Neds Armadale

Since 2017, European-style bakery-restaurant Ned has been bringing crusty sourdough loaves, sweet pastries, brunch staples and St Ali coffee to Melbourne’s south side, with locations in South Yarra, Armadale, Middle Park and Albert Park.

Much like the South Yarra original, the Armadale location takes inspiration from the European cafe-bakery ideal. The cavernous dining room is primed for long catch-ups over good coffee and carbs, and the space has even been acoustically treated to keep conversations in the mix.

If the statement chandelier – a bouquet of faux feathers hanging from the ceiling – doesn’t catch your attention first, the vast counter lined with pastries, baguettes, pizza slabs and filled doughnuts surely will. Exclusive to Armadale, you’ll also find Danish-style open sandwiches: a slice of rye bread piled high with either pastrami, smoked salmon or egg.

On the wall behind the counter are around 15 artisan breads made from stone-milled, heritage flours. Displayed like little works of leavened art, the place of origin for each style (Milan, Berlin, Melbourne) is hand-written above its corresponding loaf.