Gala Desserts has filled a long-missing niche in the suburbs of Charleston: a dedicated spot for desserts and after-dinner drinks. While dessert isn’t strictly necessary, it’s a welcome option for a casual night out or a special ending to an evening.
Tucked between Gene’s Haufbrau and a thrift store in Avondale, Gala Desserts is easy to miss even when you know where it is. The entrance shares a small foyer with the neighboring boutique, and the dessert case sits in the back right corner, sometimes hidden by customers when the place gets busy. They offer a short menu with a few savory snacks, but the focus—and the better reason to visit—is the dessert selection.
Gala’s offerings include several styles of mini cheesecakes, made-to-order piped cannoli, dessert bars, tortes, and rotating cake slices. I’ve seen Chocolate, Coconut, Red Velvet and other classic cake options available by the slice. The shop holds a liquor license, so you can enjoy an espresso with a splash of Bailey’s or a glass of prosecco poured over sorbet—nice little touches that elevate the experience.
The space itself is charming in an eclectic, cozy way—furnished with a mix of arts-and-crafts–style pieces. A slice of cake and a glass of port make for a pleasant, convenient end to the night, especially for those on this side of town. However, the desserts are not without flaws. The primary issue is that many items lack the bright, freshly made texture and flavor you’d expect from an in-house pastry shop. They are perfectly safe and not off in quality, but they sometimes taste more like catered desserts that were prepared earlier rather than items finished to order.
For example, the key lime cheesecake features a tasty crust—consistent with their cheesecakes—but the lime flavor within the filling was milder than anticipated. The key lime curd on top was excellent and vibrantly tart; I could have happily eaten it by the spoonful. Inside the cake, a lime swirl provided a light citrus note, though the fruit components overall leaned slightly gummy compared with a freshly made version.
The standout for me was the Bailey’s cheesecake. It put a subtly boozy spin on a cookies-and-cream style cheesecake, pairing a chocolate cookie crust with a creamy, not overly sweet filling. Topped with chocolate-flavored whipped cream and chocolate cigars, it was rich and well-balanced—even enjoyable to someone who doesn’t usually favor chocolate desserts.
Besides the Bailey’s cheesecake, the cake slices are among my favorites at Gala. I’ve tried the Oreo Cake and the Red Velvet Cake and found them enjoyable; the flavors are on point and not cloyingly sweet. While the texture sometimes suggests the desserts were refrigerated a bit longer than ideal, the overall taste makes Gala a valuable addition to West Ashley’s dining scene.
TL;DR:
Desserts and drinks west of the Ashley—finally a local spot worth a visit.
Eat:
Bailey’s Cheesecake and any of the cake slices
Drink:
Velvet Devil Merlot, Tawny Port, Raspberry Bellini, Affogato
Wear:
Casual+
Locate:
829 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407
Park:
Parking behind the thrift store next door, valet across the street, or parallel parking on Savannah Highway.
Contact:
http://www.galadesserts.com/
(843) 212-3227