Daybaker Founder Charlie Duffy Shares His Favourite Spots in Abbotsford

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Charlie Duffy runs Abbotsford bakery Daybaker. The Hot Listed spot opened to plenty of fanfare in the first half of 2026, gaining a following by focusing on doing a small number of things extremely well.

The menu shows off his signature style with a core trio that anchors the daily offering: a plain croissant, a chocolate wattleseed version, and a savoury option. Alongside those, there’s a changing set of pastries that shifts with the seasons. Duffy’s bakery has quickly become an essential part of any culinary visit to Abbotsford. We caught up with the chef-owner to find out about his favourite spots in the suburb.

Favourite pub

“The Park Hotel is a great local haunt for a knock-off drink. You’ll always find friendly people, the footy on TV and a proper pub atmosphere. Their bangers and mash with pork-and-fennel sausages is a pretty hard choice to go past.”

Somewhere casual

“It’s no secret the guys at MacGregor’s are turning out some of the best burgers in town. On top of those, the pickle-dusted chips fried in tallow always hit the spot. It’s become a bit of a go-to for the team after a busy week at the bakery.”

Favourite coffee spot

“I’ve been going to Blume, this little coffee shop in a converted garage, for years now. It has a really laid-back vibe, great music and delicious coffee – and there’s always that smell of freshly roasted beans in the air. It’s tucked away on a backstreet, one of those places that feels like a real local.”

A go-to for date night

“Bar Sala – I loved Cam [Williams]’s cooking back when he owned Lene in Richmond, so having him on the pans at our neighbour, Bar Sala, has been great. The pasta nights have become one of my favourites and it’s nice having somewhere so close by that we can duck into for a tasty dinner really easily.”

Favourite newcomer

“Definitely Bar Familiar! We’re frequent visitors to Collingwood Children’s Farm, and we were always stopping for coffees and a bite at Cam’s Kiosk in Abbotsford Convent next door, before it closed. To see it given a new lease on life with the team at Bar Familiar is great news for the area. The raspberry lamington is already a big hit with the little ones.”

Somewhere (else) for a sweet treat

“It’s great to have Pippa and Michael [James] in the neighbourhood with their new bakery Urbanstead. They get plenty of love for their sourdough and pastries but it’s Ella Cooper’s weekly specials that I keep my eye on: traditional apple pies, super fluffy chiffon cakes, seasonal fruit galettes. There’s always something new coming out of the kitchen there that’s worth checking out.”

Where you go for lunch

“Dingo has become a bit of a favourite for us. The birria quesatacos are the thing to order. I’d go for lunch when the crowd is a little quieter, grab seat and settle in for a couple of tacos and a soda.”

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