The best new cafes and bakeries in Melbourne

Heebi 

This cute new Carlton bakehouse feels like you’re sipping coffee in your own cosy loungeroom. Inspired by a Japanese kissaten, the space is decked out in wood panelling, vintage furniture and stained glass Tiffany lamps. Basque cheesecake and strawberry shortcake are served by the slice on silver trays. But the specialty here is the fluffy shio pan (salt bread). It’s best dunked into a creamy einspanner or matcha latte. 

Umee Cafe

Melbourne finally has its first spot for Vietnamese egg coffee. Head to Umee Cafe to try the Hanoi-style drink. Expect a silky and creamy whipped coffee that almost feels like a dessert. There’s also salted cream coffee, a hue specialty, plus refreshing coconut coffee. The space is warm, cosy and cute as a button. Which is perfect, because you’ll want to linger over the pastries and treats on offer. Think caramelised egg tarts, garlic bread rolls and banana pudding. 

Maison Bake 

This new hidden laneway spot is a sweet tooth’s dream. Why, you ask? Because the coffee comes with a mini pudding on top! Teeny tiny bakery Maison Bake is one part Melbourne to one part France. The viral pudding latte is (of course) a must-try. It’s a bite sized custard pudding served atop a caramel iced coffee. Fresh matcha and peanut butter lattes round out the menu. Don’t leave without trying the chunky cookies, cakes and madeleines.

Tone Coffee

Tone Coffee’s new North Melbourne store is sleek, minimalist and serious about coffee. Starting out in Prahran, the baristas are famous for inventing the tiger bomb. That’s a perfectly balanced iced coffee topped with cream and orange zest. They don’t mess around with their filter coffee either, with five brews on offer. Grab a giant choc chip cookie and enjoy the bright and airy space.

Halaya

The ube craze continues in Melbourne at Filipino cafe Halaya. There's even an entire cabinet filled with desserts flavoured with the popular purple yam. Whether you’re looking for baked goodies or a loaded brunch, you’ll find classic Filipino flavours. Try an ube pancake stack, pork belly sisig or chicken inasal. But be sure to save room for the perfect cheesecakes and swiss rolls. 

Pinned

A cute little hole-in-the-wall coffee shop has opened on Rankins Lane. Drop a pin in this laneway lined with leafy balcony gardens on your next city coffee run. Pinned Coffee has gone viral for its specialty coffees. It’s tough choosing between the creamy vanilla Einspanner and the orangey zest of the lion tamer. They both pair perfectly with fluffy shio pan salt bread and garlic pastry from May Bakes. It's takeaway only and prepare to queue: this place is popular!