One of the best things about loading up with precious baked goods and treats from your neighbourhood bakery is the seriously satisfying throwback to the nostalgic treats of yesteryear. And one of the old-school classics that's been front and centre of our minds of late is the creamy log of goodness known as the vanilla slice.
Affectionately known as "snot blocks", the vanilla slice holds a truly sentimental spot in bakeries across Australia. While this puff pastry and custard-filled beauty is one of many treats Aussies would love to claim as their own (we’re looking at you oh mighty lamington), it is heavily inspired by France’s famous mille-feuille.
Drooling yet? Here's where to find the best vanilla slice in Sydney.
Good Ways Deli
Redfern
With a nostalgic palette of Aussie Colourbond green and a neat menu filled with top-tier sangas and CWA-style bakery treats, Good Ways Deli is the sort of sunny corner spot you dream of stumbling across while roaming around on the weekend. And you betcha that old-school snot blocks are on that line-up of baked goods. Good Ways Deli's vanilla slice is your classic set vanilla custard sandwiched between set custard sandwiched crispy puff pastry and topped with passionfruit icing sugar.
La Promenade Pâtisserie
San Souci
All good things stand tall on a corner somewhere in the world and when it comes to San Souci’s gracious kingdom of sweets La Promenade Pâtisserie—where is the lie? This age-old patisserie serves up old-school treats and is a surefire blast from the past for your tastebuds. The vanilla slice situation here looks like a no-frills, exactly-as-god-intended-it log of perfection with fine puff pastry layered between decadent vanilla custard.
Flour And Stone
Woolloomooloo
Flour And Stone really needs no introduction as there are few bakeries that rival its quality. Brimming with savoury and sweet treats, from classics like melt-in-your-mouth lamingtons, brownies and scones to fresh and inspired creations such as spelt carrot cake, it's hard not to be a regular at Flour And Stone.
You’ll find these beautiful slivers of tastiness with light layers of puff pastry encasing a brown sugar pastry cream and the freshest damn raspberries around. You can order these as individual slices or as boxes of two. Next-day delivery is available.
Lamin8 Viennoiserie & Patisserie
Lane Cove
Lamin8 Viennoiserie & Patisserie is an ode to the golden process of sourdough lamination, which brings about the ultimate filling of flaky, airy layers. And this is exactly what Lamin8 is all about, chewy crumbs and crisp crusts.
That means you can expect the menu at Lamin8 to sport flaky goodness like croissants, danishes, palmiers, and a god-tier vanilla slice that melts in your mouth within seconds. The slice here gets filled with light layers of buttery and flaky pastry, glued together with rich vanilla custard.
Poles Patisserie
Penrith
Poles Patisserie, simply put, is a goldmine of baked goodness. This family-run business was founded on the very idea that handmade pastries and cakes are the glue to any local community and we mean, they’re not wrong. For over 30 years the legends here have been keeping close ties to classic tea cakes and treats. On the vanilla slice front, there are two winning wedges you’ll want to order up.
The first is the OG vanilla slice: creamy custard is sandwiched between two handmade sheets of puff pastry, then topped with a dash of passionfruit icing sugar for a little more bite. Alongside this, you’ll also find a classic French vanilla slice, which elevates the OG with an extra layer of fresh cream and a crescendo of chocolate sugar icing.
François Artisan Baker
Bondi
Packed out with classic French cakes, delicate pastries and a full range of quiches, François Artisan Baker is a Bondi Road institution, not to mention a Sydney staple when you’re out to get your vanilla slice fix. With the kitchen here headed by François Galand, who nails in over 30 years of pastry experience.
Made up of layers of puff pastry and a pastry cream top sealed with fondant icing and chocolate stripes, this vanilla slice is heavenly. You can cop a single slice or choose larger cuts that yield between four and 60 servings.
Sweet Belem Cake Boutique
Petersham
This boutique Portuguese bakery is dedicated to both traditional and modern takes on Portuguese tarts and pastries but the good news is, they also know how to whip up a damn good slice of the good stuff too (and they sell out on the regular). The vanilla slice here looks like a gooey stack of puff pastry layered with thick vanilla cream and yes, it will change your life.
Staple Bread & Necessities
Manly, Seaforth, Cromer
Much like the name suggests, Staple Bread & Necessities dishes up all the pantry essentials guaranteed to put a spring in your step. The bread and butter here is undoubtedly the sourdough loaves but when you’ve got a hankering for a vanilla slice so good it’ll knock you straight back to your grandmother’s kitchen, the golden beauties here are a big win.
Made with rye and whole wheat puff pastry and vanilla custard (and occasionally chocolate ones), these slices usually sell out on Saturdays and Sundays before you can say “delicious”.
Maggio's Cafe & Bakery
Cammeray
This Lower North Shore favourite may be known for its epic cheesecakes, but don't snub the vanilla slice here. The nostalgic Aussie bakery staple at Maggio's is a two-layer bite of Italian-style bliss, with layers of puff pastry, crema pasticceria and raspberry gel for a little bit of tartness. Bellissimo.
Le Bretagne Patisserie
Rose Bay
Tucked away on Rose Bay's Plumer Road is Le Bretagne Patisserie. A favourite among locals, the bakery and patisserie sources the highest quality ingredients to create classic baked goods that taste like heaven. While you'll find savoury goodies like flaky sausage rolls and pies, quiches, and all types of bread, it's the sweet treats that have us drooling. And reigning above all the cakes, mud slices, muffins, and jam wheels is the humble snot block.
Now, check out where to find Sydney's best Portuguese tarts.
Image credit: Good Ways Deli, Good Ways Deli, Flour And Stone, Poles Patisserie, Sweet Belem Cake Boutique, Maggio's Cafe