Toasties Gone Gourmet: The Revival of the Humble Melt

And it’s not just your local café jumping on the trend, some cult favourites are taking things to the next level: 

• The Mayflower (Darlinghurst & St Leonards, Sydney): For a truly luxurious experience, The Mayflower offers a Croque Monsieur with shaved truffles, jamon serrano ham, gruyere, béchamel, and smoked mozzarella.
• Nico's Sandwich Deli (Melbourne): For something truly next-level, Nico's offers a toastie with red wine-braised oxtail, beef cheek, taleggio, and Swiss cheese.
• SOUL Deli (Surry Hills, Sydney): This Korean-inspired cafe offers a unique twist with their roast pork and kimchi toastie. They also have a version with pulled pork, fried kimchi, provolone, and American cheese on golden sourdough.

Inspired by these gourmet takes, here are three easy-to-implement gourmet toasties to elevate your own menu. 

1. Triple Cheese Sourdough Delight

Sometimes, the classics just need an upgrade. Start with a premium base like the Speedibake Sliced Sourdough Café Loaf and pile on a mix of cheeses. Think mature cheddar, gruyere and mozzarella for gooey meltiness and a rich, indulgent flavour. Add a touch of caramelised onion or a smear of truffle aioli for depth. Lightly butter the outside of the sourdough before toasting to get that golden, crunchy finish. 

This versatile option is perfect for brunch menus, share plates or late-night café specials.

2. Slow-Cooked Brisket Toastie

For something heartier, slow-cooked brisket works wonderfully in a melt. Layer tender brisket with smoked provolone or cheddar, pickled jalapenos and a swipe of aioli. Such a juicy build needs a carrier that will hold up to the sauce. Consider building it on a Speedibake Soft Turkish Oval Lunch Roll, its authentic open crumb is perfect for soaking up saucy builds.

Swap in other proteins like pulled lamb, shredded chicken or roasted veggies for seasonal variety, giving diners a premium experience all year round.

3. Mediterranean Toastie

Highlight the season’s produce with a veggie-forward melt. Think roasted pumpkin, zucchini and capsicum with feta or haloumi, drizzled with herby yoghurt or pesto. Complementing this build with the right bread is a must, and the Speedibake Soft Turkish Round Lunch Roll is the perfect companion to Mediterranean toasties, with its light and airy texture.

This melt lets cafes cater to vegetarian diners or those looking for something lighter, while still being able to offer a premium option 

The humble toastie is back, but this time, it’s gourmet. By leaning into luxe breads, premium proteins and seasonal produce, cafes can turn a simple melt into a menu hero that’s easy to prep, quick to serve, and packed with flavour.