The best new cafes and bakeries in Melbourne

Need some cope-ahydrates? These Japanese bakeries, laneway cafes, Korean sando spots and brunch wonderlands are a must-try.

Opening hours may differ right now, so be sure to check with the business directly before visiting.

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 in the CBD. They also do a range of Danishes, but the big hitter is the garlic bread. It’s buttery, garlicky shokupan dough filled with sweetened cream cheese. Drop in for takeaway, or pre-order by 9am for same day pick up.

Tori's

Melbourne has been blessed by another adorable new laneway cafe. Tori's is cute as a button, and so are the treats. Perfectly hand crafted Madeleines, burnt basque cheesecake, friands and some special matcha-fusion delights. Think French patisserie vibes with Japanese flavour inspo.

Fuumi Fuumi

Fuumi Fuumi is another new neighbourhood Japanese bakery and cafe. Choose from a range of sandos including tonkatsu, ebi fried prawns with egg salad and seasonal fruit cream. You can also buy mini loaves of shokupan milk bread swirled with sweet potato, tuna mayo and pepperoni. Don't skip sweet treats like chiffon cake, mochi bread and cookie cups.

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. Go for the classic crispy katsu sando for a taste of Tokyo. Or try the trending cream sando, complete with perfectly uniform slices of fresh fruit. They get pretty busy, so we suggest ordering ahead to minimise your wait time.

Palette

Korean aesthetics are taking over town, and Palette's got the vibe on lock. Their signature street toast (gigeori-toast) starts with buttery brioche, fluffy omelette and hash brown. Where you take it next is up to you - but candied bacon is a must. Pair with the official drink of Seoul (iced americano) or a pleasingly pastel soda. Click and collect your pick-me-up via their website, or dine-in after 5 November.

Bread Club

Cult-status is an understatement for this club. And who wouldn't line up for baklava escargot and 'Tirami-choux'? Follow Bread Club's Instagram for the daily drop of menu items. Think brie pumpkin sourdough sando, pepperoni pizza and loaded doughnuts. Takeaway your treats then head down to Gardiner Reserve for a picnic.

Fresh air pancake

Jump on the soufflé pancakes trend with Fresh Air. Jiggly treats come with pocky, soy mochi and black sesame fixings. Or try their take on dorayaki, a flat azuki filled pancake stack. Not convinced? Just look at the tiramisu flavour. This little hole-in-the-wall is always takeaway - so they're available for pick up and delivery.

Raya

Insta-baker Raymond Tan’s Raya is the ultimate spot for South East Asian-influenced cakes and savouries. Try treats like spinach and olive oil sponge, or grab giant cookies flavoured with miso, sour cherry and dark chocolate. There are cute boxes of mixed kueh too. They'll be takeaway for a little while, so drop by for picnic provisions or order delivery.

Udom House

If a Thai flavour bomb is what you fancy, get your pies from Udom House. Like the red curry chicken spiced with an authentic blend of cinnamon, star anise and pickled garlic. Keep an eye out for their larb pork pies, seasoned with coriander and mint. The latte art and luk chup- a traditional dessert made from mung beans, coconut cream and sugar - go down very easily, too.