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After 13 years of growing a loyal fanbase from their Richmond and South Melbourne stores, beloved local bakery Cobb Lane has taken its brand to the next level with a shiny third store in the CBD.
With the help of local architecture firm State of Play, husband-and-wife owners Matt Forbes and Amy Newman have transformed a compact space on Bennetts Lane – formerly home to a working bakery in the 1860s – into a sleek modern sourdough haven with its own gourmet lunch menu.
“We’re pushing forward with what we’re already doing and making sure it’s really delicious,” says Forbes. “It’s just a bit more refined and mature.”
Since the new city location's doors first swung open in late March, the buzz around the delicious offerings is only getting louder – perhaps courtesy of a very good-looking fried egg and chilli jam Danish on the menu (hello, elite on-the-run breakfast) or a rotating line-up of grid-worthy sweet treats that taste as good as they look.
But the real competitive edge here is the fact that all of the store's 36-hour fermented breads and pastries are baked in-house for that unbeatable freshness factor. It’s one of the few places in the Hoddle grid where shoppers can pick up a loaf straight from the oven.
The raw bread and pastry recipes are prepared at Cobb Lane’s Yarraville headquarters before being transported to the CBD store. Here, a fun, interactive glass-fronted kitchen allows visitors to watch all the shaping, proofing and baking in action.
In a rush and just want something for lunch? Sandwiches are a highlight, leaning towards a fancy-yet-minimalist vibe rather than oversized deli-style. Think simple-but-tasty ingredient-driven flavour combos like mortadella, stracciatella and basil pesto, or roasted lion’s mane mushroom with Tom Sarafian's harissa and pecorino.
Alternatively, you could dig into a next-level pie, mushroom pain suisse or loaded focaccia. And don’t forget a slice of Cobb Lane’s signature carrot cake on your way out (best enjoyed with a hot cuppa, of course).
Seasonal drink specials feature local brands like Blak Brews, plus there’s Dukes Coffee from the La Marzocco Strada machine and rotating batch roasters.
“The idea is that guests can escape from the hustle of the city, enjoy a bite and a coffee, and then carry on with their day,” Newman says.
You can find out more about Cobb Lane at the website.
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