The first thing you'll notice heading southbound on Ladypool Road is the long queue and the roped entrance with the word "Heavenly", perhaps suggesting the most popular nightclub in Sparkbrook. But no, while patrons of Heavenly Desserts may be dressed to the nines, this dessert bar necessitates elastic trousers more than a "go out shirt".
Heavenly Desserts was one of the originators of the type of dessert bar that has popped up all over Birmingham in recent years. Starting out in a smaller shop front, they now take up a very large location in Sparkbrook that can seat many. Despite this, the place is packed with queues on the weekend. The wait is managed very professionally by an army of staff members.
Once you make it to your seat, a literal bible of sweet goodies awaits. The shop is most known for their outrageous waffles and cookie dough, but it's entirely possible to pop in for some gelato and a coffee. This is exactly what I did while visiting with friends recently, as the cookie dough was tempting but I wanted something smaller. The gelato can be purchased on its own, but it's also a key ingredient in their other dessert dishes. I was hoping for the best based on reviews, but my cookies and creme/chocolate combo was average at best. Given the amount of competition in Brum, the gelato was not up to par with a generic flavour present. The Americano I ordered as my drink was substantial in size, but lacked finesse in its pull, with a bitter, acidic quality.
The overall service here is spot on, with our waiter checking on us throughout our visit. Paying was a hassle though, as we had to walk to the back end of the shop and pay at a card kiosk. Speaking of, the prices here are at the upper limit of what you can realistically charge, especially since it's not in city centre. Heavenly Desserts is a nice dessert shop for the most part, but if you are looking for high quality ingredients or a low-mid price point, south Brum has many more options for you. read more