Arôme Café

If you're in Agnes Water and after a proper French-style cafe with a baking counter, Arôme Café is the one locals point visitors towards. It sits in Effort Plaza, an easy walk from the beach, and it's a friendly, busy spot where the coffee gets as much praise as the food.

The baking is a big part of the draw. We hear the pastries carry a real French pâtissier's touch, with other home-baked treats on offer beyond them, and one local raved about the homemade pecan pie over afternoon tea. Pies are something this place is known for, and there's a fresh-from-the-oven feel to the counter. They also make custom cakes, so it's worth asking if you've got an occasion coming up.

Beyond the baking, the cafe covers breakfast, brunch and lunch, with a menu that keeps things simple and does it well. People talk about the Agnes wrap (hollandaise, hash brown, tomato and spinach), the brekky wrap and brekky roll, French crepes, and generous toasted sandwiches stacked with ham. Burgers, wraps and fish and chips are on the menu too. Opinion on the food is a little mixed. One family found a wrap short on halloumi and heavy on onion, and the seafood basket didn't win over one visitor, but plenty of others say everything arrived fresh and well made.

The staff are the thing people mention most. Locals describe cheerful service, and one traveller said the owners even helped with their beginner French. Regulars are there most mornings, which gives the place a lovely, relaxed vibe.

You can eat in or take away, and there's plenty of outdoor seating, high chairs for little ones and a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. They also do catering. Check the hours before you head in, as the cafe closes one day a week.

For a good coffee and something freshly baked in Agnes Water, Arôme Café is an easy choice.