All images: Shirni Parwana
Last month Adelaide lost a staple of the CBD food scene when Afghan eatery Parwana closed the doors of its sister restaurant, Kutchi Deli. And while it was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to the fast, modern adaptation of the popular family-run restaurant, we can rejoice in knowing the newest chapter for the Ayubi family has just begun with the opening of a brand-new dessert house.
A regular pop-up at Plant 4 Bowden, Shirni Sweets by Parwana has now solidified its spot on Adelaide’s foodie scene with a permanent residency at the Bowden venue’s new addition, Plant 3.


Officially opening the doors to the intimate, glass, cake-filled cube last week, Shirni Parwana will be offering a huge variety of delicious, sugary, traditional cakes, biscuits and custards, all of which are handmade with love using fresh, locally sourced produce to truly encapsulate the true feeling of joy that only the best desserts can provide.
A long-held dream of owner Fatema Ayubi and her daughter Zainab, this next stage of the Parwana journey is one that comes to the joy of many of Adelaide’s dedicated Parwana devotees with Shirni’s desserts a sought-after spin-off since its inception in 2014.
“We want to be able to show people this side of our culture,” says Zainab.
“It’s always been something mum and I have wanted to do together”.



While the space may be small, the pair have managed to create a warm and inviting environment drawing inspiration from the main restaurant to infuse elements of Afghani culture throughout.
“Being glass we were unable to showcase the colours and excitement of our culture on the walls as we did at Parwana so we improvised and instead used the counter as our place of colour.
“We wanted the carry on the same feel as the restaurant so we drew from that but also from the colours of Afghanistan, the mosques, the clothing, everything that we love about our culture”.
Previously, all prep-work for desserts was done at the Torrensville restaurant but now, with its own physical store, the restraints of a small, off-site kitchen are no more allowing Fatema and Zainab to let their creative minds run wild.
Flaky pastry, rose-infused cream, pistachio praline, lemon syrup. The vibrant colours and flavours of the Middle East are prevalent in each and every one of the mother and daughter duo’s creations and, for just a moment, time will stop, as the flavours transport you to another place – as any good dessert does.
As a trained French pastry chef, Fatema will use her skills to create traditional pastries with Afghan flavours with everything created either traditional Afghani or Afghani-inspired through its flavours. Her most recent endeavour was one created specifically for opening weekend and was so good, that it has taken the top spot on Zainab’s list (which is no easy feat). A cardamom-infused dark chocolate ganache tart. Say no more.
Opening Hours:
Wednesday 5-9pm
Friday 10am-3pm/5-9pm
Saturday 10-3pm/5-9pm
Sunday 9-2pm
Shirni Parwana is located at Plant 3 – 6/14 Fourth Street, Bowden 5007
For more information, head to the Parwana website or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
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