La Panella Bakery is well known to many Melbourne vegans.  La Panella have been making vegan and vegetarian pastries and goodies since 1996.

I’ve been there a few times and to be honest, nothing has blown my mind.  I do like the vegan pasties and the curry pie was okay but well, they’re only a couple of bucks each and when you pay that for a pie you shouldn’t really expect anything amazing.  People have raved about the ‘vegan croissants’, which to me are simply a sweet bread in the shape of a croissant and nothing like a croissant at all.  I also tried some kind of tart once, I can’t remember if it was lemon or vegan custard tart and I only managed to eat half as it was just bland and the filling on the runny side.

I walked past there yesterday on my way to the Preston Market and I took some snaps.  I bought a pastie with sauce for $2.20 and ate it on the walk to the market:

Then I stuffed my face on the totally vegan hot jam donuts from the donut van at the market ($4.50 for 6 donuts.  I had two then took them to the car for the family…):

I know La Panella is a favourite for so many vegans but unfortunately I can’t share in their enthusiasm– for me it’s an “it’s okay” place but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.  Still, I’d be happy to get a pastie or another sweet treat the next time I’m nearby and I do think it is worth a visit as you may find something you like  🙂

La Panella Bakery is located at 465 High Street in Preston and is around the corner from the Preston Market.