Christian Jacques Bakery

If you're after a proper French-style bakery in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, this is the one people point you toward. Christian Jacques calls itself Brisbane's authentic French bakery, and the approach backs that up: slow-fermented croissants, sourdough bread and patisserie, all handcrafted with traditional methods and French butter. Christian Jacques himself qualified as a baker in 1994, and that training shows in the care that goes into the range.

Croissants are what most people come for. The almond and custard version gets talked about a lot, along with the bacon and goat's cheese croissant, a Nutella custard one, and a raspberry danish where the berry cuts through the sweetness. Locals describe the pastry as flaky and light rather than heavy, and the pain au chocolat has a name for being generous with the chocolate. Baguettes, eclairs, tarts and quiche round out the cabinet, and everything is baked fresh. Sourdough loaves are on offer too if bread is the plan.

It's a small shop, and the queue often spills out onto the footpath, especially on weekend mornings. We hear it moves quickly, and the staff are friendly and happy to walk you through the options, even when your French is rusty. One person found a croissant a touch underbaked, and another wished for more filling. The general view is still very positive.

A few practical points. There's no seating inside and no coffee, so the usual move is to take your pastries down to the riverside or grab a coffee across the road. Prices sit on the higher side, though people reckon the quality justifies it. Everything is takeaway, card and tap payments are accepted, the entrance and car park are wheelchair-accessible, and there's free street parking nearby. The bakery is closed on one day of the week, so check the hours before you head in.