Black Star Pastry Newtown

Black Star Pastry is a Sydney patisserie whose name has become closely tied to one cake in particular: the Strawberry Watermelon Cake, which the business itself names as its signature cake. Its shop on King Street in Newtown, in the inner west, is one of its best-known locations and a regular stop for visitors exploring the area.

The Strawberry Watermelon Cake, built around fresh strawberries and watermelon, is the item most people come to try, and slices are sold over the counter as well as whole cakes. Beyond that, the counter carries a range of cakes, tarts and pastries, along with coffee, so it works for a quick treat or an afternoon break. Whole cakes can be ordered for celebrations through the website. Coffee is served at the counter, and the cake pairs well with a simple black coffee to balance the sweetness.

The Newtown shop opens from 09:30 to 17:00 from Monday to Wednesday, until 20:00 on Thursdays and Sundays, and until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, which makes it a useful dessert stop after dinner on King Street. Hours can change on public holidays, so check the locations page on the official website before you go.

Seating is limited, and many customers buy to take away. On busy weekend afternoons and evenings expect a queue, though it usually moves steadily. If you want a particular cake, arriving earlier gives the best chance of finding it in stock.

Black Star Pastry suits anyone with a sweet tooth, couples looking for dessert after dinner and visitors who want to try a cake that has become part of Sydney's food culture. It is priced as a patisserie rather than a budget bakery, and slices are rich, so sharing is an option.

Black Star also has shops in the city centre at The Galeries, at Rosebery and in several shopping centres around Sydney, but Newtown makes a good destination because of its surroundings. King Street is one of the city's liveliest streets, lined with independent shops, bookshops, bars, live music venues and inexpensive restaurants from many cuisines. Newtown station is a short walk away, and trains run frequently from Central. Allow time to wander along King Street and Enmore Road before or after your visit. The neighbourhood is also home to some of the inner west's best-known street art.