Where to Eat Nostalgic Desserts in Greater Boston
Fudgy chocolate cakes, skillet cookies, and even a cheesecake-coffee cake hybrid.
Coffee cake cheesecake at Post 1917. / Photo by Kate Holowchik
As we dine around Greater Boston throughout the year, whether researching special-occasion destinations for our annual Top 50 Restaurants list or working on other projects, we often have an eye toward what’s hot, what’s new, what’s innovative. But sometimes you just can’t beat a classic: There’s nothing like ending a meal digging into a warm skillet cookie sundae or a fudgy chocolate cake. Here are some of the best nostalgic desserts we’ve been enjoying lately.
This guide was first published in October 2024 as an addendum to the Top 50 Restaurants list; stay tuned for periodic updates.
Chocolate Chip Cookies at Saltie Girl
It’s a family affair at this seafood haven, where owner Kathy Sidell’s own son, Ben Sidell, is behind the SweetBoy brand of chocolate chip cookies that grace the dessert menu, made with Valrhona chocolate and served warm. Might as well order a swirl of vanilla bean and Dutch chocolate soft serve, while you’re at it.
279 Dartmouth St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-267-0691, saltiegirl.com.
Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake at Mothership
This family-friendly spot loves throwback desserts (see: the lava cake from the opening menu), and we’re loving the retro offering of the moment: a personal-sized fudgy Bundt cake topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and rainbow sprinkles.
125 Cambridgepark Dr., Cambridge, 617-665-5899, mothershipalewife.com.
Coffee Cake Cheesecake at Post 1917
Pastry chef Kate Holowchik’s desserts blend nostalgia and creativity, changing seasonally. On the fall 2024 menu at this new-ish steakhouse in Reading? Coffee cake cheesecake with streusel, sweet pickled cranberries, and burnt cinnamon caramel. (You’ll also want to keep an eye out around Greater Boston for Holowchik’s Lionheart Confections doughnut pop-ups.)
136 Haven St., Reading, 617-970-8566, post1917.com.
Skillet Cookie at Abe & Louie’s
We love a skillet cookie, and the version at this classic steakhouse keeps it simple (and delectable) with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and candied pecans atop a warm cookie, plus a tableside scoop of Chantilly cream. The perfect ending to a Best of Boston power lunch, perhaps?
793 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-536-6300, abeandlouies.com.
Tiramisu at Matria
The InterContinental’s elegant new northern Italian steakhouse knows when to innovate and when to stick to classics. Its tiramisu? Pure indulgence in a generous bowl. When weather permits, you’ll want to enjoy it on the spacious waterfront patio.
510 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Boston, 617-747-1000, ihg.com.
A version of this piece was first published in the print edition of the November 2024 issue as an addendum to the Top 50 Restaurants list.
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