Best pâtisseries
Our top pâtisserie picks include the new Lorraine’s Pâtisserie (Shop 5, Palings La, Sydney, 02 9254 8009), Black Star Pastry (277 Australia St, Newtown, 02 9557 8656), Flour & Stone (53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, 02 8068 8818), Penny Fours (141 Norton St, Leichhardt, 02 9572 8550) and any of the Bourke Street Bakery branches (633 Bourke St, Surry Hills, 02 9699 1011; 46 Macleay St, entry via Crick Ave, Potts Point, 02 9380 9700; 2 Mitchell St, Marrickville, 02 9569 3225; 474 Gardeners Rd, Alexandria, 02 8339 1001).
Is good coffee becoming more rule than exception? It seems the case in Marrickville, a suburb riddled with excellent café-roasters, among them Coffee Alchemy (24 Addison Rd, Marrickville, 02 9516 1997) and Double Roasters (199 Victoria Rd, Marrickville, 02 9572 7711). Nearby Cornersmith (314 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville, 02 8065 0844) is better known for its preserves, but brews a decent coffee too.
Surry Hills stalwart Single Origin Roasters (60-64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills, 02 9211 0665) remains a reliable favourite, as does Newtown’s Campos (193 Missenden Rd, Newtown, 02 9516 3361), which has opened up in Alexandria (21 Fountain St, Alexandria 02 9690 0090). For quality espresso in the city head to Marlowe’s Way (Tank Stream Way, Sydney) or a Mecca Espresso outlet, two of which are located in the CBD (1 Alfred St, Sydney; 67 King St, Sydney, 02 9299 8828). Its cousin Brickfields (206 Cleveland St, Chippendale, 02 9698 7880) is so bean-focused it doesn’t even stock tea.
Other espresso highlights include Le Monde (83 Foveaux St, Surry Hills, 02 9211 3568), The Wedge Espresso (53-55 Glebe Point Rd, entry via Cowper St, Glebe), pint-sized Room 10 (10 Llankelly Pl, Potts Point) and Reuben Hills (61 Albion St, Surry Hills, 02 9211 5556). Ruby’s Diner (Shop 1/173-179 Bronte Rd, Waverley, 0404 379 585) is known for excellence in the food and drink department. Though nearby Three Blue Ducks runs a dinner service, its breakfast and lunch offerings draw a queue. The seasonal, inexpensive fare at Wilbur’s Place (36 Llankelly Pl, Potts Point, 02 9332 2999) is a hit with the Potts Point crowd; ditto the Italiano eats at Fratelli Paradiso.
The four Café Sopra outlets serve similarly excellent Italian fare in relaxed surrounds. For Middle Eastern treats, Kepos Street Kitchen (96 Kepos St, Redfern, 02 9319 3919) and Sefa Kitchen (292 Bondi Rd, Bondi, 02 8068 6461) are your hottest options.
Looking for more Sydney dining options? Check out our list of the best restaurants in Sydney.
