Foodies line up around the block to sample exquisite pastries from a simple bakery that holds a delicious secret.
Shadow Bakery is located in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst and serves a dreamy array of drool-worthy sweet and savory baked delights.
Behind these delicious creations are three of the chefs of the beloved Messina ice cream brand; Tom Mitchell, Florian Fritsch and Remi Talbot.
Each chef has an impressive resume: Mitchell has a previous position as head pastry chef at Zumbo Patisserie and Fritsch once worked at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Rockpool.
Talbot is Shadow’s full-time baker after working as head chef at restaurant Messina Creative for six years and pastry chef at Den in Japan.
Sydney foodies line up around the block to try Shadow Baking’s incredibly delicious cakes.
Behind these delicious creations are three of the chefs of the beloved Messina ice cream brand; Tom Mitchell, Florian Fritsch and Remi Talbot
The three chefs founded Shadow Bakery more than two years ago as a monthly pop-up stall and opened their first brick-and-mortar store in October 2023.
The trio has created an impressive menu of ultra-gourmet puff pastries including croissants, tarts, scones, parchments and focaccias.
Some fan favorites include the blueberry cheesecake, the Vegemite, avocado and fermented chili roll and the pandan and coconut brioche, easily identifiable by its striking green filling.
Also on offer is a Tarte Flambee Scroll with speck, onion and fresh cream, tomato and Danish mozzarella and mortadella and scarmorza, an elegant croissant with ham and cheese.
There are classics like a natural or almond croissant, as well as delicious focaccias with candied garlic and rosemary or with tomato and hot honey.
Fan favorites include the blueberry cheesecake, the Vegemite, avocado and fermented chili roll and the pandan and coconut brioche, easily identifiable by its striking green filling.
Also on offer is a Tarte Flambee Scroll with speck, onion and fresh cream, tomato and Danish mozzarella and mortadella and scarmorza, an elegant ham and cheese croissant.
Visitors have been raving about their experiences at Shadow Bakery, with one calling their focaccia “the best they’ve ever had.”
“A bakery in Messina sounds like heaven and it sure tastes like that too… A bakery in Messina sounds like heaven and it sure tastes like that too,” said one customer.
‘My wife is a pastry chef so I’ve tried all kinds of treats but Shadow Baking takes the cake! Great place with out of this world cakes,” wrote a second.
“The BEST in Sydney, without a doubt,” added another.
Shadow Baking Darlinghurst is open every Thursday to Sunday from 8am, but you’d better be quick as they close once everything has sold out.
Some visitors reported arriving there at 10am to find it closed or only a couple of pies left.
Shadow Baking can also be found at the monthly Cannery Markets in Roseberry, where they have had a booth for the past year and a half.