Al Fayhaa Bakery

It's a small, quick-moving shop where the smell of fresh bread and za'atar hits you before you've reached the counter.

Manoush is the main draw. People rave about the za'atar, and one local singled out the oregano bread loaded with vegetables. The pizzas get a lot of love too: the thin crust BBQ and the thin crust sujuk have their own fans, and there's a peri peri pizza that gets talked about as well. The cheese foldover is another favourite, and we've heard the meat pastries are thin and a little crunchy, with a touch of mint that people remember. Spinach triangles are on the list of things regulars mention too.

Value is part of the story. Folks say the food is fairly priced, especially against similar places nearby, and the wait is usually short. It's a takeaway-style bakery, and breakfast is part of what they do. The shop opens very early and keeps long hours through the week, though it's worth checking the hours before you head in.

Staff get a warm word from many, and one local singled out a young man named Ahmed for being friendly, polite and helpful. It's a busy counter with no real queue, so you'll want to step up and state your order rather than wait to be asked. One or two people have found the portions a bit smaller lately, or a topping applied too heavily, but most speak of the quality and flavour in glowing terms.

Payment is easy with cards and mobile payments accepted, and there's free street parking as well as a car park, which makes a quick stop simple. For fresh manoush or a hot pizza in Lakemba, it's a handy one to know.