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An overhead picture of a small cake on a white plate.
A Portuguese pão de ló at Amar.
Amar

11 Showstopping Desserts Around Boston

No dinner is complete without these grand finales

by Nathan Tavares and Erika Adams Updated
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A Portuguese pão de ló at Amar.
| Amar
by Nathan Tavares and Erika Adams Updated

Ah, dessert. When done right, it’s the restaurant’s last word on a fantastic night out — the final note that lingers with you as you leave. Whether it comes in the form of an imposing baked Alaska, a coffee and chocolate cannoli, or a smoky gelato, at these 11 restaurants, you won’t soon forget the last word.

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Key lime pie at Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar

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Of course the cinnamon-sugar coated churros at Gustazo are a perennial favorite. But the new key lime pie — at both its Waltham and Cambridge locations — is giving that dessert a run for its money. Served up in a glass goblet, each mini pie is topped with lime curd (bringing that perfect citrus zing), lime zest, and mini merengues that see a slight kiss from a blowtorch. It’s a bite that tempts to skip dinner and head right on over to dessert.

2067 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(855) 487-8296
(855) 487-8296

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Smoked vanilla mascarpone gelato at Moëca

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Renae Connolly is a pastry authority in Boston’s dining scene. For the uninitiated, start with the smoked vanilla mascarpone gelato with spicy caramel popcorn at her current home base, the inventive seafood spot Möeca. A stunning alchemy of savory, spicy, sweet, and smoky notes all come together in this bowl and it is a slam-dunk finisher to the evening.

1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 945-0040
(617) 945-0040
A white curving bowl filled with ice cream, caramel sauce, and caramel-covered popcorn. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Baked Alaska at Oleana

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This dessert is one of Oleana’s most popular orders for a reason. The sculptural dessert arrives at the table in a sky-high swirl of toasted meringue. Cut it open to reveal a frozen center of coconut ice cream over a macaroon cake base. Drag each bite through the pool of passion fruit caramel sauce on the plate, sit back, sigh in happiness, and repeat.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 661-0505
(617) 661-0505
A tall baked Alaska with a tower of toasted meringue sits on a white plate in a pool of yellow sauce.
Oleana’s baked Alaska.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Osmanthus flower jelly at Zhi Wei Cafe

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A newcomer on the scene, Zhi Wei has been building buzz over its rich, restorative Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup. But don’t stop there: Finish the meal off with spoonfuls of owner Jin Tan’s clear osmanthus flower jelly. It is cool and refreshing, with a subtle floral flavor that is a calming capstone on the meal.

104 South St, Boston, MA 02111
(857) 277-0937
(857) 277-0937

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Pão de ló at Amar

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With a little luck, you can order a pão de ló for dessert at Amar if the dish isn’t sold out for the night (and that’s after you manage to snag reservations). The fluffy Portuguese egg yolk cake is baked to order and served with a sorbet made from sheep’s milk. It technically serves two, but more than likely you’ll want to polish it off yourself.

40 Trinity Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 351-8888
(617) 351-8888
An overhead picture of a small cake on a white plate.
The made-to-order pão de ló cake at Amar.
Amar

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Tropical mango pavlova at Moonshine 152

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The tropical mango pavlova at this favorite Southie spot brings on the summertime vibes. Dig into layers of merengue cookies with whipped cream, coconut jellies, mango coulis, and berry sauce that’s like a burst of sunshine. The sweet is gluten-free and available vegan, too.

152 Dorchester Ave (Dorchester AVE), Boston, MA 02127
(617) 752-4191
(617) 752-4191
An overhead shot of a pastry with cream and berries.
The tropical mango pavlova at Moonshine 152.
Moonshine 152

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Mocha cannoli at Bar Volpe

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As tempting as it is to overeat at Karen Akunowicz’s second Southie enoteca, make sure you save room for the dessert — namely, the mocha cannoli. This beauty features a cannoli shell that’s dipped in melted dark chocolate, filled with coffee-spiked riccotta, and topped off with gold sprinkles. Think of it like an after-dinner coffee in dessert form.

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 865-7100
(617) 865-7100
An overhead shot of of two chocolate-dipped cannoli with sprinkles on a white plate.
The mocha cannoli at Bar Volpe.
Bar Volpe

Gianniotiko at Bar Vlaha

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No Greek feast at Bar Vlaha is complete without at least one order of the gianniotiko, a rolled baklava served with bits of kataifi, almonds, and a scoop of ice cream. Developed by culinary director Brendan Pelley and overseen by head baker Andrew Dickason, each bite is a crunchy, crispy, and not-too-sweet delight.

1653 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 906-8556
(617) 906-8556

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Black forest cake at Thistle & Leek

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If your ideal dessert begins and ends with the word “chocolate,” head to Thistle & Leek for a slice of their creamy, rich black forest cake. Stuffed with cardamom mascarpone and topped with poached cherries, this one’s a real treat.

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459
(857) 404-0260
(857) 404-0260
A slice of black forest cake with white mascarpone in the middle and a puddle of poached red cherries on the side. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Tiramisu at Tonino

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Tiramisu is a dime a dozen in Boston, which makes Tonino’s version all the more special. Chef Luke Fetbroth fills each bowl with cocoa powder, whipped mascarpone, and airy ladyfingers, then finishes it off with flaky sea salt and chocolate shavings. It’s the perfect end to a very, very good meal.

669a Centre St, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-9217
(617) 524-9217
An overhead shot of a bowl of tiramisu topped off with cocoa powder and lots of chocolate shavings. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Crostata at Via Cannuccia

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There are several touching moments of childhood nostalgia on the menu at Via Cannuccia, chef Stefano Quaresima’s homey Italian restaurant in Dorchester, but perhaps the most wistful bite is the crostata on the dessert menu. It’s a simple, delicious expression of love that comes in the form of a baked fruit tart with a scoop of ice cream on top.

1739 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124
(617) 506-1877
(617) 506-1877
A rectangular crostata with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and a green mint leaf garnish on the side. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Key lime pie at Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar

2067 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Of course the cinnamon-sugar coated churros at Gustazo are a perennial favorite. But the new key lime pie — at both its Waltham and Cambridge locations — is giving that dessert a run for its money. Served up in a glass goblet, each mini pie is topped with lime curd (bringing that perfect citrus zing), lime zest, and mini merengues that see a slight kiss from a blowtorch. It’s a bite that tempts to skip dinner and head right on over to dessert.

2067 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(855) 487-8296
(855) 487-8296

Smoked vanilla mascarpone gelato at Moëca

1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Renae Connolly is a pastry authority in Boston’s dining scene. For the uninitiated, start with the smoked vanilla mascarpone gelato with spicy caramel popcorn at her current home base, the inventive seafood spot Möeca. A stunning alchemy of savory, spicy, sweet, and smoky notes all come together in this bowl and it is a slam-dunk finisher to the evening.

1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 945-0040
(617) 945-0040
A white curving bowl filled with ice cream, caramel sauce, and caramel-covered popcorn. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Baked Alaska at Oleana

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

This dessert is one of Oleana’s most popular orders for a reason. The sculptural dessert arrives at the table in a sky-high swirl of toasted meringue. Cut it open to reveal a frozen center of coconut ice cream over a macaroon cake base. Drag each bite through the pool of passion fruit caramel sauce on the plate, sit back, sigh in happiness, and repeat.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 661-0505
(617) 661-0505
A tall baked Alaska with a tower of toasted meringue sits on a white plate in a pool of yellow sauce.
Oleana’s baked Alaska.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Osmanthus flower jelly at Zhi Wei Cafe

104 South St, Boston, MA 02111

A newcomer on the scene, Zhi Wei has been building buzz over its rich, restorative Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup. But don’t stop there: Finish the meal off with spoonfuls of owner Jin Tan’s clear osmanthus flower jelly. It is cool and refreshing, with a subtle floral flavor that is a calming capstone on the meal.

104 South St, Boston, MA 02111
(857) 277-0937
(857) 277-0937

Pão de ló at Amar

40 Trinity Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

With a little luck, you can order a pão de ló for dessert at Amar if the dish isn’t sold out for the night (and that’s after you manage to snag reservations). The fluffy Portuguese egg yolk cake is baked to order and served with a sorbet made from sheep’s milk. It technically serves two, but more than likely you’ll want to polish it off yourself.

40 Trinity Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 351-8888
(617) 351-8888
An overhead picture of a small cake on a white plate.
The made-to-order pão de ló cake at Amar.
Amar

Tropical mango pavlova at Moonshine 152

152 Dorchester Ave (Dorchester AVE), Boston, MA 02127

The tropical mango pavlova at this favorite Southie spot brings on the summertime vibes. Dig into layers of merengue cookies with whipped cream, coconut jellies, mango coulis, and berry sauce that’s like a burst of sunshine. The sweet is gluten-free and available vegan, too.

152 Dorchester Ave (Dorchester AVE), Boston, MA 02127
(617) 752-4191
(617) 752-4191
An overhead shot of a pastry with cream and berries.
The tropical mango pavlova at Moonshine 152.
Moonshine 152

Mocha cannoli at Bar Volpe

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

As tempting as it is to overeat at Karen Akunowicz’s second Southie enoteca, make sure you save room for the dessert — namely, the mocha cannoli. This beauty features a cannoli shell that’s dipped in melted dark chocolate, filled with coffee-spiked riccotta, and topped off with gold sprinkles. Think of it like an after-dinner coffee in dessert form.

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 865-7100
(617) 865-7100
An overhead shot of of two chocolate-dipped cannoli with sprinkles on a white plate.
The mocha cannoli at Bar Volpe.
Bar Volpe

Gianniotiko at Bar Vlaha

1653 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445

No Greek feast at Bar Vlaha is complete without at least one order of the gianniotiko, a rolled baklava served with bits of kataifi, almonds, and a scoop of ice cream. Developed by culinary director Brendan Pelley and overseen by head baker Andrew Dickason, each bite is a crunchy, crispy, and not-too-sweet delight.

1653 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 906-8556
(617) 906-8556

Black forest cake at Thistle & Leek

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459

If your ideal dessert begins and ends with the word “chocolate,” head to Thistle & Leek for a slice of their creamy, rich black forest cake. Stuffed with cardamom mascarpone and topped with poached cherries, this one’s a real treat.

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459
(857) 404-0260
(857) 404-0260
A slice of black forest cake with white mascarpone in the middle and a puddle of poached red cherries on the side. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Tiramisu at Tonino

669a Centre St, Boston, MA 02130

Tiramisu is a dime a dozen in Boston, which makes Tonino’s version all the more special. Chef Luke Fetbroth fills each bowl with cocoa powder, whipped mascarpone, and airy ladyfingers, then finishes it off with flaky sea salt and chocolate shavings. It’s the perfect end to a very, very good meal.

669a Centre St, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-9217
(617) 524-9217
An overhead shot of a bowl of tiramisu topped off with cocoa powder and lots of chocolate shavings. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Crostata at Via Cannuccia

1739 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124

There are several touching moments of childhood nostalgia on the menu at Via Cannuccia, chef Stefano Quaresima’s homey Italian restaurant in Dorchester, but perhaps the most wistful bite is the crostata on the dessert menu. It’s a simple, delicious expression of love that comes in the form of a baked fruit tart with a scoop of ice cream on top.

1739 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124
(617) 506-1877
(617) 506-1877
A rectangular crostata with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and a green mint leaf garnish on the side. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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