Golden spinach and feta pastries, boat-shaped shanklish pies flecked with herbs and syrupy layered baklava. One peek at the goodies on show at A1 and it's easy to see why this Lebanese bakery and grocer has been a Sydney Road favourite for almost two decades.

The ovens here are turning out an array of classic Middle Eastern breads, from soft souvlaki-style rounds, ready to roll, through to five-inch pita pockets. But for lunch fiends, it's all about the homemade grab-and-go options, such as the haloumi-stuffed pies and pizzas topped with the likes of sujuk, falafel and labneh.

Images: Julia Sansone