Neds Albert Park

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.

At Albert Park, 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.

The space feels 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.