Sydney chocolate shops and other edibles
Jan 7, 2019, 3:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Sydney chocolate shops and other edibles
I’ll be staying in the City Hall/Hyde Park area soon. I really love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I’m not interested in Godiva, Lindt or any other large manufacturers. I’m looking for high quality, locally owned chocolate shops that make their own chocolates. Also, not so much interested in bars of chocolate, but interested in individual pieces (pralines). Does anyone have any suggestions from personal experience?
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
Jan 7, 2019, 3:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
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Go to the rocks market , there are chocolate makers there.
really great taste and quality.
Only open on weekends but worth it if you are there
have a drink at the oldest bar too
really great taste and quality.
Only open on weekends but worth it if you are there
have a drink at the oldest bar too
Jan 7, 2019, 4:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
I’ll be staying in the City Hall/Hyde Park area soon. I really love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I’m not interested in Godiva, Lindt or any other large manufacturers. I’m looking for high quality, locally owned chocolate shops that make their own chocolates. Also, not so much interested in bars of chocolate, but interested in individual pieces (pralines). Does anyone have any suggestions from personal experience?
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
For the Tim Tams check out the Woolworths at Town Hall.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:12 pm
#4
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It's a 10 minute bus ride from Hyde Park, but about a 2 minute walk from my house is this place...
https://justwilliam.com.au/
My cousin, who is a chocolate fiend, couldn't walk past it without going in when he stayed with me a few years ago.
https://justwilliam.com.au/
My cousin, who is a chocolate fiend, couldn't walk past it without going in when he stayed with me a few years ago.
Jan 7, 2019, 11:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Otherwise, yes, Woolworths Town Hall (half a block away from the Hilton) are probably your best bet. Coles will also have them, but (at least in the Sydney CBD) will generally be more expensive than Woolworths.
Jan 8, 2019, 12:53 am
#6
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Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
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For the best chocolate in Sydney you have to fly to Melbourne 
... in true FT style. Ganache is on Collins St. in Melbourne with some superb pralines (equal to the best in Brussels or Zurich); the owner is chocolatier from Denmark. They also make very good hot chocolate (drinking) for a bargain price. Just William in Paddington mentioned by bensyd is superb and worth a special trip, and makes a more English style of chocolate. A big step down are Koko Black and Haigh which is more like See's in the US (good candy but not fine pralines). I used to fly from NYC to Brussels to buy Neuhaus pralines there, as the ones Neuhaus sold in the US were simply not the same Now I would fly to Paris for the best chocolate (very competitive field, this fine chocolate making).
... in true FT style. Ganache is on Collins St. in Melbourne with some superb pralines (equal to the best in Brussels or Zurich); the owner is chocolatier from Denmark. They also make very good hot chocolate (drinking) for a bargain price. Just William in Paddington mentioned by bensyd is superb and worth a special trip, and makes a more English style of chocolate. A big step down are Koko Black and Haigh which is more like See's in the US (good candy but not fine pralines). I used to fly from NYC to Brussels to buy Neuhaus pralines there, as the ones Neuhaus sold in the US were simply not the same Now I would fly to Paris for the best chocolate (very competitive field, this fine chocolate making).
Jan 8, 2019, 3:14 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
It's a 10 minute bus ride from Hyde Park, but about a 2 minute walk from my house is this place...
https://justwilliam.com.au/
My cousin, who is a chocolate fiend, couldn't walk past it without going in when he stayed with me a few years ago.
https://justwilliam.com.au/
My cousin, who is a chocolate fiend, couldn't walk past it without going in when he stayed with me a few years ago.
You're from the US, right? Target (US) now sell them. As do many grocery chains (eg, Safeway/Vons in California). Pretty sure I've seen the Dark Chocolate ones - they definitely have the regular, caramel and at least one other. Cost Plus World Market also have them (and have had for >10 years), but they are a bit more expensive.
Otherwise, yes, Woolworths Town Hall (half a block away from the Hilton) are probably your best bet. Coles will also have them, but (at least in the Sydney CBD) will generally be more expensive than Woolworths.
Otherwise, yes, Woolworths Town Hall (half a block away from the Hilton) are probably your best bet. Coles will also have them, but (at least in the Sydney CBD) will generally be more expensive than Woolworths.
I’d probably rather buy the Tim Tams in Sydney. Gives me the opportunity to reminisce while eating them.
Jan 9, 2019, 1:04 pm
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Jan 9, 2019, 1:10 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
For the best chocolate in Sydney you have to fly to Melbourne ... in true FT style. Ganache is on Collins St. in Melbourne with some superb pralines (equal to the best in Brussels or Zurich); the owner is chocolatier from Denmark. They also make very good hot chocolate (drinking) for a bargain price. Just William in Paddington mentioned by bensyd is superb and worth a special trip, and makes a more English style of chocolate. A big step down are Koko Black and Haigh which is more like See's in the US (good candy but not fine pralines). I used to fly from NYC to Brussels to buy Neuhaus pralines there, as the ones Neuhaus sold in the US were simply not the same Now I would fly to Paris for the best chocolate (very competitive field, this fine chocolate making).
... in true FT style. Ganache is on Collins St. in Melbourne with some superb pralines (equal to the best in Brussels or Zurich); the owner is chocolatier from Denmark. They also make very good hot chocolate (drinking) for a bargain price. Just William in Paddington mentioned by bensyd is superb and worth a special trip, and makes a more English style of chocolate. A big step down are Koko Black and Haigh which is more like See's in the US (good candy but not fine pralines). I used to fly from NYC to Brussels to buy Neuhaus pralines there, as the ones Neuhaus sold in the US were simply not the same Now I would fly to Paris for the best chocolate (very competitive field, this fine chocolate making).I’ve flown to Belgium to visit chocolate shops. IMO, Bruges has better choices (Madame Dumon, The Chocolate Line) than Brussels. Next time you’re in Zurich, try Vollenweider near the Opera House. Again, IMO, they have the best chocolate in Zurich.
Jan 14, 2019, 12:34 am
#10
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I’ll be staying in the City Hall/Hyde Park area soon. I really love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I’m not interested in Godiva, Lindt or any other large manufacturers. I’m looking for high quality, locally owned chocolate shops that make their own chocolates. Also, not so much interested in bars of chocolate, but interested in individual pieces (pralines). Does anyone have any suggestions from personal experience?
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
I have to admit that I have another guilty pleasure of the dark chocolate Tim Tams. Where is the best place to buy them? I bought them once at SYD Duty Free while connecting.
Jan 14, 2019, 12:43 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Vegemite is considered a "Gel" under the LAG restrictions, and thus can't be taken in a carry-on bag for an international flight.
That said, you can buy Australian-made Vegemite on Amazon, shipped to the US from the UK for less than you can buy it at SYD duty free, so...
Jan 14, 2019, 10:59 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
BTW, is anyone familiar with these two chocolate shops: Adora and Belle Fleur? I ran across them when I was using Google.
Two other things that I truly like are wine and cheese. My wife and I often travel to various wine regions and wind up buying a case or two to bring home. (Part of our checked luggage allotment) I’m traveling by myself on this trip with carryon luggage only, so won’t be bringing any wine back home. However, I would be interested in increasing my (very limited) knowledge of Australian wines. I’d be interested in wine shop/bar recommendations where I could try some good quality wines that aren’t readily available in the U.S.
Also, are there any good cheese shops near where I’m staying? Would be interested in trying local cheeses. We have a very good cheese monger in New Orleans, but I haven’t seen any from Australia.
Jan 14, 2019, 3:54 pm
#13
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Your loss.
This place
https://www.pennyscheeseshop.com.au/
Will give you a good selection of local cheeses. I've only been there for a toastie, because someone told me they do the best in Sydney, and I have to agree with that.
ETA: For wines I've heard Handpicked Wines in Chippendale does good tastings. I've never been, and I'm not overly into wine, I just know a lot of wine w@nkers. It's also next to Spice Alley, which is a great spot for Asian food.
https://www.pennyscheeseshop.com.au/
Will give you a good selection of local cheeses. I've only been there for a toastie, because someone told me they do the best in Sydney, and I have to agree with that.
ETA: For wines I've heard Handpicked Wines in Chippendale does good tastings. I've never been, and I'm not overly into wine, I just know a lot of wine w@nkers. It's also next to Spice Alley, which is a great spot for Asian food.
Last edited by bensyd; Jan 14, 2019 at 4:06 pm
Jan 14, 2019, 6:50 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 177
Agree re Penny's cheese shop. It does have slightly idiosyncratic hours so may be worth checking they're open. It's a quick Uber ride from the city, or take the 311 bus or the train from Town Hall.
For wine shops you can't go past Summer Hill wine shop. Summer Hill is a lovely little suburb by the way with a real village feel. There you will also find Monkey Puzzle, the best toy shop in Sydney if you're in the market for intelligent toys (or toys for intelligent kids!). A 15 min train ride on the inner west line from Town Hall station platform 2.
For wine shops you can't go past Summer Hill wine shop. Summer Hill is a lovely little suburb by the way with a real village feel. There you will also find Monkey Puzzle, the best toy shop in Sydney if you're in the market for intelligent toys (or toys for intelligent kids!). A 15 min train ride on the inner west line from Town Hall station platform 2.
Jan 14, 2019, 9:29 pm
#15
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The Dolphin is a classic aussie pub redone for the 21st century on Crown St in Surry Hill and has a wine room that is noteworthy. Though lots of non-Australian wines, but all good. Tasting at wine shops is more for selling the stuff
https://www.timeout.com/sydney/bars/...phin-wine-room
A bit further afield in Neutral Bay is Firefly which is more Australian wine oriented and has well chosen by the glass selection. https://fireflybar.com.au/
https://www.timeout.com/sydney/bars/...phin-wine-room
A bit further afield in Neutral Bay is Firefly which is more Australian wine oriented and has well chosen by the glass selection. https://fireflybar.com.au/