Long gone are the days when we have to finish everything on our dinner plate in order to gorge on dessert. Now we can simply skip it altogether and go straight into a sugar-glazed euphoria. But if you’re going to indulge, don’t settle for anything but the best.
Here are the best places to go for late night dessert in Auckland.
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Ragtag
162 Garnet Road, Westmere
Image credit: Ragtag | supplied
If you haven’t had Ragtag’s famous sticky date toffee pud drowning in a pool of salted caramel, have you even lived? For an extra $5, get their banana custard-filled and milk chocolate-dipped canelé collab (with Beabea’s bakery next door).
Feriza's
7/12 Jellicoe Street, Wynyard Quarter
We actually gasped when we saw kunefe on the dessert menu at Feriza's. Their take on the the iconic Arab dessert layers silky cheese with a shredded phyllo dough known as 'kadaifi' soaked in lemon syrup, a scoop of pistachio-coated ice cream and pashmak which is a denser form of fairy floss found in Iran. One splits well between two people, if you can bear the thought of sharing.
Tokki
87 Kitchener Road, Milford
Two words: melona s’mores. That’s right, fluffy little clouds of torched meringue encased in honeydew melon ice-cream, are just waiting to be devoured by you. Stick around for Jase’s whiskey trolley, paired with spiced chocolate bonbons (inspired by a traditional Korean drink, Sujeonggea).
Duck Island
Shop 8/2-8 Osborne Street, Newmarket | 1/182 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby | 67, Shop 3/73 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Needs no introduction. We’re here for at least three scoops at this cute pastel parlour. Don’t leave without trying the buttery fairy bread ice cream. Pro tip: add extra sherbet dip to your scoop for 50c.
Miann
Ground Arthur Nathan Building, 36-38 Galway Street, Britomart | 136 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Image credit: Miann | supplied
Brian Campbell and his team make their own bean-to-bar craft chocolate at the Miann Chocolate Factory and then use it to create next-level dessert works of art. Cue: the viral Matcha Mont Blanc, or level up late night dessert date night with build-your-own s’mores on a tabletop campfire (Ponsonby only). Grab a block of their pistachio and knafeh bars to take home too (IYKYK).
Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar
40 Cavendish Drive, Manukau City Centre | 228 Orakei Road, Remuera | 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington
Yep, we’ve called it—Deanna Yang is the queen of cookies. Pour yourself a glass of milk, it’s time for cookies. With limited edition flavours like Crème Brûlée in a cookie cup and Lemon Meringue, you’ll want to run to all stores before they sell out.
Atelier Shu
6D Kent Street, Newmarket
Did someone say canelé party? Treat yourself to their petit cakes and bakes in the cabinet, paired with a hojicha (or matcha) latte in the courtyard amongst the fairy lights. We’re also loving their Hokkaido milk and Belgium dark chocolate soft serve straight from the ice cream machine (pssst, get it with the croffle).
Otto
375 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Otto | Instagram
Dig into Otto’s latest sweet of the season: fig leaf and white chocolate panna cotta swimming in a pool of liquid strawberry goodness. It’s the perfect way to round off your meal with this light late night dessert (dessert-adjacent tip: after the sticky honey balsamic lamb ribs, of course).
Bossi
10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD
You can eat your tiramisu and drink it too at Bossi. The perfect sharing dessert, making enough space for a velvet-chocolate espresso martini to follow. Pop into their deli and grab the Limoncello Tiramisu for the road—one that will convert even the tiramisu purists.
The Gelato Workshop
77 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead
This sunny spot in the North Shore has been making gelato and sorbet from scratch for over a decade. Weekly rotating flavours include crowd faves like Ferrero rocher, Pistachio and Biscoff. Keep an eye out for fresh strawberry and feijoa sorbet scoops this summer.
Mezze Bar
9 Durham Street East, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Mezze Bar | supplied
A popular late night dessert spot since ‘92, get a late night slice of Mezze Bar’s signature Chocolate Buttermilk Cake—the go-to for customers for over thirty years (P.S You can literally buy the whole cake as they take cake orders too). We’re also eyeing up their sticky date coconut cake drowning in caramel, ice cream and runny cream.
Giapo
12 Gore Street, Auckland CBD
Normal ice cream is boring, go to Giapo for something new. Try experimental flavours like White Chocolate and Parmesan, Avocado and Orange Caramel, or Spinach and Manuka Honey. You can also stick to the classics—or get 1kg of Mum’s tiramisu to take home (in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, too).
Chocolate Boutique Cafe
1/323 Parnell Road, Parnell
Willy Wonka, eat your heart out. Indulge on nostalgic classics at this old-school joint, with platters of mud cake and chocolate-overload sundae, complete with bowls of chocolate sauce. Thought: A hot chocolate shot makes everything better.
The Fed
86 Federal Street, Auckland City
Image credit: The Fed | Instagram
Get your cream pie fix and dive into Fed’s Sweet Teeth menu. Banana toffee pie with caramel popcorn awaits. Even better, get the pie trio for a sampler of Sarah’s pecan pie, cheesecake, and if you’re lucky (on the weekends), Mum’s lemon meringue.
Mighty Hotdog
47 Chancery Street, Auckland CBD | 705 Manukau Road, Royal Oak | Sylvia Park Train Station Mall Entry, Car park 3 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington | 131 Pepler Street, Pakuranga | 588 Chapel Road, Flat Bush
Now for something totally different, dessert in hotdog form. For something salty and sweet, Mighty Hotdog’s got you. The Melting Moro or their snickers-style Choco Peanut is chewy yet crispy, and absolutely naughty. We’ve got zero regrets for this late night dessert dog.
Ollies Ice Cream & Eatin’ House
802 Manukau Road, Royal Oak
Image credit: Ollie's | Vicki Young
Old school is the new cool at Ollie’s, with massive double scoops of your favourite childhood flavours available in a cone, thickshake or float. Chocolate dip essential (and only for an extra dollar, too).
Gochu
Commercial Bay, Level 2/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
The warmer months are coming and we’re here for the icy textural delight that is Gochu’s bingsoo. For the uninitiated, this is a Korean dessert made with shaved ice and sweet toppings. We can’t wait for chewy rice cakes and roasted soybean powder on top of coconut milk shavings—tastes like cereal milk but better.
Bivacco
115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bivacco | supplied
Aside from Italian classics, Bivacco’s strawberry semifreddo and pistachio cake is the latest addition on the sweet menu. We’re talking dreamy cake and frozen strawberry layers coated with fluffy toasted meringue.
Meet Fresh
6 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD | 533 Dominion Road, Mount Eden | 113 Meadowland Drive, Somerville
Refreshing and delicious, we’re living for Taiwanese desserts. From mango and creamy rice ball coconut sago to icy grass jelly and taro balls, there are so many textures and flavours to choose from. If you’re unsure where to start, go for the strawberry and ice cream coconut sago (and then work your way through the menu).
KŌRI Desserts
16/96 Rosedale Road, Rosedale
Opened in June this year, KŌRI Desserts is worth the trip over the bridge for. With their signature Bingsu and Soufflé Pancakes, and customizable toppings like chewy mochi, brown sugar boba, and a selection of ice cream, you can design your dream dessert for that late night dessert pick-me-up.
Atelier
292 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Atelier | supplied
A trip to Atelier on K’Road isn’t complete without their signature Mille-Feuille filled with salted butter caramel and chantilly cream dreams. PSA: Summer strawberry tarts are gracing the menu as we speak.
Pista House
14 Kitchener Road, Sandringham
For those who love a late night chai and Parle G (aka the one and only Indian teatime biscuit) then head on over to the institution that is Pista House. Opened in July this year, Pista House is now serving Hyderabadi treats in Auckland, like creamy Irani Chai (for $2.50) and freshly baked crispy biscuits (from $1 a pop). With flavours like almond, cashew and cardamom (osmania biscuits), as well as chocolate baklava and cream-filled cakes, you’ll find us here for a late night cuppa (and dessert).
Lil ‘Lato
119 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
The supreme gelato champion from this year's NZ Ice Cream and Gelato awards is opening up shop right here in Tāmaki, and we are here for it. Try Lil ‘Lato’s winning vegan mango lassi, and other award winning combinations, like their sour cream and berries, and hazelnut flavours. Scooping all your favourite late night dessert flavours in Ponsonby this month.
Island Gelato Co.
Ferry Building 99 Quay Street | 124 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn | 99A Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay
Image credit: Island Gelato Co. | supplied
Did someone say gelato cake? Forget childhood ice cream cakes because Island Gelato Co. have the much boujee-r big kid version, with flavours like Summer Bombe Alaska (with berries and caramelised white chocolate). There's gelato by the scoop too of course, with a range of vegan options too including their gold medal mango, lime and passionfruit, and silver award pineapple mojito (both DF/V). Summer's here.
Pici
Shop 22, St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Come for pasta and wine, but stay for dessert. Pick both the olive oil cheesecake with sea salt, and the dark chocolate semifreddo with pistachio because you won’t regret it. Like a snickers bar, but in dessert form.
Tsujiri
10-14 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD | 59 Corinthian Drive, Albany | Westfield Newmarket, Newmarket
Matcha lovers, we’ve got you. Get ready for the range of crepe cakes, milk floats, shaved iced, soft serve parfaits and cakes at this matcha heaven. Tsujiri are a 158-year-old tea brand with their matcha sourced from Uji in Kyoto, so you know it's directly from the best.
Roses
454 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Roses Dining Room | Vicki Young
This cosy candle-lit purple-walled wine bar is a hidden gem on K’Road. With seasonal plates from chef-owner Karl Bayly (and resident chefs from time to time), the menu is always changing but always very delicious. We love a savoury sweet, and the latest bay leaf panna cotta with Joe’s warm spiced pears, and pops of sesame crumb left us fighting over every last bite. Delish.
Cocomo
10 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
We’re coco for Cocomo—another new addition to the late night sweet scene this year. With their range of coconut cloud drinks, coconut jellies (with different flavours crème brûlée meets coconut jelly), as well as coconut bingsu, along with your choice of mix-and-match toppings. Welcome to coconut paradise.
Sip ‘n Chill
432 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket
Another sweet new addition to the scene is Sip ‘n Chill in Newmarket. From Bingsu, Tong Shui (sweet dessert soups) to dessert drinks like matcha or caramel cream with Biscoff cookies—this really is the late night dessert spot to sip, and chill.
St. Marg’s
469 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: St. Marg's | Wono Kim
Across the road is St. Marg's, opened a few weeks ago and serving up another very smashable meringue—filled with berries and the most refreshing rosemary ice cream.
Auckland Night Markets
Various
From loaded croffles (waffle-meets-croissant) to chocolate-coated strawberries, chunky choc chip cookies and summer shaved ice for days, get your late night dessert cravings sorted from a variety of Auckland Night Market stallholders each night of the week here.
Hungry for s’more? Check out:
- Where to get your scoop on in Tāmaki
- Get the lowdown on the best matcha spots
- Best markets in Auckland
Main image credit: Mezze Bar | supplied.