Humans are creatures of habit. Even I – a perpetual adventure seeker and despiser of boredom and repetition – find comfort in rituals and favourite places. Bandit Bakery became one of them earlier this year, when I finally embraced the good carbs and begun buying sourdough – because, believe me, the store-bought “bread” cannot compare with the real stuff.

Although, the first time this place came on my radar was during an online search of new coffee shops. I remember walking past it one time and quickly making up my mind that the pop-art/hippie decor wasn’t to my taste; not to mention the limited seating within a small space primarily dedicated to baked goods (and rightly so). That didn’t put me off returning for a generously-sized loaf every few weeks (a freezer is a wonderful invention).

Alas, the day has finally come when I felt like giving their coffee menu a go also; and so, I set it as my first stop on a glorious golden autumn walk.

I was in luck, as on this Sunday afternoon – yes, they are open on Sundays! – there were no patrons so there were seats to chose from. I chose the sofa, of course – tucked in the corner by the window, making for a little cosy haven. I had to order at the counter first where I passed on their “World Famous Cinnamon Buns” (bold reference to their signature vegan bake). There I was advised that they use dark chocolate for their drinks and that they could supplement with a sweeter of choice if I so desired – which was a nice touch in itself.

It was served to my sofa seat soon after in a retro ceramic cup, dusted with cocoa. The dark chocolate concoction did not need improving – it had a great flavour, I’d say with a touch of salt making it oh-so-decadent. The froth on top was very smooth but a little bit too thick, delaying the taste sensation from the drink below; and it was also on the cooler side, so had to be enjoyed quickly.

Now, while the execution could have been improved for a hotter and more blended brew, I still enjoyed every sip of it… and somewhat regretted not giving it a go sooner. It is certainly a popular place with young people, as during my short visit I saw a few come in, in pairs or by themselves, for both bread and cin buns; it was great to see – and hear the customer-forward yet relaxed manner in which the two servers were handling the sales.

So, if you’re looking for fresh sourdough on a Sunday or a nice little cuppa in the city centre, you wouldn’t go wrong popping by Bandit‘s.

To find out more about Bandit Bakery, visit their Facebook page.