The Best Cake Shops in Melbourne

Ever since Monarch Cakes first opened in Carlton in 1931, Melbourne’s cake obsession has only continued to rise. Today, this city’s bakeries have a slice for every taste – from babka to Basque cheesecake and fluffy sponge cakes. Even gelato and ice-cream shops like Pidapipo and Kariton Sorbetes have a slice in the game. Beyond them, a new generation of pastry chefs is creating cuisine-crossing cakes that break the mould (we see you, Raya ). And, lucky for us, high demand has brought cult-favourite Sydney spots Black Star Pastry and Tokyo Lamington further south. Ride out the sugar high with this list of Melbourne’s best cake shops, curated by Broadsheet’s expert food and drink editors.

Words by
Updated on 12 June 2024

Cafe

Mabels

Lofty cakes, flaky house-made pies and a killer fried chicken sandwich are the hallmarks of this homey cafe and bakery from two Kiwi expats.

Cafe

Raya

The viral self-taught baker behind Raya has caught the attention of Vogue and MoMA. Come for singular cakes, jumbo cookies, and the signature kuih (petite, glutinous desserts with mung bean paste, coconut and more).

Cafe

Tokyo Lamington

Cult-followed lamingtons by a former Black Star Pastry chef. Alongside its playful range of lamingtons (think yuzu curd and cream; and fairy-bread popcorn), expect made-to-order onigiri, pork-katsu sausage rolls and miso-mushroom pies.

Cafe

Kudo

By an ex-Sunda pastry chef, Kudo serves all sorts of coeliac-friendly creations – like baguettes, cakes and cookies, and chewy, custardy canelés in left-of-centre flavours.

Shop

Pidapipo Laboratorio

It’s a full-blown dessert destination. As well as experimental, exclusive (and excellent) new gelato flavours, there’s a dedicated chocolate room, a pasticceria offering, nostalgic gelato cakes and a rooftop honey operation.

Cafe

Zero Mode

Visit this day-to-night spot for inventive takes on Asian cuisine. Come early for fried chicken and waffles (with Sriracha-maple bacon) or stay back for Wagyu skewers. People visit from around town for its internet-famous cream cakes.

Cafe

Nikos Quality Cakes

Since 1987, this Greek icon has gained devotees for its crisp, syrupy loukoumades and baklava. Its cakes are pure artistry, from vintage numbers with pastel piping to elaborate creations that imitate handbags, cartoon characters and more.

Cafe

Penny for Pound Richmond

Croissants are baked four times a day at this popular bakery, which has been a locals’ favourite since 2018. Go for its hot coffee alongside doughnuts, fancy cakes by the slice, boeuf bourguignon pies and pork and fennel sauso rolls.

Shop

Piccolina Gelateria Collingwood

Sit at the bar with a cone – or a granita – and get a great view of the chefs doing their work. The gelato here is revered for a reason, but keep an eye out for the excellent range of cakes and other treats on offer too.

Shop

4me Gluten Free

This tiny bakery churns out a colourful array of coeliac-friendly cakes and treats – plus bagels, babka and challah. Need an egg-free, gluten-free celebration cake? A fodmap-friendly focaccia? Baker Yinon Hacham has you covered.

Shop

Monarch Cakes

This iconic bakery has served Eastern European cakes and pastries the same way since 1934. Try its cheesecake (which follows a 100-year-old Polish recipe), stick around for a coffee and soak up the frozen-in-time interiors.

Cafe

Frank & Harri

A bright, corner patisserie by a sister duo specialising in eye-catching cakes and French viennoiseries. The bakery-driven cafe menu stars croissants, gussied-up toast dishes, salads and coffee by Niccolo.

Shop

The French Lettuce

Find an enchanting display of cakes at this patisserie, around since ’84. The New York cheesecake makes memories with a drizzle of raspberry coulis. The vanilla slice was once voted Melbourne’s best – and is still a cracker.

Shop

Kariton Sorbetes Footscray

This Filipino-inspired ice-creamery by two top Melbourne chefs is scooping vibrant, textural flavours like ube, cheese and crème caramel in Footscray. Plus, playful cakes spiked with flavours like yuzu, coconut and ube.

Shop

Morning Market Fitzroy

Enter this Euro-style grocer and cafe for an impressive salad sanga, Baker Bleu pizza squares and fancy picnic hampers. Plus, two-person cakes (including Marion’s Basque cheesecake), produce, seedlings, fresh blooms and more for home.

Cafe

Drom Bakery

Watch the bakers in action at this queue-worthy bakery, where creative croissants are made over three days. Try those alongside picture-perfect cakes, triple-cheese toasties, Basque cheesecake by the slice and more.

Cafe

Le Bajo Milkbar

At this Japanese cafe, almost everything revolves around fluffy-house baked shokupan (which you can get to take away). You'll also find fried-chicken katsu sandos, teriyaki fries and airy sponge cake.

Cafe

Candied Bakery

A research trip to the US was the inspiration behind this Aussie bakery with a twist. Find pies in flavours such as key lime and bourbon pecan. Plus, European influences in its Russian honey cakes and tiramisu croissants.

Cafe

Co Bake Space

This peachy space is designed for takeovers by cakers, floral artists and other creatives. Expect lacy vintage cakes, floral sculptures and watercolour cakes, plus workshops, tastings and lots of collaborations.

Cafe

Bibelot

Right next to Chez Dre, this dessert boutique is in the business of knockout petits gâteaux, macarons, biscuits and house-made gelato (with chocolate taps at the ready). It’s cakes and tarts also pull their own, especially the lemon meringue number.

Cafe

Tarts Anon Cremorne

Pop into this simple shopfront for house-baked tarts served by the slice. On a given day there are at least five, such as the signature pear, tiramisu and an ooey-goeey crowd favourite of caramel and chocolate custard.

Shop

Mietta by Rosemary

Ex-Attica pastry chef Rosemary Andrews is known for her picture-perfect sweets. Here, find her singular layer cakes (think flavours like honey-misu), Negroni chocolate tarts and fluffy focaccia alongside Market Lane coffee.

Cafe

Tori’s

It feels like your grandma’s lounge room – in the best way. And in true grandma style, it’s nailed the art of afternoon tea. Go for Japanese shortcake and Basque burnt cheesecake by the slice, plus topnotch matcha and matcha madeleines.

Cafe

Lulu & Me

Fancy a sliver or a slab? This deli-style bakery in a light-filled warehouse is dedicated to cheesecakes. You can sample its offerings before you buy – like Basque cheesecake, a New York-style number and pandan.

More Options

Mali Bakes, Thornbury
Pastry chef Patchanida Chimkire caused an Instagram sensation during the 2020 lockdown with her Mali Bakes account, which showcased her colourful vintage-style cakes. At her Thornbury kitchen, you can pre-order custom and classic cakes for pick up.

Zee Scott HQ, Coburg North
Cake-making has been in Zee Scott’s family for generations: both her mother and maternal grandmother were professional wedding cake makers. The marriage celebrant and cake queen continues the tradition with towering wedding cakes decorated in colourful piping (get in early, they sell out months in advance). She also runs cake-decorating classes if you want to learn the craft.

Sucre Du Jour, Camberwell
The first thing that catches your attention is the glass display cabinet full of colourful pastries, tarts, cakes and breaded delights. Partners and co-owners Josephine Tan and Eigen Ting are constantly experimenting (“sucre du jour” means “sweet of the day” in French). But a standout mainstay is the Macadamia-Cereal Tart, which draws on nostalgia for cornflakes, and the flavoured milk it leaves behind.

More Guides