative elements, like cookies, pretzels, or pieces of honeycomb crumble. The ice cream itself is dense and creamy, and comes in classic flavors like cookies and cream or mint chip, as well as more inventive combinations such as salted caramel pretzel.

All cakes serve six to eight people and cost $124, including free shipping; the online order form is very easy to navigate. Customers can include a gift message for the recipient, but the company does not add inscriptions or offer other decorations for mail orders. Cakes are only shipped on Tuesdays for overnight delivery, and orders must be placed by Monday at noon ET.

Morgenstern’s suggests purchasing shipping insurance at checkout in case of shipping delays, because while it packs all cakes in insulated boxes with dry ice, it can’t control what happens once the cakes leave the facility.

Best for Cake and Gift Delivery: Williams Sonoma

Why We Chose It: Williams Sonoma has a large assortment of beautiful cakes and thousands of gift options to go with them.

Pros
Variety of cake options
Creative cake designs
Wide variety of gift options
Affordable

Cons
Cakes and gifts often ship separately 

Williams Sonoma offers dozens of cakes for mail order and thousands of options for gifts. This kitchenware and home goods company is best known for high-quality cookware, but it also offers fresh and dried flowers, gardening tools, food gifts (like baskets of fresh fruit or cheese and charcuterie sets), and a variety of home goods. Customers can splurge on a six-layer rainbow explosion cake filled with candy and sprinkles for $189.95 or a more affordable coconut cake for $79.95.

Cakes are made to order by bakeries that partner with Williams Sonoma and come in a variety of flavors, ranging from classic German chocolate to a beautiful raspberry champagne confection. Packages can include gift cards, but the cakes themselves cannot be customized. Cakes and gifts from the same order may ship from separate locations and arrive separately; the estimated delivery dates will appear in the shipping information after you’ve added the items to your cart. Shipping costs vary according to the cost of the items you order and range from $13.99 to $39.99 for next-day shipping.

Best for Birthday Cake Pops: Pop-a-Cake

Why We Chose It: This shop sells a wide variety of decorations and designs.

Pros
Beautiful design
Allows you to specify cake flavors
Variety of different themed designs

Cons
No vegan or gluten-free options

This cake pop company offers dozens of different designs as well as unique shapes and decorations. Customers can choose from more than 25 different sets, including simple round cake pops decorated with sprinkles; pops decorated to look like animals, unicorns, baseballs, or cartoon characters; and pops shaped like stars, and flowers. There are also a wide variety of seasonal and event-specific themes. Once you’ve selected your set, you can choose from up to three cake flavors or opt for an assortment.

Cake pops range in cost from $15 to $50, depending on the quantity and design. The company suggests ordering one or two pops per person. Cake pops ship with USPS or UPS service and the cost varies significantly depending on the size of the order (some large orders may cost more for express shipping). The treats will remain fresh at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. The company also offers decorated chocolate-covered Oreos and hot cocoa bombs.

Best for Keto Birthday Cakes: Zambawango

Why We Chose It: Zambawango offers beautiful cakes with inventive flavors and a seamless ordering experience.

Pros
Inventive flavors
Beautiful designs
Cakes are low carb, sugar-free, and gluten-free

Cons
No customization options
Only ships Monday–Wednesday
Shipping can be expensive

There are relatively few places in the U.S. that will mail a full-size, keto-friendly cake (most bakeries focus on smaller treats), but this Atlanta-based bakery fills the gap with enticing flavorful options. Each multi-layer cake is sugar-free, low carb, and gluten-free—including flavors like lemon-blueberry, vanilla with sugar-free sprinkles, and the very popular “night and day” cake made up of a chocolate brownie base with layers of cheesecake and chocolate mousse on top.

Each 8-inch cake costs $75–$85, and all are shipped overnight; shipping costs vary by location but can reach $55 for west coast locations.

The bakery’s website is extremely easy to navigate, has clear nutrition information for each cake, and specifies the number of carbs in each serving. (Cakes are intended to feed eight people with relatively generous slices.)

And because the bakery offers a variety of low-carb, sugar-free treats, you can also order cookies or bagels to be delivered with your cake for no additional shipping charge, as long as the order will all fit into one box.