Open since 2017, Ned’s Bake is a European-style bakery and cafe serving up crusty loaves of sourdough, sweet pastries, brunch staples and St Ali coffee.

In that time, co-founders and partners Ned Radojcic (a former aircraft engineer) and Maryanne Shearer (co-founder of T2) have opened Euro-leaning cafe-bakeries right across Melbourne’s south side, including in South Yarra, Armadale, Middle Park and Albert Park.

At the Albert Park outpost, the first thing you’ll notice is the long display cabinet lined with viennoiseries and loaded sandwiches. A regular’s favourite might be the chicken sandwich, which works in walnuts, celery and toasted coconut for extra punch. Other must-tries include flaky Portuguese tarts and almond croissants. There are around 15 loaves on offer, too – spanning fruit loaves, grissini and seeded sourdough.

If you’re after something more substantial, the all-day brunch menu offers creative takes on the staples – like a punchy chilli scramble with chorizo and breadcrumbs, or baked eggs with eggplant, gremolata and crumbled feta – alongside Euro-style plates like seafood linguine or panzanella salad with burrata.

To drink, there’s hot coffee from St Ali just down the road in South Melbourne. Plus, brunch-friendly cocktails like Bloody Mary and Aperol Spritz, along with wines from Australia, France and Italy.

Radojcic and Shearer wanted the Albert Park outpost to feel like a European cafe. That’s clear on the walls, which are a mosaic of photos from across the continent. There’s plenty of room to sit inside, either at the rustic communal table or in the outdoor area, which is cushioned by flower-filled planters and striped umbrellas overhead. From there you might enjoy a long and comforting lunch or a quick pastry and coffee surrounded by the many regulars that frequent this beloved neighbourhood cafe.