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12 Spots to Indulge in the Dreamiest Cheesecake in Melbourne
From 100-year-old Polish classics to Basque bliss — these are the city's top spots for cheesecake lovers.
Ahh, cheesecake. A sweet staple that outlasts every trend cycle. Whether you crave a dense New York classic or a burnt Basque number with caramelised edges, Melbourne does cheesecake brilliantly. Some bakeries keep it pure and simple, others go bold, but the best always deliver that rich, creamy payoff you chase from the first bite.
From low-key patisserie gems to cult bakeries with loyal followings, here’s where to find the city’s best slices.
Back Alley Bakes’ Basque Cheesecake
Back Alley Bakes is a Coburg North cult stop for Basque burnt cheesecake in Melbourne. The top is properly caramelised, the centre stays light and creamy, and it’s gluten-free. Order a whole cake online for celebrations, or grab a slice when it appears in store. Arrive early; this one sells out fast most weekends, too.
10 Leslie Avenue, Coburg North
La Colmena at Prahran Market
La Colmena at Prahran Market is Melbourne’s Spanish pastry specialist, bringing pastelería energy to South Yarra. Go for an ensaïmada, that spiralled Balearic beauty, or choose from rotating regional sweets that take time and skill. The real reason to drop by? There’s often a Spanish-style cheesecake in the mix, lighter than the usual suspects and dangerously snackable. Grab a coffee, queue with intent, and leave with a box that probably won’t make it home.
163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Motte
Motte in Newport is a must for Basque cheesecake obsessives. The top is deeply caramelised, the centre stays lush and custardy, and the flavours rotate with the seasons — keep an eye out for ube or yuzu when they’re on. Order ahead for whole cakes, or drop in early for a slice before they sell out.
G04/455 Melbourne Road, Newport
Lulu & Me
Step inside and the perfume of caramelised sugar and butter does the convincing for you. Lulu & Me pioneered cheesecake by weight, which means you can sample what’s on offer, then take exactly as much as your heart desires. The Basque burnt is crackled on top with a molten centre, while specials rotate through chocolate-heavy indulgence, lush New York-style, pandan, and seasonal flavours that sell out fast.
1-5 Hotham Street, Collingwood
LeTAO
LeTAO brings Hokkaido devotion to Swanston Street, led by its cult double fromage cheesecake. It’s a study in contrast, with a feather-light baked base topped by a silky no-bake layer that dissolves on contact. The matcha double and chocolate double are worth your time too, especially if you like your sweetness balanced and not blunt.
238 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tori’s
Tori’s is a favourite for good reason, with coffee, cakes and matcha that always hit the brief. The cheesecake line-up is no exception: ube Basque for velvety purple richness, matcha Basque for a bittersweet edge, and a classic Basque that nails that caramelised top with a creamy centre. Thoughtful, consistent, and deeply satisfying.
28 Niagara Lane, Melbourne
Better Burnt
Better Burnt is Hawthorn’s Basque burnt cheesecake specialist, with a deeply caramelised top and a centre that stays lush and custardy. Expect 10+ rotating flavours across whole cakes and slices, from pandan and pistachio to hojicha and black sesame, plus a keto option sweetened with monkfruit. Drop in Wed–Sun for the daily slice line-up, or pre-order to lock in your pick.
817 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
KumoKumo
Fluffy, wobbly and genuinely hypnotic, KumoKumo has arrived at The Strand and Melbourne’s dessert crowd has noticed. This Shanghai-born favourite specialises in cloud-like Japanese-inspired cheesecakes, from the classic jiggly original to Basque styles and half-baked hybrids. It’s soft, light, and dangerously easy to finish before you’ve even taken the photo.
250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Only Cheesecake
Only Cheesecake does exactly what the name promises: Basque burnt cheesecake, done with precision. Run by Akira, it’s a cult favourite for its impossibly creamy centre and caramelised finish. It’s gluten-free, and you can pre-order to lock it in, or track it down at Papirica Cafe and Mile End Bagels on weekends.
Sitchu Tip: We’re partial to the hojicha Basque cheesecake.
Morning Market
This one has a following for a reason. Morning Market’s burnt-top cheesecake cracks into a centre that’s lush, smooth and perfectly restrained. No gimmicks, just a dialled-in slice that pairs beautifully with a strong coffee. If you want the whole cake, pre-order ahead.
59 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
579 High Street, Prahran
Bola Bake
Bola Bake is where tradition gets a bright, bold update. Hidden away in Airport West, it’s known for an ube burnt Basque cheesecake with caramelised edges and a violet-hued centre that tastes as good as it looks. The taro and yuzu versions are equally worth the detour. Grab a slice, add a strong coffee or strawberry matcha, and call it a very good day.
22A Fraser Street, Airport West
Monarch Cakes
Monarch Cakes is pure Melbourne nostalgia, baked. Its Polish baked cheesecake has been made from a century-old recipe, rich, dense, and unapologetically decadent, with Gippsland cottage cheese and a beautifully baked crust. First opened in Carlton in 1931 by Polish-Jewish immigrant Pearl Levine, Monarch moved to St Kilda in 1934, and it’s been drawing pastry lovers in ever since.
103 Acland Street, St Kilda
Whether you crave a classic slice or a bold, reimagined take, Melbourne’s cheesecake scene proves that some indulgences are absolutely worth every bite. For more delicious experiences around the city, check out these new cafes and bagel shops.
