If you’re anything like me, you love a sweet treat. Cookies, pastries, cakes – you name it, I love it. Parramatta is a food lover’s paradise, with bold, delicious flavours and a choice of almost every cuisine, we’re truly spoilt.
Something else Parramatta is known for it it’s exquisite bakeries, especially those that deal in Croissants. With well over 10 bakeries in the Parramatta CBD alone, I went on a quest to find the best croissant I could, so you know where to go for your next sweet treat fix.
Lucien Baked Goods
If it’s relaxed, outdoor seating on a warm sunny day you’re after, Lucien Baked Goods might just be the spot for you. A brainchild from the minds behind Circa Espresso, another Parramatta favourite of mine, Lucien Baked Goods is a bakery/cafe hybrid space, serving up freshly baked goods multiple times a day.
Their range includes cakes, tarts, brownies, and of course, croissants. I decided on the Pain Au Chocolat, as I’m forever trying to relive my time in Paris years ago when I’d eat one almost everyday.
Upon first bite, the pastry was unbelievably buttery and rich, flaking into tiny pieces on my lap. The outer layers were crispy and produced a brilliant crunch as I chewed, the butter melting into my tongue.
It took a couple of bites to reach the chocolate in the centre, but it was well worth the wait. The rich dark chocolate added a decadent layer to the pastry, creating an overall delicious treat.
Bourke Street Bakery
My quest continued at local favourite, Bourke Street Bakery. From its humble beginnings as a shop in Surry Hills, this franchise has expanded all over the greater Sydney area, landing in Parramatta in 2014. Deciding on my fallback croissant variety, Almond and Praline, I stepped outside the bustling cafe to enjoy it in the sunshine.
The croissant itself was soft and more dense than the previous. This is due to the large amounts of almond butter that were slathered between the two halves, soaking into the pastry to create a cake-like density. This, combined with shaved almonds and icing sugar on top made for a heavenly bite.
This is one I couldn’t tear myself away from, and has earnt itself a high spot on my list.
Threefold Pastry
My journey ended with Threefold Pastry, arguably Parramatta’s most trendy bakery, located underneath Parramatta Station. Threefold’s large range of sweet and savoury pastries have earnt it a spot among the best in Sydney, so naturally I had to give it a try. Leaning into luxury, I opted for an Apple Crumble croissant. This wouldn’t normally be my first pick, but I was intrigued by the combination.
The first bite was pure bliss. The marriage of a fresh, croissant, softened by a mixture of sweet, stewed apple and custard, with a crunchy, crumble on top and added icing sugar is possibly the best croissant I’ve ever had, and as we know, I’ve been to France. This croissant rivals any other, and is worthy of the top spot on my list for its flavours, texture and overall experience.
If my quest for the best croissant has taught me anything, it’s that Parramatta is a hub of delicious treats just waiting to be tasted.
Madeline Dantier is the author of the Experience Parramatta series, hosted by Parra News.