In many cultures all over the world, it is common to finish a meal with something sweet. Desserts are a mainstay in food culture, although there are many varieties of desserts. When you go to a restaurant for a meal, the last course is dessert. In Indian culture, like everywhere else in the world, it is customary to offer a sweet dish at the end of a meal as a way of completing the meal. India is also well known for the thali meals, and these traditional meals begin with a sweet in many parts of the country.