melbourne dessert
Glacé
WINDSOR
At this frozen desserts store by pastry chef Christy Tania, bestselling ice-creams include the pavlova and cookies and cream flavours. But don’t miss out on the range of ice-cream cakes, babkas and macarons either.
Piccolina Gelateria Collingwood
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.
Hunted & Gathered
CREMORNE
A minimal industrial space where fans of the Nissen brothers’ small-scale chocolate can linger a while.
The Long Paddock
LINDENOW
A produce-driven home-style cafe run by fine-dining pros.
Lavezzi
CARLTON
Four generations of experience gives this traditional gelato, sorbet and granita shop a leg up. Plus, its location on a (relatively) quieter part of Lygon Street means that you'll rarely have to queue here.
Contraband Coffee Traders
PRESTON
Specialty coffee at the Preston Market.
Cannoli Bar
AVONDALE HEIGHTS
A cannolificio (cannoli bar), where you can get Oreo, Nutella and Ferrero Rocher versions alongside classics.
Augustus Gelatery Sunbury
SUNBURY
A Wonka-esque gelateria scooping chunky Tim Tam ice-cream, Aperol spritz sorbet and buffalo-milk gelato.
Bridgewater Bakehouse
BENDIGO
It’s official – Australia’s best vanilla slice can be found at this no-frills Bridgewater Bakery. But it’s good for more than just an outstanding “snot block”. Pull in for mouthwatering pies and an epic selection of sweets that would put nan to shame.
Koko Black
SOUTH YARRA
The Melbourne-born chocolatier's sleek flagship has a dedicated bar for hot chocolates and chilled drinks made with all-natural ingredients. But you'll also find croissants, cakes, cookies and 40-plus pralines; and a chocolate wall filled with around 700 blocks.
Holy Sugar
NORTHCOTE
A former Lune pastry chef is making cult butterscotch crullers, dulce de leche tarts and chocolate eclairs from a homey shopfront on Northcote's main drag. Also, hulking focaccia sangas filled with mortadella and limited-run cheeses from the Northern Rivers region in NSW.
Kumo Desserts
MELBOURNE
You might’ve noticed the fans lining out the door to try the internet-famous soufflé pancakes. Inside, try its famously rich and fluffy pancakes, including the bestselling Boba Brûlée Bomb, which is finished with blowtorched caramelised custard.
Co Bake Space
RICHMOND
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.
Knafeh Nabulseyeh
COBURG
This family-run bakery specialises in knafeh – the crisp, cheesy golden Palestinian pastry. Plus, it also serves traditional baklava and maamoul (cookies stuffed with dates and nuts).
Matcha Mate
MELBOURNE
Welcome to matcha heaven, where cookies, chiffon cake, babka and more are all given a splash of green. There’s also ceremonial-grade matcha and ice-cream from Kori.
Keki Milk Bar
MELBOURNE
Sweet tooths luck out at this dessert cafe, which serves cloud-like Japanese soufflé pancakes. Come for fluffy stacks (in flavours like tiramisu or honey) topped with its signature custard-y mascarpone cream and house-made sodas.
Black Star Pastry CBD
MELBOURNE
This Sydney-born bakery quickly became a Melbourne favourite. Try inventive croissants (think pina colada; rose and pistachio) and savoury bites like Japanese chicken pie. And, of course, the mega-famous strawberry-watermelon cake.
La Colmena
SOUTH YARRA
Familiar with piononos, glaseados, doblegats or xuixos? You’re about to be. This one-woman show specialises in regional sweets and pastries, from syrupy sponge cakes filled with custard to one of the oldest desserts in Spain.
Ceree
MELBOURNE
Ceree shows that Filipino food is more than just adobo. Hit this homey cafe, restaurant and pantry for classic Filipino dishes, like silog – a Filipino breakfast of garlic fried rice, fried egg and sides like pork sausage and adobo.
Monarch Cakes
ST KILDA
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.
Sebastian Kakigori
MELBOURNE
Move over froyo. This Tokyo-born dessert haven, backed by Le Bajo Milkbar's owner, serves soft kakigori. The cult shaved-ice dessert comes layered with syrup, crumble, foam and diced fruit (and includes a “Rare Cheese” flavour).
Joy Jaune
PRESTON
This tiny pastry shop, set in a bustling north-side market, serves traditional French pastries with a Hong Kong twist. Find choux-pastry swans, caramelised hazelnut eclairs and Hong Kong-style jellies.
Khao
MELBOURNE
This restaurant specialises in Thai curry noodle soup khao soi. Find it topped with flame-seared salmon, Wagyu and the restaurant’s popular fried chicken. It’s also a dessert-lovers haven with Thai milk tea bingsu and more.
Koi Dessert Bar
MELBOURNE
A Masterchef alum (and his family) is behind this popular dessert spot. Find more than 150 desserts – including cakes in flavours like pandan, coconut, mango and almond. Grab a seat by the kitchen and watch the team at work.
Motte Bakery
NEWPORT
A third-gen baker is behind this micro-bakery, where Basque cheesecake might come spiked with yuzu or ube. Plus, find a rotation of takeaway-friendly focaccias, ham and cheese scrolls, and more.
Le Yeahllow
MELBOURNE
The creators of a future-classic puppy cake dessert have opened their third shop in the old Black Star Pastry site in Melbourne’s CBD. Come for the signature puppy cake, plus a surrealist mandarin number and an exclusive chocolate dessert.