Bakery Patisserie Schwarz — Restaurant in Sydney

In the many years since I've started using Maps I never once questioned why there was no option for a "zero" star rating... until now. In one visit, this place managed to achieve what countless others I've visited through the years weren't able to: the desire for a "zero" rating and a negative review coming from a single visit.

On the way back to Sydney from Katoomba we stopped at Wentworth Falls for a bite to eat. Unfortunately all of the other options were closed as it was some time past 14hs (or maybe 15hs) and we ended up at Schwarz (to their credit they were open - but perhaps that's the only way to get people in!). From the old dated looking dining room, to the lack of enthusiasm from the staff and the bland pastries and weak coffee, there was NOTHING that could redeem this place.

Our order was two long black coffees, an almond croissant and another lame pastry. The coffee wasn't horrible but wasn't good either. Kind of like the service here... On the other hand, the almond croissant was something else. For the $8.90 price you'd think it would have a flaky and crispy outside and be soft and filled with delicious almond. Could it maybe have truffle or sprinkles of gold that have fallen off?... Well, I kept thinking about it with each bite, all the while trying to figure out from what part of Europe they got their croissant recipe... I can say without any hesitation that of all the croissants I had in the past year (and I had quite a few) this one was at the bottom of the list. It's so sad tasting that it's an insult to croissants!

If by any chance you find yourself in the same position as we were (with all the other cafés/restaurants closed), get something at the little market instead. But, if you'd like to pay a lot of money and get almost nothing in return and be greeted by staff clearly wanting to go home, this is your best bet!

Keep cycling/driving/walking by. I promise you that you won't regret it and that you're not...

To the Owner of Schwarz.

Either change your google business listing and store opening hours from 5pm to 4:30pm or convert your business to take away only.

We arrived at 4:20pm and to our surprise relatively quiet with only a few in the queue. We ordered the treats we came for, and some take away coffee.

The small woman brought out our coffees at 4:35pm and asked us to leave immediately. We said we just wanted to sit for 10 mins and have our coffee, she said no they had a store sign outside the shop stating take away after 4:30pm; yet many people were still waiting to be served inside and people still sitting eating and drinking.

She then said to me, do you want to get it on?! I almost laughed.

She said i have been here since 6am ! (like it was my problem) well if you don’t want to work, then don’t; someone else who isn’t jaded, tired and angry will serve.

I said can’t we sit here for a few minutes there are other people still sitting. She remarked, i’ll be kicking them out soon !!!

She then brought her ‘manager’ the older lady over and she just retorted the same thing.

I didn’t use the N word; but should have, but Germans don’t like it, your staff definitely behaved that way.

If you’re going to work in retail and you close your doors at 5pm, then politely remind your customers at 4:50pm still remaining inside the store, and those outside that the store will close at 5pm today, so if you could make your way out before then. Just like Bunnings does. Okay ?

So as result, we won’t ever be back when we visit the blue mountains and doesn’t matter how good your baked goods are, people travel a long way from Sydney and there are many equal if not arguably better patisseries in Sydney locally where we can buy baked goods.

Service is 0 star, the atmosphere is 1 and the food &...

I wanted to reflect on this morning's visit. I made an order of something that was still being prepared. I had the experience of waiting patiently, and then as it moved past 30 mins I began to experience some anxiety that my order had been forgotten. I made eye contact with staff. And was tended on by an older man (the owner?) very kindly offering me a coffee as I wait. When it came to 45 mins waiting I knew I had to leave as I had a meeting I needed to make. I decided that I would cancel my order if it wasn't ready as I'd run out of time or get something else. When I got inside there was so many choices now available I would have swapped to. And if I had known they were there I would have left much earlier. I had avoided going inside as I have a bit of covid anxiety and had heard numerous people with the standard cough. I wonder now how I could have approached/communicated in a way that didn't arise emotionally what then I felt was experienced. When I said that I had waited 45mins and that I needed to go. The person who served me immediately said that she had told me it would take 1 hour. Unfortunately I never heard that. I was wide awake from just after 5 am so I know that i wasn't sleepy. And I don't have any hearing problems. Yet it is common we just don't hear things. What was disappointing for me was that immediately it felt like I was making some kind of complaint, and it was an ME vs the person that served me. Either she was wrong, or I was wrong. I just want to clarify I wasn't making a complaint. I don't know what happened I can just reflect on my experience. And I don't wish for anyone to feel bad about their work. I wasn't late for my meeting. And I don't mind that I waited...