Victoire Bakery

There are many reasons to visit Balmain, a lovely leafy suburb of exquisite old houses with balconies hung with romantic iron lace, in Sydney’s inner western suburbs. The good thing is that it is just a five-minute detour from the CBD, beyond the Sydney Fish Markets (also worth a detour on your return) and over the massive Anzac Bridge.

But, for me, Victoire, opposite Woolworths, is almost incentive enough on its own to visit this end of Balmain’s very lengthy main street.

Victoire has been an institution here for many years. In the mid-eighties, before most of us had acquired the taste for levain (indeed many French breads) self-taught baker, Myriam Cordelier, set the benchmark at Victoire’s original shop.

The baked goods in the tiny shop – a range of yeasted breads and sourdoughs, croissants, lemon tarts, quiche, brioche and galettes – sell fast, so come early for the best selection. The cheese cabinet full of imported and local cheeses at the end of the shop and a discreet selection of pates and pickles ensures there is something wonderful to pair with your bread selection whether it’s a crusty baguette, a thick loaf of levain or a round non-sourdough raisin bread 

285 Darling Street, Balmain, NSW, 02 9818 5529 
Open: 8am-7pm, weekdays; 7.30am-6pm, Sat; 7.30am-4pm, Sun