Boulevard Bakery

Boulevard Bakery in Maroubra is the sort of spot people drop into for a croissant and end up leaving with a loaf of bread as well. It's a small, minimal room with a few tables inside, and the aroma of fresh pastry greets you at the door. People tend to describe the place as warm and quaint, with prices clearly labelled, which locals appreciate.

The viennoiserie is the main drawcard. Croissants come up more than anything: the almond croissant, the chocolate croissant and the plain butter version all get regular mentions, along with pain au chocolat. One local went so far as to call them the best croissants in the country, which tells you how seriously people take them. There's also a rotating run of more creative pastries, from a goat cheese Danish with nigella seeds to a blood orange Danish, a chocolate orange croissant (they've been known to hand out samples), a mini tiramisu and madeleines. If you ask, they'll often toast your pastry for you.

The bread gets just as much love. People who care about sourdough and rustic loaves talk about the Neapolitan-style Italian bread here, long-fermented, light and bubbly inside with a crisp semolina-dusted crust. We hear it's worth the trip from elsewhere in the eastern suburbs if you like proper artisan bread.

Coffee is on the menu too, so it works for a breakfast, brunch or lunch stop as well as a takeaway. You can dine in or take your order away, and there's a dessert side to the pastry cabinet for something sweeter. It's good for kids, the entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and there's free street parking plus a free car park nearby. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted.

Staff are a big part of the appeal. Friendly service is mentioned time and again, from the owner's welcome to counter staff who know their breads and pastries and will happily talk you through them. Locals are a little split on consistency, with the odd grumble about coffee tasting different depending on who's making it, but most come away happy and plan to return.

The bakery opens early most days, with shorter hours on weekends, so check the hours before you head over.