Elena's Patisserie and Coffee Lounge

You'll smell the butter before you see the queue snaking out of this compact French patisserie on Chapel Bar. The display case stops you in your tracks – glossy éclairs, tarte au citron that actually tastes like lemons, and croissants with layers so distinct you could teach geometry with them. The coffee's excellent too, pulled by baristas who know the difference between a flat white and a cortado. The space is bijou but never feels cramped, with a few coveted window seats perfect for people-watching the city centre bustle. Weekend mornings see a steady stream of regulars who've clearly made this their Saturday ritual, and once you've tried Elena's almond croissants, you'll understand the devotion.