Taste is secondary, Instagram comes first. Well, not really but social media has become a huge driving factor for the hospitality industry today. In Sydney, there’s no shortage of seriously brilliant desserts and it certainly helps that they also look amazing. Gram Café’s pancakes, anyone? Or XS Espressos’ mega shakes that look just as good as they taste? Heaven. If you’re always on the hunt for dessert and to make your feed stand out (let’s be honest, aren’t we all), check out our edit of the most over-the-top desserts in Sydney.
1. Milky Lane
While Milky Lane is known for it’s super OTT and delicious burgers, that’s not the only thing they do well. After you’ve stuffed your face with their burgers, make sure you leave a little space for dessert. At their many outlets you’ll find loaded donut churros fries, epic milkshakes and caramilk and biscoff cookie dough skillets.
📍Bondi, Cronulla, Crows Nest and Parramatta
2. XS Espresso
XS Espressos monster shakes are an absolute delight. And if you’re in Sydney, they have to feature on your feed. We’re talking layers and layers of caramel, m&m’s, wafer sticks, maltesers, warm chocolate soufflé, vanilla crumble and a lot more. Topped with ice cream, doughnuts and whipped cream, these shakes are as over-the-top as it gets. But it’s not just shakes they’re good at. Also on the menu — chocolate fondue for two, baked cookie dough and stacked pancakes and waffles. Keep an eye out on their limited-edition deals as well. Last month they treated Sydneysiders to an exclusive Golden Gaytime Popcorn Range (!).
📍XS Espresso has 16 locations across the city. Find your nearest one here.
3. Gram Cafe
When Gram Cafe first launched in Sydney, they truly changed the game. Their fluffy three-tiered, souffle-style Japanese pancakes took the internet by storm and it’s easy to see why. Just look at them. They don’t compromise on variety either. You can get everything from mochi pancakes to French toast and the new savoury favourite, the Benedict under one roof.
📍Chatswood and The Galeries
SEE ALSO: 9 Sydney Chocolate Shops That Are Completely Irresistible Now And Forever
4. Saga
Saga remains a beloved Sydney institution and especially well known for their epic desserts. Chef Andy Bowdy’s creations leave no stone unturned. At Saga you’ll find baked cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, sticky buns, stuffed pavlovas and seriously brilliant cream pies. It’s truly the stuff dessert dreams are made of. Their fluffy, flourless chocolate cake is a must-try.
📍Enmore
5. Anita Gelato
If you’re heading down to Anita Gelato, be warned of long queues and waiting times. But we assure you, it’s all worth it. Famed for slinging some of Sydney’s best ice creams, the gelato and frozen yogurt establishment leaves nothing to want. And their seriously huge menu will leave you spoilt for choice. Some of their popular gelatos include Madagascar vanilla, cookieman, chocolate almonds and caramel, Belgian chocolate, cappuccino with butter cookies, peanut butter and chocolate, hazelnut mousse, pistachio and many many more. Phew!
📍Bondi and Chippendale
6. Aqua S
At Aqua S, you might have a tough time deciding if you want to dig into their delectable creations or stop to take a few dozen pictures. They’re seriously pretty. Warm brownies, crunchy cookies, velvety cupcakes and everything in between, you name it and you’ll find it here. But it’s their soft serves topped with marshmallows, fairy floss and caramel popcorn that really have our heart. If you don’t have their blue sea salt soft serve on your feed yet, you’ll want to get on it asap.
📍Sydney CBD, Chatswood and Macquarie Shopping Center
7. Koi Dessert Bar
Dessert connoisseur, Reynold Palermo of Masterchef fame, serves us with dreamy and creative desserts at Koi. His mouth-watering desserts are filled with these tiny details that make them all the more exquisite. The skill and precision with which these delicious desserts are made is commendable. You’ll want to try their matcha flavoured cheesecake or their new Easter eggs, featuring layers of crunchy praline, chocolate ganache, cranberry and apricot. The menu is eclectic and ever changing which means we’ll never get bored of it.
📍Ryde and Chippendale
SEE ALSO: 15 Of Sydney’s Prettiest Cafés For Dreamy Autumn Dates
8. Tella Balls Dessert Bar
Tella Balls’ desserts are extra AF. And there’s so much to choose from it’s honestly ridiculous. Get your hands on their golden lasagna filled with Golden Gaytime mousse and lashings of caramel sauce or dig into the waffle burger which is as OTT as it sounds. There’s also spring rolls but sweet (yum), giant gelato bowls and pasta tellas which is Fettuccine Style Crepes with Belgian milk and white chocolate and vanilla bean gelato with a side of Belgian Chocolate Shavings. They call themselves the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth’ and you’ll find once you get there, that it might not be too tall a claim.
📍Dulwich Hill, Castle Hill, Market City and Liverpool
9. Kayter Co.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and haven’t tried your hands at Kayter Co.’s lovely desserts, you’re missing out. One glimpse at their Instagram and you can see they take their desserts seriously. Here you’ll find coconuts with ice cream, mountains of nutella doughnuts, pretzels and cakes galore. They specialise in OTT birthday cakes so you’ll want to keep this one on your radar for future parties where you want to go the extra mile. Check out their Instagram page here.
📍Online ordering
10. Baked by Andres
Andres Fatso’s cakes that resemble soda bottles went viral around town. But the soda bottle cakes that come in a variety of flavours aren’t the only thing the social media star is brilliant at. You’ll find everything from lamingtons to pop-up meringue boxes here and delicious thick shakes and ice creams. Check out her Instagram here and get ordering.
📍Online
11. The Vogue Cafe
Vogue Cafe in Macquarie Center is popular for their tasty dishes and creative milkshakes. Their infamous killer shakes are loaded with nutella and peanut butter and look just as delightful as they taste. You’ll also want to try their tiramisu and pavlova while you’re at it.
📍Macquarie Centre