The City of Sails is fast becoming known for its delicious, creative dessert plates. To help you make the most of your after-dinner treat, we’re sharing the best desserts in Auckland.
This article first appeared on Exploring Auckland.
I have taken my research for this article very seriously, and am happy to share the best desserts in Auckland with you.
Because who could be better to search out and review Auckland’s best dessert venues, than a self confessed chocoholic?
It is this same research that I conduct around the world. I make it my business to hunt out the best sweet treats everywhere I go and know without a doubt that these Auckland desserts deliver in every regard.
Whether you’re wanting a quick (but super delicious ice cream), or a full dessert experience, we’ve got you covered with the best desserts in Auckland.
Because someone has to do it, right?
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Where to Find the Best Desserts in Auckland
The following list are our favourite places to pick up dessert in Auckland City.
Many of them are within walking distance of each other…. you know, just in case you can handle more than one dessert in a day!
The following are in no particular order…
1. Milse – Britomart, Central Auckland – Stop #1 on Our Tour of the Best Desserts in Auckland!
Milse delivers on incredible looking and tasting food, with a focus on pattisseries and desserts.
Their range of desserts includes hand crafted chocolates, gateaux, macarons, verrines and gelato. Which could all sound a little ‘everyday’, but trust me, these are crafted art pieces, that happen to taste as good as they look.
Their flavour combinations explore new boundaries. Think dulcey, rooibos & espresso tart, or peach, macadamia & maple verrine. Or my personal favourite, the lemon & yoghurt bombe Alaska gelato.
Selecting which delectable delight you’re going to take home with you is an experience in itself at Milse. Their cabinets stretch the length of the corridor’, so viewing their range is a fabulous single-file experience.
If you’d like to sit and enjoy your treat there, make sure you book, as demand is strong for their 8 seats!
Or, if it’s a nice night, grab yourself one of the Milse masterpieces, and go find yourself a nice spot to sit and enjoy it in Britomart.
Whether you’ve dined in, or taken out, we’re certain you’ll enjoy it.
Nom nom! Without doubt, these are some of the best desserts in Auckland!
31 Tyler Street, Britomart
2. Miann – Britomart and Morningside, Central Auckland
Miann is derived from Gaelic, meaning to desire, or to crave.
And it is a craving that takes me back time and time again, as I work my way through the Miann menu.
Miann offers you 3 venues to enjoy their treats – two in town and one in the suburb of Morningside.
Their flagship store is Miann Fort Street. There’s plenty of room there for you to grab a table with friends, and watch the chocolatiers in action. They’ll create and plate your divine masterpiece, or you can choose to take out from an impressive collection in the 6-metre display cabinet.
Their Britomart store has options to dine in, making your choice from the gelatos, chocolates, macarons or dessert creations in the cabinets. Not to mention, a divine range of hot drinks.
But, if chocolate is your thing, then a visit to their little chocolate factory in Morningside should definitely be on your list.
Now, here’s where things could get confusing. Morningside is a suburb in Auckland, but it is also now the name of a dining precinct, in, you guessed it, Morningside suburb – this is exactly where the Miann store is.
It is a great place to go when the stomach’s rumbling, with an array of food options to suit all tastes. It also happens to be quite gorgeous. It’s one of those environments that makes you happy by just being there.
The Miann chocolate factory is a bean-to-bar facility, using ethically sourced cacao beans and organic sugar.
As we’re sure you can imagine, this place smells incredible. Living close by would be oh-so-dangerous!
And, as if it couldn’t get any better, Miann in Morningside have just installed the cutest little glasshouses, to enjoy your desserts in.
Pro tip: For a balanced meal in Morningside, I would highly recommend stopping for a few dumplings at Bo’s, followed by a little retail therapy at the Miann chocolate factory, and then dessert next door at Miann.
If you’re looking for some menu inspiration, my favourite (at the moment) is the Tiramisu; Coffee & marsala, mascarpone cream, chocolate sponge, chocolate crumb & an edible coffee cup. Yum!
Dessert lovers will be pleased to hear that the menus at Miann Fort Street and Morningside are totally different, so you do need to visit both venues. You can say we told you so!
36-38 Galway Street, Britomart | 57 Fort Street, Auckland CBD | 14 McDonald Street, Morningside
3. Giapo – Central Auckland – Some of the Best Desserts in Auckland
If you’re an Instagram junkie, searching for desserts, chances are you’ll have come across Giapo. They have developed quite the following on social media and are for good reason!
A visit to Giapo is seldom quick. As their social media following has grown, so have the lines outside to get in – trust us though, it’s worth practically any kind of wait!
Once you’re in, you’re there for their ‘walk in’ experience. You’ll be invited to join a host at a station where you’ll be guided through the ever-changing Giapo ice creams (and you’ll have the opportunity to sample them). You’ll also be introduced to the many different ways these desserts are served, each of them a quirky art-form in itself.
We love that guests experience all their flavours before purchasing.
With a range of beautiful flavours and a real focus on the creativity and art of it all, this is an ice cream shop that focuses on the total experience – and what an experience it is!
Did you know? Giapo is entirely gluten free!
12 Gore Street, Auckland CBD
4. Amano – Britomart, Central Auckland
Amano is a Britomart institution. It’s not specifically renowned as a dessert venue, simply because this beautiful restaurant does it all.
They focus on sustainable and seasonal local produce.
Everything they do is humble and rustic with an Italian twist – including their amazing desserts.
Their restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so yes, at anytime hunger strikes, you can satisfy it at Amano. As an added bonus, this means, their dessert menu is available any time of day or night!
As Amano is owned by the same group that have Milse, you can be assured that although the dessert menu is short, it is nonetheless delectable, including cheese plates, and dessert cocktails, if you want a more ‘mature’ dessert experience.
Pro tip: For a quick pick-up treat, they also have an amazing French bakery and patisserie; we suggest you check it out!
66-68 Tyler Street, Britomart Place, Britomart
5. OKO – Central Auckland
If you’re looking for a delicious dessert that is also interactive, then a visit to OKO should top your list.
You’ll find the following items on OKO’s plated dessert menu:
- Signature chocolate volcano (we’ll come back to this)
- Summer volcano
- Tropical mousse
- Chocolate fondant
- Bombe Alaska
Though everything is amazing, let’s delve deeper into their chocolate volcano – salted caramel mousse, coffee cake, crunchy chocolate sponge, vanilla milk foam, salted caramel chocolate sauce.
Unsurprisingly, there is a reason why this is called a volcano, but we’re going to leave that to you to enjoy.
In addition to their plated desserts they also serve Belgian waffles, cabinet desserts, Belgian hot chocolates, ice cream, and cocktails; all of which are delicious.
Yep, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, OKO is sure to satisfy it.
They’re open and serving waffles from 11, but the plated menu is not available until 3pm.
Sky City Metro, 291-297 Queen Street (faces Aotea Square), Auckland CBD
6. Eight @ the Cordis Hotel – Central Auckland – The Best Fancy Desserts in Auckland
If a dessert menu throws you into an anxious decision-making quandary, or if you’re looking for a more upmarket experience, then consider dessert at Eight.
From 9 pm each night, you can experience the ‘dessert only’ buffet, that is filled with an incredible array of luscious looking treats.
The Cordis is a 5-star hotel, that for me is incredibly well-known for their High Tea experiences – it is one of the best in Auckland.
But Eight offers a fabulous dining experience across the board, which is, of course, finished with an amazing dessert experience – all in the swanky surrounds of the Cordis Hotel.
If you’d like to try a smorgasbord of desserts, this is your place.
Enjoy dinner first, or just rock up after 9pm for your dessert feast.
83 Symonds Street, Grafton
7. La Petite Fourchette – Wynyard Quarter, Central Auckland
A wee confession – I did indeed visit La Petite Fourchette in the morning, and although I’m definitely up for eating dessert for breakfast, I couldn’t go past a real French croissant. Why do I say real French croissant – isn’t every croissant French? Non!
I have found it hard to find the truly delicious flaky pastry croissant that you would enjoy in France, in New Zealand. But my friends, La Petite is it!
There are probably few places as ‘French’ as La Petite in Auckland.
The staff serving us were French, and from the sound of it, I’d say 70% of the customers coming in while we ate were also French.
Isn’t that the best recommendation?!
La Petite is always stocked with a cabinet of delicious-looking desserts. La Fleur (raspberry marmalade, vanilla bavaroise), Le Rocher (chocolate mousse, caramelia ganache) and La Caramel (caramel cremeux, roasted pecan). Tempted yet?!
True French favourites, this is one of the best dessert options in Auckland.
G02/85 Daldy Street, Wynyard Quarter | 9 Britomart Place, Britomart
8. Vaniye – Parnell
Vaniye stocks a delectable range of desserts and pastries, all ready for you to grab and go, should you so desire.
With incredible fruity marble cakes and decedent single-serve treats, these desserts are seriously instagram-worthy!
Vaniye is the place to go if you’re looking to take home a cake or tart for a special occasion (or just because you deserve it).
1/7 Windsor Street, Parnell
9. Kohi Corner (Kohimarama) & Takapuna Beach Café (North Shore)
If all you’re wanting is a delicious ice cream, then both Kohi Corner and the Takapuna Beach Cafe will deliver. In addition, you’ll be able to wander and take in world-class views as you devour your treats.
Both of these institutions were once owned by the same people and whilst I’m not sure if that’s still the case, they still serve the same ice cream, which just happens to be my favourite in New Zealand!
For a truly kiwi experience, you can’t go past their vanilla & honeycomb (AKA hokey pokey); it’s my favourite ice cream ever! Big chunks of delicious honeycomb are melted into their ice cream, creating a lickable treat that you’ll remember for way longer than it’ll take you to eat.
237 Tamaki Drive, Kohimarama | 22 The Promenade, Takapuna Beach
10. Elisabeth – Kingsland
Elisabeth is a dedicated dessert restaurant, and as such, is only open on weekday evenings, and from midday on weekends. I got caught out the first time I went, looking for a lovely hot chocolate hit in the afternoon. It wasn’t to be.
But you can’t let opening times get in the way of a fabulous hot chocolate and trust me, it’s worth planning a trip to Elisabeth!
Although Elisabeth definitely does a range of delicious counter desserts, their hot chocolates are legendary! There’s no doubt that you should start with one of these on your visit.
And therein lies a problem. Choosing from their range of hot chocolates is extremely difficult!
I finally settled on a S’mores hot chocolate and gosh was it amazing! This decadent drink-come-dessert includes a giant marshmallow (that tastes just as good as it looks)! Sure, it’s not the easiest thing to eat, but I found a way!
The atmosphere at Elizabeth is also amazing. Their dessert parlour is housed in a historic building – the character of which will infuse your entire experience.
467 New North Road, Kingsland. Open 5-11pm weeknights, 12-11pm weekends
11. Eggloo – Mt Albert, Central Auckland (also Sylvia Park & Lynnmall)
Eggloo, like Elisabeth, is a dessert destination, only open on weeknight evenings.
Their speciality is Hong Kong-style egg waffles and ice cream. You can have the waffle only (eaten dry, traditional Chinese-style), or with a filling.
Or better still, take it up a notch and go for the eggloo waffle sandwich!
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something to ‘gram’ you’ll want to order the egg waffle & ice cream.
The Eggloo waffles are made fresh to order, then filled with your choice of ice cream, and toppings. Delish!
883 New North Road, Mt Albert | Eggloo kiosks also at Sylvia Park & Lynnmall
12. Sugar at Chelsea Bay – Birkenhead, North Shore
The base of many a dessert, where would we be without sugar?
Sugar at Chelsea Bay is a destination cafe. It sits on the Auckland waterfront at Birkenhead, within the Chelsea Heritage Park, and is part of the Chelsea Sugar Factory business. All great reasons to visit. And then there’s the food!
As long as you get there early enough (word has spread), you’ll be greeted by long cabinets filled with decadent looking cakes, slices, doughnuts, and the hugest lamingtons you ever did see (amongst other things).
If you like a dessert that’s a bit more robust this is your place! They serve traditional New Zealand treats, done exceptionally well. And as a bonus, they also serve fantastic coffee.
Whilst you’re there: The Chelsea Factory has lots to keep you and the family entertained on your visit. From a beautiful playground outside, to an interactive zone/room, through to full factory tours, there is much more to this cafe than just delicious food.
100 Colonial Road, Chatswood, North Shore
So, there you have it – the very best tried-and-tested desserts in Auckland.
Have I missed one of your favourites? I hope not, but if I have, do let me know, as I’ll happily pop along to taste test a new venue or menu!
Happy dining everyone…
Thank you to Megan of My Moments and Memories for sharing her dessert recommendations. Who’s hungry?!