Sydney’s dessert scene is truly top-tier—from flaky pastries and glossy tarts engineered with precision to professionally built, OTT cakes worthy of the most special occasions.
To help you eat your way through it all, Urban List has joined forces with American Express to round up some of the dessert spots you have to try in Sydney.
ButterBoy
74–78 The Corso, Manly and 345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
ButterBoy is the undisputed king of cookies, slinging sweet, gooey goodness across Sydney. We’re talking molten-centred Nutella cookies with a sprinkle of salt, chewy snickerdoodles and limited-edition monthly creations like banana biscoff, peanut butter and cappuccino. Add a swirl of soft serve and you’ve got yourself a dessert ready to demolish.
Watch the magic happen as bakers prepare these bad boys daily in open kitchens at Manly Corso and Chatswood Chase, rumour has it there's a store coming to Brookvale soon too.
Koi Dessert Bar
6 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale and Shop 3/62–66 Blaxland Road, Ryde
MasterChef alum Reynold Poernomo and his family created the dessert empire, KOI, back in 2016. Their specialty: edible masterpieces that look more like art than food.
Expert patissiers work their wizardry on a range of desserts, including bite-sized tarts and carefully crafted pastries showcased in-store, alongside whole Basque cheesecakes and fluffy Japanese chiffon cakes available to order online.
There’s a dessert for everyone, with almost every favourite flavour under the sun, including chocolate, matcha, pandan and even durian, plus gluten-free and halal options too.
You can also learn all of KOI’s sweet secrets at masterclasses in the Ryde kitchen led by guest chefs and Reynold himself—what a treat.
Petit Loulou
Metro Martin Place, Lower Ground, 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney CBD
Smaller offshoot of Milson Point restaurant Loulou Bistro, Petit Loulou slings excellent coffee, baguette sandwiches and the kind of French pastries that’ll have you hurrying back for more.
A glass cabinet showcases buttery croissants, cream-stuffed éclairs, golden madeleines, delicate tarts, and flaky viennoiseries—all baked in-house and restocked daily.
Perched above Martin Place Metro and open weekdays only, it’s conveniently placed for a pre-work pit-stop or a cheeky midday reward.
The Charles Brasserie & Bar
66 King Street, Sydney CBD
Dessert is a full-scale production at The Charles. After lunch or dinner, a vintage-style trolley glides through the modern dining room, brimming with extravagant sweets. There’s a multi-layered Russian honey cake, passionfruit meringue tart and a vanilla rhubarb mille-feuille so precise it deserves its own spotlight, plus so much more.
If that’s not enough, order the pistachio tiramisu for two or a selection of fancy cheeses, followed by an espresso martini or a splash of liqueur to cap it all off.
Good Ways Deli
81 Buckland Street, Alexandria and Shop 1/20 Cooper Street, Redfern
This beloved inner west deli may be known for its thick-cut sandwiches, but its dessert game is just as serious. From staples such as brown butter choc-chip cookies and lamingtons spiked with Davidson plum jam to specials like Vegemite chocolate caramel tarts and apple turnovers, Good Ways Deli is a must-try Sydney dessert spot.
The signature vanilla slice—consisting of creamy custard sandwiched between thin pastry and drizzled with passionfruit icing—is only available on weekends and 100% worth a detour for. Get in early, this one tends to disappear fast.
Whether you’re dining solo or making a day of it with your foodie faves, American Express gives you an excuse to treat yourself. With an Amex Card, you can access exclusive perks—from points and Pre-Sale tickets to Amex Offers, lounges access and more. (Eligible Cards only, T&Cs apply). To find out more about what you could access as an Amex Card Member, click here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Amex and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Images: ButterBoy, Koi Dessert Bar, Petit LouLou, The Charles, Good Ways Deli on Instagram.