Cherry Moon General Store - Annandale, Sydney

Cherry Moon General Store in Annandale is a bustling hub that combines a cafe, woodfired bakery, and grocer, offering a unique blend of artisanal charm and culinary delights. Owned by pastry chef Kimmy Gastmeier and fermentation enthusiast Aimee Graham, the venue exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic American diners. With a mottled roadside seating area and a candy-striped awning, it welcomes guests to indulge in a variety of treats, including seasonal tarts, upside-down orange cakes, and Cherry Moon doughnuts.

At the heart of Cherry Moon is its custom-built woodfired oven named Apollonia, which produces the signature sourdough, lavender Portuguese tarts, and rolls. The venue also operates as a boutique grocer, offering housemade products like butter, creme fraiche, and gelato, alongside Mailer McGuire kombucha and seasonal jams. Inside, the communal indoor tables adorned with native flora create a warm and inviting atmosphere, where guests can enjoy a diverse menu featuring breakfast toast, granola, sandwiches, and sausage rolls.

The wood-fired oven, built in 2019 and named after Prince’s girlfriend in Purple Rain, symbolizes Gastmeier’s vision of reviving old-school cooking methods. After years of searching for the perfect oven, she embarked on a trip to the Northern Territory, where she fell in love with native bush foods. Upon her return, she found the ideal location in Annandale and enlisted the help of a skilled artisan to build Apollonia with her own hands. The oven’s facade was restored from an original Scotch wood-fired oven bakery in Ballarat from 1869, adding to its historic charm and significance.