The Icky Sticky Patisserie

The Icky Sticky Patisserie is a small pastry shop in Lorn, and the advice you'll hear about it comes down to one thing: get there early. Locals will tell you the good stuff goes fast, and one person has learned that the hard way by turning up mid-morning and finding the croissants already gone. Even so, there's usually still a decent spread to choose from, and everything is made fresh and looks the part in the display.

What keeps people coming back is the pastry. The croissants are mentioned often, almond and plain alike, and we've heard good things about the baked cheesecake, the raspberry chocolate mousse and the almond apple crumble. It's a sweeter-leaning counter, but there are savoury options too, including pies, sausage rolls and baguettes. Pies are among the things the shop is known for, and the prices are thought of as fair for the quality.

Custom cake orders are on offer as well. One local ordered small cakes for a wedding dessert table here and said they looked and tasted wonderful. If you're planning something for a special occasion, contact the bakery directly and confirm how to order and what timing suits, as one local had trouble getting through online.

You can dine in or take your order away. The outdoor seating is limited and sits on a busy road, so it's worth grabbing a pastry and finding a spot by the river instead. Coffee gets a warm word from some, though others say the baking outshines it. The staff are friendly, and one person called the place a Maitland institution. If you arrive after the rush, expect a smaller selection, and now and then someone feels the cakes haven't been quite as good as on earlier visits.

The shop keeps weekday daytime hours and is closed on weekends, so check the hours before you plan a visit. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance, and card and mobile payments are accepted. Parking directly out the front is limited, but a space is usually an easy short walk away.