At the best cake shops in Sydney, you can quite literally have your cake and eat it too. Sorry—we just had to do that! Speaking of the best cakes in Sydney, you have your options…lots and lots of options. That’s because the city and its surrounding suburbs are overflowing with talented pastry chefs, who would love nothing more than to satiate your sweet tooth.
As you’ll soon discover, there’s no morsel too small and no idea too grand. That goes for everything from wedding cakes to some of the best birthday cakes in Sydney to pastries to cupcakes. The best part? No matter which Sydney neighbourhood you live in, odds are there’s something deliciously decadent close by. How’s that for the icing on the cake? Sorry—we did it again!
Okay, okay. Enough with the cheesy (or should we say frosty) puns. Here’s where you can find the best cakes in Sydney.
Table of contents
- 1. Flour and Stone
- 2. Penny Fours
- 3. Black Velvet Sydney
- 4. Andy Bowdy Pastry/Saga
- 5. Black Star Pastry
- 6. Mrs Jones the Baker
- 7. Dulcet
- 8. Brickfields
- 9. Sydney SmashCakes
- 10. Bourke Street Bakery
- 11. La Renaissance Patisserie and Café
- 12. Wellington Cake Shop
- 13. Pasticceria Papa
- 14. KOI Dessert Bar & Dining
- How Man of Many Chose the Best Cake Shops in Sydney
- Alternatives to Cake Shops in Sydney
- General FAQ
1. Flour and Stone
Drawing from the European tradition, this Sydney cake shop is towards the top for serving up the best cakes in Sydney. Their Instagram feed is basically sugar porn and the taste of their decadent desserts follows suit. Order for takeaway or eat a small bite in the café and don’t forget to chase each bite with a sip of hot coffee or tea. Now you’re doing it like a European!
Known for: lemon drizzle, chocolate or raspberry cake, pannacotta lamingtons
Address: 53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Phone: +61 2 8068 8818
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 8am-4pm
2. Penny Fours
As the former pastry chef at Tetsuya’s and Sepia, Penelope Ransley definitely knows how to bake some of the best cakes in Sydney. That’s in addition to her mouthwatering tarts, danishes, sticky buns, meringues, and whatever else she might be heating up. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a master breadmaker? Suffice it to say, this eccentric little shop is definitely worth the trip to Leichhardt.
Known for: tarts, croissants, bread, danishes
Address: 485A Darling Street, Balmain NSW 2041
Phone: +61 2 9572 8550
Trading Hours: Wed-Sun 7am-3pm
3. Black Velvet Sydney
Putting big things in relatively small packages, Black Velvet remains best-known for its exquisite gourmet cupcakes. That said, you can still custom-order some of the best birthday cake’s in Sydney or wedding cake or pretty much any kind of cake. As tremendous as the flavours might be, the shop’s famous window display stops people in their tracks.
Known for: gourmet cupcakes
Address: 3a/110 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 9331 8183
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm
4. Andy Bowdy Pastry/Saga
After discovering his passion for pastry, Andrew Bowden took on alter-ego Andy Bowdy and the rest is flavour-fueled history. His eye-popping and lip-smacking desserts were all the rage at Hartsyard and that trend duly continues at Saga, where he oversees the kitchen. Bowdy’s bespoke Sydney cakes—which must be ordered about a week in advance—are so freaking gorgeous that you might sooner encase them behind glass than take a bite. On the other hand, you’ll definitely want to take that bite!
Known for: creative and multi-layered cakes such as the ‘Grace,’ which features caramel mousse, cheesecake chunks, and a gingerbread cookie base, among other ingredients
Address: 178 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
Phone: +61 2 9550 6386
Trading Hours: Wed-Sun 8am-4pm (cafe hours); Mon-Sun 10am-4pm (bakery collection hoours)
5. Black Star Pastry
If you live in Sydney, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the famous strawberry and watermelon cake (aka the world’s most Instagrammed cake) at Black Star Pastry. But you wonder: is it really one of the best cakes in Sydney? Is it really worth that long wait? Yes, is the answer. God, yes. And if it’s sold out, you’ll still find something to savour.
Known for: strawberry and watermelon cake
Address: Level 2/500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9557 8656
Trading Hours: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 10am-6:30pm, Thu 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5:30pm
Address: 277 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: +61 2 9557 8656
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-5:30pm
Address: C1/85-113 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018
Phone: +61 2 9557 8656
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Address: 210 Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021
Phone: +61 2 9557 8656
Trading Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 9am-5pm
6. Mrs Jones the Baker
Practicing European techniques on Australian soil, husband-and-wife team Lucy and Barry Jones keep it traditional and delicious. As such, you’ll find expert takes on not just some of the city’s best cakes, but artisan bread, fantastic pastries, and creamy gelato as well. This is the Sydney cake shop experience done oh so right.
Known for: carrot and ginger cake, Victorian sponge cake, flourless chocolate cake
Address: 16A Lawrence St, Freshwater NSW 2096
Phone: +61 2 9939 1736
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-5pm
7. Dulcet
Innovation meets tradition at one of the best cakes in Sydney, which doesn’t shy away from Asian flavours. Bring the galaxy chocolate mousse cake to your next birthday party and you’ll go home a hero.
Known for: matcha mille crepes, galaxy chocolate mousse cake
Address: 500 George Street, NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 8068 5811
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-9:30pm
Address: 31 Belmore St, Burwood NSW 2134
Phone: +61 2 8937 2582
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-10pm
8. Brickfields
There’s a good chance you’ve tried a Brickfields croissant or pastry without even knowing it. That’s because this top Sydney cake shop distributes to various cafés all over Sydney. However, it’s here at the main location that you’ll find original creations along with super-sized versions of its popular Persian love cakes.
Known for: bread, Persian love cakes, salted caramel and chocolate cake
Address: 206 Cleveland St, Chippendale NSW 2008
Phone: +61 2 9698 7880
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
9. Sydney SmashCakes
For some of the best birthday cakes in Sydney (and some of Sydney’s best chocolate cakes while we’re at it), look no further than SmashCakes. These completely original creations come to us from Claudia Abrahams, who turned her mega-popular Instagram feed into an online business venture. Everything is handmade to order and no two cakes are exactly the same. Hit up their website, pick your occasion, place your order, and get smashing.
Known for: creative cakes that never repeat themselves, DIY kits
Address: Martins Ave, Bondi NSW 2026 (order online)
Phone: +61 407 107 688
Trading Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
10. Bourke Street Bakery
Whether you’re all the way out in Parramatta or as near as Surry Hills, cakes and other wondrous delicacies from Bourke Street Bakery are usually just a short walk or drive away. This beloved institution is nothing if not consistent, meaning you’ll find pretty much the same items in every location. What you’ll also find is a cinnamon-scented carrot cake that’s easily one of the best cakes in Sydney.
Known for: carrot cake, lemon and ricotta cake
Address: 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 9699 1011
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm
Address: 2 Mitchell St, Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: +61 2 9569 3225
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7am-4pm
Address: 472-474 Gardeners Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
Phone: +61 2 8339 1001
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 7am-5pm, Sun 7am-4pm
Address: 13/330 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: +61 2 9517 3877
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm
Address: 17/105 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone: +61 2 9460 2222
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 8am-2pm
Address: 4/23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 8313 9468
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 8am-4pm
Address: 186/1/190 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: +61 2 9893 9075
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Address: 7/25/19 Grosvenor St, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Phone: +61 2 9953 5555
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-4pm
Address: 18 Anderson St, Banksmeadow NSW 2019
Phone: +61 2 9666 5777
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm
Address: 1A Booth St, Balmain NSW 2041
Phone: +61 2 9810 8822
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-4pm
Address: 3/455 The Boulevarde, Kirrawee NSW 2232
Phone: +61 2 9521 5511
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30am-2pm, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm
11. La Renaissance Patisserie and Café
Culling inspiration from France – where rich desserts might very well have been invented (or at the very least, perfected) – this popular patisserie hits all the right sweet spots. These are the kind of cakes that reveal themselves in layers and we mean that quite literally. Meanwhile, La Renaissance was Australia’s first patisserie to be admitted into the prestigious Relais Desserts, which only lets in the best of the best. What’s there not to love?
Known for: the “Monet” cake (vanilla sponge cake layered with white chocolate bavaroise, raspberries, and lychee jelly), tarts, croquembouche
Address: 47 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9241 4878
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm
12. Wellington Cake Shop
If you’re craving Eastern European dessert and happen to live in or near Bondi Beach, there’s really just one place to go. That place is Wellington Cake Shop and it’s been in business since 1979. Its kuglóf—which layers a bell-shaped cake with ribbons of chocolate—is quite simply the stuff of legend.
Known for: kuglóf, strudels, sponge cakes, biscuits
Address: 157 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026
Phone: +61 2 9389 4555
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-5pm
13. Pasticceria Papa
Bolstered by Italian delicacies like ricotta cannolis and baked ricotta cheesecake, Pasticceria Papa continues to take Sydney by storm. Stop in to one of their three locations and expect to hear orgasmic sounds coming from the tables around you. Now pick up your fork and take a bite because it’s your turn. Mmmm…
Known for: baked ricotta cheesecake, cannolis, pistachio biscuits
Address: 145 Ramsay St, Haberfield NSW 2045
Phone: +61 2 9799 9531
Trading Hours: Mon 7:30am-6pm, Tue-Thu & Sun 7:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7:30am-11pm
Address: 95 Queens Rd, Five Dock NSW 2046
Phone: +61 2 8206 9333
Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 7:30am-5pm, Sun 7:30am-1pm
Address: 75 Hall St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: +61 2 9300 8864
Trading Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri & Sun 7am-10pm, Sat 7am-11pm
14. KOI Dessert Bar & Dining
Part cooking school, part patisserie, and part dessert bar, KOI leaves no concept or flavour behind. Expect to find gourmet confections of all shapes and sizes along with a perceptible pan-Asian influence. This place has something of a cult following and it’s not hard to see why, they make some of the best cakes in Sydney.
Known for: pistachio mousse, green mango yuzu, coconut kalamansi, yuzu curd
Address: 46 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
Phone: +61 2 9212 1230
Trading Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-10pm
Address: Shop 3/62-66 Blaxland Rd, Ryde NSW 2112
Phone: +61 2 9809 4720
Trading Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-10pm
Address: 205 Herring Rd, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Phone: +61 2 9053 7612
Trading Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-9pm
How Man of Many Chose the Best Cake Shops in Sydney
With an office situated right in the heart of Sydney and a team of keen foodies, the team at Man of Many has had the chance to sample the best cake shops in Sydney. Where they haven’t had a chance to visit, they’ve turned to food critics and expert reviews in compiling their list. Man of Many’s editors have taken into account, price points, opening times, and food choices, while also making a concerted effort to highlight a few brunch spots outside the CBD.
Alternatives to Cake Shops in Sydney
If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Sydney, we’ve got you covered with some of the options listed below. You can also check out our list of fun things to do in Sydney. If you’re looking for a more specific cuisine, check out our list of the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney or the best burgers in Sydney. If you’re full, we can also help you with your search for the best rooftop bars in Sydney.
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7 Best Acai Bowls in Sydney
15 Spots for the Best Korean BBQ in Sydney
General FAQ
Some of the best cake shops and patisseries in Sydney are Flour and Stone, Penny Fours, Saga, Textbook Patisserie, Pasticceria Papa, Dulcet, and others.
In Sydney, some of the best places to get a birthday cake are SmashCakes, Dulcet, and Black Velvet, to name a few.
The best cake shop in Sydney's central business district might very well be Black Star Pastry, home of the strawberry and watermelon cake. This is one of four Black Star locations in Sydney.
