Nut Shop, Sydney

The Nut Shop is a beloved Sydney institution located in the historic Strand Arcade between George and Pitt Streets. Established in 1939 by the Crail family, the business has remained family-run for generations, specialising in hand-roasted nuts, chocolates, and confectionery made on-site. The shop’s modest façade, with its vintage signage and warm aroma of roasted almonds, evokes the character of a bygone era amid the elegant Victorian architecture of the arcade.

Inside, glass jars and wooden counters display a wide assortment of treats—freshly roasted macadamias, almonds, and cashews alongside coated varieties dipped in chocolate or honey. The recipes and roasting techniques have changed little over the decades, preserving the same small-batch approach that earned the shop its loyal following. Visitors often stop to watch staff preparing or packaging products by hand, maintaining a sense of craftsmanship rare in the modern retail environment.

The Nut Shop also produces a range of traditional sweets, including brittles, toffees, and glacé fruit, which attracts both locals and visitors looking for classic Australian confectionery. Its location inside the Strand Arcade, a late-19th-century shopping gallery with long-established retailers, contributes to its practical, historic setting.