Sweet tooth? 12 after-dark dessert spots in Auckland

Date night, mates’ night, or sugar-bribing the kids; these 12 spots help you end the night on a sweet note, serving up flavour and fun, well past bedtime.

Miann

If you think dessert is just an afterthought, Miann will prove you wrong. Tucked into Britomart, this spot treats sweets like fine art with mini cake creations that look (almost) too good to eat, jewel-like chocolates, rainbow rows of macarons, and European-style pastries.

There’s always something new to try, from intricate matcha mousse cakes to gelato made in-house. It’s a go-to for romantic nights when you want dessert to feel like a special occasion in its own right.

The Fed

The Federal Delicatessen, affectionately known as The Fed, is a classic late-night stop in the heart of the city. Their diner-style pies and cheesecakes are legendary.

There’s no need to risk food envy here; take our advice and choose The 3-Way which gives you a combo of all three of their epic dessert pies: banana and toffee, pecan, and lemon meringue. 

Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar

When only something warm, gooey, and straight-up comforting will do, Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar always hits the spot. This iconic favourite bakes oversized cookies in flavours like biscoff, caramel milk, and classic choc chip, all best enjoyed with a glass of cold milk.

They also serve thick, indulgent shakes (including vegan options) that are practically desserts on their own. It’s pure childhood joy, levelled up for late nights.

Chocolate Boutique Cafe

A Parnell institution, the Chocolate Boutique Café has been serving chocoholics since 1996. The menu ranges from handmade chocolates and cakes to sundaes, ice creams and their famously rich hot chocolates. The selection ranges from classic hot choccys through to their thick and decadent Denso range.
It’s a cosy spot to end the evening with something sweet, whether you’re sharing a dessert with friends or caving in to that chocolate craving solo (no judgement here).

Elisabeth’s Chef

Sometimes you just want something like Grandma used to make: apple crumble, a sticky date pud drowned in caramel, a red velvet cake. This late-night Kingsland sweet spot has all that, and more, including glossy chocolate éclairs, cheesecake and mousse-stacked chocolate caramels.

But their true claim to fame with local sweet tooths is their over-the-top hot chocolates stacked with extra treats. There’s a whole menu dedicated to these dreamy drinks, including dark, salted caramel, ginger, peppermint, Aztec spice, s’mores, fairy floss and more.

OKO Dessert Kitchen

OKO keeps things playful with a line-up of cakes, mousses, and sponges in flavours like matchamisu, ube pandan, red velvet, and pink lemonade. Expect layers, compotes, and textures that flip familiar favourites into fresh twists.

For a bit of theatre, try the chocolate domes that melt under hot sauce or one of their multi-layered creations – desserts definitely worthy of a snap for the ‘gram before being devoured.

Giapo

If Auckland had a Willy Wonka, it would likely be Giapo. Each ice cream creation comes dressed up with toppings, textures, or special cones. You can even take your scoop atop freshly baked treats.

There are unexpected flavour combinations, but it’s often the classics that you just can’t go past: Their World Famous Hokey Pokey or Cher’s dark chocolate (the famous singer’s pick when she visited the most popular ice cream parlour in town). 

Bangkok Rolled Ice Cream

This little spot serves ice cream with a twist — literally. Here, fresh cream and toppings are chopped, spread, and scraped into delicate rolls right in front of you. There are more than 31 flavours to choose from, and you can mix and match to customise your treat.

As well as their signature rolled ice cream, you’ll find other sweet creations, like bubble waffles, ice cream burgers, crepes and thick shakes.

HKS Waffle and Gelato

Here, dessert means waffles piled high and unapologetically indulgent. The star is the bubble waffle, a Hong Kong street-food favourite, served hot and folded into a cone, then packed with scoops of gelato in flavours like pistachio, cookies and cream, or strawberry.

Top it off with sauces, fruit, or chocolate, and you’ve got a handheld tower of sweet, crunchy, creamy chaos that’s impossible to put down.

Wafflers & More

The croffle takes the limelight here: a crispy, buttery hybrid of croissant and waffle. It’s a street-food fave from South Korea that’s become Auckland-approved. Their menu lets you go classic or creative; think Matcha, Tiramisu, Lotus Biscoff, or Nutella Banana toppings that bring together nostalgia and novelty in every bite. 

The Sugar Dealer

When the craving hits hard, this is where you go. The Sugar Dealer’s specialty is their customisable brownies (perfect as gifts), but if you don’t want to wait for the courier, the in-store menu has you covered.

Discover brownie shakes, brownie sundaes, stacked waffles, and still-warm brownies in just about every flavour you could dream of. 10/10 worth the sugar rush.

Juice Up

Juice Up introduced New Zealand’s first soft-serve açaí, alongside a menu of loaded crepes, waffles, shakes and smoothie bowls. Go classic with fresh fruit and granola or go all in with options like Pistachio Knafeh Crepe or Nutella-drizzled açaí bowls.

It’s fast, colourful and made to order (add your own choice of sauces and toppings), satisfying sweet cravings with the superfood nourishment of açaí.