Hector's Deli

If you're after a bakery in Richmond, Victoria that doubles as a proper sandwich counter, Hector's Deli is the one locals tend to mention. It's a bakery-cafe built around toasted, fried and fresh sandwiches, with salads and breakfast items made fresh through the day. The bread is a big part of the appeal, and sourdough is what it's known for. One local described the bread as soft with a nice chew.

On the sandwich side, the beef and pickles toasty comes up again and again, and the advice we hear is to get the Hector sauce on it. The HCT has its own devoted following among people who live nearby and drop in for brunch, and the fried chicken burger gets praise for a crunchy outside and juicy inside. The fresh chicken sandwich and fried chicken roll also have their fans, and you may be asked whether you'd like thigh or breast.

Then there's the baking. The cinnamon bun is the standout for plenty of regulars, and the maple donuts are described as not too sweet. Almond croissants get a mention too, though one local who's fussy about French-style pastry would send you elsewhere for a custard pastry. Coffee is on the menu if you want something to go with it.

It's a busy spot, and word is that it can be humming by mid-morning. Seating is tight, so expect a short wait for a table at peak times. Staff are friendly and the food is made fresh when you order, though service has been known to slow when it's packed, so one local did hit a wait for coffees. Opinion on value and filling size is a little mixed, with one or two finding certain sandwiches on the small side, while others call the place a real treat.

You can eat in, take away, or arrange catering, and pre-orders go through their online platform. The entrance is wheelchair-accessible, card and tap payments are accepted, and there's free street parking nearby. It sits right next to Richmond station, which makes it easy to stop in on the way through. Hours run most of the day, every day, but it's worth checking before you head in.