Agathé Pâtisserie

Agathé Pâtisserie is a South Melbourne patisserie that has built its name on laminated pastry, and the pandan croissant is the one most people mention first. Locals describe it as crisp and flaky outside, light inside and not greasy, with a pandan filling that gives it a flavour you don't often find. It's worth knowing that one person we heard from found it too sweet and rich, so tastes do differ, but it's clearly the pastry people queue for.

If pandan isn't your thing, there's plenty else on the counter. We've heard good things about the apple turnover, which turns up warm when you time it right, with light, buttery puff pastry around a sweet apple filling. The chocolate chip croissant and the twice-baked chocolate almond croissant both get a mention for a soft centre and crisp edges, and the plain and almond croissants have their fans too. The canelé has a crisp outside and a soft middle without being too sweet, and the pandan flan wins people over with its flavour and flaky pastry. One local reckons the financier is a rare find in this part of Melbourne.

Expect a queue. People talk about waiting ten or fifteen minutes at busy times and calling it worth it, and a short line is apparently a good sign that a fresh tray has just come out. One visitor who has eaten plenty of pastries in Paris said it wasn't the best they'd had, but it was good value, and others point out the pastries stay crisp and flaky when you carry them home for dessert.

The staff come across as friendly and efficient, even when the shop is busy. It's a takeaway operation, so plan to eat on the go or bring a box home, and it works well as a gift for friends or family. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and they take cards and mobile payments. The shop keeps its own hours and is closed on some days of the week, so check the hours before you make the trip.