If you’re devoted to carbs – in all their starchy, golden glory – you already know Sydney’s packing some great bakeries. We’ve got rooftop bakeries and beachside bakeries, spots dedicated to cream puffs and others dedicated to ice-cream sangas. And because the goodies are spread across the city, there’s always something delicious enough to cross town for.
Indulgent treats deserve a deluxe car to match. If you need wheels to get to a bakery, consider renting a luxury car from the Avis Signature Series, with options like a BMW X5 SUV or a BMW X3 SUV to get you there in style. Visitors from interstate can hire an Avis Signature Series car from the airport, or Sydneysiders looking for a fancy ride can pick one up from Harbour Marriott in Circular Quay, World Square in Haymarket and Star City in Darling Harbour.
Custard tart from Flour, Caringbah
Once you’ve parked on the wide leafy street, wander inside this buzzy suburban bakery and try to focus on the glass cabinet and racks of bread. It’ll be tough, ‘cause you’ll want to peer through the big window into the temperature-controlled “doughroom”, where bakers who cut their teeth at Humble and Flour and Stone are working to replenish the often sell-out goods. The slightly sticky saffron and vanilla scrolls are hard to pass up. As are the generous slabs of topped focaccia. But the jiggle of the eggy custard tart, with grated fresh nutmeg atop, is what you want. Hot tip: arrive around 9am, when a tray of the still-warm beauties first hits the counter.
One more stop: Azuki, in Wolli Creek, for an egg sando.
Pistachio baklava from Gaziantep Sweets, Auburn
Viridescent trays of baklava in all shapes and sizes are stacked in the windows of Zeki Atilgan’s Gaziantep Sweets. The crisp sheets of filo are handmade, and the premium pistachios come from Gaziantep – the store’s namesake city in Türkiye. Sobyet, midye, kuru antep or bulbul: there are many shapes and styles of the syrupy serve. None are sickly sweet though, and you can opt for walnuts or chocolate if you prefer. Hot, stretchy kunefe is made daily – the crunchy threads of angel-hair kadaifi pastry are made in-house too.
One more stop: Boulevarde Traditional Bakery, in Fairfield, for hot bread.
Fruit tart from Self Raised Bread Shoppe, Carlton
Lines snake along a curb in Carlton almost every day as punters wait for hand-rolled doughnuts plump with custard, berry-topped danishes and hulking deli sandwiches. They’re at Self Raised Bread Shoppe, the retro bakery 30 minutes from the CBD bySal Senan and brother-and-sister-duo Hussein and Amani Rachid. Baker and pastry chef Yeongjin Park captains the viennoiserie line-up. Our pick? The little fruit tarts with deeply golden, frilly edges and an airy mascarpone filling. The fruity toppings change with the seasons, and all are excellent.
One more stop: House of Papi, in Marrickville, for a pandesal.
Sticky date cake from Norma’s Deli, Manly
The team here is also behind nearby cult-followed croissant kiosk Rollers Bakehouse. At Norma’s Deli the offering spans grocer, Greek diner and coffee shop. Find slices of toast slathered in taramasalata, snacky brekkie plates and hefty portions of moussaka. And the baked goods: hot cinnamon doughnuts, silky lemon tarts and rich (gluten-free) brownies. The star is the sticky-date cake. It’s a thick, golden pudding-y slice topped with a spoonful of double cream and butterscotch sauce. Best served hot, so dine in – or take it straight to the beach and eat it in the sun.
One more stop: Loulou, in Milsons Point, for a sausage roll.
Plain croissant from Iggy’s Bread, Bronte
One of Sydney’s top three croissants is on this beachy block. It’s deep brown, deeply savoury, crunchy on the outside and pillowy on the inside. Truly glorious. Iggy’s Bread is by Igor Ivanovic, and along with your pastry fix you should nab a half-loaf of the white sourdough and a big scoop of the coffee-coloured muesli sitting in a big glass jar on the counter. Once you’re stocked up, hop in the car and head down the hill to the beach – then cruise along an iconic stretch of coastline, all the way to Bondi.
One more stop: Cut Lunch Deli, in Randwick, for a choc-chip cookie.
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