Publique Bakery

If you're after French-style pastries in Melbourne, Publique Bakery is known for its French-style artisan baking. It's a French artisan bakery that works with traditional techniques, turning out pastries and artisan bread alongside coffee, and it also supplies fresh bread and pastries to cafés and restaurants around the city. The base is in Preston, and there's a newer spot on Blender Lane near Queen Victoria Market that locals say is easy to walk past the first time. It's tucked slightly off the main strip, so give yourself a minute to find it.

Once you're inside, a wall of stacked bread greets you, and sourdough is something they're known for. But it's the pastry cabinet that gets people talking. The croissants are described as buttery and flaky, and the almond croissant has a loyal following because it isn't too sweet. Danishes get plenty of love too, from blueberry with thick custard to potato and pesto, and the sesame baton is one many people say they can't stop eating. The pistachio cronut and matcha croissant have fans as well, and there's a ham and cheese croissant if you'd rather go savoury. One local noticed real vanilla bean specks in the custard, which says a lot about the ingredients.

You can dine in or take away, and breakfast, coffee and dessert are all on offer. The coffee gets a mixed reaction: some call it rich and smooth, others find it just okay. Staff come across as friendly and knowledgeable, if a little quiet at times.

A few things worth knowing before you go. Seating inside is limited, and the outdoor spot can get breezy, so it suits a quick coffee and pastry better than a long sit-down. Prices lean toward the premium end for pastries, though one person felt a croissant here was fair value compared with elsewhere. Halal choices are limited. The bakery opens daily, but check the hours before you head in.