Voglia Di Pane

Voglia Di Pane is a small Italian-leaning bakery and cafe in Woodpark, New South Wales, and it's the sort of place people mention with real affection. Ask around and you'll hear about the cannoli first. One local says if you don't see them on display, ask at the counter, because the staff will fill them fresh for you. The sfogliatelle are another draw, and they can sell out later in the day, so a late visit may mean settling for the mini version, which has its fans too.

Donuts are a big part of the story. The Nutella and custard ones come up often, along with a jam donut that one regular insists you try, and the variety runs to flavours like creme brulee, pistachio and Biscoff alongside the classics. The vanilla slice gets good words for its flaky, light puff pastry and custard that holds its shape, and the fruit tart has a crisp shortcrust base with a custard that isn't overly sweet. On the savoury side, people talk about the banh mi, a grilled chicken wrap and ham and cheese rolls.

Bread is properly covered too, with sourdough, olive bread, white, brown, rolls and loaves on offer. They also make custom cakes, including a sponge with fresh cream, custard and fruit on top, and locals call the prices fair for what you get.

The coffee has a loyal following, and so does the counter team. Regulars say the staff are warm, helpful and quick to remember you, and one visitor tells of a morning coffee order already being handed over before he'd said a word. It works for takeaway or for sitting down over breakfast or lunch. Eat-in space is limited, so it can get crowded and a bit noisy at busy times, and one local wishes it were bigger.

They take cards and mobile payments, there's free street parking and a free car park, and the entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible. They open early on most days and close mid-afternoon, so check the hours before you head in, especially for the weekend.