Fika Patisserie

For laminated pastry in Duncraig, Fika Patisserie is the name locals keep passing along. It sits tucked behind the shopping centre near the IGA, and the word is that you smell the butter before you reach the counter.

The croissants are the draw. So do the danishes, with the mushroom one a regular pick, and the custard tarts get people talking, the Portuguese-style ones especially, with a crisp, flaky base and soft, vanilla-flecked custard. We've heard the morning buns are worth a look too, filled with passionfruit custard that's tangy rather than sweet, and one local called the almond pecan croissant spot on: crunchy, flaky and a little chewy. Everything is fresh from the oven, and people describe the pastries as skilled, careful work that looks as good as it tastes. One visitor said it felt like stepping into a patisserie in France.

There's good coffee on the menu as well, soy flat whites included, and it's the sort of coffee that holds its own next to the pastry. Takeaway is available, with a bit of outdoor seating for those who'd rather stay a while. Locals also describe the prices as good value for the quality.

The staff come up often. Regulars say the team greets people with a smile, learns names, and keeps the shop tidy, and there's a small drawing on the coffee lids that has made a few mornings. The shop has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and takes cards and tap-to-pay.

Popular items can sell out, and someone who turned up for the large custard tarts missed out, so it pays to go earlier in the day if there's something particular you're after. The shop trades in the morning through to early afternoon, so check the hours before you head in.

If you're looking for a patisserie in Duncraig for a weekend breakfast or a box of pastries to take home, this is a good one to know about.