Since 1992, Sydney Road institution A1 Bakery been setting the bar for Lebanese baked goods in Melbourne. Today, it has two additional bakeries that turn out satisfying pizzas, pies, pita and falafel in Fairfield and Fitzroy (at the former site of Tora Dumplings).
Where Sydney Road has dozens of seats, multiple counters and a grocery section, the Fitzroy outlet is compact and takeaway-only. There are a couple of benches and stools in the window, adding up to about 15 seats total.
Expect to find A1 all-stars including its affordable spinach triangles (get the recipe here), Lebanese pizzas, haloumi pies, shanklish pies, chicken pita wraps and falafel platters are all available, prepared fresh throughout the day in a workhorse gas oven.
An espresso machine works with beans from long-time A1 supplier Versano Coffee. And as at the Sydney Road original, there are a few pantry items to take home.
A1 is today run by the second generation: brothers Haikal, Daniel and Anthony Raji. They inherited the business from their parents, Elias and Nadia Raji Farah, and aunt and uncle Nouha and Chafic Choueiri.
