Self Raised Bread Shoppe

If you're after a bakery in Carlton that does more than the usual loaf-and-pie routine, Self Raised Bread Shoppe is the kind of place people tend to adopt as their local. The shopfront runs on a mix of artisan sandwiches, fresh pastries and baked goods, and the sourdough is a big part of why the sandwiches taste the way they do. Locals will tell you the chicken schnitzel sandwich is the one to try, with generous serves that come out hot and crispy. It's worth knowing it only goes on later in the morning, and the sandwiches are a handcrafted affair, so it pays to pre-order if you're short on time.

On the sweet side, the Boston donut gets plenty of praise, and we've heard people rave about the churro donut, the pistachio and cinnamon scrolls, the banana banoffee pastry and the almond croissant. Savoury options include pizza slices and focaccia, with sujuk and haloumi a standout filling. Sausage rolls and hoagie-style sandwiches also come up. Not every item wins everyone over, and one local found the cinnamon scroll too sweet, so ordering by recommendation is a good plan.

The setup is comfortable enough to sit in with a coffee, which is well liked, and the house-made iced teas and lemonades have their fans too. There's breakfast on offer, plus takeaway, delivery and dine-in, and they take whole cakes by pre-order and handle catering. The staff are described as friendly, and people say the team works hard to keep things moving.

Expect a busy room at peak times, especially mid-morning, when there can be a queue and a bit of a wait for food. It tends to move along, and most feel it's worth it. Prices run a little on the higher side for some items, though plenty of people feel the quality and portions justify it.

Practical bits: there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance, free street parking and a free car park, and they accept cards and tap-and-pay. They're open most days from early morning through to the early afternoon, so check the hours before you head in.