As a Great British Bake Off lover, Paul Hollywood Stan and with 25 years of experience behind me of stopping at every bakery I see, you could say I have been studying my whole life for this task - to find the best bakeries in Sydney.
While this journey has led to weight gain, drained pockets and lots of Weekend brunch queues, I'm happy to finally bring you my list of the best bakeries I have tried in Sydney.
From beautiful lamination, flaky pastry, scrumptious loaves and delectable fillings, here are some of the best bakeries in Sydney.
AP Bakery
CBD, Surry Hills, Newtown, Marrickville, Eveleigh
AP Bakery stands out as a top player in Sydney's bakery scene, and their reputation is well-deserved. Be prepared for long lines at AP locations but remember that the wait is always worth it. If you're a pie lover like me, take the time to eat your way through each of their pies and thank me later.
They have multiple locations across the city, from a sun-soaked rooftop bakery in Surry Hills to a cozy Newtown hole-in-the-wall and even a bistro within Wildflower Brewery's cellar door in Marrickville.
I love that AP have a strong commitment to sustainability, holding direct partnerships with their farmers and producers, and have a hands-on approach by milling all of their own grains in Darlinghurst.
Must Tries: Wagyu Brisket Pie, Spinach and Ricotta Pie, Zucchini flower flatbread, A.P Pizza, Choc Chip Cookies, Fig Leaf Cream & Rhubarb Croissant, Shakshuka
Tenacious Bakehouse
Darlinghurst
Tenacious Bakehouse in Darlinghurst, led by renowned pastry chef Yeongjin Park, formerly of Lode and Picco Leo, is a hidden gem for pastry lovers. Park's hole-in-the-wall shop on Oxford Street is where you'll find some of Sydney's finest pastries, showcasing his exceptional skills.
What sets Tenacious Bakehouse apart is the infusion of Korean-inspired flavours into their pastries. Expect delicate pastries that melt in your mouth.
Their hero item is the oversized Portuguese tarts with a twist – they're drizzled with delightful miso caramel, generously filled with custard, and encased in super crispy croissant dough.
Must Tries: Miso Portuguese Egg Tart and Black Garlic Crown Croissant
Humble Bakery
Surry Hills, CBD, Newtown
Humble Bakery, the brainchild of the team behind Porteño and Bastardo, has become a viral sensation thanks to their elevated take on the classic Iced Finger Bun – and I can assure you, it's every bit as delicious as the buzz suggests.
They craft daily loaves alongside an array of cakes, pastries, and sandwiches. Their pastry rolls are must tries with super crispy and flaky pastry and delicious fillings including the classic pork and fennel roll or a spicy spinach and chicken variation.
Humble also has an ever changing line-up of delicious sandwiches and sweet treats so make sure to pick up a lamington or brownie for a post-lunch dessert.
If you prefer to linger and dine in, Humble Bakery has you covered with a sit-down menu. Their burger and eggs on toast are must-tries for those seeking a more substantial meal. My partner still raves about the burger.
Must Tries: Mortadella Focaccia Sandwich, Spicy Spinach and Chicken Roll, Basque Cheesecake, Iced Finger Bun, Lamington
Layers Sydney
St Leonards
Layers Sydney is a pastry paradise, where each creation is a work of art you almost don't want to eat (but you definitely should). They bake everything fresh on-site, and their commitment to using the freshest, top-notch ingredients is evident in every bite.
The pastries at Layers Sydney are a testament to perfection, with a delightful crunch and flakiness that gives way to a soft and heavenly interior.
They offer all of the classics as well as an innovative fusion of Korean flavours into their pastries like their kimchi triple cheese pastry or pork bulgogi danish. Their croissants are as stunning as they are tasty and it's fun to try all their original variations.
Must Tries: The Tiramisu Croissant, Chocolate Bar Croissant, Kimchi Triple Cheese Pastry, Pork Bulgogi Danish
Rollers
Manly
This Cali inspired bakery nestled in an alleyway in sunny Manly, take classic French pastry techniques and kick them up a notch with intricate, layered flavour profiles for truly unique experience. Their regular selection is nothing short of amazing, and they frequently offer outstanding specials that you will never find anywhere else. Like their recent Maple Bacon Cannoli or the Pork & Chive Pastry Dumpling, served with a tangy vinegar dipping sauce.
Manly local's love Roller's array of unique croissants options like their Custard and Rhubarb creation, or the irresistible Pavlova Croissant. To complement their pastries, Rollers serves excellent coffee, cold brew and even complimentary sparkling water!
Must Tries: Any of the Croissants, Pork & Chive Pastry Dumpling (Special), Quiche Lorraine, Maple Bacon Cannoli
Bourke Street Bakery
Various Locations
Bourke Street Bakery, a Sydney institution born in Surry Hills, is a celebrated haven for handmade pastries, bread, and sweets. With multiple locations across Sydney, it's renowned for their iconic sausage rolls, delicious pies, delectable pastries and artisanal bread. BSB promises a timeless yet mouth-watering experience, where traditional craftsmanship meets creative innovation and is an essential stop for all Sydney food enthusiasts.
Must Tries: Pork and Fennel Roll, Beef Brisket Pie, Ginger Brûlée Tart, Lemon Tart
Baker Bleu
Double Bay
Baker Bleu, a Melbourne gem now gracing Sydney's culinary scene, has firmly established itself as a go-to destination for sourdough enthusiasts. Their perfected 48-hour fermentation process ensures exceptional flavour and digestibility, giving you some of the best sourdough you can get.
Beyond sourdough, they offer a selection of delicious breads, bagels, sandwiches, and pastries. Plus, their top-notch baristas serve one of Sydney's best long blacks (IMO). They also have a cute little deli where you can pick up artisanal cheeses, páté, chips, a branded bread bag and more!
Must Tries: Sourdough Croissant and Roast Veg Sandwich with Goats Cheese
Brickfields
Chippendale and Marrickville
Since its inception in 2013, Brickfields has risen to prominence as a bakery-café that redefines the art of baking in Sydney.
With a hip shopfront, this establishment has become a hotspot for residents and tourists seeking exceptional baked goods. Whether you're in the mood for a satisfying breakfast, a wholesome lunch, or an indulgent pastry, Brickfields caters to every craving, just make sure you leave with one of their iconic loaves.
I'm still dreaming of their mushroom melt sandwich with melted Gruyere cheese, truffle mayo, and pickled jalapenos. And don't forget to try their sweet treats like the Coco Chanel, which is a coconut and hazelnut knot with a salted coconut praline glaze.
Must Tries: Mushroom Melt Sandwich, Bacon Sandwich, Banana Bread, Sourdough Loaf
Flour and Stone
Woolloomooloo
Nadine Ingram's Flour and Stone bakery in Woolloomooloo has a commitment to small-batch, community-driven baking. Since its establishment in 2011, Flour and Stone has solidified its status as a Sydney institution, known for their delectable baked goods and Instagrammable cakes.
While the bakery initially gained fame for its mouth-watering Panna Cotta Soaked Lamington, Flour and Stone offers a delightful array of sweet treats, including artisan cakes, madeleines, tarts, and scones. They also have a selection of savoury treats like pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches and pastries.
Must Tries: Panna Cotta Soaked Lamington, Classic Vanilla Cake, Beef Rendang Pie and Spanakopita
Self-Raised Bread Shoppe
Carlton
Self-Raised Bread Shoppe, a charming bakery and cafe, has made its mark by offering a delectable array of sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and of course, superb coffee.
Their Smoked Wagyu Beef Sandwich is a taste of NYC streets, with tender beef, a Big Mac-inspired sauce, and tangy pickles on toasted bread, a culinary masterpiece.
For the adventurous, the Lamb Kafta Sausage Roll offers a crispy pastry and a delicious spicy twist. And their Custard Flan, a heavenly treat with crispy croissant pastry and creamy custard, is irresistible. Self-Raised Bread Shoppe is a culinary delight for food enthusiasts.
Must Tries: Smoked Wagyu Beef Sandwich, Lamb Kafta Sausage Roll, Custard Flan
Hearthe
Stanmore
Hearthe, located on Douglas Street in Stanmore, is the brainchild of renowned pastry chef Christopher Thé, known for Black Star Pastry. It's a cake shop and cafe that showcases Christopher's new passion: crafting shelf-stable cakes using native Australian ingredients. The must-try is the Paperbark Cake, an exquisite blend of flavours inspired by the Australian landscape.
Hearthe's cafe complements its pastries with an array of sweet and savory treats which offer a creative fusion of indigenous ingredients and fine craftsmanship, making it a must-visit for Sydney foodies.
Must Tries: Paperbark Cake with paperbark dacquoise, macadamia, smoked ganache, white kunzea honey, and eucalypt caramel
Organic Bread Bar
Paddington and Darlinghurst
Organic Bread Bar is a picturesque bakery led by the seasoned Head Baker, Andreas Rost. With two decades of international bakery experience, Andreas channels his expertise into crafting bakery products that are exceptionally nutrient-dense.
At the core of Organic Bread Bar's offerings is Andreas's organic sourdough starter, serving as the cornerstone for all their creations.
A must-try is their famous giant German-style pretzels, that are deliciously salty. With a variety of pastries and exceptional bread, Organic Bread Bar is a haven for those seeking outstanding baked goods.
Must Tries: Giant German Style Pretzels, Pretzel Croissant and Bagels
Lode Pies
CBD and Surry Hills
Lode Pies has reached legendary status in the bakery world, known for its delectable creations that are basically edible artworks. This place isn't just about making pastries that look stunning on Instagram; it's all about the mouth-watering, buttery, flaky goodness wrapped around their delicious fillings.
For sweets their Cinnamon Guy scroll and heavenly pain au chocolat are absolute musts. Lode’s rightfully earned notoriety is firmly rooted in their exceptional pies – and for good reason.
The Lode Pithivier, a picture-perfect creation that catapulted them into the limelight, is a masterpiece in itself. Stuffed with a savory filling of pork and shiitake mushroom, this pie is accompanied by a decadent chicken and cream gravy that you pour down the centre, making it as delicious as it is distinctively unique.
