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Subscribe The Best of Sydney with Sweet Treat Extraordinaire, Cherilynn Yap
This International Women’s Day, we’re touring our capital cities through the lens of the local women who inspire us. For Sydney, that means a chat with beloved baker and business-owner, Cherilynn Yap (AKA Cherry’s Goods).
If the name rings a bell, chances are you’ve double-tapped one of her famously thick, gooey cookies mid-scroll. Since launching Cherry’s Goods in 2025, Yap has built a cult following for her generously stuffed treats, from the viral pistachio butter cookies to her signature crookies (an irresistible croissant-cookie hybrid) and dessert-leaning matcha drinks. Unsurprisingly, sweet-toothed Sydney has been snapping these up, leading to permanent locations in Macquarie Centre and The Galeries.
Alongside the continued success of Cherry’s Goods, she also owns Bondi café Upsouth and recently took over Kaska in Darlinghurst. Safe to say she’s booked, busy and undeniably one of the city’s most exciting hospitality entrepreneurs to watch.
We managed to steal a few minutes from Cherry’s very full schedule to talk about the Sydney she loves and the women who continue to inspire her.
Hello! Starting at the beginning, where is your go-to breakfast spot in Sydney? Maybe a local hidden gem you almost don’t want to share?
Totally unbiased – Kaska Eatery (in Darlinghurst)! Our Chicken Congee with our house-made chilli oil *chef’s kiss*.
Is there an underrated dinner spot you think more people should know about?
Costi’s or the fish burger from Out of the Blue!
What’s your idea of a perfect date spot in your area?
Costi’s takeaway at our secret picnic spot – the tucked-away corners of Nielsen Park! It’s calm, the water is crystal clear, and if you go a little further from the main beach, you can find grassy patches that feel almost private. Sunset there is chef’s kiss!
Is there a spot in Sydney that you’d love to gatekeep but can’t?
A spot I’d love to gatekeep but can’t is Paddington, especially on a Saturday morning when the markets are on. The streets are so pretty, the boutiques are elite, and it somehow feels a little slower and more European than the rest of Sydney.
What’s your ultimate favourite suburb in Sydney?
It has to be Surry Hills, it’s that perfect mix of café culture, creative energy and terrace-house charm. You can get a genuinely good coffee on almost every corner, and it still feels walkable and intimate even though it’s so central.
Do you have a favourite local walk?
Not the most scenic, but I actually love walking around the city! People watching and being around the hustle and bustle excites me!
Is there a local woman-owned business you love supporting?
Kairos Collective – the comfiest girl’s active wear. and the owners behind it are truly some of the most genuine women I know!
Would you be able to share a bit about a woman that inspires you?
Melanie Perkins, the CEO of Canva. She graduated not long before me and also studied the same elective unit as me called Entrepreneurship at my university. I’ve always dreamed of following in her footsteps, I tried applying for an internship when I moved to Sydney but never got noticed. She’s overall such a badass and cool girl boss. Her story is just super inspiring.
What would you say is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My Mum has always told me that everyone has different strengths, so double down on your strengths and don’t stress about your weaknesses.
What do you value most about womanhood?
I love the softness that isn’t weakness. The intuition. The ability to read a room in 3.5 seconds. The unspoken solidarity.
You can discover more about Cherry’s Goods here.
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