Pattison's Patisserie

If you're after a bakery in Erina that doubles as a proper place to sit down, Pattison's Patisserie is one locals know well. It's a bakery and café with a French-inspired bent, and the website describes handcrafted breads, fine pastries and coffee as the heart of what they do. The tagline, "Perfection has always been our purpose", gives you the idea.

Cakes are a big part of the draw here. They take custom cake orders, and we've heard the team is patient with first-timers. One local popped in hoping to sort a birthday cake and came away with a clear rundown of the sizes, shelf life and ordering process, with no sense of being rushed. The Black Forest gets a particular mention. Beyond cakes, the cabinet is full of pastries, sweets and rock cakes, and people say the range is so good it's hard to choose.

It's not only sweet things. Locals mention toasted sandwiches and a schnitzel sandwich that went down well for a late afternoon snack, and the coffee has a loyal following. The common line is that the cup tastes the same whether the place is quiet or packed, and it's usually packed. You can dine in or grab takeaway, though one visitor found the spot to wait for a takeaway coffee a bit unclear near the door.

The staff are what regulars talk about most. Friendly and welcoming comes up again and again, and some people say it's the service that has them back a few times a week. Bec gets a special mention from more than one local. As in any busy café, not every visit is perfect, and one group was left feeling unheard when they asked about a seating area. It was the odd exception.

On access, the car park, entrance and seating are all wheelchair-accessible. It's open seven days a week with fairly long hours, but check the times before you head in. For a custom cake, ask the team about timing when you order.