Our first encounter with Black Cockatoo Bakery was in 2017 when D was working nearby. At the time, their inaugural store in the Lawson town centre had just opened, and social media wasn’t as widespread as it is today. So, when we walked by after midday and noticed their doors closed, we didn’t give it much thought. Little did we realize, it would soon become one of the most renowned bakeries in the area.

The name Black Cockatoo Bakery pays homage to the birds that inhabit the Blue Mountains, a place cherished by owner and baker, Alexandre Rivière.

Croissant ($5.50).

The croissant had a crisp exterior with subtle grilled notes, shattering like glass to reveal tender, laminated layers infused with a rich cultured butter flavour. It’s no wonder this croissant frequently appears on lists of the best croissants—it’s easy to see why.

Cinnamon Croissant ($6.00)

The cinnamon had boasted the same crisp and light exterior, with subtle grilled hints, yielding to tender laminated layers. The addition of cinnamon sugar enhanced the crispness of the exterior and complemented the flavour of the rich cultured butter within the croissant.

Oomite & Cheddar Scroll ($8.00)

We were fortunate to come across the last of their flavored savoury croissants having arrived at around 11:30 AM. It featured a delightful combination of miso and cheddar. The pairing created a deeply satisfying savory flavor, with the miso complementing the richness of the cheddar in a similar manner as Vegemite might. The laminated pastry was particularly outstanding.

Lamington Macaron ($9.00)

This macaron was notably large, measuring 8 cm in diameter, which made the eating experience akin to enjoying a sweet burger rather than the usual delicate macarons we’re accustomed to. Upon biting into it, the macaron featured a crisp shell with a gentle chewiness, offering a rich chocolate flavor. The addition of toasted coconut provided a nutty crunch, while the sandwiching buttercream contributed to a dense, sweet richness. As you reached the center, the raspberry jam was a delightful surprise, offering fruity tartness to balance out the sweetness of the buttercream. Overall, this reinterpretation of the classic Australian lamington was a success, although it’s perhaps best shared due to its size, yet definitely worth trying.

Our visit to Black Cockatoo Bakery lived up to our expectations, leaving us satisfied with our decision to make the drive there. Perhaps next time, we’ll aim to arrive a bit earlier to sample a wider variety of their baked goods. By 11:30 AM, the shelves were nearly empty, and had we arrived just 10 minutes later, they likely would have been fully depleted, as there was still a queue behind us.

Black Cockatoo Bakery is located at Shop 1 / 1 Staples Crescent, Lawson, Blue Mountains, 2783.