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!

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.

Lorraine Godsmark is something of a pastry legend in these parts and with good reason. While her iconic date tart still graces the menu at Rockpool, why not go straight to the source? Before you do, you’ll need to call in and special order it in advance, but trust us when we say your extra effort will go a long way. Should you forget to make that call, fret not, as her heavenly (and readily available) cheesecake might be one of the best cakes in Sydney. Ever.

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!

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.

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.

The mere words “Pari Pasticceria” will have you thinking of Italy and so too will the decadent treats from this Concord café. Perched behind display glass is everything you might hope to find, including tiramisu and one of Sydney’s best ricotta cakes. Come here after dinner or skip dinner entirely just to overdo it on dessert.

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.

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.

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.

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?

You haven’t tried Sydney’s best chocolate cake until you’ve tried Textbook’s chocolate, hazelnut, and raspberry cake. Under a coat of chocolate ganache are layers of chocolate mousse and raspberry cream, which rest atop a base of chocolate pain de genes (aka chocolate cake). The apple crumble is likewise to die for. This is also one of the best cake shops in Sydney when it comes to visuals, hence their appetising Instagram feed.

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…

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.

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.

Clean and classic, LABANCZ delivers some of the best flavours and aromas this side of France. If you don’t believe us, try the almond croissant pastry or the pear and almond tart and then report back. We’ll wait.

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.

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.

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.

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.