32 BakeHouse

Anyone after a bakery in Ryde with a Persian accent should know about 32 BakeHouse on Church Street. The bread is made on site, and we hear the staff will happily walk you out the back to see it coming out of the oven. Locals describe the Persian bread as soft, airy and well fermented, and there's also flat bread, seeded long loaves and sourdough, plus artisan French baguettes. The team's own words are that they bring over 30 years of experience in food industry production, and the range reflects it: Iranian, Afghan, Armenian and Turkish breads sit alongside Italian, French and Russian products.

Beyond the loaves, there's a good spread of pastries and sweets. People rave about the croissants, especially the almond one with its caramel top and moist centre, and one local singled out the tiramisu cake as creamy without being too sweet. Persian shortbread and other traditional sweets get plenty of praise, and a meat or savoury bite is easy enough to find alongside a coffee or a pot of Persian tea. The Persian breakfast plate is a favourite for a slow start, with flat bread, olives, cheese, honey and egg.

Custom cake orders are available, along with gluten-free and vegan options, and takeaway is easy if you're short on time. There are a few seats inside if you'd rather stay, with jazz in the background, and free parking is nearby. It's also a short walk from Top Ryde Shopping Centre.

The staff come up often as friendly and welcoming, and we've heard of the owner packing up a dessert box as a gift for a customer. Prices are seen as fair for the quality. One local found the coffee only so-so, and a couple of people have had a bad experience with the freshness of a cake or sweets, though the bakery responded promptly and offered a refund. If you're buying for an occasion, it's sensible to check the product before you leave.

The shop is open long hours across the week, but it's worth checking before you head in.