No round-up of Melbourne’s best baked goods joints is complete without mentioning Tivoli Road. Formerly part of Frank Camorra’s MoVida stable (operating under the name MoVida Bakery), sourdough is the specialty here, but their chunky brownies, doughnuts, pies and sausage rolls are other reasons to visit. Come lunch, there’s a sit-down menu with fresh sandwiches and brawny bowls rolled out. 3 Tivoli Road South Yarra, tivoliroad.com.au

Inspired by San Francisco’s cult bakery Tartine, Wild Life is an all-vegetarian bakery and toastie bar. Housed in a stunning warehouse space replete with slate grey tiles and soaring ceilings, the loaves are rustic and fermented for 24 hours. One taste of their vegan lamingtons and dark chocolate cakes will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about decadence. 90 Albert St, Brunswick East, wildlifebakery.com

Bagels are the order of the day at this compact bakery, and they’re made to order the traditional New York way – handcrafted, then boiled. Expect all your NYC favourites here: plain, poppyseed, sesame, dill and salt, and cinnamon and raisin. Go nuts with the lox or toppings – cream cheese and maple bacon is a crowd-favourite. 16 Katherine Place, Melbourne, 5dimebagel.com.au

Francophiles will be at home at this Paris institution, which opened its first Australian store last year in Collingwood (they’ve since opened another in Hawthorn). They’re favouring French flour and butter in their pastries, but also teaming French techniques with native Australian ingredients. Baguettes are another reason to come. 140 Smith Street, Collingwood, gontrancherrier.com.au

When the New York Times labels your croissants the best in the world, the world listens. Come to Lune for textbook-perfect croissants (made using the method traditionale: a three-day process) and cruffins, and be prepared to wait a while – queues begin at the crack of dawn. 119 Rose St, Fitzroy, lunecroissanterie.com

Their organic sourdough is arguably one of the best in the city (be sure to try their olive loaf!) but there’s no shortage of sweet treats here either, spanning crisped-to-perfection canelé to danishes and even gluten-free biscuits. An onsite café will also help satisfy larger appetites. 109 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North, denchbakers.com.au

Pastry chef Matt Forbes earned his stripes in the kitchens of Noma and Vue de Monde. His first bakery and cafe houses Danish pastries, bread and doughnuts, plus a breakfast and lunch menu that draws on his British heritage: think Scotch eggs, black pudding and generous portions. 13 Anderson Street, Yarraville, cobblane.com.au

Stretching the limits of a conventional bakehouse, Antara 128 is the highly anticipated new bakery and brasserie from the Hotel Windsor Group, which also runs Sunda, Aru and Kudo. From the crack of dawn until the dusty evenings, Antara 128 is an all dayer venue, starting in the morning with pastries, sourdough and viennoiserie by ​​Didiet Radityawan (ex-Streat) and Michael James (ex-Tivoli Road) which feature in a short sharp breakfast menu. 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne; antara.melbourne