Escargot Bakery: Where French Tradition Meets Melbourne Coffee Culture
On Brighton’s Martin Street, Escargot Bakery, is more than just a bakery. It’s a labour of love that brings French tradition to Melbourne’s vibrant café culture. Founded by Etienne and Leonard, who trained extensively in France and refined their craft at some of Melbourne’s top bakeries, Escargot is the culmination of a decade-long journey. Their vision was to create a place where care, culture, and craftsmanship come together in every pastry.
A Dream Baked into Reality
For Etienne and Leonard, Escargot Bakery is a dream made real. From early mornings in Parisian kitchens to long days perfecting technique here in Melbourne, every step has been about building a foundation of skill and passion. The bakery is where traditional French pastry-making is honoured and reimagined with honesty and creativity.
“We wanted Escargot to be more than a bakery,” the founders share. “It’s a place to pause, connect, and savour life’s simple pleasures.”
The Escargot Experience
Step inside in the morning and you’re met with a warm smile paired with the calm rhythm of locals beginning their day. Regulars stop by for their morning ritual, new visitors discover the welcoming atmosphere, and the bakery’s signature orange glow brings warmth to the space.
It’s a bakery that feels like home.
Pastries Worth Talking About
As the name suggests, the escargot pastry is a must-try. Beautifully layered, baked with care, and offered in both sweet and savoury varieties, it embodies the bakery’s philosophy of craftsmanship. The baguette and épi are equally beloved, especially the Australian-inspired Vegemite and cheese version. These are the kinds of creations that keep locals coming back, day after day.
A Community Connection
Escargot isn’t just serving customers; it’s sharing a journey with friends. The bakery has become part of the fabric of the Brighton community, with milestones like Bastille Day 2024, which turned into an unexpected neighbourhood celebration, and the joyful chaos of Christmas morning, when queues out the door made the team feel like they were part of every family’s holiday tradition.
“Our customers are loyal, honest, and supportive. They push us to grow and strive for excellence every day,” Etienne and Leonard reflect.
Coffee That Completes the Ritual
For Escargot, coffee isn’t just an add-on. It’s essential. “Our pastries are thoughtful, slow, and refined. The coffee needs to match that same care. A perfect croissant deserves a perfect cup beside it.”
That’s why they chose Niccolo Coffee as their partner. As a trusted name in wholesale coffee supply, Niccolo shares Escargot’s values of craft, balance, and quality. With a roast profile that’s smooth, never bitter, and designed to complement rather than overpower, Niccolo coffee elevates every pastry experience.
“We wanted a partner who understood how important our customers’ pastry-and-coffee ritual is. Niccolo was the perfect fit.”
The bakery ensures excellence through daily calibration, constant tasting, and baristas trained to deliver consistency, even in the middle of a morning rush. The result? A coffee experience that lives up to Melbourne’s famously high standards.
Creativity Beyond the Cup
Escargot’s collaboration with Niccolo doesn’t stop at the espresso machine. Coffee has become an ingredient in their baking too, from éclairs filled with espresso crème pâtissière to weekend buns glazed with delicate coffee icing. Seasonal specials, like the much-loved coffee cruffin for Father’s Day, add playful creativity to their menu.
Looking Ahead
Etienne and Leonard are always dreaming, developing, and crafting new ways to delight their community. With evolving weekend specials and a commitment to staying true to traditional French pastry-making, Escargot continues to grow while staying rooted in honesty and hard work.
Visit Escargot Bakery
📍 154 Martin St, Brighton VIC 3186
🌐 escargotbakery.com.au
📸 @escargot.bakery
At Niccolo Coffee, we’re proud to partner with venues like Escargot Bakery, businesses that care about every detail from the fold of a croissant to the balance of a perfectly poured espresso. It’s partnerships like these that make our wholesale coffee supply more than just beans: it’s about supporting the rituals, communities, and stories that bring Melbourne’s café culture to life.