Adelaide's best bakeries, sweet treats we've found 25 of the best
IT'S the perfect time of year to head out for a drive or stroll in the sunshine and we've found 25 places across Adelaide worth sneaking into for a delicious sweet treat — or two.
School Holidays
Don't miss out on the headlines from School Holidays. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT'S the perfect time of year to head out for a drive or a stroll in the sunshine and we've found 25 places across Adelaide worth sneaking into for a delicious sweet treat.
Our reporters have been given the enviable task of checking out bakeries in their local beat to find the best sweet treats on offer across the metropolitan area.
The mouth-watering results speak for themselves — they look so good!
IN THE CITY
Handsome and the Duchess, 16 McHenry St
We recommend: Lemon meringue pie
WITH its narrow entry off a side street, this cafe is an easy one to miss if you’re not paying attention. Look up and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best pastries and cakes you can poke a fork at. Owner Syed Haider previously ran Taste Baguette — another great city bakery that deserves a mention — and has been here catering to city workers’ 3pm slumps since March. The lemon meringue pie is one of the best around. Also try the chocolate pecan cheesecake, Persian love cake and the giant macaroons.
Remy and Violette, 206 Hutt St
We recommend: Chocolate salted caramel triangle tart
DECORATED with floral arrangements, tarnished teapots and a mint green colour palette, this French patisserie is one gorgeous spot. Just as beautiful, is the display fridge full of tarts in all sizes and flavours, such as praline, passionfruit and lemon curd. Owner Jess Todd took over the bakery earlier this year after original owner Aurelie Maldague moved back to Europe. Ms Todd comes from Jenny’s Bakery (and now come to think of it I do remember her from there, she made the BEST coffee) and this is her first time running her own business. She makes about 40 tarts each day and they’re all Aurelie’s original recipes. The salted caramel triangle tart ($4) is heavenly. Made with Callebaut chocolate, it’s not too sweet and has a bit of crunch on top. There are gluten free versions, too.
Market St, 11 Market St
We recommend: Cruffin
CINNAMON sugar is so damn delicious it could make a piece of cardboard edible. Don’t do that though. The Market St cruffin, from the owners behind Central Market stalls Say Cheese/Smelly Cheese Shop/Dough, is incredible from start to finish, so the joy doesn’t leave when the sugar does. Freshly baked each day, this croissant/muffin hybrid is a decadent treat with its soft inside pastry and crunchy coating. Other goods include strawberry tarts, chocolate eclairs and almond croissants. One of the best coffee spots in the city, too.
Abbots and Kinney, 78 Pirie St
We recommend: Sfogliatelle,
WHENEVER pastry chef Jonny Pisanelli posts on Facebook that the “sfogs” are out of the oven, people lose their damn minds. Dusted with icing sugar and filled with ricotta and candied orange rind, these Italian delicacies fly out the door each day, so get in quick. The Australian’s food reviewer John Lethlean has even raved about these. Everything Jonny makes is gold, from the almond croissants and danishes to the custard-filled cornetti. He also makes great coffee — which is kind of a necessity when devouring pastry.
Red Door Bakery, 19 Grenfell St
We recommend: Salted caramel brick
CITY slickers were praising the carb lords above when this popular suburban bakery opened its third outlet in the CBD about four months ago. With lines out the door almost every day, the hype hasn’t died down yet. That’s because the baked goods here are simply superb. Googly-eyed groups stand in lines deliberating over what to choose, which takes a while because there are so many choices. Eclairs, danishes, tarts, croissants ... how do you pick? Start with the salted caramel brick, I say. It’s one of the bakery’s most beloved treats.
— compiled by Sophie Perri
IN THE SOUTH
The Cottage Bakery, 196 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
We recommend: Blueberry vanilla slice
IF you are after a vanilla slice with a difference, head to McLaren Vale’s The Cottage Bakery.
Owner Mel Harge says “you’ll feel twice as nice after our vanilla slice”. Their secret is a layer of blueberries on top of the custard, topped off with coconut icing. The blueberry vanilla slice is the store’s best seller, followed closely by custard tarts. The bakery also offers a gluten-free range. The store’s service also comes with a smile, which has seen it nominated for a customer service award in the McLaren Vale Regional Awards. The blueberry vanilla slice sells for $4.80.
CJ’s Bakery, 39C Beach Rd, Christies Beach
We recommend: Chocolate doughnut, finger buns
THIS Christies Beach bakery is known for luring tradies through its doors with freshly-baked chocolate doughnuts. Baker Andrew Sutton says some workers even make a special trip to Christies Beach just for the sweet treat.
“The tradies would know what’s best I guess and they all really love them,” Mr Sutton says.
The chocolate doughnut won a second prize at the SA’s Excellence in Baking Awards this year. Other award-winning items include the bakery’s finger buns and fruit and mince pies — both took out second prize at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show.
Chocolate doughnuts cost $2.90 and finger buns $2.40.
Home Grain Bakery, 13 Old Coach Rd, Aldinga
We recommend: Vanilla slice, kitchener bun
IT seems not many people can go past this bakery without picking up a vanilla slice with the bakery selling more than 100 each day from its stores at Aldinga and McLaren Flat.
Home Grain Bakery owner Toff West says the sweet treats speak for themselves.
“The customers love it,” he said.
And the secret? Mr West reckons it is the fact the cakes are made “100 per cent” with locally-produced Fleurieu Milk Company cream and milk, topped off with buttercream frosting.
Another popular treat from this bakery is the kitchener bun which is made with Beerenberg Farm jam and fresh cream. “We’re pretty focused on helping to build strong local communities so we try and use as many local supplies as we can,” Mr West says.
The vanilla slice and kitchener bun both cost $4.60.
Bakehouse on Collins, Shop 5, 77 Collins Parade, Hackham
We recommend: Lamington, chocolate doughnut
IF you want a lamington from this bakery, pick your time wisely. They try and keep their sweet treats varied so they only bring lamingtons out every few months. Owner Agnieszka Kendrick says this “gives something for people to look forward to”. And they must be good, because they’ve just taken out first place at the Royal Adelaide Show. But the bakery’s number one seller is the chocolate doughnut, followed closely by cream products, such as turnovers, kitchener buns and honey logs, baked daily and with fresh cream.
Lamingtons cost $2.20, or you can buy a pack of four for $8. Doughnuts cost $2.40.
Seaford Homestyle Bakery, Shop 12 Seaford Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Seaford
We recommend: Lemon meringue, doughnut
THIS bakery branched out as a cafe about two years ago and has since been experimenting with its sweets range. Co-owner Tamara Page says among the top sellers are plain doughnuts and lemon meringue cakes.
“Some people say they’re the best they’ve ever tasted,” Ms Page says.
“But we’re still broadening our range and now we do our own cheesecakes, red velvet cakes and lemon meringues, which have been selling really well.”
Plain doughnuts are $2.40 and a lemon meringue cake costs $4.80.
— compiled by Erin Jones
IN THE NORTH
Salisbury Bakery, Shop 1, 63 John St, Salisbury
We recommend: Cream apple turnover
AN all-time favourite for any pastry lover, the cream apple turnover will leave your mouth watering — and Salisbury Bakery does a mean cream apple turnover. The wonderfully-crisp puff pastry is filled with sweet whipped cream and apple chunks that have been sauteed in brown sugar. It is the perfect companion for a warm coffee on a cold day, or iced coffee on a slightly warmer day. Cream apple turnover: $3.20.
Michel’s Patisserie, Shop 8, 9-15 Main St, Mawson Lakes
We recommend: Napoleon slice
If French cuisine is more your thing, then why not bite down on one of Michel’s Patisserie Napoleon slices? Known to the French as a mille-feuille, this slice comprises three layers of puff pastry which alternates with two layers of cream. The top layer is then glazed with vanilla and chocolate icing, beautifully presented in an artistic-like manner. Napoleon slice: $4.80.
Bryce’s Bakery, Shop 73, Elizabeth Way, Elizabeth
We recommend: Waffles and ice cream
BRYCE’S Bakery in Elizabeth Shopping Centre is a goldmine for sweet treats, but what really stands out on the menu is the waffles and ice cream. The two waffles are toasted to perfection, accompanied by two scoops of vanilla ice cream, a generous drizzle of warm banana sauce and dusted with icing sugar. It’s a winner in our eyes. Waffles and ice cream: $5.90.
Sunrise Baker, Corner Salisbury Highway and Waterloo Corner Rd, Salisbury
We recommend: Glazed doughnut
LOOKING for a quick sugar fix to satisfy those afternoon cravings? Jump down to Salisbury’s Sunrise Bakery to pick up a glazed doughnut. There are a range of flavours available to choose from, including chocolate, strawberry and chocolate sprinkle. There’s also the classic cinnamon doughnut. Doughnuts: $3.30-$3.80.
St. Georges Bakehouse, Shop 9, 222 Target Hill Rd, Greenwith
We recommend: Blueberry danish
St. Georges Bakehouse in Greenwith is the master of the danish. The in-house bakers use homemade dough for the base and fold butter into its centre before popping it into the prover. It is then cooked in the oven to rise, and finally topped with blueberries and a homemade custard. Enjoy on its own or with a coffee. Blueberry danish: $3.80.
— compiled by Sarah Rowheder
IN THE EAST
Jenny’s Gourmet Baker, 81 Glen Osmond Rd Eastwood
We recommend: Cronut, double chocolate and peanut butter brownie
JENNY’S Gourmet Bakery brought the cronut to Adelaide and the combination of croissant and a doughnut wins over our tastebuds. It is croissant pastry in the shape of a doughnut, filled with cream and topped with flavoured icing ($5). Jenny’s has also got into the trend of townies, a mixture of a tart and a brownie. Their latest flavour is double chocolate and peanut butter ($5.80).
Banana Boogie Bakery, 10 Main Rd, Belair
We recommend: Banana Boogie brownie
JASON Spencer started Banana Boogie Bakery in 2013, selling products such as banana bread and banana cake at markets around the southern suburbs. He took over the Belair Bakery in June and has diversified to sell a range of savouries and sweets.
The bakery’s signature sweet is the Banana Boogie brownie ($4.50), which includes lolly bananas inside and on top along with a chocolate ganache sauce.
Other sweets include nutella-filled berliners ($4.50) and Fruchoc slices ($4.50). Not sweet but worth a mention are taco pies ($4.60) filled with taco-seasoned steak, salsa sauce and refried beans topped with crushed corn chips and melted cheese.
The Red Mill Bakehouse, 25 Hectorville Rd, Hectorville
We recommend: Kataifi
GREEK sweets are on the menu at the Red Mill Bakehouse in Hectorville, along with all your favourites. Their speciality is kataifi ($4.90), a big custardy cake topped with almonds and cinnamon, but they also have baklava, galaktoboureko (another custard-filled pastry) and kouranbiethes (Greek biscuits). They have vegan options such as chocolate brownies and coconut, carrot and date slices.
St Peters Bakehouse, 66 Seventh Ave, St Peters
We recommend: Lemon curd cheesecake slice
ST Peters Bakehouse is well known for its pies, but also has a huge range of traditional sweets to sate even the sweetest tooth. Favourites include the vanilla slices, kitchener buns and lemon curd cheesecake slices (all $4).
Whisk Patisserie, 95 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood
We recommend: Almond toffee mudcake, chocolate pavlova rolls
GOODWOOD provides a smorgasbord of options for the pastry lover, with Goodwood Bakehouse, Boulangerie 113, Eggless and Cherry Darlings all within a stone’s throw of one another. But it was Whisk Patisserie which first recognised the potential in Goodwood when setting up the cafe in 2007. Favourites include almond toffee mudcake, peach, passionfruit and pistachio japonaise and berry and chocolate pavlova rolls (all $5.80 per slice). They also sell savouries and full-size cakes.
— compiled by Eugene Boisvert
IN THE WEST
Orange Spot Bakery, 752 Anzac Highway, Glenelg
We recommend: Beesting
ORANGE Spot Bakery’s beesting is a show stopper — seriously. The signature sweet was part of an ensemble — alongside the Barossa Shiraz pie — that won SA’s best bakery lunch at the Royal Adelaide Show. Filled with delicious vanilla cream on a custard base and topped with honeyed almonds, this treat is a true delight. Orange Spot Bakery’s beesting is $4.
Bakers Edge, 9 West Beach Rd, West Beach
We recommend: Chocolate doughnut
IF you’re a firm believer that bigger is better, than we’ve found the perfect treat for you: chocolate doughnuts from West Beach’s Bakers Edge. Whether you eat it by itself or to “wash down” a steak and mushroom pie, this is a real winner. And at only a stone’s throw from the beach, it is no wonder Bakers Edge has become such a hot spot for locals and seaside visitors alike. The large chocolate doughnuts at Bakers Edge are $3.50.
Krispy Kreme, 563 Port Rd, West Croydon
We recommend: Raspberry, coconut-iced doughnut
REMEMBER when the overhead lockers on return flights from the eastern states were loaded with boxes of Krispy Kremes? We do. Now we have the luxury of buying these delicious glazed doughnuts in our very own backyard. From the original — and perhaps the best — to the raspberry coconut iced, they taste even better without being lugged across the border. Krispy Kreme prices start from $2
Mayfair Bakery, 156 St Vincent, Port Adelaide
We recommend: Raspberry and passionfruit crème tart
FEW eateries can master the taste and look of your grandma’s homemade cakes. You know the ones? She would make them every week, fresh from the oven, topped with cream and fruit or icing. Well the fresh raspberry and passionfruit crème tart at the Mayfair Bakery at Port Adelaide comes pretty close to the tastes of grandma’s home cooking. The light, flurry dessert is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and provides me with the joy that eating a good cake should bring.
Kalymnos Pastries, 3/158 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville
We recommend: Cream kataifi
BE whisked away to the sunny Greek Islands with every bite of the delicious cream kataifi, the signature sweet at this family-owned Henley Beach Rd institution. Resting on a bed of roasted kataifi pastry and almonds, and topped with syrup, custard and cream, this rich traditional desert is a hit with Greece-expats and locals alike.
Price: $4.30
— compiled by David Penrose, Kurtis Eichler and Dan Jervis-Bardy