Eight must-try French bakeries in Sydney

Lavie & Belle is located near Taylor Square, in a quiet street back from busy Oxford Street, but the front counter is anything but quiet. I discovered this place by accident and while I procrastinated over the amazing pastries and enticing croissants on offer, I also watched a steady line of customers drill past. It’s popular, and after trying the pastries, I can see why.

It’s not a place where you can sit inside but you can enjoy your purchases on one of the stools outside. I did exactly that – soaked up the sun, impressed my taste buds and watched the world go by. Très bien!

Know that Lavie & Belle is closed until August 16, but the team promises to come back bigger and better.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Raspberry Chocolate Fondant ($14)

At first viewing Saint Germain appears unexceptional: like a suburban bakery hiding behind a dark facade. But it’s all about the food and the service here. This is an unassuming, unpretentious patisserie with good value and great choices.

I pair the canele with a coffee – Toretto Coffee is the blend of choice here. The Canele is small – two bites and it’s gone! – but worth it, especially with the coffee. My partner has the raspberry tart which has a lovely biscuity texture and is paired with fresh cream.

The savoury options are equally good. I’d recommend a walk around the nearby South Eveleigh rail heritage precinct followed by lunch, a cake and a coffee at this friendly patisserie in inner-city Redfern.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Smoked salmon crepe ($8)

Café de la Fontaine is more than a bakery. Try this creperie, patisserie, French ice creamery and antique store for great taste in more ways than one.

This is a beautiful cafe with beautiful food. For many French bakeries the food is king, but here the ambience and the decor are on almost equal footing with the cakes, baguettes and croissants. Customers can sit in the elegant interior – notable for its Parisian decor, including antiques, mirrors, pendant lights, a glowing Eiffel Tower and an imposing chandelier above a communal round table – or outside. Sitting outside is equally inviting, with a relaxed vibe and views of Darlinghurst Road.

Another great thing about this place is that you’ll find it open all day, from 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Sunday.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chocolate croissant ($5.50)

Like all good cafes and bakeries, Labancz is one of those places where you feel like you’re in on a bit of a secret; just you and the locals.

But maybe not, because this excellent patisserie on Darling Street has been around for quite a few years. That’s a lot of great bread, pastries, muffins, coffee … and friendly service.

Hot tip: if you come by public transport and walk all the way from the Darling Street Ferry terminal, you can have an extra pastry and one more for the ferry trip home. It’s only right.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Fig & raisin loaf ($8)

We love the idea of a bakery or a cafe – or any other foodie hotspot – being a destination in itself. And so it is when you visit Croquembouche. That’s no slight on Botany of course – a suburb that offers more than a route to the airport or furniture outlets. Botany has the ocean, heritage, shopping, parks, history … and Croquembouche!

There’s a real sense of fun at this place, both the experience of visiting the patisserie and playfulness with food – like the love heart shortbread or the croquembouche – pyramid-shaped cakes made with profiteroles – in all their variations. Coffee drinkers and tea sippers are catered for, as is lunch if you need something savoury.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chocolate truffles assortment ($25)

Sydneysiders flock to this iconic patisserie in The Rocks with one goal: to sample some of Australia’s finest award-winning French pastries.

Affectionately known as “La Ren”, La Renaissance is a family-run French affair helmed by Jean Michel Raynaud, boasting over 40 years in the naughty but nice game.

Select from a delicious range of impeccable handcrafted pastries, cakes, macarons and tarts.

Go for a classic crème brûlée or chocolate éclair, or grab one of the 1000 soft, flakey almond croissants La Ren sells weekly.

Hankering after something savoury? The ham and cheese croissant is a cult favourite. Filled with a ham, cheese and herb bechamel, it’s baked until perfectly golden.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Raspberry and pistachio crumble tart ($8)

With a menu sporting over-the-top, decadent dessert creations, Madame & Yves is a modern spin on the French patisserie experience.

The brainchild of chef Yves Sherrer, this Clovelly local is an exploration of timeless French desserts spliced with an imaginative flair.

Step inside the white-tiled shop space and take a peek through the elegant glass counter. Choose from an inventive array of French tarts, croissants, cakes, brioche and eclairs.

Particularly peckish? Tackle the “eclairzilla”, a ginormous chocolate and cream eclair delight large enough to feed the entire family.

If that’s not enough to satisfy the sugary cravings, there’s a range of gelatos perfect for cooling down when summer hits after a swim at Clovelly beach.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chocolate & hazelnut entremets ($9)

In the city with a desire for delicious baked delights? Head to Lorraine’s Patisserie, a cosy slice of Paris tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD and satisfy that craving.

Named after owner and Sydney queen of French baked goods herself, Lorraine Godsmark, this patisserie offers a tantalising menu jam-packed with signature French pastry classics.

You can’t go wrong. Fall in love with a mouth-watering lineup of tarts, croissants, cakes, macaroons, brownies and sweet pies.

Go for a delicate and perfectly tangy lemon tart, or indulge in a moreish rhubarb pie with crunchy demerara sugar.

Or try the New York cheesecake – so good we declared it one of Sydney’s absolute must-try dishes!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Almond and cherry croissant ($7.50)