A Note to Our Guests:
We will be closed for our annual two-week end-of-summer closure starting Monday, September 1st through Sunday, September 14th. We will reopen on Monday, September 15th at 5 PM for dinner. During this time, please visit our sister restaurant Fish, located on the North side of the Venetian Village, for all your dining needs.

We look forward to welcoming you back refreshed, inspired, and ready to serve you with another season of authentic Italian flavors. And when we do, our dessert menu will be waiting—full of the classics you love, paired perfectly with both the meals and the drinks that enhance them.

Why Dessert Deserves Its Spotlight

Italian dining is all about balance—bold starters, comforting pastas, simply grilled seafood, hearty entrées, and yes, a sweet ending. At MiraMare, dessert isn’t an afterthought. Each dish is carefully chosen to complement the menu that comes before it, ensuring that your meal feels complete.

This September, we’re highlighting how each dessert pairs not only with your dinner choices but also with the wines, cocktails, and after-dinner coffees that bring the whole experience together.

Tiramisu: A Perfect Partner for Rich, Hearty Meals

MiraMare’s tiramisu is everything an Italian classic should be: layers of ladyfinger biscotti dipped in espresso, smooth mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cacao. It’s rich without being heavy, creamy with just a hint of bitterness, and the kind of dessert that never goes out of style.

Best Meal Pairings:
Tiramisu is best enjoyed after a pasta in a tomato-based sauce (think lasagna or penne arrabbiata) or heartier entrées like veal piccata. The sweetness and creaminess balance the acidity of the tomatoes and the sharpness of lemon or capers.

Drink Pairings:

• Coffee: Espresso or cappuccino enhances the coffee-soaked layers of the dessert.
• Cocktail: The Heavenly Espresso Martini—with Absolut Vanilla, Baileys, Kahlua, and espresso—mirrors the flavors of tiramisu for a seamless finish.
• Wine: A glass of Vin Santo or a nutty Marsala pairs beautifully, bringing depth and a subtle sweetness.

Limoncello Flute: Light and Refreshing

The Limoncello Flute is one of MiraMare’s most refreshing desserts—lemon gelato swirled with Limoncello liqueur, served elegantly in a flute g-lass. It’s citrusy, bright, and slightly boozy, making it a summer favorite that carries beautifully into early fall.

Best Meal Pairings:
This dessert works wonderfully after simply grilled seafood, like branzino or shrimp, or lighter pasta dishes such as pasta primavera. Its acidity and freshness cleanse the palate and leave you uplifted rather than weighed down.

Drink Pairings:

• Cocktail: A Hugo Spritz or Prosecco complements the citrusy sparkle of the dessert.
• Wine: A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc keeps things light and bright.
• Coffee Alternative: For those skipping alcohol, pair it with a hot tea (especially green or citrus-forward blends).

Homemade Zeppole: Playful Indulgence

If you want fun and comfort rolled into one, go for the Homemade Zeppole—crispy fried dough tossed in cinnamon and sugar, served with a chocolate dipping sauce. It’s playful, nostalgic, and great for sharing.

Best Meal Pairings:
Zeppole are best enjoyed after grilled meats or marsala-based dishes. Their sweetness offers a delightful contrast to savory, earthy main courses. They’re also perfect for those who want to keep the meal feeling festive and casual.

Drink Pairings:

• Cocktail: The Chocolate Swirl Martini (Absolut Vanilla, Baileys chocolate liqueur, white chocolate liqueur, chocolate syrup) amplifies the dessert’s chocolatey notes.
• Beer: A darker beer or stout from MiraMare’s bar selection creates a surprisingly good balance with fried dough.
• Coffee: A latte or americano softens the richness while still keeping things cozy.

Panna Cotta: Elegant and Balanced

MiraMare’s Homemade Panna Cotta is silky and luxurious. Made from vanilla custard and topped with a berry compote, it’s a refined dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Best Meal Pairings:
This one shines after lighter main courses like chicken piccata or salmon dishes, where its creaminess doesn’t compete with bold flavors but instead offers a delicate finale.

Drink Pairings:

• Wine: A glass of Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti lifts the berry compote’s sweetness.
• Cocktail: Pair with the Sinful Espresso (bourbon, Frangelico, Kahlua, espresso) for a deeper, nutty contrast.
• Coffee: A cappuccino complements panna cotta beautifully, bringing richness without overshadowing its delicate flavor.

Cannoli: Crunchy, Creamy Tradition

Our cannoli are served as a trio—crispy shells filled with ricotta cheese, studded with chocolate chips, and finished with powdered sugar. They’re classic, satisfying, and a true taste of Sicily.

Best Meal Pairings:
Cannoli are versatile but particularly enjoyable after seafood pastas or grilled entrées, where their sweetness offsets lighter savory flavors.

Drink Pairings:

• Wine: A ruby Port or Marsala dessert wine enhances the richness of the ricotta filling.
• Cocktail: Pair with an espresso martini for a dynamic mix of creamy and crunchy.
• Coffee: Espresso is the traditional choice—it cuts through the sweetness and lets the ricotta shine.

Gelato and Sorbet: Simple Pleasures

Sometimes, simple is best. MiraMare offers vanilla or chocolate gelato and a lemon sorbet for those who want something light, classic, and refreshing.

Best Meal Pairings:

• Chocolate Gelato pairs beautifully with red-sauce pastas or beef entrées, complementing their robust flavors.
• Vanilla Gelato is ideal after creamy pastas or marsala dishes.
• Lemon Sorbet is a palate cleanser and best enjoyed after seafood or grilled items.

Drink Pairings:

• Pair gelato with Vin Santo, or create your own affogato by pouring espresso over vanilla gelato.
• The lemon sorbet pairs nicely with sparkling wine or a Hugo Spritz.

Affogato & Italian Coffees: A Dessert in Themselves

For those who love coffee, MiraMare’s Affogato—vanilla gelato drowned in espresso—is both dessert and pick-me-up. It pairs with just about anything on the menu, especially after a long, lingering meal.

Beyond affogato, the lineup of espresso, cappuccino, latte, americano, and hot tea gives you plenty of options to personalize your finale. Pairing coffee with cannoli or tiramisu is the traditional route, but truly, there are no wrong answers here.

After-Dinner Cocktails: The Grand Finale

Of course, dessert doesn’t always come on a plate. MiraMare’s after-dinner cocktails are as much a part of the experience as any pastry or custard.

• Heavenly Espresso: Vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlua, and espresso—ideal with tiramisu or panna cotta.
• Sinful Espresso: Bourbon, Frangelico, Kahlua, espresso—perfect with cannoli or chocolate gelato.
• Chocolate Swirl Martini: Absolut Vanilla, Baileys chocolate liqueur, white chocolate liqueur, chocolate syrup—made for zeppole or any chocolate-forward dessert.

Why Pairings Matter

Pairings aren’t about rules—they’re about enhancing flavors. A good pairing can bring out subtle notes you might not have noticed otherwise, whether it’s the nuttiness in a dessert wine, the acidity in a lemon sorbet, or the creamy balance of panna cotta with sparkling wine. At MiraMare, the goal is to make your entire meal feel harmonious from start to finish.

Mark Your Calendar: September 15th

As we prepare for our brief closure, we invite you to visit our sister restaurant Fish during the first two weeks of September. When we reopen on September 15th at 5 PM, make sure dessert is part of your evening. Whether you stick to the classics like tiramisu or try something playful like zeppole, you’ll leave with the sweet satisfaction that only MiraMare can deliver.

Final Thought
Italian meals are about connection—food, wine, company, and conversation. Dessert is the chapter that ties it all together, and at MiraMare, that chapter is always written with care. So when you join us this September, don’t skip the sweet ending. Instead, savor it, pair it, and let it be the memory that carries you until your next visit.

Make a reservation or simply drop by to experience one of Naples’ best Italian restaurants. We can’t wait to welcome you!  Call now to make a reservation 239-430-6273.