Sweet Spots: Where to Find the Best Dessert in Adelaide

Whether you’re a devoted sweets junkie or an occasional indulger, Adelaide’s sugar-loaded dessert scene promises to satisfy your sweet tooth. A delicacy that is near impossible to resist and requires the ‘second stomach’ to come into play, how could one say no to artisan gelato, gooey chocolate cakes or flaky pastries served in front of your eyes?

Here at Sitchu, we love a sweet treat and could talk about it for a long time. So, round up the chocoholics, adventurous orderers and lifelong sweets enthusiasts to embrace the sugar high and join us as we make our way through the best desserts in Adelaide.

The Dolci Menu at Mensa Kitchen

We warmly welcome any establishment serving delectable Italian desserts, and Mensa does just that with its elevated flavour profiles, dreamy combos and stylish surroundings. Exposed brick, terrazzo, earthy tones and textures draw guests in for a memorable meal of Italian staples fused with a modern, Australian influence, but it’s the dolci menu we can’t get enough of.

We are eyeing the authentic Cannolo alla Siciliana filled with sweet ricotta, cedro citrus, pistachio or chocolate, but how could we resist an Italian sponge with torched meringue? Molto bene!

44 The Parade West, Kent Town

Shmochi by Shibui Dessert Bar

After months of anticipation, this is one dessert cafe we are very excited to talk about. This long-awaited dessert project (it took over a year to find the perfect location for the new store) is all about friends, family, community and making every day sweet, built with love by co-owners Quang Nguyen, Thy Nguyen, and Lisa Chao.

Following the success of Shibui Dessert Bar in Adelaide’s CBD, the team have opened a second dessert cafe in St Peters, Smochi by Shibui. And the star of the menu? The viral Mochi donut, served with creamy ice cream flavours that pay homage to the owners’ Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. Created by chef Quang Nguyen, the Mochi has gained a cult-like following thanks to its crispiness, chewy centre and general deliciousness, and when paired with ice cream flavours like Ube cookies and cream, durian birthday cake and Thai milk tea, this is dessert done differently.

199 Payneham Road, St Peters

CRUSHES

You’ll have to be quick – this sweet treat is happiness in a cup, and it sells out fast. Growing from a garage dream to a regular at Gilles at the Grounds, you can now score a cup of the juiciest, plumpest strawbs covered in creamy milk chocolate in the middle of Rundle Mall at CRUSHES. Setting up in the heart of the action on Sundays, one look at these bad boys and you’ll be lining up to order before you know it. It is not only delicious (and half healthy if you really think about it) but playful and cheeky, from the branding to the service. Treat yourself to a cup of the good stuff.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide

St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts

Head to St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts for a scoop, slice or bite of heaven. Their reputation for creating the most decadent and indulgent European desserts and gelato is second to none, known as a reliable choice when only the best dessert will do.

Expect chocolates, limited edition brookies (that’s a brownie and cookie FYI), Super Sundaes piled high with baked treats and fresh gelato doused with lashings of chocolatey sauce.

Multiple locations across Adelaide

Daisy Sweetie Dessert

Sometimes finding a late-night dessert spot can be more trouble than it’s worth, but Daisy Sweetie Dessert answers our sweet prayers! The newest cafe to enter the scene in Bowden, expect to find Vietnamese desserts such as boba milk tea cake, coffee flan and moffles. The sweets are filled with flavour and texture, and the savoury menu covers vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements, so gather a group and head here for a laid-back and delicious evening feed.

49C Torrens Road, Bowden 

Peanut Butter Parfait at Peel St

One thing about menus in Adelaide restaurants? They tend to change regularly to reflect the freshest SA-grown produce available. However, some items are so good and so iconic that to remove them for even a moment would cause carnage. Enter: The Peel St Peanut Butter Parfait.

A menu mainstay for several years, this dreamy layered creation is up there with the most iconic dishes to try at least once in Adelaide. If you love salted caramel, chocolate cream, caramelised banana and, of course, peanuts, combined into a gorgeous stack, this one is for you.

9 Peel Street, Adelaide

Shibui Dessert Bar

Discover sweet-tooth heaven in the dessert bar famous for serving up some of the most innovative and intriguing desserts in Adelaide, from fried ice cream to mochi waffles. Shibui Dessert Bar has an ever-evolving menu featuring sweets such as white chocolate redskin mousse, fluffy meringue bombe Alaska, matcha tiramisu and their famous macaron ice cream sandwiches. 

2/160 Grote Street, Adelaide

Coconut Pannacotta at Kiin

Kiin means ‘eat’ in Thai, and eat you will. While people come for the innovative modern Asian food that impresses even the fussiest taste buds, their coconut pannacotta is something else! Irresistibly creamy and layered with tangy lemon curd, Biscoff crumb and candied ginger, every bite brings a new texture and flavour. Absolutely worth saving room for!

73 Angas Street, Adelaide

Lunar Landing

A fusion dessert haven has touched down, not on the moon, but in Brompton! Step into Lunar Landing and indulge in some of the city’s most exquisite cakes that are almost too beautiful to eat… almost. Their signature fluffy cheesecakes, in flavours like black sesame, ube, matcha, pumpkin, and pandan, are crafted Basque-style and are utterly irresistible. 

Savour their perfectly balanced coffee tarts, fresh strawberry tarts, and decadent brownie churros, served with caramel, Biscoff, and coconut ice cream. Should you find it on the menu, the pistachio affogato and pistachio matcha cookies are unreal.

2/28a Hawker Street, Brompton

Seoul Sweetie

No country does sweet treats quite like South Korea. Their light, fluffy and fresh desserts are ideal for when you want to enjoy something sugary but don’t want to feel sick. Plus, they look incredible!

Seoul Sweetie is the late-night dessert bar in Adelaide that’s taking Chinatown by storm. Next door to its sister restaurant, Busan Baby, and run by the same team, this is the perfect dinner-then-dessert combo. Expect fluffy cakes and fruity delights that are perfect to share with friends, along with themed cakes come Christmas and Halloween.

270 Morphett Street, Adelaide

Bracegirdle’s House of Fine Chocolate

If chocolate is your thing, you’ll love Bracegirdle’s House of Fine Chocolate. The family-owned, proudly South Australian business is also Australia’s most-awarded artisan chocolatier!

Visit one of their cafes across Adelaide and savour the flavours of their range of chocolates, or stick around for their deliciously decadent high tea of traditional scones, sandwiches and layers of sweet desserts to finish.

Multiple locations across Adelaide

Live A Little Gelato

Live A Little Gelato specialises in organic vegan gelato and artisan bakery items, hand-made in the Adelaide Hills. Head to Plant 4 Bowden on Wednesday and Friday evenings or on Sunday and treat yourself to a delicious cup or cone of gelato, or choose from the range of baked delights.

There are Portuguese tarts, sweet pies, thick cinnamon scrolls loaded with a cream cheese topping, plus treats for those with intolerances or dietary preferences, including vegan gelato (in fact, everything on offer is vegan-friendly!) and gluten-free waffles, so no one misses out on the good times.

5 Third Street, Bowden

Just Bliss Chocolates

Find this chocolatier in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall and set aside ample time to grab a coffee and browse the range of exquisite gourmet chocolate truffles, macarons, specialty chocolate bars, personalised chocolates, and sweet gifts for that special someone.

Crafted to perfection with hand-painted cocoa butter and decorative chocolate transfers, Just Bliss Chocolates artisanal truffles are a treat for the eyes and taste buds. They serve sweet and savoury house-made crepes, yum! And good news – if you’re craving a flaky pastry, Just Bliss Chocolates have added croissants, cruffins and donuts to its menu.

5/38 Gawler Place, Adelaide

Muratti Cakes & Gateaux

Muratti is where the delectable assortment of cakes, tarts and croquembouches attracts sugar addicts from all over Adelaide. Opulent creations glisten invitingly from shiny glass displays, with rows of vibrant-hued petit gateaux in delicate flavours like berry apple and chocolate cherry.

With cakes that are almost too pretty to eat, Muratti showcases the best of European confectionery via fine layers of dacquoise, praline, mousse, sable breton and compote, garnished with everything from chocolate shards to whole macarons.

114B Prospect Road, Prospect

Steven ter Horst Chocolatier

For the fine dining sweet tooths looking for beautiful desserts crafted with care, Steven ter Horst Chocolatier is one to fantasise about. The smell of artisan chocolates and petit gateau fills the room, with many items on the menu hand-crafted by Mr Horst himself. Our suggestion? Try the chocolate cloud, featuring delicate chocolate mousse with vanilla cream centre and flourless sponge base, or the lemon cheesecake with blood orange compote centre. Delightful.

4/185 King William Road, Hyde Park

Lukoumades

These bite-sized, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, sweet honey balls are the Greek treat you didn’t know you needed. Thankfully, Lukoumades is here to show you what you’ve been missing, with two locations serving the good stuff! Choose the original Lukoumades for donuts drizzled in honey and cinnamon, or treat yourself to a Kinder Surprise or Oreo crumble-topped Lukoumades or a thick shake for a sugar hit.

Henley Beach & Hyde Park

Eggless Dessert Cafe

Are egg allergies ruining the sweet fun? Funnily enough, you’re invited to try a bit of everything dished up at the Eggless Dessert Cafe as it’s – you guessed it – eggless. This vegan-friendly cafe sources local ingredients from around South Australia to create some of the best desserts in Adelaide including cakes, sundaes, tarts, custards and doughnuts. Can’t decide on what to order? Try the tasting plate and sample mini versions of all their delicious treats.

162 Goodwood Road, Goodwood

Red Cacao

Red Cacao is the boutique chocolatier and oh-so-cosy cafe in Stirling, crafting intricate desserts and wholesome sweet dishes. Choose from chocolate blocks to Grenache or truffle, all intertwined with intriguing ingredients such as mulberry, local shiraz and chilli.

If you don’t have time to get your chocolate fix during the day, never fear, for every Friday night this charming venue is transformed into a moody, candle-lit locale, perfect for sweet and intimate date nights in the Adelaide Hills.

3/41 Mount Barker Road, Stirling

Chocolatree

Chocolatree is a destination where chocoholics come together for choccy feasts without judgment. For those who struggle with eyes bigger than their stomach, this is where we suggest you loosen your belt buckle and indulge.

The only question we pose: Would you prefer the crème brulee with caramelised sugar and fresh strawberries, the cookie hot pot, or a waffle stack topped with ice cream?

25 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

48 Flavours

Nothing beats a good gelato at the end of a big day. When there are 48 Flavours of award-winning gelato to choose from, you can’t go wrong. Multiple locations across Adelaide mean it’s easy to get your ice cream fix, where you can play it safe with classic chocolate or go bold with a unique flavour like Caramelised Fig and Honeycomb Pannacotta.

Multiple locations across Adelaide

Now that you have a taste for all of the best desserts in Adelaide, perhaps take a look at our favourite brunch and high tea spots around town, finishing up with Adelaide’s most Instagrammable spots for picture-perfect dining.