Gontran Cherrier - Melbourne

This restaurant is a hidden gem. The selection of pastries all looked amazing, and we decided to try the plain, chocolate, and almond croissants. They were all exceptional - flaky and flavorful. My only issue is that the price is a bit steep, especially $5.50 for a plain croissant. I believe it's overpriced compared to other places that offer the same quality for a lower cost.

After finishing a meal in the Camberwell area, we stumbled upon Gontran Cherrier at the recommendation of a friend who is a big fan of the bakery. He insisted that we try their famous croissant, and now we understand why he loves it so much. We ordered Gontran's Almond Croissant ($6.50) and absolutely loved it. The croissant was fragrant, moist, and had just the right amount of sweetness from the almond filling. We could still taste the buttery flavor of the croissant as well. Our friend enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to share.

This restaurant is a fantastic option for a fast breakfast with a continental touch. The chouquettes are airy and not too sweet - make sure to try a few as they are only 60 cents each! The plain croissant is also top-notch. I highly recommend the soy flat white, made with st Ali's "orthodox" coffee blend. It had a perfectly balanced flavor that I really enjoyed.

Celebrity Chef, Gontran Cherrier, opened his first Australian bakery in Smith Street in 2016. The Hawthorn location soon followed in September 2017. This French chef, with three generations of baking behind him, is now a well-known name in Melbourne, Paris and Singapore, Japan and South Korea. It is not just about bread – no French bakery is. But it is the bread that really shows you his talents and the inspiration of the Gontran Cherrier brand.

Their pear tart was absolutely delicious, though it is not so cheap either. We got to sit at the front, which has a large glass window looking out to the street and enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon.