The only bad thing about Bywater Bakery is that it closes too early. This casual Bywater breakfast-lunch cafe is a multi-threat, with delicious pastries, scrumptious savories, really cool local art (usually), and local talents tinkling the ivories on the old upright in the center of the room (often, especially on weekends). We’re fond of the thick-crusted hand pies with rotating fillings, from fresh fruit to a gumbo-like stew; the ya-ka-mein (a locally beloved noodle soup specialty, chock-a-block full of hangover-curing ingredients); and the breakfast-in-a-go-cup options. The dazzling cakes lure us with their good looks and keep us with their good taste.