Don Pero's The Dessert Spot — Gourmet Dessert Café in Simpson Bay
Cheesecake, lava cake, and milkshakes made from scratch.
Why Go
Don Pero's The Dessert Spot at the Palapa Center on Airport Road in Simpson Bay is a dedicated dessert café serving made-from-scratch cheesecakes, chocolate lava cakes, tiramisu, tres leches, waffles, crepes, macarons, and gourmet milkshakes. A serious dessert destination, not a convenience store freezer.
The Experience
Don Pero's is what happens when someone takes dessert seriously. The display case reads like a pastry chef's portfolio: cheesecakes in multiple flavors, rich chocolate cakes, silky tiramisu, tres leches soaking in sweet cream, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, and macarons in a rainbow of colors. Everything is made from scratch on-site, which you can taste in the freshness and flavor intensity. Beyond the display case, waffles and crepes are made to order, ice cream creations are assembled with premium toppings, and milkshakes are blended thick enough to require a spoon. Gourmet coffee drinks pair perfectly with the pastries. The Palapa Center location on Airport Road gives it a dedicated audience of Simpson Bay residents and visitors who have made Don Pero's their post-dinner tradition.
What to Try
Cheesecake — the signature item, available in multiple flavors. Chocolate lava cake for warm, gooey indulgence. Tiramisu for an Italian classic done well. Tres leches for a Latin-Caribbean crossover. Waffles or crepes made to order with your choice of toppings. The milkshakes are legendary — ask for recommendations from the staff.
Insider Tip
Don Pero's is popular enough that specific items sell out by evening. If you have your heart set on a particular cake or dessert, go earlier in the day. The café also takes special occasion orders — birthday cakes, event desserts, and custom platters for villa celebrations. This is the island's top dedicated dessert spot, so it gets busy on weekend evenings.
The Practical Stuff
Located at #28 Airport Road, Palapa Center, Simpson Bay. Price range: $$ — premium desserts at fair prices. Cash and cards accepted. Dine-in and takeaway available. Special orders accepted for events and celebrations.
Pair It With
- Luciano Ice Cream SXM Guide — Philipsburg's gelato shop for another premium dessert experience
- Dinghy Dairy Bar Guide — Simpson Bay's creative ice cream shop for a dessert crawl