There's really nothing – no bad day, no stressful work meeting, no breakup or breakout – that can't be eased by getting yourself a 3pm sweet treat. It's become ritualistic at this point in the RUSSH offices, and we think you should be adding it to your daily calendar schedule too. Whether you're itching to get your hands on a warm loaf of sourdough, or are in the mood for a nostalgic bite of an always-classic finger bun, there's something about being entirely wrapped in the warm air of a hot oven pumping away in the shadows that will always have us feeling a type of way. Luckily, if you happen to live in Sydney, the city is home to some of the best bakeries this country has to offer.
There's no shortage of places to hunt down sweet treats or bread rolls that are just as much a form of art on your dinner table as they are undeniably delicious. From the inner city to Liverpool and everywhere in between, here's our roundup of the 18 best bakeries you have to visit in Sydney.
1. A.P Bakery
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Best for: Aleppo pepper scrolls, Canelés.
Located: Surry Hills, Newtown, Martin Place and the Carriageworks Farmers Markets.
When you talk to Sydney baked goods aficionados about the best bakeries in the city, the name A.P (which stands for all-purpose) is sure to escape their lips. Helmed by some of the city's most respected industry insiders, A.P serves up just about everything you could want: from buttermilk croissants and oil-slicked flatbreads to crisp bacon sandwiches and Jerusalem bagels. Their cosy locales across the city are perfect for a seated-in cafe stop, or you can opt for takeaway to enjoy your flakey, buttery goods in your own home.
2. Iggy's Bread
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Best for: Sourdough rolls, Cranberry and Pecan Bread.
Located: 131 Macpherson St, Bronte (they also do home delivery via their website).
Simply uttering the name Iggy's Bread will allow you to strike up a conversation with any stranger. If you've ever lined up at the Sydney-famous bakery, you'll know well that the staples are out the door and sold out before 11am. Owner, Yugoslavian-born Igor Ivanovic, has made a name for himself and his bakery for its sourdough, whole-wheat and rye breads – the pull-apart sourdough rolls are beyond legendary. The bakery also stocks a range of specialty breads and pastries, such as green and kalamata olive rolls and bread sticks topped with rich Parmigiano Reggiano and sprinkled with chilli flakes and oregano. Iggy's is one for the ages.
3. Flour and Stone
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Best for: Lemon Dream cake, Spanakopita, Persian love cake.
Located: 43 Riley St, Woolloomooloo (and at Carriageworks Farmers Markets).
Although we'll always head back to Flour and Stone for the unbeatable lemon dream cake, there is so much more to this once hidden, quaint bakery in Wooollooomooloo. Stumbling across Flour and Stone is an pastry-lover's dream. You'll find everything from lamingtons to iced gingerbread around the festive season, and a delicious offering of fresh pies that always hit the spot. The bakery has also recently expanded its premises, to include what they have coined Flour and Stone Annexe – just a few doors down from the original shop.
4. The Grumpy Baker
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Best for: Rugelach, Savoury hot pies.
Located: Multiple locations.
First founded back in 2002, Michael Cthurmer set out on a mission to create a sourdough that was more "cheesy" and less "vinegary". Where he has landed almost 20 years later is as one of the best providers of rustic, handmade gourmet bread free of preservatives and additives in the city. In addition to the bakeries' famous bread offering, each of its 10 locations also offer a mouth-watering range of Israeli-inspired sweet treats, classic pastries and more. You'll never leave empty handed.
5. Brickfields
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Best for: Seeded Ciabatta Rolls, Sourdough Loaves, Bacon Sandwiches.
Located: Chippendale and Marrickville.
A mainstay for locals and broader Sydney-siders alike, Brickfields has quickly become an unmissable stop on the quest for the best bakeries in Sydney. The bakery offers a range of different sweet treats and pastries, and if you happen to dine in you can't go past the famous bacon sandwich. Unlike some other sourdough breads, Brickfields utilises the entire grain in its production process; making for a silkier dough and heavier loaf. Bring one home and it won't last long.
6. Berkelo
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Best for: Chocolate Cake, Sourdough Loaves, Custard Tarts
Located: Brookvale, Mosman, Manly.
If you're a north Sydney local, you will certainly be familiar with Berkelo. Now with four locations – Brookvale, Mosman and Manly – this bakery is slowly taking over as the hot spot for some of the best sourdough pasta in town. The store also stocks an assortment of teas made from dehydrated produce such as pineapple sage, native river mint and rosella, all sourced from Berkelo’s Terrey Hills farm. But it's Berkelo's bread which really draws the crowds. The signature sourdough is unmissable, but if you're wanting to try something different, we recommend thes brown bread made from khorasan flour (an ancient grain), rye, toasted malt and NSW honey.
7. Humble Bakery
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Best for: Finger Buns, Focaccias, Toasties.
Located: Surry Hills and Circular Quay.
If Humble Bakery was within your 5km radius during Sydney's most recent lockdown, you'll know well that their goodies are legit. From the moment the bakery/cafe opened a couple of years back, there has been a consistent line for the famous finger buns. Nostalgia? Tick. Deliciousness? Double tick. But of course, that isn't where the freshly-baked goodies end. Founded by Elvis Abrahanowicz, Ben Milgate and Joseph Valore – the geniuses behind diners Bodega x Wyno, Porteño and Bastardo – you'll also be able to take your pick from their five sandwiches, bowls, variety of cakes and of course delicious pastries.
7. Pasticceria Tamborrino
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Best for: Zuccherati, Biscotti, Jam Donuts.
Located: 75 Great N Rd, Five Dock.
If you're on the hunt for traditional, nonna-approved pastries and sweets, look no further than Pasticceria Tamborrino. One foot in the door and you'll be instantly faced with cabinets of freshly-baked treats; the hardest part is narrowing down your selection. Long-time owners Vincenzo and Cristina Tamborrino are actually originally from Rome – known for its delicious biscuits – but in this pasticceria, you'll find treats from all over Italy. One of the most popular orders however, is also the most common Italian of breakfast meals – coffee and a croissant. They come stuffed with cream, custard or ricotta, so take your pick.
8. Cherry Moon
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Best for: Cinnamon scrolls, Wood-fired pizzas, Russian Honey Cake.
Located:77 Nelson St, Annandale.
If you're on the hunt for a bakery that's offering the full experience, look no further than Cherry Moon in Annandale. Part cafe, woodfire bakery and grocer, this venue is the brainchild of pastry chef (ex-Rockpool and Tetsuya) and woodfire expert Kimmy Gastmeier, and Aimee Graham. Although the selection is vast, don't let it overwhelm you. Don't look past the signature loaf – a fig-leaf sourdough – the Cherry Moon doughnuts topped with glacé cherries, and the extensive list of grocery items. Many of which are made in the kitchen on site.
9. Cafe de la Fontaine
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Best for: Eclairs, Macarons, Galettes, Crepes.
Located: 1A Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point.
RUSSH content editor Ella Jane once said that a trip to Cafe de la Fontaine is as close to a Parisian bakery you can get in Sydney, and I tend to agree. Only opening a couple of years ago, the cafe/bakery hybrid instantly caught the attention of locals before becoming a favourite of many. With a fully-functioning kitchen upstairs filled with traditionally trained French pastry chefs, and crepes and galettes churned out for customers downstairs, it really is the full French experience. No matter how full you might be, you can't leave without tasting one of Cafe de la Fontaine's eclairs. They are melt in your mouth delightful.
10. Malika Bakehouse
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Best for: Turkish delight (and Turkish coffee), Borek, Simit with labneh.
Located: Botany and Surry Hils.
Turkish bakehouse and cafe Malika has just recently expanded from their Botany locale to include a new outpost in Surry Hills. A light, bright and bustling mecca of Turkish coffees and traditional Istanbul breakfast options – like borek, Gözleme and a plentiful selection of baked egg savoury dishes – Malika is almost always packed with locales, jostling for one of their house-baked goods, considered selection of teas and Turkish breakfast classics.
11. Tokyo Lamington
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Best for: Fairy bread lamington, OG lamington.
Located: 277 Australia st, Newtown.
Definitely on the more niche side of the baked goods is the not-so-humble hotspot in Newtown called Tokyo Lamington. The cult favourite has a menu that strongly revolves around various exciting iterations of the lamington – like Yuzu Meringue, Neapolitan and Mango Sticky Rice – made in-house daily (there are usually around nine flavours on offer at a time). But, Tokyo Lamington offers a plentiful savoury range that include pork-katsu sausage rolls and made-to-order onigiri, too.
12. Rollers Bakehouse
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Best for: Hummus and eggplant croissant, Sweet monkey bread.
Located: Rialto Lane Manly, Sydney.
At the bakehouse of Rollers, there are no rules when it comes to croissants. Sure you've got all the essentials – twice-baked almond croissants, and Kouign-amann – but there are also plenty of left-of-field options like their popular "sushi roll" croissant and of course, their infamous hummus and eggplant croissant. The bakery is kitted out with all Palm Springs fit out of breeze blocks, succulents, and is just steps from the beach.
13. Norma's Deli
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Best for: Basque cheesecake, Mortadella sandwich, Maritozzi.
Located: 74/78 The Corso, Manly.
A self-proclaimed 'big fat Greek Deli by the sea', Norma's is another baked goods institution to know about on the north shore. Serving up a full breakfast and lunch menu, they're committed to serving up classic Greek cooking and freshly baked goods.
14. Shadow Baking
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Best for: Vegemite and avocado scrolls, Savoury croissants.
Located: 243 Victoria St Darlinghurst and The Cannery Markets (Rosebery).
A market bakery brought to you by three Gelato Messina chefs – Shadow Baking in Darlinghurst is one of the city's newest pigeonhole bakeries to explore. If their expertise and creativity at Messina is anything to judge them by, then you'll know that their pastry offerings will be just as new and exciting. In particular, their savoury baked goods stand out as particularly memorable – and the lines at their soft launch late last year proved that the general public are onto the secret.
15. Lode Pies
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Best for: Croissants, Lumi pie, Jin-us.
Located: 487 Crown Street, Surry Hills.
If you've strolled down Crown Street on a weekend, you'll probably have had your path re-routed by the crowds out front of Lode. Founded by Sydney chef Federico Zanellato, the bakery is all about putting a fine-dining spin on the humble baked good. The interiors are sleek, and the glass-encased pies and pastries on offer are about as photogenic as they come. And if public opinion sways you – they were also just voted 'Best Croissant in NSW'.
16. Bourke Street Bakery
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Best for: Sourdough, Sausage rolls.
Located: Multiple locations.
Since 2004, Bourke Street Bakery has been a cult favourite bakery amongst Sydney-siders. Expanding their Surry Hills shop into more than 10 locations, they're commitment is to making baked goods with love – "the old fashioned way". Their sourdough is pretty infamous amongst city-dwellers, as are their staple baked goods on display, but they also have a bunch of delicious made-to-order savoury options at each location too, like pizzas and sandwiches.
17. Fabbrica Bread Shop
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Best for: Basque cheesecake, Banoffee tart, Focaccia.
Located: 733 Darling Street, Rozelle.
Tucked away in a street-facing corner of the Maloneys Grocer on Darling Street, Fabbrica Bread Shop is the baked goods branch of Fabbrica Pasta Shop. They're a great pit-stop for lunch, where you can order a slice of their metre-long slabs of focaccia, filled with antipasto staples, or cooked into pizzas. Everything at the shop is made from scratch, in-house, using local butter and flour – including the puff pastry and croissant dough.
18. Sweet Lu
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Best for: Pistachio croissants, Crepe cakes, Tarts.
Located:280 King Street, Newtown and 2a/63 Dixon Street, Haymarket.
Japanese pastries are the specialty of Sweet Lu, whose two outposts in Newtown and Haymarket both feel like stepping into a pink-fuelled Harajuku fever dream. Oversized, pistachio-cream stuffed croissants fill glass pastry cabinets, alongside expertly stacked crepe cakes, custard tarts and grape cheesecakes. They also sell a selection of cakes for special occasions, which you can buy in-store, or order online.
And if you're looking to continue your Sydney food journey, why not look to our guide of the best fine dining restaurants, or if you're wanting inside tips from the RUSSH team, our list of favourite, editor-approved restaurants.
