Loafers

Loafers is a bakery and sandwich bar in Malvern East that blends the classic Aussie bakery counter with Vietnamese-style food. That mix is what people here talk about: tiger rolls and banh mi sitting alongside pies, sweet treats and fresh bread, with coffee and breakfast on the go as well.

The rolls get the loudest praise. Locals rave about the chicken schnitzel roll, and we hear the egg and bacon roll is a messy-but-manageable breakfast winner. The crispy pork banh mi is what one customer has singled out as exceptional. One local called it easily one of the best in Melbourne, and another who has eaten banh mi from one end of the city to the other said the tofu version was the best they'd had. The bread has a good texture, the fillings are generous, and the pickled vegetables taste properly authentic.

Don't skip the pies and baked goods. The beef pie reminds people of those flaky, homemade-style country bakery pies, and the vanilla slice comes up constantly. Ask anyone who's been and they'll tell you to finish your visit with one. There's also a Belgian chocolate cookie that one visitor described as soft, chewy and full of chocolate layers.

Value is a big part of the appeal. Servings are generous and prices are fair, and the staff are described as friendly, polite and efficient. Regulars say they've been coming for many years and like the revamped menu. One family used Loafers for catering at an 80th birthday, with bao buns and mini tiger schnitzel rolls, and everyone loved them. The food was fresh and nicely presented.

You can dine in or take away, and catering is available if you're planning a gathering, so check with the bakery about timing and quantities. Payment is easy by card or phone, the entrance is wheelchair accessible, and there's free street parking nearby. They're closed one day of the week, so check the hours before you head in.