Oregano Bakery

The cinnamon scrolls from Oregano Bakery in South Hurstville have such a reputation that people travel from all over Sydney to pick them up by the dozen.

When the bakery first began it was a dedicated Lebanese pizza stop. The Jabbours had come through some pretty tough times and they were looking for a fresh start. Sonia was front-of-house making coffee and chatting to the customers while Tony (a trained Italian pizza chef), had re-skilled and was making Lebanese pizze.

But despite tweaking the pizza dough recipe until it was just right and having a huge belief in what they were doing, business was slow. Eventually, Tony hit on the idea of making some sweets, just to help pay the rent.

The space isn't large and the open kitchen is still about pizza, but head up some rickety stairs and you’ll find the dedicated bakery space that was kitted out for scroll production in 2013. A utilitarian seating area offers the chance to enjoy your scroll, pizza or za'atar wrap with a coffee.

Next time you’re in your favourite cafe and you notice a large, syrupy, sugar-dusted scroll, ask where it’s from. You may well find it’s one of Sonia and Tony Jabbour’s.