The Best Italian Pastry Shops in Sydney for a Decadent Treat
An Italian pasticceria is heaven on earth, so bookmark this round-up of the best Italian pastry shops in Sydney for when you want a fresh biscotti fix.
With biscotti, tantalising torte (cakes), and creamy cannoli on the shelves, it’s hard to stick to one dessert. In "Little Italy" – AKA Leichhardt and Haberfield – and beyond, standout pastry shops make your coffee break even sweeter.
Some are run by pastry prodigies, 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.
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 coffee and come Christmas, the panettone filled with Chantilly and chocolate makes for the perfect traditional Italian 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 is made even better with strawberries and a dollop of Nutella. Pasticceria Papa 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 the pastry che 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
Pasticceria Tamborrino
Pasticceria Tamborrino is a charming Italian patisserie in Sydney marrying innovation with traditional Italian pastry-making techniques. With a commitment to using only the finest ingredients, they're pros in sweet treats such as handmade biscuits, macarons and cakes.
The shop also services light lunches, including their famous arancini, focaccias, sausage rolls, spinach and cheese pastries, and homemade pies.
75 Great North Road, Five Dock
Fiore Bread
If you're looking for one of the best Italian bakeries in Sydney, a visit to Fiore Bread in McMahons Point is a must. This hole-in-the-wall joint on Blues Point Road serves simple, wholesome baked goods like sourdough bread, made-right-in-front-of-you sandwiches, and paninis.
For something sweet, try the cooked Italian donuts and whole freshly-baked cakes that make the perfect dessert for your next dinner party. In a word? Bellissimo!
129 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
Pasticceria Mancuso
Over in Croydon Park, 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.
147 Georges River Road, Croydon Park
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 cream cakes.
But their pride and joy is the ‘bazooka,’ a collection of cannoli wrapped in a giant cannoli, with a bow to boot. Talk about a crowd-pleaser!
Multiple locations across Sydney
Did you love our pick of the best Italian pastry shops in Sydney? Continue to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with a treat from our guide to our favourite croissants and bakeries in Sydney.
