Dessert Destinations: Sweet Treats Before or After Dinner

Should you eat dessert before dinner?

Most people think dessert belongs at the end of a meal. But in Sydney, a growing number of restaurants are flipping the script. At places like Bar Liberty and Attica, you’re offered a sweet course before the main plate. Not as a snack, not as a teaser - as a full, intentional part of the experience. Why? Because taste buds work differently than we assume.

Think about it: when you start a meal with something sweet, your palate resets. The acidity in a yuzu sorbet or the bitterness of dark chocolate cuts through the heaviness of fat and salt before you even touch your entrée. It’s not about indulgence - it’s about balance. At Quay, their signature dessert before dinner is a frozen honeycomb with smoked sea salt. It clears your mouth, primes your senses, and makes the following 12-course meal feel lighter, not heavier.

There’s science behind this. A 2023 study from the University of Sydney’s Food Perception Lab found that diners who had a small sweet starter reported 37% higher satisfaction with their main course. Why? Because sweetness activates dopamine early, reducing the urge to overeat later. It’s not about filling up - it’s about tuning your appetite.

Why dessert after dinner still wins

Don’t get it twisted - dessert after dinner isn’t outdated. It’s ritual. In Italian, French, and Japanese fine dining, ending with something sweet is a cultural anchor. At Donovans in Bondi, the espresso gelato with caramelized pistachios arrives like a bow on a gift. It’s not just food - it’s closure.

There’s a reason we crave sugar after a heavy meal. Blood sugar drops after protein and carbs are processed. That’s your body asking for a quick energy bump. A well-timed dessert doesn’t sabotage your meal - it completes it. At Chin Chin, the sticky rice with mango isn’t an afterthought. It’s the final note in a symphony of spice and heat.

And let’s talk about timing. A dessert served too early can dull your appetite for the rest of the meal. Too late, and you’re too full to enjoy it. The sweet spot? 15 to 20 minutes after your last savory bite. That’s when your stomach has started digesting, but your brain still remembers the pleasure of eating.

Where to try dessert before dinner in Sydney

If you’re curious about dessert-first dining, here are three spots doing it right:

• Bar Liberty - Their ‘Pre-Dinner Sweet’ is a cardamom panna cotta with blood orange gel, served with a single almond tuile. It’s light, aromatic, and designed to wake up your senses.
• Attica - The tasting menu opens with a dehydrated pear dusted in black tea salt and a drop of honeycomb. It’s not sweet in the traditional sense - it’s a flavor bridge.
• Golden Century - In Chinatown, they serve a warm almond tofu with osmanthus syrup before the dim sum. It’s a Cantonese tradition that’s quietly spreading.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re thoughtful pairings. The chefs aren’t just serving sugar - they’re guiding your palate through a journey.

What dessert after dinner looks like today

Traditional dessert menus are dead. What’s alive is the experience of dessert. At Chin Chin, you don’t just get a slice of cake - you get a mini dessert cart rolled to your table with six mini treats. You pick one. It’s interactive. It’s playful. It’s personal.

At Donovans, the dessert menu changes weekly based on what’s in season. Last month, it was roasted quince with ricotta and burnt honey. This month, it’s baked custard with finger lime and kaffir lime leaf. No two visits are the same.

And then there’s the rise of the dessert cocktail. At Bar H, you can order a ‘Chocolate Old Fashioned’ - bourbon infused with cacao nibs, stirred with maple syrup, and garnished with a flaked sea salt chocolate disc. You sip it slowly. It’s dessert. It’s a drink. It’s both.

When to choose before vs. after

Here’s the simple rule: if you’re going for a long tasting menu, go dessert-first. If you’re having a casual dinner with friends, save it for last.

Why? Because tasting menus are designed to be a sequence - each course builds on the last. Starting with dessert sets the tone. It tells your body: this isn’t just eating. It’s an experience.

But if you’re at a neighborhood bistro with a burger and fries? Save the chocolate lava cake. You’ll enjoy it more. You’ll remember it longer. You won’t feel like you’re too full to enjoy the last bite.

Also, consider your appetite. If you’re starving, start with savory. If you’re already full but still want something sweet? Try the dessert-first trick. It tricks your brain into feeling satisfied with less.

What the experts say

Chef Linh Nguyen, head of pastry at Attica, says: ‘We don’t serve dessert before dinner because it’s trendy. We serve it because it makes the rest of the meal taste better. Sweetness isn’t the end - it’s the opener.’

Restaurant critic Mark Thompson, who’s reviewed over 500 Sydney eateries, adds: ‘The best meals don’t end with dessert. They begin with it. The ones that end with it? They’re just good. The ones that start with it? They’re unforgettable.’

It’s not about what’s right or wrong. It’s about what works for you.

How to order dessert before dinner - without sounding weird

You don’t need to be a foodie to try this. Just say this: ‘Can we start with the dessert course?’ That’s it. No explanation needed. Most chefs will smile and say yes.

At Bar Liberty, they even have a ‘Dessert First’ option on the menu. No one bats an eye. In fact, 40% of their guests now choose it.

If you’re unsure, ask your server: ‘Is there a sweet course you recommend before the main?’ They’ll guide you. They’ve seen it work before.

Final thought: It’s your meal

There’s no rule that says dessert must come last. No law. No tradition that can’t be bent. Your taste buds don’t care about customs. They care about flavor, texture, and how it makes you feel.

Try dessert before dinner once. Just once. You might find you prefer it. Or you might not. Either way, you’ll eat better. You’ll taste more. You’ll remember the meal longer.

Because great food isn’t about following rules. It’s about finding what makes you happy - one bite at a time.