Milse

The queue — that queue. This would be my only gripe but it is to be expected in a place as good as this. The entrance was quite narrow and a few people were quite pushy which annoyed me a bit — goodbye personal space.
It is a classy restaurant and all that dessert is visually amazing. Everything is too pretty to eat. I tried the macaroons which I found okay (I’m not a big fan so who am I to judge) The Lime and coconut pie was divine I felt I needed a bigger cup. I also tried the Feijoa gelato which was so yummy (heaven in my mouth) I wished I had ordered five more.
If you have a sweet tooth you must try this place but stay away if you have major claustrophobia.

What a cute boutique dessert shop! It’s a tiny shop, but a wide variety of desserts. The ice creams popsicle flavors were unique and refreshing. Had the Alaskan bombe and a salted chocolate popsicle. Wish I had room to try more!

Came here a few times after having brunch next door. The place is TINY and it looks like it has as small seating area but both times we got takeaway and ate our desserts on a bench in Britomart.
The fridges display and array of chocolates, desserts, ice creams and macaroons. We got various flavors of macaroons, ice cream and a passion fruit jar dessert and everything was incredible. The desserts weren’t too sweet which is great, yet had such unique flavors.

In searching for a good shop for desserts, this place came highly recommended from a friend. I’m so glad we were pointed in this direction! My friend has the biggest sweet tooth — myself, not so much. Nonetheless we both loved our Milse experience. A wide variety is available to suit whatever sweet desire you need fulfilled that day. From macaroons, to gelato ice pops, to well portioned gateaux.
The vibe in there is also adorable. Almost makes you forget that bustling Britomart is right down the street. A good place to go with a small group of friends or even on a cute date. Milse is a spot you must try at least once.

I’m a big fan of the hybrid bakery and fine chocolate confectionary, and while Milse has a truly excellent breadth of goods covering both, when it came to the quality of the macaron I can’t quite say it was anything beyond A-​OK.
Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere?
Milse is, without question, quite classy, with well dressed and informed staff and glamorous display cases that highlight all of the many different sweets. While the selection was at first overwhelming, I was immediately drawn towards the macarons and the shortbread, both of which I ordered. Star Granted.
Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost?
Fancy schmancy doesn’t come without a cost, but given the high cost of macrons these days, I was appeased with a NZ$ 21.00 price tag for six macarons and six pieces of shortbread. That’s not exactly value, but it isn’t the blatant price gouging that’s becoming commonplace these days in upscale bakeries. Star Granted.
Stars 3 and 4: How was the food?
So. Marcarons. You’ve got the ever so slightly crunchy cookie that’s soft in the middle and a soft and flavorful filling. I opted for a hodge podge of six different flavors, and Milse certainly delivered in the flavor department. The vanilla bean was the best of the lot, with kudos to hokey pokey and salted caramel as well.
The one issue came with the consistency, and the cookie in particular. I was a bit surprised to find that the cookies at Milse were hollow, and cracked a bit like a saltine cracker. This made the endeavor a bit of a messy one and did take away from the expected flavor a bit, but I’d still categorize these as «good» macarons.
The shortbread had wonderful consistency and good flavor, but the macarons were the focus here. Single Star Granted.
Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could?
Milse is a great option for sweets, but I’ve had better macarons and better shortbread elsewhere. No Star Granted.

A few months back Milse got a well-​deserved shout out on Buzzfeed featuring desserts so beautiful you almost don’t want to eat it… almost. I’ve been to Milse a few times now and yes the cabinet offerings, the chocolates, and the made to order desserts with dessert wine pairings are truly amazing and heaven-​sent. What is even more amazing is the inventiveness and high quality of dessert that they produce in such a small kitchen space.
However, the caveat of Milse is its space, or shall I say lack thereof. Because its desserts are so awe-​inspiring they are incredibly popular at all times of seemingly everyday. The space itself feels like you are walking down a sneaky alley way into a tiny tucked away secret spot. This makes going to Milse feel special every time and like you are finding it for the first time every time. Yet, because of its popularity it is always packed with people gawking at all of the petit gâteau, macrons, and gelato in the cabinets that take up 2/​3rds of the walkway. It must be noted that these items are strictly take-​away. If you are wanting to actually sit down to indulge in one of their made-​to-​order signature desserts (strictly eat-​in only) you in all likelihood will have to wait for 15 – 60 minutes and they don’t take reservations. Then, if you are lucky enough to get a seat you will have to awkwardly navigate between all of the cabinet gawkers. Once you sit down, you will enjoy the conversation at the table next to you and enjoy very stark lighting of abrasively bright lights and very dark corners. Oh and guess where the toilet is? Yep, behind a curtain in between the first and second gâteau cabinet. Classy. The wait staff can be a bit sassy and don’t always bring your dessert and wine pairing at the same time.
The desserts are truly inspiring, but because the space is so terribly uncomfortable you don’t feel relaxed to enjoy the experience fully. My advice is to get take-​away on a Tuesday at 11am (surely there won’t be too much foot traffic then right?).

This was truly an experience not to be missed!
walking to this shop i was expecting good pastries with my coffee, but never had i imagined an spectacular explosion of flavors in your mouth right to your soul !
I HAD to hug the chef and thank her personally!

Milse Milse I love it. Fresh taste desserts and not very sweet. Nice setting although very small but feels good. One of my regulars

Tucked away in the trendy Britomart area is Milse.
I ventured down this sugary hallway to find myself purchasing some of the prettiest & tastiest desserts. I tried a box of the macaroons (apple crumble, chocolate & jasmine, pistachio, espresso, & a few more I cannot seem to recall) and a green tea ice cream (don’t judge me). I was definitely pleased and will be going back again to try some more desserts.

Oh my lord, heaven.
A refreshingly distinguished, intentional and exceptional fit out design that just takes your breath away.
Didn’t even mind the prices, when it all looked and tasted so good.
Will bring out-​of-​towners here to impress them every time!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I love thee, Milse, a dessert shop like no other (in line with the great patisseries of Europe) but there are some (admittedly first world) problems that leave you at 4 instead of 5 stars.
First, the best. It’s obviously the food. The takeaway options are consistently amazing, interesting, and varied: a rotating cast of macaron, jars of layered inventive combinations (like custard and apple and nuts and toffee with an artisan marshmallow on top), a selection of craft ice cream bars, chocolates, and other artful desserts. All made in house, seasonal, and incredibly unique. Then, there’s the (teeny tiny) seating area where you can order fantastic things like artisan hot chocolates, and the most beautiful played desserts — always with the most fantastic combination of textures and favors (it reminds me of Meredith’s in this regard). Just go, and be amazed! It’s a party in your mouth. Oh and the interior seating area is so so gorgeous with lattice wood paneling that makes you feel like you are in a futuristic woodland wonderland.
But wait, the worst. Okay it’s a teeny tiny space tucked in a corner of britomart behind Ortolana. Despite its popularity, it still feels like a special secret when you find it. Buuuut its size and popularity can make for a rather lousy experience. It’s damn hard to get a table and you can’t book unless you’re eating at Ortolana and ask them if they’ll book a table for you (life hack!) otherwise, you’re waiting in line. I recently went on a Tuesday night at 9 with two others and we were told it would be 45 mins wait for a table. Okay, so you can get takeaway stuff — no problem, right? Welllll you still might wait in line for 20 minutes to get inside. And once inside, the alley where the cabinets are is so cramped and the staff are always rushing through with platters and whatnot that it’s awkward and stress making.
But… At the end you leave with some GORGEOUS and DELICIOUS treats that will make you happy inside. All I’m saying is that it’s not going to be easy. You’re going to have to work for your dessert. Take a deep breath, get stuck in, and enjoy the ride, you will leave feeling victorious! (Or, maybe a bigger space, Milse? Plz? Something marginally more accessible and less awkward? We love you!!)

If you want to impress and be impressed then this is the place to come to .
I let the waitress suggest something for me as when I went here a year or two back I got very overwhelmed with all the choice of delectable desserts, silly but once you go here you’ll know why .
Her suggestion of the 35%satilia chocolate, pumpkin salted caramel and walnut was a good choice and I really can’t fault it .
Served in a small jar it’s just the right portion size .
I now know or always knew what everyone is talking about good service + good and I mean really good desserts = happy me.

This place is tuck in a little alley in Britomart. Great place for mousse dessert and gelato blocks. Tried a few flavor and still prefer salted caramel… pricey though, $ 7 for a gelato iceblock. They also do variation of mousse cakes, chocolates, marshmallows and macaroon. Their dessert from menu looks spectacular. And taste wonderful too. You can see the chef making the deserts as they have an open kitchen.

The Art of Dessert
What do you get when you combine revolutionary food technology and artistic flair in the department of confectionery? The Milse Sensorium Gallery! I am not kidding, this is a dessert restaurant that offers a multi sensory experience of the sugary artworks on display!
People cue (inside joke) to enter. They shuffle — single filed — along the narrow glass cabinets to take a peak at the Brenton Sable, Bahibe or Kalingo, for example! Then they hover around the centerpiece display of frozen sticks in sheer amazement! The Bomb Alaska is perhaps the most famous masterpiece in this series and is usually, on permanent display! After much deliberating, a decision is usually made and at least one of the beautiful sugary sculptures are purchased and whisked away, to indulge and delight the senses!
The real art-​loving enthusiasts however, go so far as to wait for hours to get a seat inside the studio! I once watched Gustav Klimt add a finial touch of gold-​leaf to one of his masterpieces and the last time I visited; I got to experience his hot steamy kisses… I can’t get the smell of his salted caramel breath and the taste of his velvety smooth chocolate lips out of my head!
I dare you to order a salted caramel hot chocolate! Start sipping and see if your imagination doesn’t run away, leaving you feeling all sexy!!!

Best dessert experience in Auckland.
If you get the chance, Milse for after dinner dessert is a must. Or just skip the dinner and go for a three course degustation like I did.
The wait can be quite long for a table but you can go for drinks at a neighboring bar and they’ll call you. Well worth the wait.
The menu changes every couple of months but there’s usually a chocolate & salted caramel type dessert if you aren’t feeling adventurous.
Highlights for me include a Granny Smith apple crumble with tamarillo, and a Valrhona Tainori chocolate dessert.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing, it’s like you’re in this cosy nest, with seating for only about 12.
I love to sit at the bar and watch everything happen in the kitchen.
If you’re short of time, or looking for something to take home, their patisserie selection is great. The gateaux and verrines are always delicious.

If Ali Baba was a sweet tooth, then herein would lie his treasure. The cosy lattice wood paneled interior of Ortolana’s dessert kitchen deceptively hosts a cavernous array of bejeweled cakes, gelatos, dessert pots and handmade chocolates. At night, there is even a freshly made mini-​degustation of artistic puddings from which to choose and watch being constructed if you are lucky enough to nab one of the twelve or so available seats. Open sesame, chocolate, pistachio and baked Alaska — it’s all yours to enjoy!

The reviews here speak the truth about this place… it’s awesome.
Very small sit-​down area, so don’t expect to get a seat, and they do NOT take reservations. But, almost everything is available for take-​out, EXCEPT their «sit-​down» menu of a few cakes, etc.
The display case as you enter will blow you away.
I’m told by a server at The Store (a sister restaurant along w/​Ortalano), that you could order your desserts from Milse and your restaurant server will collect them from Milse and deliver to your table.
Either way. just treat yourself and go. Once you do, I know you’ll be back!!!

I love how this place is nestled in an alleyway. Not the shady, dark ones that you know to avoid because of one too many teen thrillers, but the pleasant cobblestone ones that you remember from rustic European type movies.
This is a restaurant that solely revolves around dessert. They display their colorful macarons in a case as you walk in, with all the lovely colors. Past that, you come across their freezer displaying their gelato sticks and sorbet creations. Continuing on, you come across the gateaux (cakes) and finally these small spheres of chocolate goodness.
Always one for compromise, I opted to have a gâteau, which was the Valrhona Dulcey, coffee, hazelnut, and vanilla, and later had the Stick Bomb Alaska gelato, which comprised of raspberry sorbet dipped in white chocolate and coated with the traditional egg white meringue and torched to a nice singed brown.
I could not slow myself down while eating the gâteau. It almost reminded me of tiramisu, in which there was some sort of spongecake going on in the midst of the layers. Occassionally, I would run into a hazelnut, which is always a pleasant surprise, and the coffee flavor was subtle, but not unnoticed. Not too sweet, but definitely a nice little dessert.
Being the foodie that I am, I had to have a gelato stick as well to review and the Stick Bomb Alaska gave me the best look. Akin to eating a toasted marshmallow, you run into the raspberry sorbet and it somewhat takes you aback. I would almost prefer to have just the raspberry sorbet by itself, or even with just the white chocolate coating, as the meringue gets in the way sometimes. All in all, a good gelato stick, but the outside tends to compete with the inside goodness.
There were too many selections to choose from, so I will have to return to make sure I try any flavors they are considering to change out due to the coming of summer. It IS a small place, so expect it to become packed quickly on a hotter day!

I remember hearing about this one of a kind dessert restaurant that would be opening up in a few weeks time (this was back in 2013). I was so excited that I stopped by the restaurant every week to ask when they were opening their doors!
First time walking in was quite a surprise! The inside is quite a small space, with only a few tables so it is quite hard to get a seat! My friend and I arrived about 11am and managed to get a table, but every other time I have been of late, it is always fully booked. I would love it if Milse moved to bigger premises but we will just have to wait and see!
I highly recommend trying a verrine, gateaux or chocolate tart. These are all delicious treats. However, the macarons were a stand out.
Milse has many macaron flavours to choose from and I always love popping in to try out the new ones. My favourites are Valrhona Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Tiramisu.
I keep coming back to Milse because they have a range of different treats and there is always something I like on the menu. If I am in need of a gift, then I go to Milse. They have cute gift boxes for chocolates and macarons and my friends and family love them!

You could walk past here if you did not know it was there as it is a very small place and the entrance does not sit on the roadside. The small size shows indoors as well with limited seating and just enough room to move around. But if there is space the restaurant next door is used for additional seating or you can go on a waiting list and come back when a table comes free.
We have tried many of the delights on offer here and all were delicious. It was a tough choice at times as so many to choose from.
Another thing I like about here is that it is an open kitchen and so you are able to watch the preparation of all these heavenly delights. And the service is A plus… outstanding.