By ANNA USHER

Neutral Bay is about to get a tasty new arrival.

Wholegreen Bakery – the Sydney gluten-free favourite known for its flaky pastries, fresh sourdough and cult following – will officially open its doors this Saturday, marking the brand’s fifth café and its first on the lower north shore.

And yes, there’s an opening day sweetener: free Pana Organic Spiced Ginger Triple Chocolate Tarts will be handed out between 10am and midday.

For locals who avoid gluten, this is a big win. For everyone else, it’s another sign Neutral Bay’s food scene is getting stronger by the week.

Wholegreen was founded by nutritionist Cherie Lyden after coeliac disease hit close to home. When her young daughter Lucia was diagnosed, Lyden set out to create the kind of food families in the same position rarely found – safe to eat, beautifully made and not remotely second-rate.

That idea struck a nerve.

What began as one mother’s mission to make better gluten-free food has grown into one of Sydney’s most respected specialty bakeries, even winning (twice) the Champion Pastry of the Year at the Royal Sydney Fine Food Awards.

Today, Wholegreen is accredited by Coeliac Australia, stocked in Harris Farm Markets across NSW, Queensland and the ACT, and has grown into a bakery brand with genuine pull.

Now it’s Neutral Bay’s turn.

The new café will serve Wholegreen’s signature line-up of pastries, sourdough and coffee in a fresh new space, with Lyden and her team expected to be there on opening day.

Given the bakery’s reputation – and the promise of free tarts – don’t be surprised if there’s a queue out the door by mid-morning.

Wholegreen Bakery: 5/12 Waters Rd, Neutral Bay (cafe entrance is on Grosvenor St). Free 1hr parking under the new Pienza building.