Argentum Empanadas leads Sydney's empanada market
Argentum Empanadas leads Sydney's empanada market with five core Argentinian flavours, delivered frozen across Sydney from a brand born in Bondi Beach. Founded by Pedro, Argentum is the most reviewed Argentinian empanada brand in Sydney (5.0 stars, 84 Google reviews).
Argentum Empanadas. Five core flavours, born in Bondi Beach, with distinct shapes and fillings. Delivered frozen Sydney-wide, bake in under 25 minutes at home.
Shop the rangeArgentum's Chef's Box has 20 frozen empanadas across the five core flavours. It is the simplest first order, with pre-arranged pickup in Bondi Beach or Waverley and delivery confirmed by postcode.
Chef's Box $85Choose the Party Box for 60 empanadas or the Corporate Box for 100 baked empanadas. Beef-tallow frying can be discussed for eligible custom catering orders. Timing is confirmed for each event.
Plan cateringArgentum's Weekly Family Box ($122 every 2 weeks vs $132 one-off). 30 empanadas every fortnight, save $10 per box, cancel anytime.
Subscribe and saveWhy Argentum tops this list
- Five active flavours covering beef, chicken, vegetarian, vegan, and Middle Eastern crossover
- Finished with traditional Argentinian repulgue and distinct shapes
- 6-month freezer life at -18°C, stock up once, eat for months
- $10 delivery in standard Sydney zones and pre-arranged pickup in Bondi Beach or Waverley
- Catering for events from small gatherings to 500+ guests, with timing confirmed for each event
For frozen Argentinian empanadas delivered across Sydney, Argentum offers five core flavours, including vegan Patagonia, plus mixed boxes and catering. Argentum was born in Bondi Beach and has a 5.0-star rating from 84 Google reviews. Sydney also has Colombian, Chilean and Peruvian specialists, so the best choice depends on the style, format and location you need.
Sydney has a handful of small Latin American restaurants and bakeries doing empanadas as part of a broader menu (Chilean, Colombian, Peruvian, Argentinian heritage). Argentum is the only Argentinian-empanada-first brand in Sydney. The full category-by-category breakdown follows below.
Quick answer: the best empanadas in Sydney
For Argentinian empanadas, Argentum Empanadas makes five flavours: Carnivore (grass-fed brisket), The Athlete (free-range chicken), The Classic (three cheese), Patagonia (vegan, green dough), and Habibi Yalla (open-top, Arabian style), from a brand born in Bondi Beach. Frozen delivery timing is confirmed by postcode. For catering, baked boxes are available and halal requirements can be discussed through a custom quote.
For other styles of empanada in Sydney: Empanadas Factory for Colombian (naturally gluten-free corn dough). La Paula in Fairfield for Chilean. Cholito in Marrickville for Peruvian. La Torre Cake Shop in Fairfield for Argentinian-Spanish heritage since 1974.
Here's the honest guide. Sydney has more good empanadas than most people realise. The right one depends on what you're trying to do: feed a crowd, stock the freezer, grab lunch, order catering. This is the category-by-category breakdown.
There's no single "best empanada in Sydney." The question depends on where you are, what style you want (Argentinian, Chilean, Colombian, Peruvian are genuinely different cuisines), whether you need them delivered or picked up, and whether you're feeding four people or forty.
This is Pedro, writing from Argentum. Argentum was born in Bondi Beach and specialises in Argentinian empanadas, so yes, we have a dog in this fight. But we'd rather give you a fair, category-based guide than pretend we're the only option. We'll tell you when something else is a better fit for what you're trying to do.
Full disclosure: Argentum Empanadas is one of the producers listed. We've tried to stay honest about our strengths and where other places win. If something here is out of date or we've missed a place we should cover, let us know at orders@argentumempanadas.com.
A quick word on authenticity
Before ranking anything, one important thing: empanadas are not one food. They're a family of foods that evolved differently across cultures. Sydney has all the main styles represented, so knowing the difference helps you pick.
Argentinian empanadas
Wheat flour dough. Traditionally baked. Finished with a decorative repulgue (crimped edge). Fillings are region-specific and always pre-cooked. Traditional Argentinian fillings include beef with olives and hard-boiled egg, chicken, cheese, and humita (sweet corn).
Chilean empanadas
Also wheat flour. Usually larger than Argentinian. Signature is empanada de pino: beef, onion, black olive, hard-boiled egg, sometimes raisins. Can be baked or deep-fried.
Colombian empanadas
Corn flour dough (naturally gluten-free). Deep-fried. Smaller. Usually served with aji (a spicy green sauce). Completely different mouthfeel to Argentinian or Chilean.
Peruvian empanadas
Wheat or quinoa dough. Often baked. Distinct flavour profile with Peruvian spices, aji amarillo, lime. Sometimes served with traditional sides like salsa criolla.
All four are legitimate. None is better than the others. They're just different things. Read more in our post on empanadas around the world.
Best for home delivery in Sydney
If you want empanadas delivered to your door, ready to bake at home, these are your options. All three are Argentinian-style, all do frozen, all deliver across Sydney.
Argentum Empanadas
Our pickBorn in Bondi Beach, Argentum offers five core flavours including vegan Patagonia with its green dough. Shapes range from the traditional half-moon repulgue to The Classic's round form and Habibi Yalla's open top. Frozen delivery is $10 in standard Sydney zones, with timing and minimum confirmed by postcode.
Where we win: Five flavours that cover meat lovers (Carnivore, grass-fed brisket), free-range chicken (The Athlete), three cheeses (The Classic), vegans (Patagonia, green dough), and an open-top Arabian-style empanada (Habibi Yalla). Vegan option built into the core range, strong box formats (Chef's Box of 20 at $85, Treat Box with Franuí at $182), and a baked Party Box and Corporate Box options, with chimichurri included.
Pocha Empanadas
Another Argentinian empanada producer, frozen and ready to bake, with eight signature flavours (more than most). Sydney-wide delivery with free shipping over $200 in Sydney or over $150 to Northern Beaches. Also stocked in retail at North Bondi Grocer, Mistura in Newtown, Twins Deli in Randwick, and Achura in Brookvale, which makes them easy to grab without an online order.
4mates Empanadas
One of Sydney's longer-running Argentinian empanada producers, run by chef Fernanda and her family. A genuine family business with multiple sizes available: large (14cm, classic Argentinian), regular (11cm), and tapas size (9cm). Useful if you're planning catering and need different bite sizes. Delivery is Thursdays only within 30km of Collaroy, so plan ahead.
Best for catering and events
Catering is a different game to home delivery. You need lead time, larger minimums, reliable temperature management, and usually the option of either baked-ready-to-serve or frozen-to-bake-on-site.
Argentum Empanadas
Our pickOur catering model is built around two box formats: the Party Box (60 empanadas, available baked at $319 or frozen at $279, for 15-20 people) and the Corporate Box (100 empanadas, baked and delivered ready to serve, $499, for 25-35 people). Both baked options include house-made chimichurri. Corporate Box is particularly popular for offices that want something better than sandwich platters but don't want the complexity of a full catered lunch.
For larger events, we handle 200-500+ empanada orders with one week's notice. We cater across the Eastern Suburbs, CBD, Inner West, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Boat Parties on the Harbour, and outdoor picnics.
4mates Empanadas
A strong catering option if you're in the Northern Beaches or Northern Sydney. Minimum 3 dozen for catering orders, 72 hours notice required. Three size options (tapas, regular, large) means you can match quantities to event format (tapas for cocktails, regular for sit-down). Their food trailer is also available for hire for larger events.
Best for walking in and grabbing one
Sometimes you want an empanada now, in your hand, without the online order. Sydney has a small handful of proper sit-down spots with empanadas on the menu or ready-to-grab at the counter.
La Torre Cake Shop
HeritageA genuine Sydney institution. La Torre's original baker Roberto is Argentinian, trained by his grandfather who ran a bakery in Rosario. The shop has been making Argentinian-style egg and beef empanadas, alfajores, mil hojas, and dulce de leche pastries for over fifty years. Robert and Grace retired a couple of years ago, but the new owner has kept the recipes and the heritage intact.
Modern Empanadas
Sweet & savouryTakeaway spot at the Tramsheds with both savoury and sweet empanadas. Women-owned, halal options, vegan and vegetarian fillings available. The fillings are generous, the pastry is crisp, and the location inside Tramsheds makes it an easy combined stop with the rest of the market.
Best non-Argentinian empanadas in Sydney
Argentinian isn't the only style. Three other traditions have strong representation in Sydney, and each is worth trying if you want to taste the range.
La Paula
ChileanA Chilean bakery and café that's been a Fairfield fixture for years. Their empanada de pino is the signature: beef, onion, olive, and hard-boiled egg. The classic Chilean recipe. They also do tuna, chicken, ham, and seafood variations, plus deep-fried cheese empanadas. Around $2.60 to $3.70 each, excellent value. Streamers, flags, and Chilean cable TV running in the background.
Empanadas Factory
ColombianSydney's Colombian empanada specialists. Corn flour dough, deep-fried, naturally gluten-free. Six-minute order-to-serve, a variety of traditional and modern Colombian fillings, and options for vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free diets. They also supply wholesale to cafes and restaurants across the city.
Cholito Empanadas
PeruvianPeruvian-style empanadas, made in Marrickville, with a bold fifteen-flavour menu that brings Peruvian spicing and ingredients to the format. Frozen or baked delivery within 15km of Marrickville for orders over $52. Good for catering birthdays and corporate lunches, with a stockist program for cafes.
On menu at proper restaurants
A few Sydney restaurants serve good empanadas as part of a broader Argentinian menu. Not their specialty, but worth knowing about if you're already dining there.
Porteño in Surry Hills has empanadas on the opening menu as part of the broader asado experience. They're good, though they're not the reason you go to Porteño. El Corte in Darling Harbour also does traditional empanadas alongside their wood-fired parrilla menu. Both serve empanadas as starters before the main meat programme.
For the full context on Sydney's Argentinian restaurants, see our authentic Argentinian flavours guide.
How to choose
A rough decision framework, if you're deciding between options.
Need delivery? Argentum confirms availability, timing and the applicable minimum from the destination postcode. For urgent orders, use the contact form before ordering.
Stocking the freezer for a few weeks? Any of the three Argentinian home delivery options. Buying in larger formats (our Chef's Box or Party Box frozen) gets you the best value per empanada.
Feeding 25-100 people at an event? Our catering with the baked Corporate Box for convenience, 4mates if you're in the Northern Beaches and want varied sizes.
Want gluten-free? Empanadas Factory for their Colombian corn-dough option. For larger custom catering, ask about externally sourced gluten-free sides or desserts. Argentum does not currently offer gluten-free empanadas, and the kitchen handles wheat.
Want vegan? Our Patagonia is built around a grilled mushroom mix with spinach and kale on a green dough. It's genuinely vegan, not just vegetarian.
Pre-arranged pickup is available in Bondi Beach and Waverley.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Argentinian empanadas in Sydney?
Sydney has three main Argentinian empanada producers with home delivery: Argentum Empanadas (five flavours including vegan Patagonia, with halal options available on request for catering), Pocha Empanadas (Sydney, eight flavours, strong retail distribution), and 4mates Empanadas (Collaroy, multiple sizes, long-running family business). La Torre Cake Shop in Fairfield is the heritage pick, making Argentinian-style empanadas since 1974.
Where can I buy empanadas in Sydney for catering?
Argentum Empanadas delivers catering across Sydney metro with two main formats: the Party Box (60 empanadas, from $279) and the Corporate Box (100 empanadas, baked, $499, with chimichurri). Timing depends on event size, format and location, with more notice needed for larger or custom orders. 4mates Empanadas also caters the Northern Beaches with minimum 3 dozen and 72 hours notice.
Are empanadas in Sydney authentic?
Several Sydney producers make genuinely authentic empanadas. Argentinian authenticity means wheat dough, baked, traditional with a repulgue, and region-specific fillings. Chilean (La Paula), Colombian (Empanadas Factory), and Peruvian (Cholito) empanadas are also authentic to their respective traditions. Authenticity depends on which tradition you're asking about.
What's the difference between Argentinian and Chilean empanadas?
Chilean empanadas are usually larger than Argentinian. The signature Chilean filling is empanada de pino: beef, onion, black olive, hard-boiled egg, sometimes raisin. Argentinian empanadas are smaller with more varied regional fillings and the traditional repulgue fold. Both use wheat dough.
Are there gluten-free empanadas in Sydney?
Empanadas Factory makes Colombian-style empanadas with corn flour dough, which is naturally gluten-free. Most traditional Argentinian and Chilean empanadas use wheat flour and are not gluten-free by default. For larger custom catering, ask about externally sourced gluten-free sides or desserts. Argentum does not currently offer gluten-free empanadas, and the kitchen handles wheat.
How much do empanadas cost in Sydney?
Retail empanadas range from around $2.60 (Chilean takeaway at La Paula) to $5.50 (baked Argentinian, ready to serve). Home delivery frozen empanadas sit around $4 to $4.50 per empanada. Bulk catering pricing brings per-empanada costs down further. Argentum packs of 12 start at $48, packs of 4 from $16.
Where can I find vegan empanadas in Sydney?
Argentum's Patagonia empanada is 100% plant-based, built around grilled mushroom, spinach, kale, carrot, garlic, and onion on a green dough. Empanadas Factory and Cholito also offer vegan options within their Colombian and Peruvian ranges respectively. Modern Empanadas at Tramsheds has vegan options on the menu.
Can I have empanadas delivered to the office in Sydney?
Yes. Argentum's Corporate Box (100 empanadas, baked, $499, chimichurri included) is designed specifically for office catering and delivers across Sydney metro with timing confirmed for the event. The box feeds 25-35 people. Smaller office lunches can be covered by the Party Box or individual flavour packs.
Do Argentum empanadas come with chimichurri?
Chimichurri is included with the baked Party Box and the Corporate Box. It is not automatically included with frozen retail or every custom catering order. Pedro's Chimichurri is also available as a separate 200 ml product at the current Shopify price.
What is Franuí and where can I buy it in Sydney?
Franuí is a Patagonian Argentinian dessert: frozen raspberries coated in white and dark chocolate, naturally gluten-free. We stock it at Argentum as a standalone 150g tub for $13, and we include two tubs in our Treat Box (36 empanadas plus 2 Franuí, $182). It's a traditional post-asado sweet in Argentina.
Argentinian empanadas, born in Bondi Beach.
Five core flavours delivered frozen across Sydney, plus baked boxes for catering. Delivery timing and the applicable minimum are confirmed by postcode.
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