Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie

Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie is a Swiss bakery in Subiaco, Western Australia, and it has been baking daily since 1997. The shopfront is easy to spot, the flag out the front tells you what you're in for, and the display inside is the kind that makes deciding difficult. Breads, cakes, pastries, sandwiches and plenty more are laid out together, and you might easily walk in for one thing and leave with several.

The bread is a big part of the draw. They bake sourdough, and people mention the baguettes, rolls and pretzels. The pretzel leans light, crisp and airy rather than chewy like a traditional German one, so go in expecting that. A German sausage roll with properly flaky, buttery pastry that wasn't greasy is a highlight here. Almond croissants have their regulars, though one person found the almond flavour a touch strong, so tastes vary. Donuts, eclairs and a raspberry cheesecake also get a good word, and there's a ham and cheese croissant that went down well with one visitor.

It works as a sit-down stop as well as a quick grab. Dine-in and takeaway are both available, and the coffee gets consistent praise, along with breakfast options. Seating is comfortable, indoors and out, and the staff are described as friendly and helpful. One local singled out a team member for taking the time to recommend something good. Prices are seen as fair for what you get, and the bread is made in-house, so the shelves are usually stocked with fresh-from-the-oven goods.

Be realistic about the crowd. It's popular, and a queue out the door is common, which can feel a little rushed at the register. Dining in tends to be more relaxed. If you're after a celebration cake, custom cake orders are on offer, so it's worth asking them about timing. A couple of longtime locals feel other Perth bakeries now edge it out, but plenty of others rate it highly, and the overall reputation is strong.

Access is straightforward, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and card and mobile payments are accepted. Hours run most of the day on weekdays with slightly shorter days on weekends, so check the hours before you head in.