Za'atar Bake

Za'atar Bake is a Middle Eastern bakery on Botany Road in Mascot, and it's the sort of place people stumble on once and then keep coming back to. The pastries and flatbreads come hot out of the oven, and that freshness is what regulars mention first.

The manoush is the thing to start with, whether it's the za'atar with its tangy hit of sumac or one of the cheese and meat versions. The pizzas have a loyal following, particularly the meat and cheese and the za'atar, cheese and garlic. The lamb and chicken wraps get plenty of praise, and so do the small baked pastries in the cabinet: spinach triangles with a slight tang, soft cheese and za'atar rolls, and kaak that's crisp and aromatic with toasted sesame seeds. Sujuk fans are catered for too. Vegetarians have a good run of choices, which people appreciate.

It's not only a grab-and-go counter. You can dine in, and breakfast is a draw. Baked egg dishes arrive with freshly baked pita, and the coffee gets good words, along with fresh juice and an iced latte one local called the best they'd ever had. Takeaway and delivery are both available, and they also do catering, so it's worth asking if you're feeding a crowd.

The welcome is a big part of the appeal. Locals talk about the hospitality, with Mahmoud singled out as a gentleman who makes you feel looked after. One visitor tells of staff helping their elderly father find a comfortable seat and slipping them extra croissants. Prices are considered reasonable for the quality, though one person found a drink a touch dear.

The entrance is wheelchair accessible, there's free street parking and a free car park, and they take cards and tap payments. It opens early, which suits a morning savoury fix, but it's closed in the evenings and shuts for one day a week, so check the hours before you head in.