Artisanal Bakehouse

If you're after a French-style bakery in Bentleigh, Artisanal Bakehouse is the one people point you towards. Their tagline, "Baked in Melbourne, born out of France", fits what comes out of the oven: organic sourdough and traditional pastries made with authentically sourced ingredients.

Croissants are the thing locals talk about most. The almond croissant gets the loudest praise, with crisp, properly laminated layers, a generous filling and toasted almonds on top. We hear the chocolate almond, hazelnut, pistachio and garlic croissants all have their fans too. Beyond the croissants, people keep mentioning the crème brûlée Danish, a monthly tiramisu Danish special, and a cinnamon scroll that's sweet without being greasy. Plenty of people get there early, when the pastries are still warm from the oven.

It isn't only sweet things. The sourdough has a good crunchy crust, and the savoury side holds up well, with beef pies in buttery shortcrust, plus sausage rolls, croque monsieur and apple turnovers. The staff are friendly and happy to answer questions, and the coffee is a solid pairing. Locals generally find the value fair for the quality.

It's mostly a takeaway operation, with only limited seating inside, so plan on eating on the move or taking it home. They open seven days a week, and if you'd rather not queue, you can pre-order online and collect from the express window. Parking is easy, with free street parking and car parks nearby, and card and mobile payments are all accepted. It's also worth knowing there's more than one Bentleigh shop, so check which location suits you.

Not everyone has been won over. One local found the visit underwhelming, and another was caught out by a price change on a focaccia. Those are the exceptions, though, and the general feeling is a bakery people return to. Check the hours before you head in, especially for pre-orders.