Our 5 fave Adelaide dessert cafes

Posted 4 October, 2023 Jeremy Rochow

Crunch! My three-year-old daughter chomps through the crisp outer shell of the white chocolate and hazelnut macaron and she begins to gobble down the large bite.

Once she’s finished, she grins, rubs her tummy with one hand and says “yum”.  The soft texture of the filling combined with a delicious crunch give her an instant hit of sugary joy.

Desserts are a wonderful thing. They can be sweet, sour or even salty. They can combine colourful fruits with rich creams and mousses or even the crunch of a biscuit, nut or crumb. No matter a person’s taste, there’s a sweet treat out there for everyone.

In Adelaide alone, there are enough dessert cafes, that you’ll find something to your taste. Here are a few of our favourites.

1. Urban Desserts

Morphett Vale and Colonnades

Former Great Australian Bake Off contestant Jeremy Allan opened Urban Desserts in 2016 and has since garnered a cult following in the southern suburbs for his eclectic, grungy array of desserts.

The menu rotates, with new sweet treats each month. Jeremy and his team combine traditional French patisserie techniques with modern flavours.

There’s a milo-inspired dessert which includes a milo mousse and chocolate-almond dacquoise, topped with a glaze the colour of the classic green tin.

Looking for something a bit fruity? Titled ‘so picky’ this dessert looks like a mandarin and tastes a bit like one as well. A tangy mandarin compote is combined with lemon cake and mascarpone cream cheese mousse.

2. Eggless Dessert Café

Goodwood

An eggless crème brulee? Not possible, you say.  The team at Eggless Dessert Café on Goodwood Road beg to differ. In fact, all their desserts are vegetarian and free of eggs and gelatine. You wouldn’t know it though, with this little family-run serving some of the most delicious desserts in Adelaide.

With the menu changing monthly, you’ll never be disappointed at Eggless. Crack your spoon through the toffee crusts of a silky-smooth cherry and white chocolate brulee.

A pandan pancake with peanut filling and coconut caramel will transport you to a South East Asian market stall. My personal favourite: the Turkish delight cheesecake with pistachios and Persian fairy floss.

3. Cozy Cake Adelaide

Grenfell Street and Stepney

A melt-in-your-mouth gluten free tea caked topped with a caramel custard – what more can you ask for? This Brazilian cake shop serves up a variety of South American baked goods and even some Australian-inspired sweets.

The churro cake has a crispy outer shell, fluffy and moist centre and is lathered in dulce de leche – a South American caramel made from milk.

Looking for a citrus cake? The ice-cold lemon cake is a zingy zesty number that’ll have you eating an extra slice. Made using yoghurt, the cake is filled with a tangy lemon mousse.

Don’t forget to try the lamington cake – a mixture of moist sponge, coconut and chocolate.

4. Shibui Dessert Bar

Gouger Street

In 2018 former Devour Café Patisserie owners Quang Nguyen and partner Thy Nguyen opened Shibui Dessert Bar.

And, if you’re looking for desserts that will wow you and your friends, then this is the place to visit. The sophisticated desserts range from a strawberry and guava millie-feuille with whipped ganache to a delicate apple tarte tatin with an oat cinnamon crumble. These intricate desserts are sophisticated and use flavours that match perfectly.

One of the newest additions to the menu is an earl grey mousse with strawberry gel, scone crumble and macerated strawberries – yum!

If you’re feeling a bit naughty, grab a mochi doughnut or two.

5. Stephen ter Horst Chocolatier

Hyde Park

Famous for its basque cheesecake, Stepher ter Horst Chocolatier on King William Road, serves up a delicious range of chocolates, tarts, pastries, cakes and gateaux.

The chocolate truffle tart has a rich chocolate ganache on top of a crispy, yet delicate, hazelnut praline base.

You’ll be in heaven, devouring the chocolate cloud dessert – a fluffy, light chocolate mousse with a cream centre and sponge base.

And, if you’re looking for something a bit smaller, there’s a generous selection of chocolates. These are filled with the likes of blood orange, passionfruit, fig and red wine, and even whisky.