Sydney has been the birthplace of some incredible sweets, from Bennelong's Opera House-inspired passionfruit pavlova to the Snow Egg (RIP) at Quay—even the inimitable Gelato Messina got its start here.
Served on white plates with Harbour views or scoffed out of a paper tray on the side of the street, there's something about dessert that cures all kinds of blues—and the best Sydney dessert can turn an average day into an incredible one in just a few spoonfuls.
To satisfy sweet tooths of all kinds, these are 11 of the best desserts in Sydney right now.
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Nomtella | Koi Dessert Bar
Chippendale and Ryde
You probably recognise Reynold Poernomo from his time on MasterChef, but serious Sydney dessert enthusiasts will know him from the sweet haven he runs with his brothers Ronald and Arnold, Koi Dessert Bar. The immaculately crafted desserts are a feast for the eyes so it's easy to get overwhelmed, but if you're a Nutella fan the Nomtella is essential eating: dark chocolate brownie topped with espresso mousse, cloaked in salted caramel ganache and topped with hazelnuts. You can get an individual one, or order larger sizes for special occasions—and it's gluten-free.
Tiramisu | 10 William St
Paddington
From the wine to the cosy setting and that iconic pretzel, there's not much that 10 William St gets wrong. It's one of our favourite bars, a go-to date spot, a forever fail-safe for a Friday night catch-up and, yep, it also has one of Sydney's best desserts. The tiramisu's perfect airy balance of sabayon, mascarpone, and espresso-soaked savoiardi with an unexpected sprinkling of flaky salt is simply stunning.
Crepe Brulee | Uncle Tetsu’s
CBD
Image credit: Uncle Tetsu's | Facebook
Spotting Uncle Tetsu’s on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise; praise for their fluffy Japanese cheesecakes can be found on every part of the globe, and Sydney is no different. The skill of whipping up some of this city’s best desserts doesn’t stop with this cake, though, because Uncle Testu’s also offers their Crepe Brulee – an original creation.
Not your classical dessert, this Crepe Brulee elevates the familiar by mixing the best elements of their signature cheesecake, cream brulee, and the forever-famous crepe. Only available for a few hours every week, the line for this exclusive dessert curls around the entire store – and it is completely worth the queue. Uncle Testu’s will even occasionally change things up by offering limited-time crepe varieties – Tiramisu Crepe and Matcha Crepe are just two examples to get your mouth pre-emptively watering.
Signature Chocolate Bar | Armorica
Surry Hills
Those crazy about cocoa need to try this luxe chocolate bar at Armorica; it's crafted from a rich French Valrhona chocolate mousse, layers of salted caramel and chocolate chip biscuit encased in a gold-brushed chocolate shell. Pair with a signature cocktail – like the Dream Catcher with rum two ways, apple and spiced blackberry – for the ultimate end to your French feast.
Strawberry Watermelon Cake | Black Star Pastry
Various Locations
Image credit: Black Star Pastry | Instagram
The Strawberry Watermelon Cake has made Black Star Pastry a household name in the world of all things sweet, earning the title of Sydney’s most Instagrammed dessert. With fresh watermelon sandwiched between fluffy almond dacquoise, soft rose-scented cream and topped with rose petals, it’s a true work of art.
Less popular than their watermelon sister, but just as lovely for both the camera and the taste buds, Black Star Pastry offers a variety of both limited-time and always-available cakes. You’re guaranteed to see the Origami Lemon Cake in the display window – think pistachio, lemon, and miniature white chocolate origami cranes on top – or their Raspberry Lychee Cake with chewy marshmallow, chocolate dacquoise and more of that rose-scented cream (as long as they haven’t sold out before you get there). Order yours here or treat yourself to a single slice in store.
Frozen Yoghurt | Yo-Chi
Various Locations
There's something about the DIY element of frozen yoghurt that makes it one of the best desserts you can get your hot little fingers on. Yo-Chi's epic range of flavours and toppings means everyone can make their dream Sydney dessert, whether it's salted butterscotch yoghurt heaped with as much chocolate as you can fit in the cup, or coconut topped with fresh fruit and popping pearls. The yoghurts are packed with great probiotics, so it's basically healthy, right?
Knafeh | Afandi Cafe
Punchbowl
This Bankstown cafe originally began as a takeaway shop, and is now a local favourite. Try what’s been voted as the best Palestinian knafeh in Sydney, and you’ll understand why: it's crispy, sweet, stretchy and insanely moreish. Pair your knafeh with Afandi Cafe's authentic Arabic coffee brewed over sand (a method that infuses the coffee with a rich, deep taste) and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere with your incredible dessert.
Nutella Kürtősh | Kürtősh
Various locations
Kürtősh is a big-time crowd favourite especially for late-night desserts in Sydney, with most of its seven spots in Sydney serving until 10pm at the earliest, every night. The Hungarian-inspired bakery takes its name from kürtőskalács (sometimes called chimney cake) which see ribbons of dough curled around a baking spit to form a spiral of baked deliciousness. Kürtősh does cinnamon, almond, coconut, and pistachio flavours—but the Nutella will change your life.
Russian Honey Cake | The Charles Grand Bar & Brasserie
CBD
At The Charles, dessert isn't just delicious: it's mobile. The dessert trolley will come rolling over when your meal's done, so you can take your pick from sweets all baked in-house by head pastry chef Rhiann Mead, ranging from elegant macarons to towering cakes, chocolate bars, and petit fours. Our pick? The 28-layer Russian honey cake with honeycomb and dulce de leche.
Core Apple | Oncore By Clare Smyth
Barangaroo
They say the eyes eat first, and at Oncore by Clare Smyth, they're eating their fruit. The delicate Core Apple is a take on the original version served at Smyth's three Michelin-Star London restaurant, with various textures of apple perfection presented as a life-like morsel. You can try this Sydney dessert at the end of Oncore's $340pp seven-course tastings menu, or book a seat in the bar to order it a la carte with a stunning cocktail to suit.
Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich | Totti's
Various Locations
The pleasure of Neapolitan ice cream seems to disappear when you hit adulthood; not so at Totti's where the tri-tone treat comes wedged between two crispy house-made wafers, and makes for the perfect ending to an Italian feast.
Still hungry? Check out Sydney's best high teas for more delectable bites.
Image credit: Black Star Pastry, Koi Dessert Bar, Black Star Pastry, Don't Doughnuts, Afandi Cafe, Kurtosh, The Charles Grand Bar & Brasserie, Oncore by Clare Smyth