A meringue dessert with a crisp shell and marshmallow-soft centre, topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, passionfruit and kiwi. The Sydney summer and Christmas-table standard.

The pavlova is named for Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926. Both countries claim the original; the cookbook trail puts the modern recipe in Perth's Esplanade Hotel in 1935. Australian summer pavlovas use a layer of whipped cream and fresh stone fruit, passionfruit and strawberries; Sydney bakeries serve them by the slice at Christmas.

3 editor picks for Pavlova in Sydney, ranked by editorial score. All Sydney signature dishes · Pavlova across every city.

Also in: Brisbane, Auckland.