The best cake shops in Melbourne CBD

From iced gateaux to cream-filled sponges, tempt your tastebuds on a tour of the city’s best patisseries.

Ichigo

Brunch spot Ichigo puts a modern twist on traditional Japanese eats. Come for the chic minimal aesthetic, and don’t leave without trying the multi-layer creamy matcha cake. This slice is so popular it usually sells out well before the end of the day. But don't despair – there's also matcha cookies, strawberry shortcake, hojicha lattes and shortbread.

LeTAO

One of the world's most famous cheesecakes has landed in Melbourne. LeTAO is a chic new Japanese cake shop serving decadent Hokkaido style delights. Think rich cream, mascarpone and locally made Australian cream cheese. The base is light and fresh, while the crumbly no-bake outer layer is a beautiful snowy sensation. Bring your dessert loving besties and try the full range of cookies, crème brulee and soft serve.

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.

Kudo

Kudo isn't just Melbourne's best new hidden laneway bakery. It's also 100 per cent gluten-free! Run by a husband and wife chef duo, this blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot is located in the Windsor Hotel’s heritage wing. Their signature cake is a chiffon style slice, made with rotating seasonal flavours. Think pomelo and honey, black sesame and pandan kumquat.

Millé and B

Millé and B’s party trick is that decadent extravagance, the multi-layered crepe cake. Twenty delicate crepes are squeezed into each slice. They’re sandwiched between pastry-cream flavours like strawberry and matcha. For a special occasion, take home a whole custom crepe cake topped with fresh berries or flowers.

Brunetti

There’s Italian bakery bling to delight all your senses at Carlton Brunetti. Cabinets of cakes welcome you at the door, and showcases of pastries vie for your attention. Grab a table, order a latte and make your decision at the counter. A pistachio éclair and several vanilla cannoli? Molto delizioso indeed.

Sweet Canteen

France meets Asia at Sweet Canteen, with delectable results. Try a melt-in-your-mouth flaky mille-feuille, oozing vanilla-bean custard with every bite. They’re equally proud of their Portuguese egg tarts, and slices of strawberry sponge. When the occasion calls for something special, order a personalised cake with your portrait in icing.

Pidapipo

Known for their sensational ice cream, Pidapipo are now offering a selection of delicious cakes. Comprising seven newly created gelato cakes, including updated Pidapipo classics and creative newcomers. Impress your dinner party guests, pick one up for birthdays, gatherings and celebrating anything in between. Playing on Italian classics like tiramisu, cassata and Fererro Rocher, with Pidapipo's own unique twist. Other flavours include banoffee pie, bombe alaska, coconut cloud, and peanut butter. Order and pick up in or call the store.

Uncle Tetsu Japanese cheesecake

Somewhere between a cake and a giant soufflé, Uncle Tetsu’s wobbly treats were one of the first Japanese desserts to hit it big in Melbourne. Try the feather-light, slightly crumbly delights in classic, matcha or chocolate flavours. Then feast on specials like creme brulee cheesecake crepes and cheesecake onigiri!

Tori’s Melbourne

Melbourne has been blessed by another adorable new laneway cafe. Tori's is cute as a button, and so are the treats. Cakes come whole or by the slice. Think burnt basque cheesecake (strawberry, black sesame or matcha), chocolate rum cake and banoffee pie. Just try to resist the exquisite Madeleines, too.

iCake

Signature sponges are dressed to the nines Asian-style at iCake, located in Carlton and on Elizabeth Street. Celebration cakes are fully customisable, with hundreds of designs and add-on decorations to choose from. Like lollipop-shaped gift cards, cake-top unicorns and character toys. While you’re here, snap a selfie beside the floral feature wall.

Le Bajo

Hidden in a North Melbourne warehouse, Le Bajo Milkbar was started by one of the founders of Bali's Potato Head Beach Club. Sweet treats here are served Japanese-style, with an emphasis on fruit and cream. Taste white bread in a new way with fluffy shokupan fruit cream sando. Or order the multi-layer strawberry shortcake, topped with delicate seasonal fruits.

Tea Rooms 1892

Hopetoun Tea Rooms have moved, reopening in a new location soon. But cakes are still on the menu at this fabled Block Arcade location, at Tea Rooms 1892. The Insta-worthy window remains on display, along with the Art-Nouveau wallpaper and mirrors. High tea is as popular as always, and whole cakes can be pre-ordered. 

Saint Dreux

Saint Dreux sounds French, but this coffee and katsu-sando bar is emphatically Japanese. Try their sweet indulgence, the house-made castella sponge. The celebrated super-moist honey cake came to Japan via Portugal in the 16th century. Here, the dense cubes have extra edge, iced in Japanese flavours of matcha or black sesame.

Chokolait

The chocolate is Belgian at Chokolait, but their signature dessert is pavlova. The bitter-sweet pav is layered with chocolate and topped with fresh strawberries. Or, in a unique twist, dusted with green matcha. Luscious whole cakes include tiramisu, chocolate mousse and lemon cheesecake.

Le Petit Gateau

For visual and gastronomic treats à la française, visit Le Petit Gateau. Available in small or large, the sleek brownie gateau is iced with flawless mirror-glaze chocolate. Inside are delicious tiers of passionfruit custard, chocolate mousse and mango jelly on a brownie base. If you don’t want to share, try a mini cake with coconut dacquoise, mango cream and yuzu white chocolate mousse.