The best Japanese cafes and bakeries in Melbourne

Take a trip to Tokyo and visit these Japanese-style cafes and bakeries for katsu sandwiches, cute lunch sets and matcha lattes.

Le Bajo Milkbar

This Japanese cafe is famous for its sandos, elevating the humble white bread to cult hero status. The milk bar is tucked away in a North Melbourne warehouse, but don’t expect this hidden spot to be quiet. Get your shokupan toasted and topped with spicy cod roe. Or take it in sando form, filled with fruit and cream. The rest of Le Bajo’s fluffy bread is up for grabs to take away. Score a whole or half loaf, and load it up with your fave toppings at home. 

Sugar Labo

Tucked away on the lower levels of QV is Sugar Labo – a tiny bakery serving the cutest Japanese-style treats and fluffy milk bread sandwiches. Choose from neatly-packed cakes in a can in flavours like peach oolong tea. Or try layered crepe cakes and cream-filled Swiss rolls. For a quick lunch, pick up an egg, crispy prawn or pork katsu sandwich. Need a caffeine hit? Grab a $3 coffee with your order. 

Ichigo

With its ultra-chic aesthetic, Ichigo puts a modern twist on traditional Japanese eats. Dishes are just as pretty as the space. Especially the ichi-rashi – sashimi, caviar, pickled daikon, avocado mousse and freshly-grated wasabi on a bed of rice. Finish your sitting with a slice of strawberry shortcake and a matcha latte.

Gacha

Looking for a hidden gem? Find Gacha Cafe in Melbourne central. Serving delicious Japanese gelato, matcha drinks, their signature gacha mochi monaka is a must try. Enjoy your sweet treats next to the Gacha Gacha wall, and pick up a collectible toy as a gift or for yourself at this oversize toy vending machine!

Keki Milkbar

These might be the best soufflé pancakes in Melbourne. Keki Milkbar can be found on La Trobe Street, you'll smell the pancakes before you see them. Smothered in custard and coming in a range of flavours, they're magnificently spongey and even better, gluten free! Pair with refreshing iced sodas, flavoured with passionfruit or citrus.

Onigiri Kitchen and Sake Bar

Find Japanese-style comfort food at Onigiri Kitchen and Sake Bar. Nestled in the Paris end of the city is a beautifully designed space. Enjoy bento boxes, curries and assorted flavours of rice balls. Plus delicious sweet tofu cinnamon donuts. Pick from unique jelly fruit sake range, including peach, apple, plum and more.

Karé

Be transported to Tokyo with Karé's authentic curry dishes. From mild to spicy, the curry sauces are made with the finest ingredients. Try the Wagyu scotch curry or the classic chicken katsu. Looking for something a little extra? The bread pockets and range of desserts will have you coming back for more.

Ilza Japanese Cafe

Docklands gem Ilza is so popular it just opened a second location over at Equitable Place. Enjoy thick-cut katsu sandwiches, karaage chicken on rice and bowls of curry udon. Drinks are a highlight here too, sip on the signature strawberry or peanut matcha latte for something a bit different. 

Fuumi Fuumi

Fuumi Fuumi is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up spot with a smooth matcha and tasty cake selection. Get your hands on daily specials. Think margarita cookies, Biscoff cheesecake, seasonal fruit toast, matcha opera cake and more. Enjoy this delicious selection in a brightly lit, comfortable West Melbourne venue. The latte art is a bit on the cute side too.

Saint Dreux

This slick store in Emporium specialises in delicious katsu sandwiches. The classic pork, prawn, chicken and egg options are all here, plus a special Wagyu beef variety. For sweet tooths Saint Dreux also serves mizu yokan (red bean jelly) and house-made castella (Japanese sponge cake). 

Bakemono Bakers

Grab perfect shokupan, yuzu almond croissants and more at Bakemono Bakers. You’ll find it in a converted garage on Drewery Lane, just off Little Lonsdale Street. This transformed nook has lush plants surrounding its wide timber entrance. And bench seats inside and out are perfect for enjoying your treats. 

279

Have you tried musubi? A triangle of rice with toppings, that’s wrapped in nori. West Melbourne cafe 279 calls it the Japanese equivalent of a good old-fashioned Aussie sandwich. The best way to try it is in a customisable bento box. Pick your favourite protein, perhaps katsu chicken or grilled pork belly. Then choose two musubis and a veggie side. Finish on a matcha cookie or miso brownie.

Lead image by Sofia Levin (@SofiaKLevin).