Pastry Heaven

With further ado, let's just dive into flaky, buttery, sugary, fluffy heaven.

VIC

Bibelot — 285-287 Coventry St, South Melbourne

Pronounced 'bib-loh' — and literally meaning a small object of curiosity, beauty or desire — Bibelot is not just a dessert boutique; it's an artisanal patisserie, gelateria, coffee bar, chocolate shop and high tea salon. Yep, you'd die here if you could. Handcrafted bon bons, macarons and pretty much pastry-everything. We refuse to leave.

Cobb Lane — 13 Anderson St, Yarraville

Matt Forbes sure knows a thing or two about sweets. In fact, when you pay his cafe and artisan bakery a visit you'll realise that's, like, a huge understatement. This dude is a pastry pro. His kouign-amann is so buttery, layery, sugary and godly you will likely become an angel after you eat it. Don't even get us started about the donuts.

T By LuxBite — 2/517 Flinders Ln, CBD

So many tarts, so little time! Seriously, this place makes you want a career in professional tart testing. Everything here is on a whole new level: the pastry, the selection, the avant-garde take on all things sweet. They even have an emoji tart. Yep, a smiley face flan filled with mango, yoghurt and lime syrup-soaked, white chocolate sponge.

Lune Croissanterie — 119 Rose St, Fitzroy (opening soon)

They've closed up their Elwood shop but not before they built up quite the reputation for being the go-to for croissants (the proof was in the frequent queues out the door and the fact they'd sell out of everything before most people woke up on the weekend). And their cruffins — lemon curd, PB&J, jam and cream?! Hold us.  

NSW

La Banette Patisserie — 12 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Did someone say pastry filled with a rich chocolate ganache adorned with a caramalised fig and raspberries? Did someone say order the chocolate fig tart because it is the best, most scrumptious dessert ever? Oh, our mistake; we did. Do yourself a favour — this treat is darn good. You're welcome.

Labancz Patisserie Boulangerie — 719 Darling St, Rozelle
Buttery, flaky, freshly baked croissants — screw the calories, we want the lot! Thanks to Pierre Labancz we get to go to France just by gazing at the goodies in his glass cabinet. Royally treat yourself with an almond croissant or the fruit galette. Oh la la, c'est delicieux!

Penny Fours — 141 Norton St, Leichhardt

Craving something sweet? Head to Sydney's little Italy and get your fix — pastry chef Penelope Ransley has you sorted. Try the maple sticky buns. Try the apricot danish. Try the salted macadamia tart and the lemon meringue one too. Try everything — and don't be a fool: wear some comfy pants.

Bourke Street Bakery — 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills

Of course you know it — everyone does. But we couldn't not include it. Don't be disheartened about the queue outside the tiny treasure though: the line moves pretty quick and there's an added bonus: a huge tray of baked goods is making its way out of the oven. If there's a fresh ginger creme brulee tart awaiting you, it's your lucky day.

QLD

Emily's Sweet Treat — 2b/730 Sandgate Rd, Clayfield

The name says it all: sweet treats galore. Definitely worth the short drive out of the CBD to visit this cafe/patisserie. Think freshly baked artisan pastries and sweets like croissants, macarons, tarts and cruffins. Yep, we said cruffins. Salted caramel, blackberry cheesecake, Nutella and banoffee cruffins. Mmmmm.

Les Folies de Paris — 97 Kenningo St, Spring Hill

More than just Monsieur Macaron (although macarons are their signature style and are finger-lickin' good), this inner city gem does pastry pretty darn well too. Probably because they're all about anything sugary and French. Our favourite: the eclairs. Oh, the eclairs! Devour them in pistachio, vanilla, coffee, strawberry and, of course, chocolate.

Chouquette — 1/19 Barker St, New Farm

Gourmandises et du bon pain. We're not French, but we're backing the founder, Lara Sample, on this: the chefs here are artists and creators of fine food. Translation: everything that comes out of this kitchen is bloody yum. Pig out on le rendez-vous; a very light, flaky pastry filled with praline mousse and chocolate-covered nougat in the middle. Bon appetit!

Sweet Crumbs — 2/489 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove

Your salivation levels will go nuts when you suss the range of treats these guys have. Raspberry frangipani tarts, edible flowers and pastry slices that look like mini sandwiches staked on top of each other. Seriously. Layers of cream, custard, berries and enough icing sugar to skyrocket your blood sugar to the best level possible. We're drooling.