Coming Soon: Melbourne’s Baker D. Chirico to Open a Roman-Inspired Outpost in Newstead

Five years ago, Daniel Chirico signed the lease for Baker D. Chirico in Newstead. At the time, his plan was to open the bakery in 2020. Then the pandemic hit.

“We [finalised the] plan with [designer] March Studio at the start of 2019, and we all thought we’d have a bakery after a year,” Chirico tells Broadsheet. “It’s been a really dragged out process, but [the opening is] earmarked for September 2023.”

The original St Kilda store (now closed) opened in 2001 and kicked off a wave of artisan bakeries that opened across the city. Currently, Melbourne has two locations: one in Carlton and one in South Yarra.

Baker D. Chirico has since become well-known for its sourdough, which was sold wholesale to top chefs like Neil Perry, Heston Blumenthal and Andrew McConnell before Chirico decided to focus on retail. The famous sourdough will be available at the Newstead store as well as Baker’s beloved bombolini and cannoli (which sell out in Melbourne most days).

Although the new store will share the bulk of its DNA with the Melbourne counterparts, Chirico says he’ll be taking a more Italian-leaning approach to his Queensland outpost. “Think of [it as a] modern-day Roman-style bakery … as opposed to a French [bakery],” Chirico says. “Italian bread has never been seen as a luxurious table bread. It’s always been something that’s accompanied savoury [flavours], like focaccia or pizza.”

That’s why Chirico will be highlighting regional Italian breads, like pagnotta (a country-style loaf made with a darker grain), ciambelle (a baguette-like, ring-shaped bread), and a Calabrian corn and ricotta bread that was originally baked in Chirico’s parents’ hometown. There will also be a focus on deli-style filled rolls. Ficelle (a type of mini baguette) will be stuffed with ingredients like mortadella, salami, prosciutto, provolone cheese, tomato and olive tapenade. Trays of pizza will be available by the slice, alongside a small selection of typical bakery fare, like croissants and danishes.

As for the fit out, expect 40 seats (inside and outside) and a European sensibility. March Studio is taking inspiration from the oversized breadbasket design used in the Carlton store. Newstead will be slightly different, incorporating some lighter touches, including a stunning terrazzo floor that reminds Chirico of nougat.

Baker D. Chirico will open at 18 Longland Street, Newstead in November 2023.