Blackheath Bakery Patisserie

If you're after a bakery in Blackheath, this one sits right on the main strip. It's a takeaway spot with coffee on offer, and there's no seating area, so plan on eating on the go or taking your haul home.

Pies are what most people talk about. The cheese and bacon is a firm favourite, and one local has been making a long drive each way for years just to pick some up, praising the flaky, buttery pastry. The steak and cheese gets a nod too, apparently holding its shape well with a good balance of filling. Sausage rolls have a solid following, and we've heard the vegetable curry turnover is worth grabbing if you spot it on the top shelf. A couple of people have found the pastry underwhelming or the bottoms a little soft, so tastes clearly vary.

Sourdough is the other big draw. The plain and wholemeal sourdough are standouts, with the plain particularly easy to cut, and some customers buy extra to freeze. There's a decent spread of cakes, pasties and sandwiches as well, plus vanilla slice and an orange almond cake that gets a mention. Fresh sandwiches are made up, though there's no toasting or heating them. It's worth having a good look along the counter, as there's often more on offer than the menu board shows.

Staff are friendly and quick, and the owners come across as a welcoming family operation. Prices are generally seen as fair for what you get, though one visitor was caught out by how much a steak pie cost compared with the others, so ask before you order if price matters to you.

One practical point: the payment situation seems to have confused some people. Cards are listed as accepted, but a few have been told otherwise at the counter, so carry a little cash just in case. Hours run from early morning through the afternoon, and it's worth checking before you head in, especially on weekends.