City lunch hunting can be a traumatic experience. Simply navigating through the swarms of people in search of food can require an almost saint like patience (of which I have none) and an agile people/random obstacle dodging ability (also lacking). On arrival even the sourcing of food can also prove a trying experience. From the endless supply of dodgy focaccia's, to the over priced, the sold out dish you desperately wanted, to the worst of all - no tables. Not to say there isn't anywhere good to go - there are plenty. It's just a matter of finding them.

Enter Rue Babylon, a haven away from home. And importantly, home to Melbourne's best baguettes. Loving made to order, they are everything a baguette should be and more. The simple but well-chosen ingredients work (all baquettes have the same salad base but you can choose between ham, pastrami and salmi or just keep it veggo). The perfectly crusty bread, salad, avocado, Swiss cheese, and homemade mayo/mustard combo, results in something well worth leaving the calm confines of my office for.

At just $6 each, the baguettes are popular as is the place with the city crowd, who many, like myself, have been regulars since their uni days. Rue Babylon has managed to maintain its unpretentious, down to earth style, lounge room feel and fabulous, almost steal prices. Opening its doors from 9.30, Rue Babylon houses a steady stream of people - lovingly serving up coffee, baguettes and drinks until the early hours of the morning.

Rue Babylon is located on Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne.