St.Honore Bakery

St. Honore Bakery has been looking after North Sydney for 25 years, and it's the sort of small corner spot that workers and residents seem to have in their regular rotation. It's a compact bakery, patisserie and cafe, with a handful of seats inside for staying put and plenty of takeaway for those on the move.

Pies are what most people bring up first. We've heard the steak pie is packed with real chunks of steak, the beef burgundy has a loyal following, and one local called the butter chicken pie one of the better ones they've had in Sydney. There are sausage rolls and a classic meat pie on the counter too, though opinion on the plain meat pie is a little more mixed than on the rest of the range. Sourdough is another thing they're known for, alongside French-style pastries. The almond croissant gets plenty of love, crisp outside and buttery within, and the cakes, including their namesake St. Honoré, draw regulars in as well.

It's a good morning stop. They open early, seven days a week, and the coffee has its own fans, with one person even taking home a bag of beans. Breakfast is on offer, you can dine in or take away, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible. Card and tap payments are all fine.

Service is a big part of the appeal. People keep mentioning the friendly counter staff, and one family who've been coming for almost two decades singles out Mae by name. Prices are talked about as fair for the quality, and the odd local will happily say a pie is worth paying a little extra for.

If you're planning an event, they also take custom cake orders and do catering for corporate occasions and special celebrations. Check timing and details with the bakery directly before you order. For a quick pie, a pastry and a good coffee in North Sydney, this is an easy one to add to your list.