Shortstop Coffee & Donuts

Doughnuts and coffee have done a stellar job over the past few years of shaking off a reputation as just the staple diet of police-folk. Or in the case of those neon-hued, sprinkled concoctions from the local bread shop, a classic after-school treat. A collection of specialty vendors are responsible for the shift in getting the broader population nuts about doughnuts again and Shortstop is one of them.

After reaching cult-like status in Melbourne, Shortstop opened the doors of its Sydney outpost in Barangaroo in early 2016 to much fanfare. The coffee is by Market Lane Roasters and all sweet treats are made fresh on-site using high quality ingredients. The success can be boiled down to its unique flavour combos like Earl Grey tea and rose, triple matcha and honey and sea salt. Each flavour goes through rigorous testing before hitting (and then swiftly disappearing from) shelves And they've all been pleasing taste buds and Instagram feeds ever since.

This store, similar in style to the Melbourne original with light timber finishes, has limited seating. It is much more a grab-and-go affair, perhaps to hit the sweet spot after a luxurious long lunch at one of the neighbouring Barangaroo restaurants. If you're really short on time or have your heart set on a specific flavour, avoid the inevitable lineup and potential disappointment by pre-ordering online.