A meringue dessert with a crisp shell and marshmallow-soft centre, topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, passionfruit and kiwi.

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.