Sydney’s Darling Street cuts through the iconic inner-west suburbs of Balmain and Rozelle. Originally an industrial hub, Balmain transformed over time, and as industry moved out, trendy cafes, galleries and bookshops moved in.

Darling Street in Sydney starts in the inner-west suburb of Rozelle. From there, it snakes past terraced houses and small businesses teeming with activity until it reaches Sydney Harbour and the Balmain East Wharf, where passengers board ferries bound for the city.

On the street you’ll find horn-tooting drivers making their way between pedestrian-lined footpaths. A quick scan of the locals will find a baguette clutched under an arm here, a tray of macarons cradled there, and melting gelato running down fingers everywhere.

Home to some of the most famous patisseries, gelatarias and bakeries in New South Wales, Darling Street demands a stroll.

1/ Bourke Street Bakery

Okay, so technically Bourke Street Bakery isn’t on Darling Street but it’s only just around the corner on cross street Booth Street. The bakery in Balmain has its origins in a little corner bakery in Surry Hills that opened its doors 10 years ago.

It’s since gone on to be one of the most famous bakeries in Sydney, with stores now in Alexandria, Banksmeadow, Barangaroo, Kirawee, Marrickville, Neutral Bay, Newtown, North Sydney, Parramatta and, of course; Booth Street, Balmain.

On the shelves you’ll find a range of sourdough and specialty artisan breads (think apple, raisin and cinnamon; and fennel, raisin and sour cherry) along with pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, salads and pastries.

Our pick: Ginger Brulee Tart

2/ Bakers Delight

The demand for fresh bread is so strong on Darling Street there’s not one, but two Bakers Delight stores: one up the Zumbo end in Balmain and the other just a few doors down from C’est Bon in Rozelle.

Roger and Lesley Gillespie along with Gary Stephenson opened the first Bakers Delight in Hawthorn, Melbourne in 1980. The brand now has more than 700 stores across Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand, including the two on Darling Street.

Known for their block loaves, scrolls and sweet buns, the success of Bakers Delight doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.

Our pick: Hi-Fibre Low-GI white block loaf

3/ Zumbo Patisserie

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of Adriano Zumbo. The pastry chef is known for his macarons, and shot to fame when his towering croquembouche took centre stage on television show Master Chef.

His French-inspired patisseries have now popped up all over Sydney (Circular Quay, Macquarie, Chatswood, The Star, Queen Victoria Building) and Melbourne (Doncaster, Emporium Melbourne, South Yarra) but it’s the teeny tiny Darling Street store where it all began in 2007.

The Darling Street store delivers Zumbo’s inventive cakes as well as artisan breads and pastries.

Our pick: Zumbarons

 
PHOTO CREDIT: James Horan; Destination NSW

4/ San Antonio Sourdough Bakery on Darling

San Antonio, owned by Tony Morgan, is known for its yeast-free sourdough bread, café-style meals, cakes, pastries and tarts. The name reflects Tony’s Italian and Egyptian heritage.

Like so many shops on Darling Street, San Antonio Sourdough Bakery is great for people-watching. There’s seating inside and on the street, where you can take in Darling Street along with a cuppa and treat (think apple crumble, rhubarb tart or chocolate caramel kiss) before taking a loaf of freshly baked sourdough home with you.

Tony also runs San Antonio Bakery in the north shore suburb of Kirribilli and at Eastern Suburb’s beach Coogee.

Our pick: Any sourdough loaf

5/ Darling Gelato

Wedged between terraced houses is a little dessert shop you won’t want to miss. Darling Gelato, as the name suggests, serves up fresh gelato from the Darling Street store right in the middle of Balmain.

Along with gelato, the shop is also known for its range of Italian desserts. On the menu you’ll find your classics (pistachio, stracciatella, Ferrero Rocher) but also a lava truffle gelato, which you can get in Nero (chocolate and hazelnut), Bianco (panna cotta and coffee) or Pistachio (pistachio and chocolate).

You’ll also find tiramisu in different flavour variations plus, if you’re already sweet enough, you can pick up a toasted sandwich.

Darling Gelato also serves Pellini Top coffee and a large range of tea including Masala Chai; and Liquorice, Peppermint and Fennel.

Our pick: Pistachio Tiramisu

6/ C’est Bon

C’est Bon (which means it’s good) is a Parisian-style patisserie that dishes up French and German pastries and meals. On the menu you’ll find cakes, pastries, pies, coffee and take-home meals such as duck a l’orange and beef bourguignon.

There is seating in C’est Bon but you might have to tackle a local to get one. If you do find a seat, C’est Bon is the sort of place you can settle into. A ganache tart and a latte is the perfect accompaniment to people watching, especially if you sit out the front where you get the best view of the comings and goings of the street.

Our pick: Pear and Almond Tart

7/ Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates

Not every street is lucky enough to have its own fine chocolate store but then again, not every street is Darling Street. The fourth generation chocolate-makers at Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates create different chocolates every day in over 60 varieties.

They’re known for their traditional Belgian-style fresh cream chocolates in flavours like Peach Melba, and Salted Caramel as well as unusual creations such as Wasabi, and Beetroot. There aren’t any preservatives in these chocolates so you’ll have to eat them straight away—what a shame!

Belle Fleur opened in 1984 after the owners started making chocolate from home. Now, in addition to Darling Street, they have a second store in Petersham and they also supply airlines, hotels, boardrooms, and gourmet shops and cafes.

Our pick: Fresh lime and Cointreau

8/ Bellingen Gelato

Bellingen Gelato began its life, aptly enough, in Bellingen—a town in northern New South Wales. In 2012, the Bellingen store won the Grand Championship prize at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show for their stewed plum sorbet.

This success prompted the second store, which opened on Darling Street in Rozelle in 2014.

The team here use real ingredients with distinct flavours you’ll recognise. They also develop their recipes from scratch, using ingredients such as Dutch Cocoa, Belgian chocolate, pure vanilla, fruit and nuts.

In the freezer you’ll find good old favourites such as Vanilla, Rum and Raisin, and Tiramisu alongside Bellingen Gelato creations like Persian Date, Burnt Orange Marmalade, and Chai.

Our pick: It’s a tie between Mascarpone & Lemon and Wang Dang Doodle (burnt caramel, honeycomb and dark chocolate)

9/ Labancz Patisserie

Labancz Patisserie is a little shop that packs a big punch. Down the Rozelle end of Darling Street, the boulangerie opens its timber French doors six days a week, letting the aroma of freshly baked goods waft onto passers-by.

Opened by Pierre Labancz in 2012, the boulangerie is famous for its French breads and pastries that are handcrafted and baked onsite.

Pierre is a bit of a rockstar in Balmain and locals rave about the French pastries that line the shelves. Also available are sourdough, baguettes, croissants, pies and tarts to die for.

Our pick: Croissant