Newtown and Darlinghurst, two of Sydney’s coolest suburbs, are known for their vibrant café cultures and delicious sweet treat offerings.
Newtown is known as one of the most colourful, cool, and eclectic suburbs in Sydney’s inner-west, while Darlinghurst is an inner-city suburb that has long been an epicentre of art, culture, pubs and wine bars. Both suburbs have long, rich histories as some of the first settlements of New South Wales, and they attract creative types who love food, art and culture.
Newtown shops and restaurants cater for locals and university students, while Darlinghurst is a high-energy, funky suburb with a multitude of multicultural restaurants and cocktail bars. Both areas are known for their unique restaurants, cafés, and bakeries, so next time you find yourself looking for a mid-day break or a morning pick-me-up, check these places out.
Best bakeries in Newtown
Newtown has some of Sydney’s finest bakeries, with one local fave being Black Star Pastry. It’s renowned for its special order cakes, and the owners are proud to be the home of what they call the ‘world’s most Instagrammed cake’ – aka, the strawberry watermelon cake (pictured above).
Another popular Newtown bakery is Bakerman Patisserie, which prides itself on great coffee and fresh-as-they-come flaky, buttery croissants. It’s also known for its Aussie pies, sausage rolls, quiches, and deliciously wicked breakfasts. Try one of its croissants stuffed with smokey bacon, and hash browns lashed with maple barbecue sauce. When it comes to sweet treats, you can’t go past its chocolate brownies, and the range of cupcakes and cookies that is always changing.
Bourke Street Bakery is one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations for lovers of sourdough and artisan breads baked daily, and its ninth store has now opened in Newtown, much to the delight of locals.
Although known for its savoury pies, sausage rolls and ham and cheese crossties, the menu of sweet treats will have you salivating. Try a rhubarb or pear danish, or its iconic pain au chocolat, and in the months before easter, Newtown is filled with the scent of the hot cross buns rising in the ovens.
For something truly unique, check out Azuki Bakery Newtown, which fuses Japanese and Australian cuisines in a bakery like no other. Sweet toothed guests will swoon over its Heart Strawberry Cake, with Belgian Chocolate and dark cherry mousse. There is always something quirky on offer, and this cool bakery is famous for its matcha cakes, breads and drinks.
Moving over to the delicious bakeries of Darlinghurst
Located just outside of Darlinghurst in Surry Hills, A.P House has an iconic bakery of the same name: A.P Bakery. This rooftop bakery has strawberry and cream buns to swoon over, brioche pull-apart loaves, and even croissant-flavoured gelato and espresso.
If you’re in the mood for a savoury option, check out the “McA.P.py meal,” aka a chicken, egg, and cheese breakfast muffin. Enjoy your favourite breakfast treat while you take in the urban sprawl of cool terrace house rooftops.
Another crowd-pleaser is the St. Honoré Bakery Edgecliff. Be sure to stop by this quaint café near Darlinghurst for splendid pies and pastries that will melt in your mouth. It is known for awesome almond croissant, but all of its baked goods are fresh and affordable. For those after something larger and more filling, there’s a Monday hot lunch special, where curries are sold at a great price.
Known for its panna cotta lamingtons, Flour and Stone has a unique range of pastries, and a signature Lemon Drizzle cake – a must-try lemon and almond cake with zesty lemon icing. It’s so popular you could say it walks out the door.
Best cafés in Newtown
Newtown’s café scene is world famous. Morning bowls of lentil and rive salads with avo, zucchini and corn ribs salads, mortadella bagels, avocado and eggplant toasts, breakfast rolls, tofu scrambles, deli hoagies, you name it, and Soulmate Coffee has it! And its coffee menu and smoothie menu is also impressive. There’s many a reason this café usually draws a crowd.
Another beauty in Newtown is the Rising Sun Workshop – Sydney’s only DIY workshop and restaurant. One half of this space is available to those with an appointment to work on their motorcycle.
Rising Sun Workshop supplies the tools you may need to work on your bike, and when you get hungry, the other half of the building has been transformed into a modern ramen restaurant. There are ramen breakfast dishes, brunch options, and a lunch menu. Try the gazpacho-inspired ramen bowl or start your day with a breakfast ramen loaded with tomatoes, bacon, and an egg.
Rolling Penny Café is a Newtown treasure that boasts many vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Their generous menu offers a wide range of meals, ranging from smoked trout to ‘the best brekky roll in Newtown.’
Pastizzi Café’s iconic caramelised onion and ricotta pastizzi is always on offer as its in high demand, and its pasta dishes – such as the sweet crab and prawn linguini – have been attracting crowds for years. Outdoor seating means guests can linger longer in the warm weather on summer nights.
Darlinghurst cafés offer Newtown’s some tough competition
The Sandoitchi Café is a one-of-a-kind Japanese restaurant in Darlinghurst offering fresh sandwiches (sando in Japanese, and they are typically made with milk bread), such as the prawn and chicken gyoza menchi sando, or the Japanese grape sando. Pair your meal with a signature matcha latte, Japanese plum juice, or date smoothie.
Stop Valve Espresso and Bar is a hidden gem in the heart of Darlinghurst that’s always packed with locals who are serious about their coffee in the mornings, and a fine wine or craft beer in the afternoon. Whether you’re craving a chicken caesar salad wrap or a pulled pork roll with apple slaw, Stop Valve’s mouth-watering menu has you covered, and the staff only source the very best produce available.
Theeca is housed in a character-filled sandstone building in Darlinghurst, with indoor and popular outside seating. It’s known for great chicken and avo sandwiches and toast offerings (simply pick your topper), and the tasty fish burgers. Its iconic buttermilk pancakes with jam and crème fraiche or crispy bacon and fried eggs are reason enough to visit, and bring your furry friends along with you, as dogs are very welcome. It’s also a bar at night and they host long table lunches and dinners.
Whether you find yourself hungry for a sweet treat or in need of a caffeinated pick-me-up over lunch, you can’t go wrong in Darlinghurst or Newtown. As for which is the best? We’ll let you decide!
Looking for more foodie recommendations in Sydney? Check out the best Thai restaurants here!
