Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Cockatoo Island

"A firm Sydney lunch favourite since opening, The Grounds of Alexandria has gone from strength to strength. This destination restaurant and café has a paddock-to-plate approach, and will have you munching down on the likes of buttermilk pancakes, Turkish-style eggs and toasted crumpets, or tempting you with the hearty Brekkie Burger served with a side of polenta chips. There is also a bakery churning out all kinds of delicious breads, muffins, cakes and tarts."

"The Grounds of Alexandria, is bursting with things to see, opening into a courtyard decorated with grapevines and greenery, garden beds of florals, vegetables and herbs, and is home to the resident pig, Harry Trotter, and his friendly farm animal crew. The Insta-worthy menu spans everything from avo toast to tender beef ragout and healthy "bowls" that can be served chilled just in time for Summer. And just try stop yourself from trying one of the show-stopper cakes – the Black Forest and Polenta and Pistachio cakes."

"Located in a former industrial precinct from the 1920s, The Grounds of Alexandria is a landmark coffee roastery, café, sustainable garden, and one of Instagram’s most tagged foodie destinations. You’ll be in for a wait so get in early, pop your name on the list, and pass the time wandering the artisan market until your table’s ready. Alternatively, try Alexandria’s younger, CBD-based sibling, The Grounds of the City."

"What makes it special: You’ll be surrounded by everything you love about food. From food in restaurants to food for take away, casual food sold at markets to organic food grown in the garden areas, it’s any foodie’s paradise!. From breakfast at The Café, fresh produce at The Garden, and a bar scene at The Potting Shed, the Grounds of Alexandria is an acre full of experiences."

"This Marrickville gem is a from-scratch café and bakery with a focus on organic produce. Chirilas says, “You can’t go past this one – the fact that it serves everything on Mud plates and bowls gets me every time.” The menu is Mediterranean-inspired with peperonata breakfast bruschetta and meze plates, along with healthy alternatives to a standard weekend fry-up. The beverage selection is thoughtfully crafted, with coffee sourced from nearby Microlot Coffee Roasters and house-made sticky chai, a raw honey-soaked spiced chai tea."

"It’s hard just getting your head around the fact that all the bread and pastries are made in-house every day at this winning Marrickville cafe. Enter through the open garage doors on Chapel St and be prepared for Insta-pretty dishes with flavours you’ll be thinking about all day. Take your pick from the sourdough crumpets with chilli-braised broad beans and straccitella or the chana dal breakkie bowl with flatbread and yoghurt."

"This ‘from-scratch’ café bakery on Marrickville’s Chapel Street is revered by locals for its handmade breads and pastries that even angels would fight over. Forever rotating their donut repertoire be sure to follow them on Instagram to make sure you’re up to speed on what’s on offer each day. We’re hankering for the lemon curd and violet meringue or the salted caramel cream cheese with crispy caramelised popcorn."

"Head to this trendy Chippendale spot for breakfast, no matter if you're alone and in the mood to people-watch, with a date, or getting together with a group of friends. European breads, pastries, and cakes are prepared in the on-site bakery, as are decadent treats like Persian love cakes and Portuguese custard tarts. For a more substantial meal, order avocado toast with pomelo, crab, and fresh herbs, or Turkish-stuffed eggplant with yogurt and mint."

"Sandwiches , Cafe/Bakery"

"If you’re vegan, stop and drop everything - we’ve just found a cafe that has graciously made life a little sweeter with playful desserts, donuts and a full brekkie and lunch menu that are all prepared with the best naturally gluten-free ingredients!. At Nutie, they are all about ‘having your cake and eating it too!. Find them at: 44 Holt St,Surry Hills | 13 Beattie St, Balmain"

"Built in 1805, Vaucluse House is quite extravagant and one of the remaining 19th-century mansions still surrounded by its original gardens and wooded grounds. Purchased in 1827 by William Charles Wentworth (yes, the very man who Wentworth and Wentworth Falls is named), he set about making the original cottage quite a statement with his partner Sarah Cox. However it was never completed and finding the front door is still quite a perplexing issue."

"Lone Pine Lawn at Vaucluse House is another beautiful garden wedding ceremony venue for those who love nature and want to have some old world charm with the Vaucluse House as the backdrop with the gardens. The estate is away from the busy city so you and your guests can feel like you’re in a different world without being too far away from home."

"Built between 1803 and 1839 in the Gothic Revival style, the Vaucluse House is a 19th-century estate surrounded by 11 hectares (28 acres) of formal gardens and grounds. It is one of the only remaining houses of the period that has retaining a significant part of its original setting."

"An important part of Sydney’s cultural fabric, the State Theatre has seen a lot since it opened in 1929. It has played host to red carpet premieres, traditional English pantomimes, and famous musical acts. The magnificent building includes elements of gothic, Italian and art deco styles."

"The State Theatre hosts loads of shows throughout the year ranging from musicals to comedies to burlesque so there’s something for everyone. As you’ll just be passing by, for now, make sure you take a look in at the beautiful art deco foyer."

"Tucked away in the inner-city suburb of Glebe, on the banks of Blackwattle Bay, this Sydney seafood institution is a must-visit. Panoramic views sweeping across the Anzac Bridge to the Sydney fish market are worth the visit alone, but combined with executive chef Colin Barker’s seasonal menu and long-time favourites such as the snapper pie, The Boathouse is one for the bucket list. 123 Ferry Rd, Glebe, boathouse.net.au"

"This haunt is a favourite for locals with a taste for the more refined flavours hailing from the land of Stars and Stripes. A sophisticated approach to share meals, the ‘Seed’ and ‘Feed’ options provide plenty of temptation; the buffalo style chicken skin with buttermilk ranch and dilly beans ($16) and fried oysters with Old Bay mayo ($26) leads into a hearty serve of poutine with beef shin, spring onion and beer cheese ($28). The smoked lamb ribs with sweet pickled peppers will be difficult to resist, and if deciding between dishes proves too trying, the $68 chef’s selection is safe territory."

"There is no denying Hartsyard's heritage; it is palpably American in taste, substance and style. As soon as you push open the glass door, the smell of hickory smoked pork greets you with open arms. You'd be forgiven for thinking you had mistakenly stumbled across a classic American backyard cook-out, but that's what’s beautiful about this Newtown newcomer."

"Plating here is a little fancier, the pricing is a little pricier, but the food is well worth the funds. Look at those biscuits and gravy!. Must try: Beyond their notorious desserts, their fried chicken is a definite must."

"If you’re hankering for dumplings, this restaurant offers some pretty sweet deals, all available for takeaway. 📍 Taste of Shanghai, 100 Burwood Rd, Burwood NSW 2134"