Le Bon Choix on Racecourse

Le Bon Choix on Racecourse is a French-style boulangerie and patisserie on Racecourse Road in Ascot, and it works as a bakery, a coffee stop and a place to sit down for lunch all at once. The shopfront is cosy and minimal, in the manner of a small Parisian cafe, and has been described as warm and comfortable, with air conditioning inside and outdoor seating when the weather suits.

The baked goods are the draw. The counter carries cakes, gateaux, croissants, pastries, macarons and baguettes, and the almond croissant and filled baguettes are among the items customers seek. One local had a ham and salad baguette and said it beat expectations. A brunch chicken ciabatta with crisp bread has also won praise, along with a chai latte one person called among the best they'd had. Cakes travel well, with good layering and balanced sweetness, and the mango mousse cake has its fans. Custom cake orders and catering are both on offer, and the bakery runs a pre-order system through its online shop with click-and-collect pickup, so it's worth sorting that out ahead if you have something specific in mind.

Staff come across as friendly, with one barista singled out by name, Hailey, for a kind welcome and a good flat white. Prices are mentioned as fair for the quality, and there's a touch of generosity too, with bread and butter set out at the register for a nibble.

A couple of people have been caught by slow service or a drink that missed the mark, and one local suggests arriving early in the day because the shelves can run bare. Coffee seems to be a matter of taste here.

You can dine in or take away, and the doors open early every day of the week, so it suits a breakfast stop as much as an afternoon treat. The venue has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and seating. Check the hours before you go, and if you're after a specific cake, order ahead.