After dark dessert bars

Kariton Sorbetes

Chic new hole-in-the-wall spot Kariton Sorbetes is Melbourne's first Filipino sorbet bar. Located in Chinatown, the menu is displayed as a futuristic projection map on the ceiling. Pop in to try coconut and pandan gelato, layered between chiffon cake and coated with toasted rice flakes. If you're after something zesty, opt for the calamansi gin ice pop, dipped in makrut lime leaf–scented glaze. The best part is it's open until 10pm Monday to Wednesday and until 11pm Thursday to Sunday.

KOI Dessert Bar

Cake enthusiasts are in for a treat at KOI Dessert Bar. This fancy cake shop closes at 10pm Tuesday to Sunday making it the perfect spot for an after-dinner sweet treat. Indulge in a classic Basque or wow your loved ones with an elevated celebration cake. Of little surprise, the strawberry lychee is the store's best-seller. Adorned with fresh fruit and flowers, this hot pink showstopper tastes just as good as it looks.

TamiSweet

Home to the famous salted egg yolk cake, TamiSweet is serving up an abundant dessert menu until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Think watermelon cake with a mix of rose cream and roasted pistachio. Or cheesecake topped to the brim with fresh strawberries. Pair your slice with a salted cream Vietnamese coffee for the perfect balance of sweet and savoury.

Sulbing

Sweet cravings? Try Sulbing, Busan’s dessert cafe celebrated for its bingsu. These ‘snow ice’ creations are crafted from finely shaved flakes of frozen ice cream or yoghurt. But the real delight lies in the toppings. Like the dark chocolate Oreo Monster, or tiramisu cheesecake. But, really, who can go past a slice of shortcake filled with strawberries and whipped cream? Open until 10.30pm every night. On the go? Visit the takeaway kiosk at Melbourne Central.

Snow Moon

We often describe things as hidden, but Snow Moon is seriously hidden. Like, walk down a never-ending tunnel off a laneway and stop dead in the centre levels of hidden. But for these delicious Thai-inpsired bingsu desserts, it's definitely worth the journey. Classic milk tea and Oreo flavours are on the menu. Along with pandan-soaked toastie sticks, Yakult jelly creations and Lotus Biscoff waffles. They stay open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11.30pm Friday and Saturday.

Kōri Ice Cream   

This tiny-but-mighty dessert shop is scooping up some of Melbourne’s most creative ice cream flavours. Nestled beside a Bourke Street parking garage, Kōri’s sleek and futuristic interiors will transport you to Japan. Try the Hokkaido cheesecake ice cream, Fuji apple sorbet or miso banana caramel treats. This late-night spot is open until 10.30pm from Sunday until Thursday and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Dreamicake

Find cute-as-a-button Pikachu macarons, ube cheesecake, chewy cookies and more sweet treats at Dreamicake on Little Collins Street. With a 9pm closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, this little tea shop is the perfect spot for a late night treat. Be sure to a order bubble tea, matcha latte or fruity drink on the side.

Pandan Dessert Bar

Be transported to Malaysia at Pandan Dessert Bar (27 Hardware Lane). This popular spot features authentic desserts like monkfruit jelly, silky tao fu fah pudding with lychee, tong shui (a sweet dessert soup), and bingsu topped with sweet beans, grass jelly, peanuts and nutmeg. Need a sweet treat but no time to eat in? Grab a bingsu in a cup to enjoy on the go. They're open until 8.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30pm Friday to Sunday.

Homm Dessert at Heart

Treat yourself tp Thai tea or mango sticky rice bingsu at Homm Dessert at Heart. Then try house-made milk bread with coconut and pandan kaya toast. Plus there are lots of refreshing fruit drinks to sip on. Find this late night spot at La Trobe Street or Melbourne Central. Fun fact: all recipes were created by the winner of Masterchef Thailand, so you know it’s good.

Nimbo

With flawless interiors, laneway location and creative dessert options, Nimbo was bound to be an instant classic. Join the queue in Hardware Street. Order the fan-fave ube (purple sweet potato) flavour, topped with sticky sweet cornflake clusters. Try inventive toasties like miso cheese or pear and foie gras. Or go dairy free with vegan options, including a tofu pudding bingsu. Open until late every night except Tuesdays.

Miilk Cake Studio

Craving a sweet treat? Just look for this neon-lit cake shop on Swanston Street. Despite its futuristic vibes and sleek silver interiors, Miilk Cake Studio is charmingly old-school. The cakes are made from treasured family recipes, handed down over generations. Order classics like strawberry shortcake. Or try inventive flavours like mini taro and vanilla chiffon cakes and pandan sponges. Open until 10pm, Wednesday to Saturday.

Che Desserts

Sample traditional Vietnamese desserts at Che Desserts. The seasonal menu features hearty dishes to heat up your winter nights. Like the warming silken tofu served in hot ginger syrup and coconut milk. Or try the best-selling enduriance che. It's chock-full of jelly, tapioca gems, coconut milk and durian. You'll find plenty of vegan-friendly, dairy free and gluten-free desserts available, too. Open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9pm all other nights.

Pellegrini's

Dine like Melburnians have for decades – on late-night coffee and cake under the neon lights of Pellegrini's. This institution encapsulates Italian Melbourne. Take a seat at the long, curved bar and order an espresso as you make the difficult choice of which dessert to order. Will it be classic and creamy tiramisu? Apple strudel? Or one of the immaculate cakes? The cafe stays open until 9pm most nights and 10pm on Friday and Saturday (closed Sundays).

Palette

By day it's a light and airy Korean cafe slinging aesthetic brunches. But by night, Palette becomes an intimate, dimly lit night cafe and dessert bar. Think fresh strawberry cocktails, cinnamon croffles and honey-drizzled brioche. Palette at Night is open from 7pm to 11pm Tuesday to Saturday, wander in for a late night nibble and a coffee. Don't worry, they do decaf too.

Sweetie and Moustache

Fancy your dessert on a rooftop? Grab a cocktail and try the signature mille crepe cakes at Sweetie and Moustache. With flavours like tea-ramisu red bean, lychee watermelon and Oreo peanuts, you’ll definitely need to schedule a return visit. There's also bubble waffles, sweet Nutella 'toast boxes' and more. The late-night dessert lounge is open until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am Friday and Saturday for those end of the night cravings.