I'm a foodie, NOT a shopper!…read more After walking around Sydney's CBD, we visited the famous Queen Victoria Building, a late 19th-century Romanesque Revival marketplace that is now a shopping mall filled with high-end boutiques and eateries. We crossed George Street to The Strand, where we were in search of the world-famous patisserie, Black Star Pastry. Although I don't use IG or FB, I heard about Black Star Pastry's Strawberry Watermelon Cake while reading an old New York Times article about this Australian patisserie, which declared this signature cake and most-requested cake as "The World's Most Instagrammed Cake." So, I made Black Star Pastry a destination during our pre-cruise stay in Sydney. We followed the directions posted on The Strand's directory to Black Star Pastry and ogled the artistically and attractively decorated cakes while zeroing in on the Strawberry Watermelon cake slices lined up next to the Raspberry Lychee and Mango Yuzu cake slices. Honestly, all of the cake slices looked lusciously delicious, but our taste buds were craving a refreshing slice of Strawberry Watermelon. We selected the cake slice, and the amicable countergirl neatly packaged it and asked if we needed eating utensils. Of course, we needed and wanted eating utensils as we dreamed about digging into the cake at their dining counter right away. My husband rushed me to finish taking photos, and he jabbed his fork into the tender yet juicy cake. Before I knew it, he unassembled the cake slice to reveal a fresh-cut slice of juicy, ripe, and sweet watermelon, light rose-scented cream, tender cake, and was topped with fragrant rose petals and fresh strawberries. He claimed it would be easier to eat because the cake slice was about 3" high and looked like it would've toppled when pierced from top to bottom. Yeah, it was HIS "thing" about eating this cake, I decided to take a bit of the top layer, then a small slice of the watermelon bottom layer together. It truly was refreshing, light, and not overly sugary. The lightness and flavors of this cake seemed like it might have been low-cal, but even if it wasn't, who cares when you're on vacation?!

Came here to try the most instagrammed cake, the watermelon cake. I thought it was good. It wasn't…read moreoverly sweet and not dry. I would recommend to try a small slice. Lines aren't too bad and it goe by quick!

HOLE IN THE WALL! If you love cheesecake, this is a must visit! They have other pastries/desserts…read morebut the cheesecake is what I think they're known for. Simple, moist, smooth with the right hint of lemon/lime. It was perfection!

Our friends in Sydney bought us take away from Lorraine's because they think this is the best…read morebakery in Sydney! We had the mascarpone cake which was a pleasant sensation of texture and flavours. Mascarpone layers interlaced with coconut crisps (not quite crispy anymore since we had ours takeaway) and the strawberry slices came together to deliver a great combination. The cheesecake totally blew me away! Bear in mind that I had this takeaway at least 2 days after it was bought. Even then, the cheesecake slice was still beautifully moist and smooth. With just a hint of lemon/lime, the cheesecake delivered a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess! Cookies from Lorraine's were really good too! So so so glad our friends bought us these takeaway as I will definitely be looking it up next time I'm back in Sydney!!! Two thumbs up!!!

BEST BREAKFAST! My friend ordered the ham and cheese croissant and had them warm it up. I ordered…read morethe Infinity Croissant with maple bacon and scrambled eggs with cheese and it was SO SO DELICIOUS! I highly recommend ordering something they make. You will not regret it!

I've seen my fair share of beautiful bakeries, but this one may be one of the top so far!…read more It's not just that the food on display looks perfect, it's also a really refreshing and imaginative collection. I'll name just some of the things on show- sumptuous squares of marshmallow, multi-coloured macaroons, delicate meringues, baby chocolate mousse cones, flourless chocolate cake and champagne infused trifle. Wow. There were even gold-leaf decorated cakes and a Sydney specific one called the 'The Opera Cake,' like it! There's a whole load of blurb about the founder of this bakery, and it's sister one in Woolloomooloo, which includes the words 'Masterchef' and 'award winning,' so you know you're in safe hands with this one. Though I have to mention the amusingly teenage shop assistant! Amongst all this baked finery he sat there looking ever so 'too cool for school' texting away on his phone during my entire visit! Clearly he's not as caught up in the whole thing as I was! Expensive? Hell yes, but if you're into patisseries this shouldn't be missed.

Only two items worth mentioning here…read more.. 1) Flat White 2) Almost Croissant You're welcome.

The Croissants just average. But loved my origina and the selection of patisserie's The are @ an…read moreanother level. Svc was nicer and quieter in the pm. Vs am Svc. Very busy and a line to get In. Very Parisian atmosphere outside. !! Definitely go for the ambiance w the Sydney vibe and energy

I stopped by their location after a morning run, I was feeling peckish so I ordered the egg and…read morebacon quiche. It was warm and a fair size, not bad for less than $7! It's a mostly grab and go type of shop however there are a few outdoor tables around the space if you're lucky enough to snag one.

We were in town for a few days and wanted to sample some meet pies. This place was recommended for…read morethe area so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is on a corner and is really set up for takeout orders. We chose to eat there and were able to snag one of the few tables outside. The restaurant is very busy so it's best to know what you want when getting to the order counter. We tried the Classic Beef pie and one that had beer, beef and mash. Both were actually quite tasty. We tried them with and without sauce (sauce is on the side). I liked the sauce - not a ketchup (or tomato sauce as the Aussies call it) but close to it - my wife did not. The pies were quite flavorful and tasty and we were pleased both the the quality and the speed of service.

This cafe deserve full star recommendation. I'm giving this…read morecafe 5 stars because: 1. The are famous for their cheese cake, and the pastry that I've tried today... it was out of this world. My Apple turn over was nicely glazed, sweet and slightly tanginess from the apple, which I assumed Granny Smith apple, cooked to perfections, still have a bite to it and ration between pastry and feeling, just right. 2. They served a good coffee, everything is just perfect, form the caffeine dosage through the perfect milk temperature. 3. Quick service, friendly and come with smile. Efficient service even though cafe was busy at 11.30pm, well done! Keep up good work guys!

DON'T BUY THE CAKE!!! I ordered a cake online because it…read moresupposed to be a nice shinny marble style looking cake. But then it became honeycomb with many holes when I picked it up. I request to change another but all the staff (4 staff include the chef) insisted that it is the one and refused to do anything. Even the chef said it's normal to look like that!! Also the staff just took it in n out to show to their colleagues, finally they damaged all the edge of my cake and just repack it and pass to me. Also they just deleted my comment form Facebook. What a service ! They "USED TO BE" nice patisserie that I purchased for almost every celebration in the past. Don't buy Unless you expect the cake won't look the same as you order. Otherwise, never in the future.

What a great bakery. Everything a bakery should be - fresh, plenty of variety and even better if…read morethe price is outstanding. Now I am a sweet tooth but I have made a promise not to buy anymore donuts, cinnamon scrolls or apple Danish pastries as I am trying to loose weight. The bread is fresh and plenty of types available - you can ask them to slice it for you as well. My favourite bakery item is their quiches! For only $4.70 you can eat a Spinach Quiche Lorraine. Just ask the server to reheat the quiche as they are served cold. Highly recommend this bakery.

This cute little patisserie opened up only a few months ago, and fortunately (or not?) for me it's…read moredangerously close to where I live. I've gone many many times and keep going back. Their basic croissants are some of the best of the city, and definitely one of the very rare "real French croissants" you can get this far from the super trendy suburbs of Sydney. Their other pastries keep changing and it feels like the variety increases every time I go have a look. Raspberry danishes, almond-chocolate croissants, rhubarb and strawberry foldeovers and much more. They also do sandwiches, quiches and I've seen meat pies too, so even those without a sweet tooth will find something good to eat. And coffee - it's good to finally have another decent brand of coffee in the neighbourhood, and I've always been happy with my lattes.

Their cakes are positively wicked. A very dangerous shop to have nearby...They even cater for those…read moreon gluten free diets which is greatly appreciated.

Delicious cakes & pastries.... We had the chocolate ricotta cannoli, mini apple tart & piece of the…read morericotta choc chip baked cake & they were all tasty, fresh & moorish!! Will be back for coffee & snack As an inner-westy, I am used up having a good pasticceria nearby. So happy these guys have opened up in the East. Friendly Roman service, aaah Bella Italia in RB!!