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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.