Sydney’s Best Tiramisu And Where To Find It In 2024

No matter the season, or how much pasta you have just consumed, tucking into tiramisu is the best way to end an Italian meal (or any meal, for that matter). Combining Sydneysiders’ two great loves, coffee and Italian food, it’s no wonder that tiramisu has become so ubiquitous in Sydney/Eora.

In fact, Sydney is one of the first recorded cities outside of Italy to serve the iconic dessert—in 1977. As long-time connoisseurs, we know that not all tiramisus are created equal. Whether you’re after one that’s simple and traditional, or a slice with a bit more drama, perk up with Urban List's take on the top tiramisus in Sydney.

a'Mare

Crown Sydney, Level 1/1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

Image credit: a'Mare | Instagram 

Everything at this upscale Italian restaurant is engineered down to the smallest details and executed with maximum spectacle. Their tiramisu is no different. Alessandro Pavoni wanted to recreate one of his core memories of his grandmother scooping him a piece of her soft tiramisu straight from the tray.

Pavoni teamed up with local ceramicist Malcolm Greenwood to create custom bowls to make the tiramisu in. The result is something sleek like the restaurant, but slightly organic in shape, just like every unique scoop of tiramisu. Served tableside, this a’Mare’s tiramisu is the gold standard, using Pavoni’s grandmother’s recipe.

Cicerone

417 Bourke St, Surry Hills

If you have a sweet tooth, you probably love tiramisu. If you’ve got two or three (or four or five or…) sweet tooths, then you’ll love the tiramisu at this Roman restaurant even more.

Dig into their tiramisu served in a pretty glass goblet to reveal the treasures that lie within: ribbons of smooth salted caramel, and small chunks of chocolate. The savoiardi here is soaked with amaretto for those who like their tiramisus tinged with almond.

Bistro Kai

316 Victoria Ave, Chatswood

Image credit: Bistro Kai | Instagram 

This chic new bistro serving Mediterranean fare with East-Asian influences is worth crossing the bridge for. After dining on their koshihikari risotto or the popular Wagyu cheeseburger, make sure you’ve left room for their tiramisu.

Their take has all the hallmarks of a classic tiramisu, with creamy mascarpone topped with cocoa powder, however, there are some twists that reveal themselves when you take your first spoonful. It sits on a bed of rich coffee jelly for added texture and flavour, and the savoiardi biscuits are soaked with rum for a warm buzz. They finish it with a touch of salt to bring all the flavours together, which will have you cracking salt onto any tiramisu you eat thereafter.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach

Image credit: Icebergs | Supplied 

With dazzling views across Bondi and top-end Italian food in their slick aqua dining room, it’s easy to see why Icebergs is one of the crown jewels in Sydney’s restaurant scene. We recommend choosing dessert as one of your courses on their two or three-course menu, so you can try their masterful tiramisu.

Savoiardi are soaked with classic Marsala wine and Vittoria coffee, but what really makes their tiramisu stand out is the luxurious mascarpone supplied by Pepe Saya Butter, and gratings of chocolate made by Gelato Messina. If you want to try their tiramisu without forking out for their set menu, Icebergs Bar is currently serving their tiramisu tableside every Tuesday night for $22.

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Bar Infinita

10 St Johns Ave, Gordon

Image credit: Bar Infinita | Supplied 

The good people of the upper North Shore no longer have to make the journey into the city to get their hands on quality Italian food, tiramisu included. Led by former Firedoor chef Francesco Lervolino, the best way to cool down from a meal dining on Bar Infinita’s wood-fired Italian menu is with their classic tiramisu.

Here, servings are generously portioned and are scooped out tableside. Double down with their tiramisu martini, made with vodka, Mr Black coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, mascarpone, and a savoiardi biscuit perched on the rim.

Fratelli Paradiso

12-16 Challis Ave, Potts Point

With a strong focus on seasonality and top-quality produce, Fratelli Paradiso has cemented its reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney (or simply one of the best restaurants in Sydney).

Serving the stately tree-lined Challis Avenue in Potts Point and beyond since 2001, Frat Paz has had some serious time to perfect their tiramisu recipe. The two-day affair starts with Montefiore mascarpone and soaking their savoiardi in freshly brewed Genovese espresso and Marsala wine. After giving the core ingredients time to make friends, 70% dark chocolate is grated on top the next day before being cut into perfect squares and landing on your white tablecloth.

10 William St

10 William St, Paddington

Image credit: 10 William St | Instagram 

This top Italian wine bar and cool younger sibling to the legendary Fratelli Paradiso is the perfect spot to go crazy trying as many wines as you can from their impressive list of Australian and European producers.

There is a glass to compliment everything on their seasonal menu including their tiramisu. While the heart of the menu is constantly changing, you should always bookend your meal with their classic pretzel and whipped bottagra to start, and their tiramisu to finish. Having inherited the perfect recipe from Fratelli Paradiso, you know you’re in for a reliably delicious dessert. Pair it with a glass of one of their dessert wines, or perhaps an amaro.

Fior

756 Kingsway, Gymea

Image credit: Fior | Supplied 

South Sydney’s prayers for a quality Italian restaurant have finally been answered with the arrival of Fior in Gymea this year. Fior is hailing in a new era with its charming, buzzy atmosphere and a comforting yet classy menu.

In the safe hands of the team behind much loved Surry Hills spots Jane and Arthur, their tiramisu’s mix of mascarpone zabaglione and meringue is refreshingly light and creamy, complemented by the crunch of chocolate-coated cacao nibs.

Pizza Madre

2/205 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

Image credit: Pizza Madre | Instagram 

This plant-based pizzeria, led by the team behind the popular Two Chaps cafe, does flavours unlike anywhere else in Sydney on their woodfired, sourdough pizza bases. Expect truffle paste, mushrooms, charred leek, fior di latte, truffle pecorino, and onsen egg in the winter months, and fioretto and babaganoush in the summer. Such creativity has earned them a spot on the Top 50 Asia Pacific pizza list.

Madre takes the same playful approach to their tiramisu, with a pistachio rendition with Mr Black coffee liqueur, pistachio paste, and a hearty handful of crushed pistachios scattered on top. The marriage of rich coffee, light mascarpone, and toasty pistachios will make you question why you aren’t eating pistachios and coffee together more often.

Paski Vineria Popolare

239 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

Whether you’re perched downstairs at this buzzing Oxford Street joint, having sipped on their extensive wine collection and snacked on anchovies, or tucked upstairs having some serious pasta, tiramisu is a necessity at Paski.

Here the tiramisu is perfectly executed with thick, creamy layers of mascarpone sitting between savoiardi that are heavily soaked for maximum flavour without losing their structural integrity. Chocolate lovers will appreciate the dusting of cocoa powder on top so thick you could measure it with a ruler, and a delightful spoonful of melted Callebaut chocolate sitting at the bottom.

Dedy's Cafe

Lot 4, Level 9/501 George St, Sydney CBD

Image credit: Dedy's | Instagram

Sometimes, you’re craving a tiramisu so much, you don’t want to faff around with booking a sort-after restaurant weeks in advance or with any other menu item. For those who are after instant gratification, you’ve probably already seen Dedy’s viral tiramisu lattes pop up on your social media feeds.

We have been mesmerised watching them made starting with a latte, then a large scoop of mascarpone scraped on top, and finished with a savoiardi biscuit to dip, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder. It also comes as a “matchamisu latte” for matcha lovers. And because you can’t have too much of a good thing, try their rich tiramisu burnt basque cheesecake.

Juan Bowl & Tea

94A Pitt St, Redfern

Those who love the textures of tiramisu but are looking to shake things up flavour-wise need to check out Juan. Owner Anna Ishiguro has dedicated her venue to speciality tea and crafting the perfect rice bowls since 2017.

After feasting on her standout Wagyu donburi with some sake or a cup of Japanese tea from her extensive collection, Ishiguro’s matcha tiramisu is a necessity. Served in a beautiful wooden masu box, the mascarpone has been infused with matcha, with a dusting of matcha powder on top. It’s super soft, and doesn’t drown the intense matcha flavour out with too much sugar like some matcha desserts can.

Bar Lettera

88 Walker St, North Sydney

North Sydney has scored with this polished new Italian restaurant servicing the Citadines Hotel. Guests are just a short elevator ride away from schmick clay-coloured interiors and Mediterranean dining, but those who aren’t guests won’t regret the journey to try Bar Lettera.

Their menu advertises a Milo tiramisu, and traditionalists will be happy to hear that the tiramisu itself is the rich, grown-up version we know and love. To take things up a notch, the tiramisu is surrounded by jewels of Milo and amaretto jelly, and there is a perfect quenelle of coffee liqueur gelato sitting on top.

Il Baretto

338 Oxford St, William St, Paddington

Il Baretto has been serving diners simple, regional Italian dishes with style since 1999. While their new(ish) digs in the Paddo Inn since 2020 have a sleeker look, everything here from their famous ragu to their bouncy house-made focaccia and their tiramisu is still made with love.

Their tiramisu is an exemplar of what all tiramisus should be—lightly soaked savoiardi that takes on rich coffee flavour without losing its structural integrity, and light, creamy mascarpone topped with a fine dusting of cocoa powder. After sampling Il Baretto’s rendition, you will have experienced the standard. 

Osteria Di Russo & Russo

158 Enmore Rd, Enmore

Family-owned Russo & Russo has been masterfully treading the line between tradition and creativity in their candlelit spot on Enmore Road for many years. Pleasing locals and visitors alike for over a decade with their warm hospitality and seasonal Italian fare, it’s easy to see why romantic dinner dates, birthday celebrations, and everything in between go down a treat here.

Most of the menu is strictly Italian with some modern Australian and East-Asian influence, like their casarecce with spanner crab, sweet corn, and kombu. Their tiramisu adds buckwheat to the classic recipe adding an extra toasty note and a welcome crunch.

Header image credit: Icebergs | Supplied 

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