La Banette

Step into La Banette and you could swear you’ve landed in a bakery in downtown Paris. It’s all in the decor  – distressed wooden shelves holding crusty baguettes, wicker trays filled with flaky pastries and even a striped shop awning out the front that all exude French provincial charm. The gleaming window display out the front holds an orgy of sweets: from thin elegant chocolate éclairs to glazed fruit tarts and complex constructions of miniature gateaux. Make like a frugal backpacker and get into the pies and quiches for a bargain lunch. The beef and burgundy pie ($5) is jam-packed with chunks of beef, slow-cooked until it’s practically falling apart beneath a dome of crisp golden pastry. Ratatouille quiche ($4.50) is a godsend for vegetarians, a pastry case overloaded with a tomatoey stew of of capsicum, zucchini and eggplant. Seating is limited but there’s usually a spot to squeeze in along one of the rustic wooden benches. Grab a coffee and dessert and you’ve got a two-course lunch for under $15.