A must-visit on every Melbourne trip ⭐️ From precise technique to perfectly balanced textures, everything was on point. The shio pan was a standout, and the honey, sesame & sea salt was— for lack of a better word—unforgettable. Regret not buying more for the ride home.

By Sunday at 12:30 pm, many of the sweet pastries were already sold out. The coffee tasted excellent, and the almond–yuzu croissant is definitely worth recommending. There are no seating options inside and in front of the restaurant, so many people choose to sit on the sidewalk in the side streets. But it’s possible to enjoy your purchase nearby, for example in the Library State Park.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4/5) Overall: a Japanese bakery in a laneway that’s been popular and busy for years. Not sure when exactly this spot opened, but it’s been on my to-try list for years. I always had the impression that if you didn’t come early, all the items would be sold out, glad I was wrong as we got there at midday on a Saturday and nothing was sold out. What we ordered: 🥖 Shio Pan $7 (5/5) - I love shio pan, it’s proof that sometimes the simplest things are the best. I think I’ve found the perfect one in Melbourne 🤤 - buttery, slightly salty with a crispy bottom and chewy texture. 🥐 Kouign Amann $7.5 (4.2/5) - first time trying this - it was sticky, sweet, nutty, flaky. Definitely on the indulgent side but quite tasty. I thought it was perhaps just a tad too sticky and too crunchy though, did kind of hurt the roof of my mouth. I’d recommend sharing this as it was quite heavy. 🍈 Melon Pan $7.5 (3/5) - this looked beautiful but I found it quite disappointing. It had a very strong milk powder taste and the inside was quite dense, not as fluffy as I’d have liked. The outside was not really crispy either. All their pastries look stunning, would consider coming back to try their croissant and danish and if I’m ever craving a shio pan, I know where to go.

Down a quiet laneway with cyclist hazards is a small little bakery cafe. Here you will find an requisite array of beautiful and delightful baked treats. There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked croissants and other delicacies. You can watch staff working their magic whilst you wait in the queue. I would highly recommend dropping by to try their Yuzu Almond croissants. They are wonderful to consume with layer upon layer of crispy pastry, with hints of Yuzu with the crunchy almonds. The tree pastry in comparison was a bit disappointing given how good the croissants was. The sad blob of pistachio was barely recognisable in the centre. Maybe I just got a dud that day. Who knows. The Hojicha layer was a nice refreshing change from the Matcha craze. But a little sweet if anything. I'll still visit again next time I'm in Melbourne.

Saw Bakemono everywhere online with all the awards and huge review numbers, so I had to check it out. I went around 8 AM on a weekday, not too busy yet, just a few people in line. And the pastry lineup wasn’t fully out, so I couldn’t try the canelé. I ordered the Honey, Sesame & Sea Salt and the Chocolate Croissant, bill came to about $14. It’s takeaway only, so I brought the pastries over to Little Rogue across the lane for my morning coffee. - Honey, Sesame & Sea Salt: A twist-style pastry, super crispy, and it somehow stayed crisp even after 4–5 hours at room temp. Lots of sesame on top, which made it really fragrant. Downside: way too much honey, sweet to the point it felt overwhelming; and the sticky honey coating made it messy to eat. - Chocolate Croissant: Big in size, but barely any chocolate inside. I prefer chocolate that’s darker and more aromatic; this one didn’t taste like a high-quality chocolate at all. I do like the concept - very Japanese and aesthetic. But I probably wouldn’t come back, mainly because the flavors aren’t my style; and honestly, I’m not a fan of walking into Drewery Lane with that strong smell.