Are you bored of chocolate creeping into all your desserts? Because we sure are.
Come cheat days, I’m used to scouring through endless menus in search of that one dessert that calls out to me. And these days, chocolate has a notorious way of slithering in. And don’t get me wrong—I’m a sucker for any and all things chocolate-made and chocolate-filled. But only when I expect it to.
These days, however, most sweet treats that make an appearance on restaurant menus tend to highlight that one choco-based elements. While, yes, it’s rich, indulgent, and irresistible, somewhere along the way, it has also become predictable. But now, no more!
Below is our rundown of some of the yummiest, most experimental picks for when you’re craving that sugar kick with the taste of cocoa. From delicate Japanese-style puddings and fruit-forward desserts to ice creams you probably haven’t tasted, there’s a growing appetite for sweets that feel lighter, fresher, and more layered, without being drowned in cocoa. Here’s where to start!
Treacle Tart, Nisaba
At Nisaba, the treacle tart is anything but traditional: a British classic reimagined through a distinctly Indian lens. Originally a sticky, golden-syrup-filled tart made with breadcrumbs and citrus, at Nisaba, this tart is reworked by chef Manish Mehrotra into something far more rooted in memory. The dessert draws inspiration from the flavour profile of dodha barfi, pairing the tart’s deep, caramel-like sweetness with a warm, fudgy Indian counterpart and finishing it with pecan ice cream for contrast.
The result is rich and familiar, yet at the same time, a combustion of unique flavours in your mouth. It’s exactly the kind of dessert that defines the restaurant’s approach: taking something classic and reworking it until it feels entirely new. This one in particular is a comforting classic at Nisaba, and a must-try for those seeking desserts that go beyond chocolate.
Address: Humayun World Heritage Site Museum, Nizamuddin, National Zoological Park, Sundar Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110013
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–12 am)
Mango Korean Bingsu, Dalgrak
Tucked inside the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI), Dalgrak’s Mango Bingsu is easily one of the most refreshing desserts in the city. Essentially, a bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert made with finely milled, milk-based ice that’s soft, fluffy, and almost snow-like in texture. It’s often topped with accompaniments of choice and season, which in this case, is mango (thanks to the weather!).
This one in particular comes encrusted and dusted with fresh mango chunks, sweet syrup, and a generous scoop of ice cream, and tastes bright, juicy, and built for Delhi’s heat. What makes it special, though, is the texture. The ice melts into a creamy texture rather than remaining crunchy, making every bite feel light, airy, and satisfying to chew.
This is also one of the café’s most popular desserts, offered in numerous other flavours, including strawberry, red bean, and the flavour that must not be named on this list (yes, I’m talking about chocolate). For a taste of some authentic Korean dessert fare, Dalgrak is a great pick.
Address: A25, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024
Timings: Monday to Saturday (9 am–8 pm)
Cipriani Lemon Meringue Cake, Café Dali
The Cipriani Lemon Meringue Cake at Café Dali is the kind of dessert that feels almost weightless—a distinct contrast to our usual rich, chocolate-heavy picks. Inspired by the iconic Cipriani style, the dessert with airy, cloud-like structure, is built on a light sponge, and finished with a torched meringue topping that is soft, pillowy, and lightly sweet.
Made with as many as four to five layers, it’s cloud-like, baked to perfection, and tastes just like the cake of my dreams.
The balance of all the flavours is what really makes it for me. The lemon cuts through with a bright, citrusy tartness, while the meringue and sponge cake add that signature marshmallow-like softness and sweetness. The layer of flavours and ingredients makes the cake taste quite unlike any dessert I’ve had before. Rooted in all things Italian, Café Dali’s other dessert options are just as enticing!
Address: 136-137, Meharchand Market, Lodi Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110003
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12:30–4 pm, 7–11 pm)
Tres Leches, Magnolia Bakery
When the words tres and leches occur together, Magnolia Bakery is probably the first thought that comes to mind—and for good reason!
At Magnolia Bakery, the tres leches is the dessert that keeps people coming back for seconds, and sometimes even thirds and fourths. This iconic New York bakery, which entered the Indian market in 2023 in Mumbai and opened gates in Delhi NCR last year, has turned this Latin American milk-soaked cake into something of a cult favourite, serving it with a pretty little strawberry slice on top. It’s impossibly soft, creamy, and the best kind of indulgent dessert.
While the classic tres leches remains the star of the show, the bakery also serves several seasonal options. My favourite of the lot is the strawberry and mango variations, depending on the time of year. The best part? Even Alia Bhatt swears by it!
Address: Ground floor, Unit No.8, Urban Complex, Godrej GCR Project, Sector 42, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
Timings: Monday to Sunday (11 am–12 am)
Jelly Cat Cake, Doki Doki Tea
At Doki Doki, dessert is as much about presentation as it is about taste, and you will absolutely not hear us complaining. The perfect example of this philosophy and also our favourite pick? The Jelly Cat Cake, of course.
Inspired by the recent viral plush-toy aesthetic, the cake is designed to look almost too adorable to eat, fitting right into the café’s pastel, anime-like universe. Complete with capybara-shaped jiggly puddings and other whimsical sweets and drinks, Doki Doki is almost TOO cute to resist.
As much as the cake looks irresistible, it tastes even better. Soft, creamy, and surprisingly flavourful, it offers a light, almost mousse-like texture that keeps it from feeling heavy. The sweetness is gentle, making it an easy pick even for those who avoid overly indulgent desserts.
Picture-perfect with an even better taste, the cake is the perfect end to any meal. The best part? There’s no chocolate, as promised!
Address: Ground Floor, Nexus, Select Citywalk Mall, Unit -EW07 B, Saket District Centre, South Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Timings: Monday to Sunday (10:30 am–10:30 pm)
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