Italy takes its desserts seriously. The general word for dessert or sweets is il dolce, which you'll also see used to mean something sweet in contrast to salato (savory). On most restaurant menus, the dolci section offers a tempting finale to a meal.
Among specific desserts, il gelato (ice cream) is world-famous — denser and often more intensely flavored than American ice cream, it's typically scooped into a cone or cup at a gelateria. Il tiramisù is a layered dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, originating in the Veneto region. La torta (cake) can refer to anything from a simple sponge cake to a celebratory layered creation.
When you finish a meal, you can simply ask "Quali dolci avete?" ("What desserts do you have?") to see what's on offer that day. Desserts are often shared, and pairing one with a small glass of dessert wine or an espresso is a classic Italian way to end a meal.