bakeshop DEAR MY is a bakery at 181 Madras Street in Christchurch's central city, holding a 5.0 Google rating and found on Instagram at dearmy_chch.
The best bakeries keep a rhythm, and regulars learn it: shelves are fullest soon after the morning batch comes out, and the popular lines are often gone well before closing, so timing a visit matters more than luck. Freshness shows in the details — croissant layers that pull apart in clean sheets, a crust that crackles, custard that tastes of today rather than last week. Small bakeshops tend to change what they make from day to day, which is part of the appeal: you go to see what's there, not to reorder the same thing.
For Madras Street locals and anyone crossing the CBD, bakeshop DEAR MY's perfect rating makes it worth a detour — and a quick look at its Instagram before you set out.