We’ve all seen that one video of Alia Bhatt gushing over this “milk cake” from Cafe Letto in London, and have probably flocked to the nearest spot in our city serving the delicacy. Safe to say, this milk cake, more often referred to as a tres leches, is a tough one to dislike. Soft, silky, moist, milky, and luxuriously sweet, tres leches is a traditional Latin American dish that finds its roots in Central America or the Caribbean. It’s also strongly tied to Mexico and Nicaragua. So, yes, while the exact location of its birth remains debated, there is no doubt about its taste, texture, and feel.
A tres leches cake, also known as dulce de tres leches, pan tres leches, or simply tres leches, essentially features a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk. It’s often topped with whipped cream, fruit and tons of cinnamon—you can pick your poison, although strawberry goes with it as peanut butter does with jelly! For an interesting piece of lore, while it’s rooted in 19th-century European soaked-cake traditions, the modern recipe actually gained popularity in the 1930s when Nestlé printed its image on evaporated milk cans, in an effort to promote the product’s use.
While tres leches is traditionally made without distinct flavours or variants, a few variants originate from different parts of the world. A few of these regional twists include rum in Nicaragua as well as meringue toppings in the Dominican Republic. A caramel-topped version of the dessert even became popular in the Balkans and Turkey. However, my personal favourite will always remain the classic—it tastes like a Westernised rasmalai, if you will.
If you’re looking to try Mumbai’s best tres leches offerings, we promise these places won’t disappoint!
Magnolia Bakery
When the words tres and leches occur, Magnolia’s probably the first thought that comes to the mind of most in Mumbai—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, 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 variations. You’ll spot flavours like the Chocolate Tres Leches, which swaps the vanilla sponge for a rich chocolate base, and the Biscoff Tres Leches, where the sweet milk soak is balanced with that nutty Lotus Biscoff finish. There are also strawberry and mango variations, depending on the time of year.
The best part? Even Alia Bhatt swears by this cake at Magnoli, so run, don’t walk, and try it out!
Address: No.F/862, CTS, Maqba Heights, Pali Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (10 am–12 am)
Price for two: INR 1,000
Chantilly
If you’re willing to queue up outside a tiny café in Bandra for dessert, chances are you’re at Chantilly – The Café—a patisserie that has become something of an Instagram favourite for most of everything it offers. Known for its cosy, Harry Potter-inspired interiors and decadent sweet treats for every kind of diner, the café’s tres leches falls among the favourites on its menu.
Their version of the Latin American classic leans into fruit-forward flavours as well as the classic, with options like Strawberry Tres Leches and Mango Tres Leches. The cake is generously soaked in the signature three-milk mixture and often paired with lightly sweetened whipped cream and fruits. According to dessert aficionados, Chantilly’s version feels lighter and fresher than the traditional vanilla version—perfect for those who like their desserts to be lightly sweet.
Other favourites on their menu are their chocolate cakes, French toasts, cheesecakes, and the Harry Potter favourite—Butterbeer! If the constant line outside is anything to go by, this spot has clearly figured out the formula for a dessert that’s worth the wait and frustration.
Address: Chantilly, Shop no. 2, Darvesh Royale Building, Perry Road, Turner Rd, opposite Kotak Mahindra Bank, Junction, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (2 pm–11:45 pm)
Price for two: INR 850
Mezcalita
At Mezcalita, the tres leches comes with a Mexican twist that fits right into the restaurant’s bright, fiesta-like atmosphere. Known for the best of authentic Mexican flavours in the city, Mezcalita’s dessert menu keeps things classic. Of course, their Tres Leches de Cereza is a standout finale to end a meal full of tacos and unending margaritas.
While the dessert features a soft sponge cake soaked in the traditional three-milk mixture, what makes Mezcalita’s version unique is the addition of cherries and amaretto, adding a fruity, warm, and nutty edge to the tres leches. Topped in the classic way with whipped cream and garnished with strawberries or almonds, the cake is an absolute must-try.
After inhaling a spread of spicy Mexican fare and agave cocktails, Mezacalita’s tres leches is the perfect sweet encore!
Address: Nagin Mahal, 82, Veer Nariman Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm—1:30 am)
Price for two: INR 5,000
Mag St.
Mag St. Café is a Mumbai favourite for a lot more than one thing. Created by the team behind The Table, Gauri Devidayal’s spot has quickly become a go-to for people across the city, offering a globally inspired menu. While they call themselves a cafe, they’re more of a restaurant and bar, serving lip-smacking food, repeat-worthy cocktails, and coffee brewed to perfection. The desserts are just the cherry on top, with the tres leches being a great, great pick.
The cake itself is exactly what a good tres leches should be: light, airy sponge soaked in a blend of milk and topped with a silky smooth layer of whipped cream, served in a small pool of condensed milk. The texture is delicate, making for a dreamy, creamy finish to any meal.
Address: Mag St., 4, Mandlik Rd, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8 am–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 4,000
Deliciae by Bunty Mahajan
If you’re looking for a tres leches that’s very indulgent, very rich, and full, to the brim, with strawberries, Deliciae by Bunty Mahajan has long been a go-to for dessert lovers across the city. Founded by pastry chef Bunty Mahajan, the patisserie has built a loyal following over the past two decades for serving the best desserts, be it for casual dining or celebrations, becoming one of Mumbai’s most loved, home-grown dessert brands.
Their tres leches is exactly what fans of the dessert crave—a soft sponge cake generously soaked in milk, resulting in an ultra-moist, creamy delicacy. Alongside the classic version, Deliciae also offers variations, such as a Strawberry Tres Leches, which layers the milk-soaked sponge with fresh strawberries, as well as mango, pistachio, and Biscoff versions.
Rich, decadent, and perfect for celebrations, Deliciae’s take on the Latin American favourite is definitely one that disappears in no time once it hits the table!
Address: Shop No 11, Gasper Enclave, St. John’s Road, and Pali Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (9 am–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 700
Read more: Strawberry Season Is Here, And So Are Mumbai’s Best Berry Desserts
Also read: A Local’s Guide To Must-Try Desserts In Jaipur And Where To Find Them
