Photo: Michelle YoungIndulge your sweet tooth with Sydney’s best sweet treats, from gourmet cupcakes to melt-in-your-mouth chocolate delights

WORDS UTE JUNKER

Dark desires

Whether you’re a connoisseur who can taste the difference between chocolate made with cocoa beans from Venezuela or Papua New Guinea, or just looking to sample something a bit different, Sydney’s specialist chocolateries have it covered.

Lindt Chocolat Café and its
decadent desserts
Photos: Michelle Young

Lindt Chocolat Café
53 Martin Pl, tel: +61 (2) 8257 1600; 104–105 Cockle Bay Wharf, tel: +61 (2) 9267 8064
Lindt knows that Sydneysiders take their chocolate seriously – that’s why they opened their first-ever chocolate café in the world in Martin Place. Inside its elegant art deco dining room you’ll find plenty of irresistible treats. We love the seductive range of cakes, from velvet chocolate cheesecake to the killer combination of dark chocolate caramel mousse with passionfruit purée. For a night out, attend one of their monthly chocolate appreciation evenings to learn about the history of chocolate and indulge in extensive tastings (AU$60, bookings essential). You can beat the perpetual crowds by visiting their outlet at Cockle Bay, or try their third outlet on George Street in the CBD, which is opening this month.

Sublime truffles from
Haigh’s Chocolates

Haigh’s Chocolates
Shop 1, Strand Arcade, 412-414 George St, tel: +61 (2) 9221 6999
An institution in its hometown of Adelaide, Haigh’s is famous for making all its own chocolates – more than half the range is handmade. Their mighty chocolate frogs are still a firm favourite after 40 years: they sell more than a million every year. Another highlight is the Australian Collection, which features native flavours such as quandong, macadamia nut and honey, lemon myrtle and lilly pilly. We recommend the sparkling shiraz truffle – a decadent mini tipple!

Chocolate Espresso
Tel: +61 (0) 417 167 766
If you want to spend a morning exploring Sydney’s best chocolate secrets – and yes, tastings are included – try one of Chocolate Espresso’s tempting tours. The three-hour tours take in a variety of chocolateries, from French to Belgian to Australian, and you’ll learn plenty about chocolate on the way. For instance, to really taste dark chocolate, don’t bite it: let it slowly melt in your mouth to unleash its complex flavours.

Max Brenner’s chocolate fondueMax Brenner
15 Knox St, Double Bay, tel: +61 (2) 9328 2555; 437 Oxford St, Paddington, tel: +61 (2) 9357 5055
The fine folk at Max Brenner understand that chocolate cravings can hit anytime of day, which is why they open early and close late. Inside, it’s all chocolate, all the time. The décor is chocolate, the scented candles smell of chocolate and crates of cocoa are stacked in corners. As well as chocolate drinks, the menu offers treats such as chocolate fondue, chocolate pizza, and tempting tasting platters for two. You’ll also find outlets at Parramatta, St Ives, Manly Wharf and David Jones Market Street.

Taking the cake

Almond florentines, mini crème brûlées, and of course scones with jam and cream – a leisurely afternoon tea is the perfect way to recharge after shopping and sightseeing.

Observatory Hotel
89–113 Kent St, tel: +61 (2) 9256 2222
Sydney’s most celebrated afternoon tea is served every day from 2.30 to 5pm at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Inside the clubby Globe Bar, you can relax on a velvet sofa or a leather armchair and enjoy your favourite sweet, washed down with one of 20 tea blends or a sparkling glass of Moët & Chandon. Prices range from AU$39 to $49; for a bit of fun add in a tea-leaf reading as well for AU$79.

The hip Victoria Room nightspot
does teaThe Victoria Room
Lvl 1, 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, tel: +61 (2) 9357 4488
One of Sydney’s hippest nightspots does a gorgeous high tea. The Victoria Room may be better known for its killer cocktails, but every Saturday between 2 and 4pm, and Sunday between 1 and 5pm, the martini glasses are packed away and the teacups and silver cake-stands come out. A word of advice: the high tea tends to book out weeks in advance, so make a reservation early! Expect to pay between AU$30 to $44.

Cupcakes on Pitt
2/323 Pitt St, tel: +61 (2) 9264 4644; 112a O’Brien St, Bondi Beach, tel: +61 (2) 9300 8306

A Violet Crumble cupcake
from Cupcakes on PittThe Cupcake Bakery
438 Oxford St, Paddington, tel: +61 (2) 9332 3700
Who says cupcakes are just for kids? Two stores in Sydney are turning out tiny gourmet delights for grown-ups who know that nothing brightens your day like a beautiful cupcake. At Cupcakes on Pitt (which has a beachside store too), the award-winning cupcakes come in 18 delectable flavours, including lemon meringue and tiramisu.

The Cupcake Bakery in Paddington has 10 flavours, including sticky date and chilli-choc for the adventurous.

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