Why excited Aussies are lining up outside this new Sydney bakery that has a surprising secret

Foodies line up to sample decadent pastries from an unassuming bakery with a delectable secret.

Located in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst, Shadow Bakery serves a range of treats created by three chefs from popular ice cream brand Messina.

Tom Mitchell, Florian Fritsch and Remi Talbot all have impressive CVs, with Mitchell having a previous role as head pastry chef at Zumbo Patisserie and Fritsch once working at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Rockpool.

Talbot is Shadow’s full-time baker after working for six years as a chef at Messina Creative Restaurant and a pastry chef at Den in Japan.

The three chefs started Shadow Bakery more than two years ago as a monthly pop-up stall and opened their first physical store in October 2023.

Behind the delicious creations are three chefs from the beloved ice cream brand Messina; Tom Mitchell, Florian Fritsch and Remi Talbot

The trio has created an impressive menu of ultra-gourmet puff pastries including croissants, tarts, pastries, rolls and focaccias.

Some fan favorites include the blueberry cheesecake tart, the vegemite, avocado and fermented chilli scroll and the pandan and coconut brioche which is easily recognized by its distinctive green filling.

Also offered is a Tarte Flambee Scroll with bacon, onion and crème fraîche; a Danish tomato and mozzarella; and mortadella and scarmorza – a luxurious ham and cheese croissant.

Classics include a plain or almond croissant, but also delicious focaccias with candied garlic and rosemary, or tomato and hot honey.

Fan favorites include the blueberry cheesecake tart, the Vegemite, avocado and fermented chilli scroll and the pandan and coconut brioche easily identified by its distinctive green filling

Also offered is a Tarte Flambee Scroll with bacon, onion and crème fraîche, tomato and mozzarella, Danish and mortadella and scarmorza, a luxurious ham and cheese, croissant

Visitors raved about their experiences at Shadow bakery, with one saying their focaccia was the ‘best they’ve ever had’.

“A bakery from Messina sounds heavenly and certainly tastes like it… A bakery from Messina just sounds heavenly and certainly tastes like it,” said one customer.

‘My wife is a pastry chef, so I’ve tried all kinds of treats, but shadow baking takes the cake! Super cool place with alien pastries,” wrote a second.

“Arguably the BEST in Sydney,” another added.

Shadow Baking Darlinghurst is open from 8am every Thursday to Sunday, but be quick as they close once everything is sold out.

Some visitors have reported that they were there at 10am and it was closed or there were only a few pastries left.

Shadow Baking can also be found at the monthly Cannery Markets in Roseberry, where they have had a stall for a year and a half.