Over the past few years, Sydney’s culinary culture has grown to introduce a variety of trend-setting establishments. Despite their close proximity to each other, every bakery on this list has its unique take on aesthetics and flavour. When you find yourself traversing the streets of urban Sydney by foot or train, you can do so with a coffee and a fresh bite from one of these three bakeries.
Image credit: Laura Cros
Banksia Bakehouse
Located in the corporate heart of the #CBD, Banksia Bakehouse is an elegant escape for many corporate workers from the office. Featuring a plethora of freshly baked goods and desserts, Banksia Bakehouse is defiantly worth a visit and is only a 3-minute walk from #Wynyard station.
My friends and I paid a visit for breakfast before heading to the Pitt Street shopping district on a busy weekday and indulged in multiple pastries so we could tell you about the best ones. If you’re seriously craving a sweet flavour, the creme brûlée danish is filled with a decadent creamy filling and is complemented by the crispy torched top, perfectly imitating the original desert. The croissants of Banksia Bakehouse have also been twice-baked to evoke a perfectly flakey and buttery sensation. However, the winner of our group was the focaccia slice. The dough is pillowy and light and in this instance, topped with tomato, prosciutto and fresh basil. Furthermore, my friends and I were able to enjoy our food just outside the cafe in the square of Grosvenor Place which is a nice recluse from the chaos of George St. So next time you find yourself lost in #Wynyard station, remember that a short trip to Banksia Bakehouse is probably what you need to find your way.
Image credit: author
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Black Star Pastry
Back in high school, I hosted an exchange student from Hong Kong. When I asked her what she really wanted to do in #Sydney I was sure she would say something like see the Opera House or the Harbour Bridge. To my surprise, the first place on her list was to make the pilgrimage to Black Star Pastry. Black Star Pastry was founded by Michael Thé in 2008 when he came up with the now world-famous watermelon cake. Since then, the franchise has grown into multiple locations across #Sydney and #Melbourne.
I visited the #CBD location of Black Star Pastry as I was enthralled by its sleek and thoughtful architectural design that reflects the complexity of its cakes. The signature watermelon cake is an obvious must-buy, if my exchange sister was dedicated enough to fly down for it then you must too. Even in the middle of winter, the freshness of the watermelon paired with the subtle rose-water infusion retains its quality. The Zen Cheesecake is one of the most tranquil cheesecakes out there. Visually inspired by a zen garden, the blend of black sesame, miso and mascarpone creates a thoughtful flavour combination. Finally, the Dragon Cake involves layers of dragon fruit and a sponge separated by pineapple vanilla cream, giving credit to a fruit that doesn’t usually get a lot of attention in the dessert scene. Out of all the dessert joints in #Sydney, Black Star Pastry is the most courageous with its flavours and it has clearly paid off.
Image credit: author
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Top Impression Bakery Cafe
Hailing from Wolli Creek, Top Impression Bakery Cafe has some of the most photogenic pastries in Australia and has opened its doors to the #CBD. The sleek interior of the bakery reflects the visual effort put into each item on Top Impression’s menu. Like many #Asian bakehouses, you will pick out your pastries with tongs and a tray and bring them to the cashier who can also take your coffee order. Limited seating has been installed outside Top Impression so you can enjoy your meal whilst watching the rush of the city pass you by.
Like always, I had to try the most popular item on Top Impression’s menu too. The matcha croissant has attracted many customers and you may have seen its delectable cross-section on your #Instagram or #TikTok as it is filled with rich matcha cream and dusted with matcha powder. This is just one of the many creative takes on the simple croissant that Top Impression has achieved - it would probably take multiple trips to review them all. I also picked a chocolate cream roll purely based on its beauty and of course the taste was just as great. The pork floss bun is a nice savoury alternative if you don’t have a massive sweet tooth. No matter what you crave, each pastry at Top Impression has been crafted to look its best.
Image credit: author
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