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Hours
Sun
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Mon
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
French, Cafe, European, Vegetarian friendly
Does this restaurant have tables with seating?
Details
About
Welcome to La Renaissance! We are one of Sydney's oldest family-owned French patisseries, and the first in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded the prestigious Relais Desserts status with our head chef and co-owner Jean Michel Raynaud. Each morning we serving fresh buttery pastries, hot coffee & tea, juice, savouries and cakes every day. A great place to recharge and relax if you're new to Sydney and exploring Circular Quay and The Rocks, or a favourite for locals. Our best-selling items include almond croissants and the Monet, a white chocolate mousse cake with lychee jelly, raspberries and coconut base. Cult favourite, the ham and cheese croissant, sells out daily as well, with a shredded ham & cheese bechamel inside and on top of the croissant. Baked until crisp but still a little soft inside... we say yes please!
PRICE RANGE
$5.00 – $20.00
CUISINES
French, Cafe, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards
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4.5
662 reviews
Excellent
405
Very good
195
Average
39
Poor
14
Terrible
9
Belgo96
Brisbane3416 contributions
June 2022 • none
This is not the sort of place you expect to find in The Rocks (which is a super touristy area). It is highly popular. They open at 8am and there is usually a line at the door by 8am for people waiting to get their pastries. They have a small number of tables out front if you want to get a coffee and eat your pastries in. Most people seemed to be ordering take out. The pastries are very good and they have a range of pastries in the French style. The pastries are perfectly flakey and certainly delicious without being exceptional.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael T
Formby1129 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
This is a charming patisserie which does brisk takeaway trade but also has a very nice courtyard at the back. We stopped for almond croissants and coffee and both were excellent. The queue to be served stretched out onto the street which shows how popular it is.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter h
Sydney11 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
A little earlier this year it was my great please to revisit this charming patisserie in The Rocks. As I enjoyed a coffee and a buttery croissant in the garden area I was delighted to be reacquainted with their famous regular visitor - a rainbow lorikeet named Maurice. Wearing his iconic miniature red beret, Maurice again cheerfully whistled his signature song made famous by his namesake Maurice Chevalier - 'Thank Heaven for Little Girls'. Bravo Maurice !
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DWolf68
Melbourne15 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Well, it looked good from the outside!!! The counter server was knowledgeable and courteous, until the end comment. The Beef Burgundy pie had very little flavour the croissant was under baked. The Chai Latte was requested extra hot with no foam….luke warm with foam arrived which was sent back, the foam removed and retuned. A weak decaf with hot milk was ordered and very strong with cold milk was delivered then when it was brought back it was light brown water. A refund was given with the comment that this had never happened before. Hmmmm, okay. Seems like the barista was being a bit catty to me. Tourists are no reason for below par service when prices are so high.
Written 2 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorenzo R
Biella9 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
Waiters chatted for two minutes, ignoring us while we were standing waiting to be served. The table was dirty, we asked to just heat our pain au chocolate but they said they could not do it. My espresso was good, but I would not recommend this place.
Written 17 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane P
San Diego11 contributions
May 2022 • couples
Quick brekkie here while waiting for The Rocks Market to open. Go straight down the road from this place, and you’ll see the Sydney harbor.
Had the following:
• ham and cheese croissant
• Nutella twist
• shepherd’s meat pie
• flat white
The best one was the croissant. Husband and I were restraining ourselves to make sure we both get our portion.
The Nutella pastry and meat pie is good. Coffee is delicious.
We’ll be back if given the chance.
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingKiwis
Sydney47 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
This is the best cafe in Sydney.
The cakes, pastries,quiches are freshly baked and delicious.
We've been to Paris so we know what's good. There is always a queue of ppl and it's definitely worth lining up for. No-one ever buys just one thing!
I used to think Lindt cakes were OK, until I found this gem! It is much better than Lindt & Guylian! You can taste the difference in quality ingredients,freshness & French style.
You can eat inside or outside or takeaway and sit by the harbour overlooking the Opera house. Highly recommended. Short 5 minute stroll from Circular Quay station.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha Z
9 contributions
May 2020 • friends
Had the Zulu cake for my birthday and it was one of the best cakes I have had. The chocolate was rich yet the cake was nice and light. The mousse had a perfect texture and the chocolate pearls added a nice crisp to. The chocolate ganache was decadent and added a dimension to the cake. The cookie crust was delicious and added a nice crunch to the cake. The presentation was great and the cake delivery was complimentary.
Written 2 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marfak
Half Moon Bay1403 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
OMG, this place has the best ham & cheese croissants in the world. I always stop here when I am in Sydney. The staff speaks French which gives it even greater authenticity. Sitting outside sipping coffee and eating one of those buttery croissants is the bomd. Highly recommended for a nosh ... and it is just a short walk to the Rocks museum.
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gniklaw1
Sydney372 contributions
July 2020 • none
Always delicious cakes, pastries, baguettes, coffee....one day I will get to the sausage rolls etc but I keep getting sidetracked by all the other goodies. Such a gem in the city...wish they had one up around the Town Hall area too. The only downside is that you can only sit down if it’s not raining as the seating isn’t undercover. Not a huge issue but important to know if you want to sit and enjoy your cake and coffee. We had to go to another cafe for coffee and cake as it was raining, but we both would have preferred to stay here. I was staying over at The Four Seasons so was able to go back the next day and make up for lost time, thank goodness. I love their filled baguettes: good variety of beautiful fillings and some are also vegetarian friendly.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theweeflea
Artarmon305 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
This is a hidden gem. Just off Circular Quay at the back on the contemporary arts gallery - in The Rocks. The food is wonderful - not least the macrons.....the staff are a delight - they even cleaned up the bird dropping on our table! Just loved everything about this....will go back before I give it a five star but its well worth going to...
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
philipbF7542BH
Sydney112 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We were given the tip about this one from a friend. This place is very low key and small and there is almost a secret courtyard out the back. Great coffee and beautiful croissants and pastries that, if you close your eyes for a moment, can transport you to the back streets of Paris. Don't tell anyone!
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllanJGJ
Wellington4258 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Pleasant sitting areas front and back, efficient staff and a nice array of baked goods. We visited three times for breakfast during a stay in Sydney and loved their pastries! Their pain au chocolat and pain au raisin were as good as anything you'll find in France. Excellent coffee too. Highly recommended.
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Divetraveller62
41 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Great Service and wonderful almond croissants. Also tried the Pork and Veal sausage rolls, coffee and iced coffee. We were not disappointed. There seems to always be a queue but it moves quickly. The prices are very reasonable and there is a nice courtyard out back where you can catch a pleasant sea breeze on a hot day. It does get crowded but generally people coming and going all the time so not too bad.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STM0041
Bullard845 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
My wife and I visited a stop at La Renaissance on our recent trip to Sydney. We each ordered a Shepherd Pie and split a pastry for breakfast. The food was outstanding. Seating is outside at some small tables and chairs.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The Rocks
The first residents of the Rocks were convicts and sailors from the old nation. As the oldest neighbourhood in the city, the area's cobblestone streets host more than 100 heritage sites and buildings, including the oldest house in Sydney, Camden Cottage, which was built in 1816. Taste a “midi “ or a “schooner” of beer and dine “al fresco” on the waterfront at some of the oldest pubs in Sydney. The weekend markets at the Rocks are where you can find local artists' hand-made souvenirs, organic food and designer jewelry in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. To enjoy some of the best Australian and international contemporary art, the MCA museum is open every day and select evenings. At the end of a long day of sightseeing, be sure to save energy to dance the night away at the area's many late night entertainment venues.
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