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First things first — if you want to score one of Chu Bakery’s locally renowned loaves, you’d better rock up early. Late risers don’t have a chance at snagging one of the sourdough wonders or linseed treasures. The racks of loaves and baguettes empty fast. But if you missed out, all is not lost — you can still sample their gluten-filled slices in the form of their in-house eats.
The simple shop with white tiles and warm, light woods is a welcoming little spot to bustle into and grab some baked goods. A small terrarium sits in the window, tiny golden letters spelling out “CHU” in the soil. Angular golden light shades beam down over the barista, while bakers work away in the back room and bags of flour sit stacked on a pallet in the corner.
Stopping by for lunch, you can feel a bit spoiled for choice from the range of delicious bread-based eats on offer. Toast slices come loaded with hummus, cucumber and chilli, or avo-whipped feta, prosciutto, pear and brie.
Chu Bakery’s sourdough is spectacular and thoroughly deserves its reputation. The ham, cheddar, and Dijon mustard toastie on sourdough is dense, just the right amount of chewy.
When it comes to desserts, the chu puffs are an instant attention-grabber. Chances are you have caught one of these babies as you scrolled through your Instagram feed such as the green matcha yuzu chu puff (choux pastry with matcha chantilly cream and yuzu jelly). The green tea chantilly is thick and mousse-like, and there’s an unusual burst of flavours as you bite down through the pastry into the yuzu jelly.
There are low cushions in the windows and slim benches outside, but when Hyde Park is a mere amble across the road, why not whisk your eats over to the grass and sit by the lake?