Bakery by Local Geelong is the product of owner Ben McLachlan’s passion for bread. After the success of his all day eatery Local Geelong, McLachlan was keen to turn his hand to the very thing that re-started his culinary career. He’d spent a few intervening years working in IT, but soon found himself back in the kitchen after a friend gifted him a sourdough starter.

Naturally, sourdough bread is the main event here. The large glass cabinet features loaves of varying shapes and sizes, though the white sourdough is a particular favourite. There’s plenty of sweet stuff too, such as almond croissants and fingerbuns courtesy of pastry chef Marco Cabalquinto.

The bakery’s airy, plant-filled interior features a small retail space for whole beans and books on baking. And while it's not big enough to accommodate a full dine-in experience, most regulars are simply content to grab a loaf of sourdough, order a takeaway coffee and wait on the wooden bench against the wall until it’s ready to go.