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The Best Desserts in Adelaide: Your Complete Guide to the City’s Sweet Scene
If you're a fan of all things sugary and decadent, you’ll love our guide to the best dessert in Adelaide.
Adelaide’s best desserts range from Basque cheesecake at Steven ter Horst to Bonsai-shaped chocolate mousse at Koomo, tiramisu built on family tradition at Romeo, and flaky pastry alongside late-night sweets stealing the show in Chinatown at Seoul Sweetie. Some cities do savoury well and call it a day. Adelaide treats dessert as its own art form, worth crossing town for, worth the second stomach. Here’s where the city’s sweetest addresses are earning their sugar-fuelled reputations, one indulgent bite at a time.
Steven ter Horst Chocolatier
Hidden in Hyde Park’s sweet sanctuary, Steven ter Horst’s Basque cheesecake is a masterclass in delicious restraint. Its caramelised crown — dark enough to flirt with burnt but never rude — gives way to a custard so smooth it could charm the birds from the trees. It’s creamy without trying too hard, just like that effortlessly cool friend you wish you were. One bite, and you’ll understand why this dessert doesn’t just satisfy cravings; it quietly steals the show.
Sitchu Tip: Lean into the indulgence and order a slice of the chocolate Basque cheesecake too — it is a chocolatier, after all, and frankly, not doing so would be uncivilised.
185 King William Road, Hyde Park
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, pistachio, ube, matcha and pumpkin, are crafted Basque-style and are just the beginning. Add in the viral fruit-lookalikes like mandarin, lychee, mango, peach — plus more coming soon, and you’ve got a dessert destination that’s a feast for both your taste buds and your camera.
2/28a Hawker Street, Brompton
Mr Cheese
What started as a single Hindley Street storefront in 2017 has quietly become one of Adelaide’s most reliable cheesecake addresses. Mr Cheese built its name on Japanese-style cheesecake, all creamy centre and soufflé-light top, before expanding into deluxe birthday cakes, tarts and cream puffs that balance East and West in equal measure. Seven stores in, from Central Market to Rundle Mall, it’s proof that getting one thing very right is sometimes all it takes.
Sitchu Tip: Keep an eye out on socials for Mr Cheese’s tasting events, your chance to sample new flavours before committing to a whole cake.
Multiple locations across Adelaide
Romeo Tiramisu
For Ashlee and Marcus, tiramisu was never just dessert — it was part of the fabric of growing up in big Italian families, where recipes were shared, refined and always on the table. But they saw space for something Adelaide didn’t yet have: a brand devoted entirely to tiramisu, approached with the same sense of tradition, but reimagined through a more contemporary lens. The result is Romeo Tiramisu — named after their nephew — a small-batch concept bringing elegantly layered tiramisu cups to pop-ups and full-size desserts to weddings, and made-to-order moments. Expect the classics done right, alongside hazelnut with Nutella and pistachio.
Sitchu tip: This is one to follow closely on socials — their pop-ups appear quietly, and tend to sell out just as quickly.
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
Late Mornings Cafe
Late Mornings Cafe is flipping the script on dessert etiquette and serving its sweet treats during brunch hours. Expect soft-opening sweetness like chewy dango in flavours including matcha cream, taro, strawberry and cream, plus that cosy-cute vibe that makes one more bite feel completely reasonable.
43 Wright Street, Adelaide
Mensa Kitchen
We warmly welcome any establishment serving delectable Italian desserts, and Sitchu Awards winner 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
Koomo
Koomo isn’t just a modern Japanese restaurant and bar, it’s a full-on dessert flex, led by the Bonsai dessert (yes, like a little chocolatey Bonsai tree) with chocolate mousse, raspberry insert and rose water fairy floss. The rest of the lineup holds its own too, like the Sakura Jasmine Tea Mousse, layered with cherry cream and white chocolate crumble, dessert that feels like a pause: calm, considered and beautifully balanced. Save room, these finales are worth it.
Level 10/27 Frome Street, Adelaide
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
Shmochi by Shibui
This long-awaited dessert project 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.
199 Payneham Road, St Peters
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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
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
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 colourful 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
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.
162 Goodwood Road, Goodwood
The Best Desserts in Adelaide Frequently Asked Questions
Red Cacao in Stirling is the standout Adelaide Hills pick, a boutique chocolatier and cosy cafe by day crafting chocolate blocks, Grenache and truffles with ingredients like mulberry, local shiraz and chilli. Every Friday night, the venue transforms into a moody, candle-lit space, making it a strong choice for an intimate date night in the Hills rather than a casual daytime stop.
Lunar Landing in Brompton is known for its viral fruit-lookalike desserts, styled to resemble mandarins, lychees, mangoes and peaches, alongside Basque-style fluffy cheesecakes in flavours like black sesame, ube and matcha. Shmochi by Shibui in St Peters is another notable pick, home to a viral Mochi donut paired with ice cream flavours like Ube cookies and cream and durian birthday cake. Both suit dessert-as-experience visits, ideal for something as photogenic as it is delicious.
Seoul Sweetie, located in Adelaide’s Chinatown precinct, is a dedicated late-night dessert bar run by the same team behind neighbouring restaurant Busan Baby. It’s built for a dinner-then-dessert combo, serving fluffy cakes and fruity share plates suited to groups, along with seasonal themed cakes around Christmas and Halloween. It’s a good option for dessert after a night out rather than as a standalone daytime visit.
Eggless Dessert Cafe in Goodwood is entirely egg-free, sourcing local South Australian ingredients across cakes, sundaes, tarts, custards and doughnuts. Live A Little Gelato in Bowden is another strong option, specialising in organic vegan gelato with everything on the menu vegan-friendly, plus gluten-free waffles for those avoiding gluten. Both are reliable choices when a group has mixed dietary requirements, covering egg-free, vegan and gluten-free needs without anyone missing out.
Mensa Kitchen in Kent Town is a strong pick for a memorable dessert finish, with a Sitchu Awards-winning dolci menu that includes Cannolo alla Siciliana and Italian sponge with torched meringue, set in a stylish exposed-brick dining room. Koomo in the Adelaide CBD is another standout, known for its Bonsai dessert with chocolate mousse and rose water fairy floss, alongside the Sakura Jasmine Tea Mousse. Both suit a proper sit-down dessert course rather than a grab-and-go treat, and pair well with a full dinner booking at either venue.
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.
