The Gold Coast just scored a sweet new obsession – say hello to frozen Italian custard at Toucan Tango
While frozen yoghurt continues to dominate the dessert scene, a new arrival is shaking things up with a creamy twist on the classics. If you haven’t yet heard of Toucan Tango, here’s your sweet little wake-up call. The colourful Adelaide-born brand has just landed on the Gold Coast, bringing with it a wildly addictive dessert offering that’s already making waves – frozen Italian custard.
It might be cold out, but the new arrival in Nobby Beach will have you skipping the hot chocolate and ordering frozen custard for breakfast. Transforming the original Sparrow Coffee site, Toucan Tango serves up a vibrant all-day menu of acai bowls, cold-pressed juices and strawberry cups – but it’s the custard that’s stealing the show. Imported straight from Italy, this soft-serve-style dessert is ultra-smooth, creamy and tastes just like cold-set vanilla custard. It’s gluten-free, luxurious and offers a slightly sweeter swirl than traditional frozen yoghurt – think of it as soft serve’s cooler, Euro cousin.
At Toucan Tango, the bowl is built upon a base of freshly made granola, which is also gluten free for those wondering. Then you layer it with a swirl of frozen custard and top to your heart’s content. There’s fresh fruit alongside the likes of crushed nuts and even hot-fudge brownie pieces. Finish with a solid pour of sauce – think peanut butter, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Nutella, Pistachio Papi and the crowd-favourite, Bueno, which tastes just like a liquid version of the Kinder creation. Craving something hot-and-cold? Add donut fries and dunk them into that velvety custard swirl.
Another early crowd favourite has been the strawberry cups. Inspired by the viral Dubai-style chocolate, these layered creations combine fresh strawberries, pastry crumble, coffee cream and your choice of house-made sauces. It’s rich, textural and built for sweet tooths who want something decadent but under the guise of fruit, so technically, health.
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If the sugar high wasn’t quite enough, there’s also caffeine hits from Blackboard Coffee Roasters alongside iced varieties that are canned to order, cold-pressed juices and smoothies.
Toucan Tango may be new to the coast, but the team behind it has been winning over dessert lovers in Adelaide for more than a year – and this is their first interstate outpost. With extended late-night hours and plenty of Insta-worthy options, it’s quickly becoming the go-to for a post-dinner sweet fix along the Nobby’s strip.
Head to The Directory for opening times.