Since opening in 2019, beautiful Mont Albert bakery-cafe Via Porta has built a reputation as strong as its coffee. Its white-stone porch is reliably filled with eager diners and coffee-drinkers spilling out onto the footpath, and its French- and Italian-influenced baked goods are found at cafes across the city.

Now the Cosentino siblings (chefs Simon and Ryan, front-of-house specialist Jonathan and interior designer Sarah) have added to the family with Pronto by VP, a smaller-scale version at Kew Junction that remains “Via Porta-esque”.

“We’re very proud of what we do and it’s just about showcasing it,” Simon tells Broadsheet.

And the cafe’s custom-made pastry display cabinet does exactly that. Inside there’s an array of viennoiserie baked at the Mont Albert flagship, including some of Melbourne’s best croissants; glazed strawberry danishes; and cinnamon twists layered with cinnamon butter, caramel and candied nuts. But the house favourite is the almond and lemon curd croissant, a symphony of nutty sweetness and zesty citrus.

Toasties and sandwiches are also on the menu. Choose from slow-cooked brisket or crumbed eggplant in the former format, and mortadella and stracciatella or ham and salad in the latter. Coffee is again a blend from Five Senses, with rotating options from the likes of Padre, Maker, Acoffee and Bench. A small fridge is stocked with take-home Italian meals and sauces such as lasagne, sugo and bolognaise.

The interior is pared back and refined, with terrazzo flooring, light timber, earthy ceramic vases and native foliage, courtesy of Sarah’s award-winning architecture and interior design firm Studio Esteta. High stools and bar-style tables line the windows, perfect for people watching.

Pronto by VP 7 Fenton Way, Kew

Hours: Mon to Fri 7am–3pm Sat & Sun 8am–2pm