Street dessert kiosks offering affordable sweets have been on the rise in the Kerala capital

Discover Thiruvananthapuram's vibrant street dessert scene, featuring affordable sweet treats from popular kiosks like Choco Bae and Postre Magic

The street food platoon outside MG College at Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, resembles a buffet dinner that comes alive at dusk. From tangy, mouth-watering pani puris to piping hot waffles doused in chocolate sauce, this street serves flavours from all corners of the world.

One eatery that catches your eye is Choco Bae, known for its continental dessert options, such as the Matilda cake — a decadent chocolate cake renowned for its moist texture and glossy finish, which owes its origins to a scene from the 1996 English film Matilda. Customers patiently line up outside the kiosk for this sweet street treat, as co-owner Bala Suresh carefully places slices on disposable plates.

Matilda cake from Choco Bae | Photo Credit: SREEJITH R KUMAR

Bala, 24, is part of a new wave of entrepreneurs in the city who, facing financial and logistical hurdles, choose to open small dessert stalls offering affordable dishes. A few months ago, his passion for sweets led him to open Choco Bae, despite limited funds.

Treats such as brownies, cheesecakes, kunafa bowls, and others are available in the city starting from ₹39, thanks to outlets such as Postre Magic, Haps the Melting Happiness, and Wancho de Boc.

“I opened a cloud kitchen at home because I had to invest only in an oven. Then, with the help of my friends and business partners, Sharavana Kumar and Fazil S, I launched a stall. Recently, we started a second stall at Palayam,” says Bala.