Your first look at Self Raised in Merrylands (plus four more bakeries in Sydney’s west)

If you’re looking for Sydney’s latest wave of noteworthy bakeries, head west. A viral Korean chain known for its incredibly light doughnuts has established its first Sydney outpost in Burwood, while Self Raised’s pastries can be found at its new Merrylands location, which opened on Friday. Artisanal fairy bread, customer-generated recipes and border-crossing sweets are more reasons to chase carbs west of Cooks River.

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Self Raised, Merrylands

In February 2023, Sal Senan opened Self Raised Bread Shoppe in Carlton with siblings Amani and Huss Rachid. Crowds surged for their halal-friendly hoagies, cheesy breakfast sandwiches and joyful pastries: Boston cream doughnuts, banoffee tarts, vanilla slices and more. The lines got so long they opened Self Raised Snack Shoppe in nearby Bexley North. Self Raised in Merrylands isn’t just a queue-coping mechanism, though – it was inspired by the western Sydney customers who travelled to Self Raised’s previous outposts.

This new location happened rather organically, when Huss Rachid was grabbing breakfast at Iftar at Merrylands’ Mason & Main complex. The owner of the building happened to be there, came over for a chat, and showed him a site they had available. The shop is designed by Matt Woods (who is also responsible for the interiors at Iftar, and Grandfathers in the CBD) and stocks Self Raised fan-favourites such as Boston doughnuts, fruit tarts, sponge cake, plus cinnamon scrolls in pistachio and cream-cheese flavours.

2 Main Lane, Merrylands, selfraised.com.au

Patisserie Du Liban, Arncliffe

The name translates as “Lebanese pastry shop” in French but Patisserie Du Liban charts a much wider flight path. There are Levantine sweets, European treats and a pistachio tres leches (three milk) cake worth your time. Owner-chef Zakaria Ali has three decades of industry experience (including 12 years in Lebanon), and daughter Rukaya and wife Maissa also help convey the store’s charms.

Rukaya might talk you through the baklava varieties, cheesy knafeh that evokes her father’s schooldays, or a Biscoff version of basbousa semolina cake. Then there’s the bestselling znoud el sit, made by filling pastry with ashta (clotted cream), frying it and timing the syrup-dip to ensure it stays crisp. This process “takes true skill and experience”, says Maissa.

Since its December launch, the teal-green shop has served coffee and sweets near Arncliffe station until 10pm (or later during Ramadan). “We chose to open here because it’s such a lively community and we knew people would appreciate authentic Lebanese pastries,” says Maissa.

24 Firth Street, Arncliffe, instagram.com/patisserieduliban

Luca Bakery, Castle Hill

There’s a lot to notice when you walk into Luca Bakery: the air’s scented with toasted nuts and brown butter, a handwritten sign names the local family who grew the peaches that adorn the thyme-dotted galette, the farmhouse-style counter displays super-sized raspberry marshmallows and frosting-rich carrot cake.

Then there’s the table amassing recipes. People leave them for owner (and former MasterChef winner) Larissa Takchi to recreate in the bakery’s ovens. One customer has submitted pages on how to prepare Maria Grammatico’s genovesi: lemon-custard pastries by the Italian chef who trained in a Sicilian convent. Takchi’s open invitation to contribute favourite and family recipes is part of the warm, inclusive atmosphere the bakery has emanated since its August opening.

83 David Road, Castle Hill, lucabakery.com.au

Cafe Knotted, Burwood

Cafe Knotted has attracted long queues for its freshly made doughnuts since its 2017 launch in Seoul. Grab one and the attraction is clear: a whoosh of creamy filling speeds out at the gentlest clutch. Available in many flavours (matcha, Dubai chocolate, Earl Grey, lemon curd, milk cream studded with strawberries), the cascading ooze is surprisingly light – making it easy to vaporise three doughnuts instantly.

Burwood was chosen as Cafe Knotted’s first Australian site as it sits between the city and Parramatta (a Sydney CBD flagship store is planned for March, says general manager James Lee). While the shop has signage advertising a November opening, construction delays mean Cafe Knotted will open next month instead. Expect croissants, shio pan (salt bread) and iced lattes with corn-based creams, too. This is the Korean brand’s second international location, following Los Angeles’ April launch. Lee believes Sydney should’ve been first. “We’re good enough … if not better, in terms of coffee and pastries. Why not doughnuts?”

24 Burwood Road, Burwood, cafeknotted.com.au

Kiss My Butter, Chester Hill

Kiss My Butter opened in April and has received much attention for its fairy bread. Baker Colin Waghorn serves it on thick slices of sourdough brioche so the cultured butter soaks right through. The chef, who previously worked at Staple Bakery in Seaforth, remembers when a group of tattooed Harley-Davidson motorcyclists turned up and requested 35 slices. “I was there for an hour, buttering bread!” he says.

Other bestsellers include the vanilla slice made with rye puff pastry, various scrolls (try the zaatar version with mozzarella cheese) and pizza croissants stuffed with halal pepperoni (“Our bakery’s all halal,” Waghorn says). As for choosing the Chester Hill location, it’s personal for owner Shadi Wahab. “I grew up around here,” he says.

82 Waldron Road, Chester Hill, instagram.com/kissmybutter.au