Con's Patisserie

If you're driving through the lower Blue Mountains and want something proper from the oven, Con's Patisserie in Glenbrook is an easy one to like. It's a bakery with a pastry counter and a few seats, so you can take your haul with you or settle in with a coffee and eat it there.

Pies are the big talking point. Folks who stop in speak warmly about the black pepper steak pie, the chunky beef pie and a cheese and bacon number with pastry that holds together nicely. The kangaroo pie gets a mention too, and one local was won over by a spinach and feta pie with a bit of spice running through it. They're served warm, with your sauce of choice, and generously filled. A few people do say the prices run on the higher side, though most feel the portions justify it. The sausage rolls get a more lukewarm reception, so if you're choosing, lean towards the pies.

Bread is the other draw. The sourdough has a following, and one visitor took home a walnut loaf and still talks about it. On the pastry side, the croissants and pain au chocolat have drawn some very big compliments, and there's caramel slice, tarts, cheesecake, carrot cake and the occasional chocolate eclair for the sweet-toothed. Coffee is a regular companion to all of it, and breakfast is on offer as well.

What keeps people coming back is the welcome. Staff are described as friendly and attentive, and one customer remembers a warm hello at the register. Shannon, who makes the coffees, got a nice mention for a lovely cappuccino. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance, and you can pay by card or tap.

It suits a post-hike or post-ride stop, or just a relaxed lunch break. As with any busy local bakery, the pie lineup can shift from time to time, so it's worth checking the hours before you head in.