Sweet treats on the Lower North Shore

This café and patisserie sells raw handmade cupcakes, truffles and full-sized cakes, all of them made using only a blender, food processor and dehydrator. All desserts are gluten free, soy free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegan and paleo, using ingredients such as cashews, almonds, coconut, coconut nectar, dates, cacao powder, cold-pressed juices, coconut milk, vanilla powder, fresh fruit and vegetables. 

This grand old historic Mosman mansion opens its doors to those looking for a spot of high tea, and they do it suitably well. There’s your classic High Tea, a Little Ladies tea for seven-to-12 year olds, Champagne or Cocktail Tea options. The resident chef diligently talks guests through the savoury and sweet selections, most of which nod towards high tea classics. 

For something sweet with an Eastern twist head over to the Monkey House. Fruit and berries keep the café's sweet options from becoming too rich. For breakfast give their French toast a shot - it comes topped with caramelised banana marscapone, maple syrup and berry compote. Or if it's cheat day opt for their decadent 'the dark side' shake: a blend of dark chocolate, oreos, ice cream and milk topped with more ice cream and chocolate ganache. 

It’s appropriate that St Honoré is named after the patron saint of bakers because the food here is heavenly. The Mosman store is the third St Honoré bakery and café in Sydney (you can also fine them in North Sydney and Edgecliff). You could grab a sweet or savoury French pastry on the run, but it would be a shame not to make use of the café's large seating area. Order a coffee and select one (or more) of their picture-perfect macarons from their seven standard flavours: salted caramel, lemon, mango, strawberry, coffee and hazelnut, pistachio and chocolate.