AM Bakehouse

If you're after a proper pastry in Glen Iris, Victoria, AM Bakehouse is the kind of bakery people go out of their way for. Everything sits in a glass display case at the centre of the shop front, and the one complaint we hear is that it's genuinely hard to choose.

The almond croissant is the one locals bring up most, flaky and buttery without being too sweet. One person liked it so much they bought up the rest of the tray to share. Beyond that, the pastry range is wide: fig and blueberry lemon danishes, a berry Nutella danish, and a pistachio croissant that suits anyone with a sweet tooth. On the savoury side, there's a carbonara pastry you can have toasted, a leek and potato danish, and a corn, bacon and cheese pastry. The Yuzu Salt Bread gets a mention too, soft and light with a touch of sea salt. Someone who knows their custard called the filling here some of the best in Melbourne.

Bread is part of the story as well. The focaccia is crisp outside and soft within, with those open air pockets, and it turns up in simple sandwiches such as prosciutto. Sourdough is on the shelves, and there's coffee and breakfast if you'd rather settle in. It's open for dine-in, takeaway and in-store pick-up, and locals say the staff are friendly and the prices feel fair for the quality.

It's not flawless. The odd person has found the pistachio croissant a touch too sweet, and someone expecting a bigger spread than usual was a little let down on the day, so go early if a particular pastry is your target.

Practical bits: there's free street parking nearby, and the entrance, seating and car park are wheelchair-accessible. They take cards and mobile payments, and the shop is LGBTQ+ friendly. It doesn't open every day of the week, so check the hours before you head over.