The Best Italian Pastry Shops in Sydney for a Decadent Treat or Two
An Italian pasticceria is pure heaven on earth, so bookmark this round-up of the best Italian pastry shops in Sydney for when you want biscotti.
With biscotti, tantalising torte (cakes), and creamy cannoli on the shelves, it’s hard to stick to one dessert. In "little Italy" – Leichhardt and Haberfield – and beyond, a few standout pastry shops’ll make your coffee break even sweeter.
Some are run by pastry prodigies, and others by Nonnas. Often, the best Italian bakeries or patisseries are insider secrets, where you won’t find fancy websites or Instagram accounts, but trust us, they’re there – and doing a brisk trade in treats. So appetites at the ready as we take a delicious deep dive into the best Italian pastry shops in Sydney.
The Best Italian Pastry Shops in Sydney
Maggio’s Cafe
For a taste of la dolce vita, make your way to Maggio’s. A charming Italian bakery and café rolled into one; it has a delectable selection of Italian sweets, including bombolini – a fluffy, Tuscan-style doughnut coated in sugar and stuffed with pastry cream. The tutti frutti cake pairs well with a coffee, and come Christmastime, the panettone filled with Chantilly and chocolate is a real gift.
463 Miller Street, Cammeray
Pasticceria Papa
This Italian patisserie claims "Papa knows best" – and he sure does. Pasticceria Papa is famous for its baked ricotta cheesecake (one of the best cakes in Sydney). Made with soft, creamy ricotta, shortcrust pastry, icing sugar and cinnamon, it’s phenomenal on its own and even better with strawberries and a dollop of Nutella. Pasticceria Papa also whips up Ferrero Rocher mousse, profiteroles, and amaretti (Italian macaroons). Be still our ravenous tummies!
Five Dock, Bondi, Haberfield
Mezzapica Cakes
The family-run Italian patisserie Mezzapica has been around for what seems like forever. On any given day, you'll find a queue of customers waiting to tuck into the tiramisu, buttery biscotti, rum balls and apple crumble tarts. Mezzapica also has a cake studio, where professional pastry chefs run cake-making and decorating classes and whip up beautiful creations for special occasions.
Gledswood Hills and Leichhardt
Dolcettini
In the Hills District, Dolcettini is the dessert king. With a slew of awards to its name, anything you order is guaranteed to be good, from the Nutella croissant to the doughnut oozing with raspberry jam. For special occasions, ask Francesco to make the Pretty Woman Torte, complete with vanilla sponge, orange, chocolate custard, hazelnut milk chocolate mousse, caramelised almonds and edible flowers.
Dural and Castle Hill
Fiore Bread
If you're looking for one of the best Italian bakeries in Sydney, then a snack (or three) at Fiore Bread in McMahons Point is a must. This bustling, hole-in-the-wall joint on Blues Point Road serves up simple, wholesome baked goods like sourdough bread, made-right-in-front-of-you sandwiches, and paninis (get the mortadella, cheddar, and cucumber relish combo. You won't regret it), freshly cooked Italian donuts, chocolate biscotti, and more. In a word? Bellissimo!
129 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
Pasticceria Mancuso
Over in Burwood, Pasticceria Mancuso has been a sweet tooth’s dream since day one. Owner Alfonso and his team specialise in cakes – though masterpieces is a better word. The strawberry mascarpone, black forest and tiramisu torte fly off the shelves, as does the bianco e nero: a profiterole tower smothered in chocolate hazelnut cream.
228 Burwood Road, Burwood
Pasticceria Caruso
Pasticceria Caruso's flagship shop in Stockland Mall is a welcome pit stop for shoppers. Giuseppe Caruso and his crew of pastry chefs make everything from ricotta cakes and tiramisu to the more mainstream mud, red velvet, and millefoglie cream cakes. But their pride and joy is the ‘bazooka,’ a collection of cannoli wrapped in a giant cannoli, with a bow to boot.
Wetherill Park, Rhodes, Menai
Pasticceria Tamborrino
Pasticceria Tamborrino is a charming Italian patisserie that marries innovation with traditional Italian pastry-making techniques. With a commitment to using only the finest ingredients, they're total pros in various sweet treats such as handmade biscuits, macarons and cakes.
The shop also services light lunches, including their famous veal or spinach arancini, focaccias, sausage rolls, spinach and cheese pastries, and homemade pies.
75 Great North Road, Five Dock
Loving our pick of the best Italian pastry shops in Sydney? Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat for our favourite croissants and bakeries in Sydney.
