Adelaide’s diverse and thriving late night dessert scene shows no sign of slowing down, as over the past couple of years locals have fully embraced the notion of making dessert a stand-alone dining event.
The Adelaide dessert bar scene is a far cry from Adelaide’s dining environment back in the ‘90s when late night dessert lovers had few options; if you weren’t indulging your sweet tooth amongst the cane furniture at Elephant Walk Café in North Adelaide you were more than likely to be found at Unley’s Spatz Café.
Nowadays those of us who plan our meals around the dessert course are spoilt for choice in terms of the number and type of establishments and the style of desserts on offer. So whether you enjoy the comfort of cake, the nostalgia of an ice cream sundae or the thrill of an experiment in molecular gastronomy, you have plenty of late-night options.
St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Dessert
As well as its signature premium ice cream, St Louis offers desserts like crepes ($14.90), Belgian waffles ($14.90), chocolate fondue ($22-24 for two people), Spanish churros ($8 for one person) and peanut butter cream pie in a jar ($12.90). Quality ingredients and an interesting cocktail menu lift the experience well above the average.
19 Gouger Street
Mondays to Thursday 7.30am–11pm
Fridays 7.30am–midnight
Saturdays 9am-midnight and Sundays 9am-11pm
st-louis.com.au
Devour Dessert Bar
At its new-ish Richmond premises, Devour is a patisserie by day (bacon-topped cronuts and fairy bread macarons, anyone?) and a dimly-lit, hipster dessert bar at night. Beautifully plated desserts are miniature works of art. Don’t expect standard dessert fare or a menu that never changes here: owner/chef Quang Nguyen loves to constantly challenge himself, as evidenced by his collaborations with chefs such as Duncan Welgemoed of Bistro Dom.
52 Davenport Terrace, Richmond
6pm-10.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday
6pm-11pm Friday and Saturday
facebook.com/devourcafepatisserie
Steven ter Horst Chocolatier
Steven ter Horst’s undeniable creativity and willingness to push the boundaries are underpinned by rock-solid technical skills in the kitchen. His individually portioned cakes, like his French Earl Grey ($9), raspberry Blush ($9) and lemon lust ($9), are immaculate and intricate constructions with elegant, complex flavour profiles. Take home a jar of his salted caramel and join the cult of local devotees.
256 Rundle Street
Monday to Saturday 10am to late
Sunday 11am–11pm
steventerhorst.com.au
The Aviary Dessert Kitchen
Styled in shades of baby pink and teal, The Aviary is where women meet their BFFs to catch up over cake. Desserts are nicely plated and executed: try the salted caramel and corn parfait, So Corny ($10.50) or the signature dish, Macaron Flower Pot ($10.50), which features a macaron on a stick set in a pot of Belgian chocolate mud cake with chocolate mousse and chocolate soil. Bookings recommended.
227 The Parade, Norwood
Tuesday to Thursday 8pm to close
Friday to Sunday 7.30pm to close
aviarydessertkitchen.com.au
Eggless
Eggless frequently has dessert fans lining up for its egg-free blondies and cakes, Asian desserts such as sago pudding and vegan-friendly options. Desserts can occasionally miss the mark but a friendly and unpretentious dessert bar that caters so well to people with dietary issues is undoubtedly a good thing.
162 Goodwood Road
Wednesday to Saturday 8pm to late
Sunday 7.30pm to late
eggless.com.au
Onyx Dessert Lounge
Launched as a licensed, high-end dessert lounge in late 2012 with a menu co-designed by chef Daniel Serafin (ex-Chesser Cellars and The Pier) and Pierrick Boyer (Le Petit Gateau), Onyx rebranded about six months ago with side-by-side dessert and Brazilian menus – the Brazilian part of the restaurant is known as Veesao Brazilian Kitchen and Bar. It’s a somewhat curious concept and pairing, but the desserts at Onyx are genuinely intriguing. Try the signature Chocolate Sphere ($15) – chocolate mousse encased in a delicate chocolate ball is doused at the table with a thick, warm chocolate sauce.
163 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide
6pm-late Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
5pm–late Thursday and Friday
12pm-10pm on Sunday
onyxdessertlounge.com
Christina Soong runs the Hungry Australian blog hungryaustralian.com
@HungryAustralia
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