Bourke Street Bakery Surry Hills

Bourke Street Bakery began on a corner of Bourke Street in Surry Hills in the winter of 2004. From one small shop, it has grown into a group of bakeries across Sydney, but the original location still draws a steady stream of locals and visitors, and it remains a good introduction to the city's love of serious bread and pastry.

The bakery is known above all for its savoury pies and sausage rolls, which are made in-house and are a popular choice for a quick lunch. On the sweet side, the ginger brûlée tart is the item most closely associated with the name, and it is worth trying at least once. Sourdough loaves, pastries, cakes and coffee complete the range, so it works equally well for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon break. The range changes through the day and with the seasons, so the selection in the cabinet at opening time may differ from what is left in the afternoon.

The original shop is small, with only a few seats inside and outside, and most customers buy to take away. That makes it best suited to a quick visit rather than a long sit-down meal. On fine days, many people take their food to a nearby park or eat while walking through the leafy streets of Surry Hills.

The bakery opens from 07:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 07:00 to 17:00 at weekends. Come earlier in the day for the widest choice, as popular items can sell out by the afternoon, and expect a queue at peak times on weekend mornings. Queues usually move quickly because most orders are for takeaway.

Bourke Street Bakery suits budget travellers, families and anyone who wants an inexpensive, high-quality snack while exploring the city on foot. It is also a good place to pick up picnic supplies before heading to Moore Park or Centennial Park.

The shop is at 633 Bourke Street, towards the southern end of Surry Hills. Central station is about fifteen to twenty minutes' walk away, and several buses run along nearby streets. Combine a visit with a walk along Crown Street, Surry Hills' main shopping and dining street, or with coffee at Single O on Reservoir Street. The surrounding area is mostly residential, with terraced houses, small parks and a number of well-regarded pubs and cafés.