The festive season is upon us, so it's time to think all things mince pies, gingerbread, rocky road and pavlova.
Sydney’s top bakeries, restaurants and delis are bringing out the best to help you celebrate, whether you need a perfect panettone to enjoy on Christmas morning, artisan chocolates to gift, or ready-to-go trifle to lift the load on Christmas Day dessert.
These are Urban List’s picks for the best Christmas treats in Sydney in 2024. If you want to book somewhere for Christmas lunch or dinner, check out our guide to Christmas Day dining.
Mince Pies
Shadow Baking | Order online or buy in store
Image credit: Shadow Baking | Website
Trust Darlinghurst's Shadow Baking to take a classic and turn it into something incredible. Their take on the fruit mince pie is a croissant tart shell filled with brandy custard and boozy fruit mince, topped with a festive star.
You can try your luck buying one in store, or pre-order six-packs online. Order close 21 December for pick-up between 22 and 24 December.
Gelato-Filled Panettones
Rivareno Gelato, various locations | Order online
Image credit: Rivareno | Supplied
Perfect for a sweaty Sydney Christmas, Rivareno's beloved gelato-filled panettone is back. Each Milanese panettone is filled with your choice of up to two flavours of freshly churned gelato, then topped with gianduia and crunchy caramelised nuts.
Priced at $80 and serving 10–12 people, the panettone can be pre-ordered online, with pickup available until 23 December from Rivareno stores in Barangaroo, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Parramatta and Bondi Beach.
Gingerbread Brûlée Croissants
Madame & Yves, Clovelly | Order online or buy in store
Image credit: Madame & Yves | Instagram
Just when we thought Madame & Yves' brûlée-topped croissants couldn't get any better, they've gone and gifted us a Christmas spin.
These stunners are filled with gingerbread custard, and topped with a cute ruby chocolate star. Other Christmas treats on their lineup include chocolate and tropical bûche de Noëls (available whole, or as slices), mince tarts and festive gelato. You can pre-order online to guarantee the goods, or try your luck swinging in to the Clovelly bakery.
Christmas Pudding Custard Tarts
Porcine, Paddington | Order online
Image credit: Porcine | Instagram
Ever-clever Paddington bistro Porcine's custard tarts are always a show-stopper, and the return of their Christmas pudding spin is worth feeling festive about. These bad boys feature a plum pudding crust filled with a spiced and fruit-studded brandy custard that's baked until juuuuust set.
They feed 10–12, will set you back $100, and can be ordered online for pick-up on December 21 and 22.
Christmas Puddings And Custard
Continental Deli, Newtown | Order online or buy in store
Image credit: Continental Deli | Supplied
Continental Deli keeps things classic, and their Christmas pudding (packed with raisins, sultanas, currants, citrus peel, dates, spices and brandy) is a textbook fruity, rich and boozy pudding—packed in a Continental Deli can, of course.
They're on the shelf at the deli now, and orders are available online for pick-up until 25 December. The Christmas pudding in a can is priced at $68, and silky traditional custard in a can is also available for $18.
Christmas Bonbons
The Charles Grand Brasserie, Sydney CBD | Order online
Image credit: The Charles | Supplied
The Charles always delivers on the luxe Christmas vibes, and these treat-filled bonbons crafted by head pastry chef Rhiann Mead absolutely deliver down to their pretty custom ribbons. Each bonbon is filled with a rocky road mendiant lollipop, a passionfruit and mango pavlova marshmallow, a spiced gingerbread man, a zesty clementine pate de fruit, and a hazelnut rocher.
The Charles' bonbons are $26, and can be ordered online until 20 December for pick-up at the King Street, Sydney CBD restaurant until 25 December.
Christmas Gift Boxes
Barbetta, Paddington | Order online
Image credit: Barbetta | Supplied
Beloved Paddington cafe and Italian restaurant Barbetta has launched a range of gift boxes just in time for Christmas gifting and treating, with 17 boxes stuffed with Italian-leaning treats and goodies.
The boxes are filled with gourmet treats like artisanal olive oils, sweet treats, aperitivo combos and even homewares, with upgrades available too. We'd love to receive the Negroni Salute! Box (with a 500mL, ready-made bergamot Negroni, In The Roundhouse coasters, chocolate and orange biscotti, French fries, almonds, an ice cube tray and dehydrated oranges) or the Cipri Antipasto Box (with a platter, anchovy and artichoke paste, pickled veggies, tinned sardines, olives and flatbread).
The boxes start at $75 and can be purchased online, with pick-up available in Paddington or nationwide delivery.
Mince Pies And Panettones
A.P Bakery, various locations | Order online or buy in store
Image credit: A.P Bakery | Instagram
It wouldn't be a seasonal event without a special from A.P Bakery. Their classic mince pies—loaded with currants, sour cherries and a whole heap of Wildflower whisky and beer—are back ($5 each, or $28 for a six-pack), and there's a new friend: a traditional panettone flecked with chocolate and house-candied blood orange ($50).
Order online by 24 December for pick-up at your nearest A.P Bakery location, or try your luck dropping in.
DIY Gingerbread Christmas Tree Kits
Tuga Pastries, Clovelly and Alexandria | Order online
Image credit: Tuga Pastries | Website