L'Anse French Café & Croissanterie

If you're after a proper French-style croissant in Port Lincoln, this is the bakery locals point visitors to. L'Anse French Café & Croissanterie is a French bakery and café that makes its pastries using traditional techniques, and it carries a tagline about the best croissant in South Australia that plenty of people seem happy to back up. We've heard it described as the best croissant someone had eaten in Australia, which is a big thing to say about a bakery in a regional city.

The croissants are the draw, and the almond and chocolate versions come up a lot, along with Danishes people take away for a cuppa later. One visitor came to Port Lincoln partly on a friend's recommendation of this very café and said it delivered. Sweet treats sit alongside a fair range of savoury items, so it works for a quick pastry or a sit-down meal.

Breakfast and brunch are a big part of the story here. The mushroom benedict and chilli scrambled eggs get a mention, and so do the bacon and eggs, a miso and chilli egg dish served with croissants, and a salad one visitor was still raving about. Several people liked the food enough to come back for breakfast on consecutive days during a stay. The café offers dine-in, takeaway and catering, plus vegetarian and vegan options, and there is outdoor seating, high chairs and a welcome for kids. Custom cake orders are available too.

Staff earn warm words. Locals mention friendly service, one visitor noted they were remembered on their second visit, and one staff member, Manon, was singled out for making people feel welcome. Value comes up in a balanced way: it isn't the cheapest breakfast in town, but people tend to say the quality and generous serves justify it.

A couple of honest notes. It's a popular spot and the room is on the small side, so it can fill up, especially in holiday periods, and the occasional visitor has found the coffee a little underwhelming next to the food. Service can start slowly when it's busy, so expect to wait a bit. It's open every day, with a slightly later start on weekends, but check the hours before you head in.

If croissants are the reason you're going, go early and order one fresh.