Every restaurant in Goa offers something to satisfy your sweet tooth after a meal, but a precious few are worthy of featuring in a list of Goa’s best desserts. I’ve eaten my way through the below average gulab jamuns, the dense and dry cakes and whipped-cream-based Serra Duras to dig out these gems!
Goa’s best desserts and where to find them:
Blueberry Cheesecake at Antares, Vagator
Just look at that thicc slab of blueberry cheesecake! I’ve visited this restaurant on the Vagator cliffside a couple of times, and the food is anything but extraordinary. The vibe is more suited to tourists who prefer some fail-safe food options, loud music, and drinks. Now you know I don’t enjoy drinking, but treats like these keep me company while everyone else gets tipsy.
Chocolate Fondant at La Plage, Ashwem
Sometimes you need a chocolate fix for you and you alone. Chocolate fondant with vanilla cream from La Plage seems like the perfect remedy for that. Dig your toes in the cool sand beneath your feet and tuck in to this rich and gooey and sinfully indulgent delight.
Gondhoraj Lime Cheesecake at Moka, Siolim
When you have those luscious cheesecake cravings, Moka Desserts in Siolim is what you need! While they used to have a pretty, jungle-like garden cafe in my village of Saligao, they have now moved to Siolim. This woman-owned and operated bakery once had a menu comprising of only cheesecake – Blueberry, Strawberry, Espresso, Salted Caramel, Irish Cream, Mulled Wine, and more, all on a chocolate-cheese base. They have since expanded to offer many more creative desserts, including some vegan options. And my favourite – Gondhoraj Lime; light, sweet, and livened up by that fresh lime zing, on a buttery base. Haven’t been able to get this one off my mind! 🍋. In fact, I even ordered one for my birthday and featured the cake in my blog post on the best home bakers in Goa.
White Chocolate Blondie at Bomras, Anjuna
Bomas has always been one of the hottest spots for a meal in Goa. Once you’re done with your Burmese meal, end with a White Chocolate Blondie. The white chocolate and carrot blondie topped with a scoop of dark chocolate sorbet is to die for, and that perfectly wobbly tender coconut panna cotta with passion fruit coulis is a crowd favorite. If you like ginger in your desserts, you must order the Creme Brulee.
Chocolate Cake at Mamagoto, Panjim
This Pan-Asian restaurant bursts with colour and quirk, and whenever we’re in doubt about where to dine, it is one of our top contenders for it never fails to serve consistently good food. Their chocolate cake is quite the classic – rich, moist and the perfect way to end a meal. If you don’t like chocolate, their date pancakes are quite good, too.
Nutella Cheesecake at Goodfellas, Benaulim
Yes, South Goa also has a couple of features in my list of best desserts in Goa. Hidden in plain sight in Benaulim is Goodfellas and if you’re a pizza aficionado or even just a Goan foodie, you’ve probably heard of this restaurant. The pizzas are arguably the best in Goa… airy, delicate crusts, deceptively fragile as you grab a slice smothered with toppings, the cheese still bubbling on top… mmmmm! The Nutella Cheesecake I tried here here was a pleasant surprise and I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. Silky smooth chocolate cheesecake on a super buttery, crumbly base – 10/10 for this one!
Serra Dura at O’aido, Anjuna
For a daytime rendezvous or casual evening dinner, O’aido, an alfresco restaurant in Anjuna ticks all the boxes. Soothing, earthy interiors, light music, plenty of greenery and a balanced menu are some of the things you can expect. For dessert, I tried O’aido’s signature Serra Dura which is one of the most innovative takes I’ve seen on this otherwise bland dessert. Topped with fresh fruits and nuts, surrounded by chocolate mud, and studded with wasabi truffles and orange truffles for pops of surprise – I loved it!
Japanese Cheesecake at Mama Miso, Arrossim
I’m not typically a fan of Japanese Cheesecake, but the one at Mama Miso, Arrossim was memorable indeed. Well executed, texturally interesting and just right, if you don’t want something indulgent. Pair it with some caramel ice cream to take it to the next level.
Devil’s Food Cake at Mademoiselle, Assagao
Being a cute little French patisserie, the desserts here are a notch above the rest. I loved the Blueberry Cheesecake and soft-as-a-cloud Devil’s Food Cake layered with sublime chocolate ganache. The dessert counter wil have you spoiled for choice and some day I’ll work my way through everything in it, but for now, I’d recommend these two treats! The eclairs, croissants, fresh bread, bagels, and myriad of cake/pastry options is the stuff of dreams!
If you’re someone who looks at the dessert section of the menu before ordering mains, I hope this guide helps you zero down on your next lunch or dinner spot. You can find many more of my guides on Instagram. See you next time!
