Sydney’s Most Instagrammed Foods – Are They Worth The Hype?
Jayne Gorman
You can spot a social media food sensation in Sydney a mile off – just look for the spectacle-wearing, iPhone-wielding hoards queuing outside the establishment! But with many of these foods being ordered more for their photogenic qualities than the way they actually taste, we decided to road test some of Sydney’s most Instagrammed foods to let you know which are actually worth eating.
Sea Salt Soft Serve – Aqua S
https://www.instagram.com/p/yJwe0xgxi3/
The Place:
Aqua S, Regent Place, 27/501 George St
The Craze:
Cynics among us might think that the creators of Aqua S had Instagrammers in mind when they painted their walls aqua blue to match the carnival-esque gelato they serve. Famous for their baby blue Sea Salt Soft Serve, Aqua S will also top your ice cream with all sorts of photogenic props such as fairy floss, popping candy, caramel popcorn and a toasted marshmallow.
The Verdict:
But do these creative concoctions actually taste any good? The jury’s still out. Sydney based food and travel blogger Love Swah says,
“Admittedly it may look better than it tastes, but I do admire Aqua S’ ever-changing menu of unique flavours such as taro, tofu and tomato
Strawberry Watermelon Cake – Black Star Pastry
https://www.instagram.com/p/8QMGSvOrEg/
The Place:
Black Star Pastry can be found in Newtown, Rosebery and Books Kinokuniya in the CBD
The Craze:
Arguably Sydney’s first Instagram food sensation, 2300 slices of Black Star’s Strawberry Watermelon Cake are sold in Sydney every single day. Made up of layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream, watermelon, strawberries, pistachios and dried rose petals this cake works at weddings, birthdays or just for a a treat on a warm summer’s day.
The Verdict:
Locals and visitors alike queue outside Black Star Pastry in Newtown for a taste of this pretty-in-pink cake and I’ve never heard anyone mutter their disappointment. Sydney-based foodie Christine Knight from Adventure Baby is a fan.
“I am in love with this cake. It’s light, so you don’t get that heavy “I’ve gorged myself on cake” feeling afterwards, a touch sweet with the delicate cream, and just a tad fruity thanks to the slices of fresh watermelon. “
TellaBall Shake – Foodcraft Espresso
https://www.instagram.com/p/9W13tVurI1/
The Place:
Foodcraft Espresso, 33 Bridge St, Erskineville
The Craze:
The Nutella donut shake that started a thousand copies! Did you know it was a humble café in Sydney’s Erskineville who first had the calorie-laden idea to plonk a Nutella-filled donut on a milkshake and serve it with a straw poked through the middle? Now taken to the extreme (would you like a burger on your shake?) the original version still pulls in the Instagram crowds at Foodcraft Espresso in Erskineville, plus their recently opened Tella Balls Dessert Bar in Dulwich Hill.
The Verdict:
As long as you come with a super sweet tooth and empty stomach this one gets a chocolate-covered thumbs up. Christine from Adventure Baby has also taste-tested this one:
“The Nutella milkshakes are divine and I love how the fluffy donuts are super charged with even more Nutella. Eating the whole thing is a challenge though, as is burning off a day’s worth of calories consumed in a single sitting.”
Doughnut Time
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKHP1QxhRUV/
The Place:
Doughnut Time can be found in various locations around Sydney including Bondi, Newtown, World Square and QVB.
The Craze:
For a while there it was all about the cronut in Sydney (a croissant/doughnut hybrid in case you were wondering!) but Doughnut Time’s retro, pop-up outfits have put the spotlight firmly back on the traditional donut, albeit with a few twists. Flavours change on a regular basis but you expect to see the likes of The Cookie Monster (cream and chocolate glaze, marshmallow and chocolate biscuit filling, topped with an Oreo) and Creme De La Creme (Creme Brulee custard-filled and topped with toffee) on the menu.
The Verdict:
These guys know their doughnuts as well as they know how to work social media! Whether they are worth the 6 bucks apiece comes down to personal taste. My advice is to go with The Cookie Monster – you won’t be disappointed.
Pokémon Burger – Down N’ Out
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJZHzjNgb9Z/
The Place:
Down N’ Out, Sir John Young Hotel, 557 George St
The Craze:
Just when you thought the world couldn’t get any more Pokémon crazy along comes the Pokémon Burger. Sydney’s newest social media food sensations are burgers shaped like Pikachu, Charmander and Bulbasaur. Only 100 are released per day at the Down N’ Out pop-up burger bar run by Hashtag Burgers so you have to hurry if you want to catch em’ all. (*Groan, yes I went there.*)
The Verdict:
This is another craze for which the jury is still out. Only a lucky few in Sydney have had the chance to actually taste these hot things and those that did queued for at least an hour. Victoria and Elaina from The Freedom Travellers were two such patient patrons. Asked if it was worth the wait they said,
“The lures made the wait completely bearable! #worthit #gottoeatthemall.”
Maybe this one is just for the Pokéheads..
Jayne Gorman is a freelance travel writer and award-winning travel blogger who blogged her way around 40 countries before her 30th birthday. Now Sydney-based you’ll often find her sniffing out the latest street art and sweet treats around the city.