Down a nondescript arcade opposite Railway Square, a chef-hatted black cat licking its lips marks the entrance to one of Sydney's most enchanting new discoveries.
Kiki Dessert, which opened in November 2025, is the long-held dream of Korean-Australian pastry chef Jenna Choo—a tiny café with delicate cakes, Studio Ghibli-inspired cosiness, and a growing cult following for its Dubai pistachio chewy cookies.
"I named it after Kiki's Delivery Service," Choo explained, referencing the beloved 1989 Ghibli film. "I want people to enjoy dessert with no pressure."
Choo's journey to opening her own café took her from actor training in Korea to pastry school in Australia, followed by stints at prestigious venues including Black Star Pastry. After years of saving, she finally took the plunge on her own space.
Everything is made in-house to exacting standards. Choo uses only fresh cream, couverture chocolate, and premium matcha—"the matcha is actually more expensive than chocolate," she notes. The results speak for themselves: her four-tiered honey cake features layers of not-too-sweet whipped cream between delicate honey-spiced sponge, while the viral Dubai pistachio chewy cookies combine kataifi pastry, white chocolate, and pistachio paste under a marshmallow coating.
The space itself transports visitors: rustic wooden walls, stacks of mismatched vintage plates, a stained-glass lampshade, and jazzy pop from South Korean singer-songwriter Yerin Baek playing overhead.
"One guy told me that he's just so happy to see a small independent café in an area that is so full of franchises," Choo recalled. "That made me very happy because that's what I really want people to enjoy."
Unlike many Sydney cafés, Kiki stays open after 3pm—a deliberate choice by Choo. "People can come all day but also after work to eat here or grab something for after dinner."
The menu remains intentionally small to ensure daily freshness, with specials rotating regularly. Valentine's Day will see heart-shaped cakes, and Choo dreams of introducing her take on a sun-dried tomato and balsamic macaron she loved in Korea.
Kiki Dessert is located at 732 Harris Street, Ultimo.