By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
No dairy? No drama! While most popular desserts typically rely on milk, eggs and lots of butter to deliver a decadent treat, these versions are proof that plant-based can taste just as good. From croissants to crème brûlée, doughnuts decadent cheesecakes, here is our pick of Sydney’s best vegan desserts:
Adriano Zumbo’s High Tea at QT
Adriano Zumbo has transformed the traditional High Tea experience with a new plant-based and gluten-free menu at QTea Sydney. Alongside savoury highlights (like a spiced cauliflower pita) diners can indulge in a vegan version of AZ’s iconic V4 vanilla cake, plus a range of plant-based Zumbarons. The pistachio one infused with green tea is particularly good!
Wood-roasted Pineapple, Vegan Salted Caramel and Coconut Sorbet at Pony Dining
Pony is famed for the Argentinean wood fire grill at the centre of its open kitchen - which gives a signature smoky flavour to an array of steak cuts. So, we were somewhat surprised to find one of its most indulgent offerings is actually plant-based - specifically, the wood-roasted pineapple, vegan salted caramel and coconut sorbet.
A wholesome combination of toffee-sweetness, complemented by the refreshing texture and tastes of tropical fruit, it is proof that you don’t need dairy to deliver a delicious dessert.
Pistachio Kunafe Croissant at Miss Sina
Not to be confused with the ice creamery of the similarly sounding name the entire menu at Miss Sina is plant-based, including the viral pistachio kunafe croissant. A decadent delight of nutty pistachio cream, toasted kataifi pastry, chocolate and cookies all wrapped in a flaky croissant, it typically sells out in seconds. So, if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth (sans butter), get in quick!
Triple Stack Blueberry Pancakes at Oh My Days
While its status as an at-dawn or dessert dining option remains open for debate, one thing that everyone can agree on is that the pancakes at Oh My Days in Glebe are a delight. Given that the cool cafe has been dishing up a range of vegan bakery delights since 2019, it's little surprise that the signature double stack version made with fresh berries, vanilla custard, blueberry compote, roasted cashews and organic coconut, is a hit any time of the day.
House-baked Baklava Cheesecake at I Should Be Souvlaki
As the name suggests, this Newtown eatery is famous for its plant-based faux-meat wraps, but, its baklava-flavoured cheesecake - a nod to co-owner Adam Papastathopoulos’s Hellenic heritage, featuring a sweet pistachio-walnut topping crumbled over a baked vanilla cheesecake and filo base - will have both vegans and non-vegans alike feeling so lucky!
Passionfruit Pavlova at Mamma B’s Chippendale
Expect vegan versions of bistro basics - like chicken parma, bangers and mash and fried calamari - at this inner-west eatery in the Chippo Hotel, plus, plant-based sweet treats like the classic pav. Side note: there’s some serious sorcery making the sticky smores taste so good!
Crème Brûlée at Le Gourmand
French fare is not the first thing that comes to mind when one considers vegan options. However, Le Gourmand is hoping to change that with its selection of sweet and savoury plant-based plates. As well as macarons, croissants and vegan pâté and foie gras, the crème brûlée here is so authentically creamy, it’s hard to believe that it isn't drenched in dairy.
Mango Pancakes at Green Sprouts Neutral Bay
Mushroom dumplings and Chinese broccoli are great substitutes when pork buns and prawn har gow are off the menu. However, nothing hits the yum cha spot for something sweet quite like creamy mouthfuls of mango pancakes. Fortunately, the gurus at Green Sprouts Neutral Bay have worked out a way to deliver all the goodness of the original orange-hued treat with absolutely no commitment to cream.
Frozen Yoghurt at Yo-Chi
Popular soft-serve chain Yo-Chi is home to a surprising number of vegan frozen yoghurt flavours including chocolate, banana and coconut varieties; which can all be customised with a range of vegan toppings such as choc soil, choc chip edible cookie dough, strawberry mochi, coulis, fruit pearls, nuts, coconut flakes, granola, halva and dark chocolate.
Doughnuts at Dr Dough Donuts
Sweet, sugary and smeared with classic glazes like chocolate and caramel, if you can figure out which Dr Dough Donut is plant-based and which is not please let us know because we’re half a dozen in and still trying to work it out!
