* Some of the establishments / dishes below may not be halal. Desserts are generally the most awaited part of a meal. Simple and yet mouth-watering, most of us just can't say no to heavenly tasting desserts. If they were well prepared, it would be the perfect ending to any meal. After all, the word stressed is spelt as “desserts” backwards. What better way is there to soothe troubled feelings than to indulge in a piece of moist chocolate cake or dive into healthier desserts such as fruit salads? For the health conscious, however, moderation is the key to maintaining one's weight while being able to enjoy the occasional sweet treat. Here are six best places in Penang for great-tasting desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. (Click on the restaurant names for addresses and OpenRice members' reviews.)

1. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

A crowd usually gathers here on hot afternoons to quench their thirst with the ever-famous Malaysian cuisine, cendol. This dessert stall is a family-run business. It has been in operations in Lebuh Keng Kwee, off Jalan Penang, since 1936 and they are still committed to churning out refreshing bowls of cendol every day. Locals and tourists do not mind queuing in the heat just so they can get their hands on a bowl filled with pandan-flavoured palm flour noodles, coconut milk and kidney beans that are accompanied by the sweetness of gula melaka. Each bowl costs RM2.30. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., daily

2. Penang Road Famous Chendol

The other dessert stall that sells cendol in Lebuh Keng Kwee has been around for more than 40 years. The cendol sold here tastes equally as good as the opposite stall and it has its own legion of fans. Visitors here will not be disappointed with the friendly service as well as the bowl of sweet cendol on a sunny day. You may even go for second helpings at both stalls. A bowl of cendol here costs RM2.30. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., daily

3. Ais Kacang at Kafe Kek Seng

A meal at this coffee shop in Jalan Penang would be incomplete without a serving of ais kacang topped with homemade durian ice cream. Of course, you can actually choose your preferred ice-cream flavour but their durian flavour is the popular choice. At RM4.80, you will get a bowl of shaved ice that comes with toppings of creamy corn, red beans, multi-layered jelly and two scoops of ice cream. Young children who had enjoyed this ais kacang more than 30 years ago have been known to be constantly returning here for their favourite dessert. Opening hours: 9a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

4. Hock Seng Rojak

Rojak, a type of fruit and vegetable salad dish, is about as tempting as any other dessert. You won't be able to miss this Hock Seng Rojak stall, which has a yellow signboard, in Gat Lebuh Cecil when you turn in left from the Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway. The rojak here is not available anywhere else as the thick prawn paste is the owner's secret recipe that had been achieved after many attempts. It is generously sprinkled with uncrushed peanuts, dried shrimp and dried cuttlefish powder. The rojak here is available at prices of RM7, RM9 and RM14. Opening hours: 1 to 6 p.m., daily (closed Mondays)

5. Various cakes at China House

China House in Lebuh Pantai is currently one of the hip places to be on Penang island for Western food and its wide array of delicious cakes. The cakes are gloriously laid out along a table where patrons can pick and choose what they want to eat. You will be spoilt for choice here as they serve 30 different cakes daily. But whichever cakes you choose, it will be a taste to remember. Opening hours: 9 a.m. to midnight (Sunday to Thursday); 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Friday to Saturday)

6. The Sweet Temptations Shop House (Sweet-i)

For traditional Chinese desserts, this outlet located in a terrace house in Jalan Nipah, is well worth a visit. Though they have various dishes available, their signature dessert is the black sesame paste with peanut-filled glutinous rice balls. They are also known for their bubur cha cha, peanut paste and herbal chicken soup. Opening hours: 3:30 to 11 p.m., daily (closed Fridays)