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Best Desserts in Melbourne: Sweet Treats to Try for Yourself
Bring out the dessert spoons and sample some of the best desserts in Melbourne.
Dessert may be the last part of a meal, but it’s certainly not the least. Those of us with a raging sweet tooth know that it can be the highlight of the evening, offering an explosion of flavour and texture that sends our pleasure receptors tingling.
Step up your dessert game with our favourite scoops, slices and dishes across the city. Spanning creative and classic sweets, the best desserts in Melbourne will have you coming back for seconds.
Apple Miso Semifreddo at Supernormal
At Supernormal, dessert is a performance worth staying for. The now-iconic peanut butter parfait — layered with salted caramel and soft chocolate — has been on the menu since the restaurant first opened in 2014, and it still stops conversations. Yet, for us, it’s the Pink Lady apple and miso soft serve that quietly steals the show. Crisp, creamy and elegantly balanced, it’s a study in contrast — delicate yet bold, nostalgic yet new. A flawless finish to an already remarkable meal.
180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Grill Americano’s Vanilla Meringue Cake, White Chocolate Semifreddo & Tableside Tiramisu
At Chris Lucas’ Grill Americano, dessert is staged for applause. The spiky, flame-kissed Vanilla Meringue Cake nods to Venetian glamour; slice in to find soft sponge and silken vanilla. The cult tableside tiramisu is scooped from a grand dish, cocoa-dusted, with a satisfying snap of hidden chocolate beneath the spoon. Craving one last flourish? The white chocolate gelato sundae with chocolate salami lands cool, creamy and playfully nostalgic. An old-world trio delivered with Melbourne polish — generous, elegant, and absolutely worth saving room for.
112 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Cecconi’s Chocolate Fondant
Old-world polish meets molten decadence with Cecconi’s warm, soft-centred chocolate pudding. Break the shell, and a river of bittersweet chocolate spills onto the plate, cooled by a scoop of clean, milky fior di latte gelato. It’s elegant, indulgent and absolutely iconic — a timeless finish from one of Melbourne’s great rooms.
61 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Level 1/489 Toorak Road, Toorak
The Princess Pandan Cake at Dua Bakehouse
Sweden meets Southeast Asia in Raymond Tan’s “Scandinasian” showstopper: a pandan chiffon sponge layered with pandan custard, sealed beneath a gleaming pandan-marzipan dome. It’s feather-light yet indulgent, aromatic with vanilla-coconut notes, and finished with immaculate patisserie polish. A cult classic reworked with Melbourne flair — playful, elegant, and absolutely worth crossing town for. Grab a slice, then immediately regret not ordering an entire cake for later.
Collingwood Yards, Shop 1/35 Johnston Street, Collingwood
The Corn Madeleine at Madeleine de Proust
Hyoju Park’s nostalgic showstopper turns a French classic into a Korean daydream. Inspired by childhood trips to Gangwon-do and the iconic corn-shaped ice cream, this brown-butter shell hides a cream-cheese filling folded with sweet corn, then wears a piped “kernel” ganache on top. It’s playful, perfumed and wonderfully textural — a bite that reads like memory and modern patisserie in the same line. Seek it out; Melbourne doesn’t have another quite like it.
253 Lygon Street, Carlton
The Ube Ice Cream at Big Comma, Served Any Which Way
Hidden in Chinatown’s Village Arcade beneath a glowing comma, Big Comma turns ube into a playground. Go classic with a scoop, or level up: mochi-wrapped cones, fried sandwiches with brûléed tops torched to order, matcha-Mont-Blanc flourishes, even espresso poured into a hollowed-out gelato sphere. The ube lands creamy, nutty and violet-bright — just as happy in a cup, cone or affogato — with left-field neighbours like corn cheese and peach oolong keeping things interesting. Scoop once, plot your return.
197 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Hojicha Affogato at Miilk
Miilk Cake Studio is an adorable, blink-and-you’ll-miss it shop in the middle of busy Swanston Street. And while their cakes are amazing, they don’t stop there. While we could go on and on about their entire treats cabinet (including a to-die-for matcha mochi centre cookie), the star of the show for us is the hojicha affogato. An umami hojicha shot meets the sweetness of soft serve in a decadent swirl. It’s the perfect dessert if you’re craving a little something after dinner, but don’t want anything too sweet.
166 Swanston Street, Melbourne
The Chocolate Gateau Cake at Cutler & Co
At Cutler & Co. in Fitzroy, dessert is an art form — and the Chocolate Gâteau is its most seductive masterpiece. Rich, layered, and unapologetically decadent, this dessert is for the part of you that leans into temptation with a wink. With silky chocolate, elegant textures, and a flair for the dramatic, it’s indulgence in its most refined form — just pure, glorious chocolate bliss. One bite, and resistance is futile.
55/57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Maison Batard’s Chocolate Mousse and Fruits Rouges et Chantilly à la Vanille
Chris Lucas’s four-storey Maison Bâtard stages indulgence with flair. For theatre, order the tableside chocolate mousse: whisked to satin, scooped from a grand bowl and served in glossy swirls — rich yet feather-light, dissolving to cocoa velvet on the tongue. Prefer something brighter? The Fruits Rouges et Chantilly à la Vanille is summer in silk: a tumble of seasonal berries with cool vanilla ice cream and pillowy Chantilly, finished with a gleaming berry coulis. Two finales, two moods — decadent or buoyant — both unmistakably Paris-meets-Bourke Street, and both absolutely worth the detour.
23 Bourke Street, Melbourne
The Bingsu at Nimbo
Nimbo has quietly become one of Melbourne’s most adored dessert stops — and for bingsu, it sets the pace. Founded by cousins Raymond Tan and Chian Ting, the menu reimagines Korean shaved ice with a jeweller’s touch. The Lychee Rose Bingsu arrives as snow-fine ice crowned with rose oolong ice cream, lychee popping pearls and delicate petals: floral, refreshing, quietly luxurious. Rotating specials keep the thrill alive — matcha apple-crumble bingsu, pistachio mochi toast and more. Creative, light-handed and deeply satisfying, Nimbo turns late-night cravings into little moments of joy.
119 Hardware Street, Melbourne
Limoncello Syrup Cake at Osteria Renata
At Osteria Renata, the Limoncello Syrup Cake is sunshine on a plate: citrus-soaked sponge crowned with cloud-light whipped ricotta and a scatter of pistachio. Bright, creamy and textural in all the right places, it lands like a palate-cleansing finale after pasta and a glass of something crisp. Elegant without fuss, refreshing yet indulgent, it’s the dessert Prahran keeps talking about.
436-438 High Street, Prahran
Lucia’s Chocolate Bourbon, Meringue and Coffee Dessert
Lucia’s chocolate bourbon, meringue, and coffee dessert has taken Melbourne’s culinary scene by storm in 2024 — and it’s no mystery why. A true masterpiece, this dessert exemplifies refined Italian indulgence with a perfect balance of bittersweet luxury. The textures — silky, crisp, and airy — dance in harmony, while the bold flavours linger, leaving an impression that’s moody, sophisticated, and utterly unforgettable.
11 Eastern Road, South Melbourne
Society’s Dessert Cart
At Society, the dessert cart is the true star of the show. Gliding by with an irresistible array of macarons, fluffy cake slices, mousse trifle, tarts, pastries, and fresh berries, it’s an indulgent, eye-catching finale to any meal. With every treat more beautifully presented than the last, it’s almost impossible not to succumb to the temptation. The cart’s arrival is a sweet invitation to elevate your dining experience and satisfy your every craving.
80 Collins Street, Melbourne
The Courthouse’s Sticky Date Pudding
One of our favourite pubs in Melbourne has outdone itself, adding an incredible sticky date pudding to the menu. When a cold and dreary Melbourne evening beckons, nothing hits the spot like a warm, decadent sticky dessert paired with a glass of tawny port or whisky in front of one of their crackling fireplaces. Indulge in this thick, delectable, and unctuous treat, generously drizzled with a rich caramel sauce and topped with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s toasty, comforting, and divine.
86-90 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Park Street Pasta & Wine’s Pistachio Creme Brulee
Save room for dolce at Park Street Pasta & Wine. The pistachio crème brûlée cracks delicately to reveal satin custard with a deep, roasted-nut richness — its secret lies in pistachios imported straight from Sicily. Best paired with a glass of amaro, this Melbourne dessert is classic, elegant and molto buonissimo indeed.
268 Park Street, South Melbourne
Chimnutz
Drawing inspiration from the delightful world of Hungarian kurtoskalacs (chimney cakes), Chimnutz is spinning sweet dreams into a delectable reality. Here, the enchanting flavours of Eastern Europe meet the playful spirit of Australia and Asia, with tantalising variations including fruit salad custard, cheesecake and boba milk tea.
Grazeland, 20 Booker Street, Spotswood
187 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tori’s Cake Selection
Calling out like a sweet siren song from a laneway in Melbourne’s CBD, Tori’s is a cosy bakery brimming with insanely delicious cakes. With vintage interiors and artisanal bakes, it’s the perfect escape from the city hustle. Sip on coffee, hojicha, or premium matcha while you decide on your sweet treat. Their home-baked creations, from lychee shortcakes to magical madeleines, are as delightful as they are beautiful.
Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss the banoffee cake, and when they’re available, the super refreshing melon cakes are a must-try.
28 Niagara Lane, Melbourne
Cheesecake at LeTAO
Formed in Hokkaido in 1998, LeTAO launched its beautifully minimalist Melbourne flagship to rave reviews. In addition to their signature Double Fromage cheesecake, the shop offers a range of seasonal specials and in-store exclusives, like the Yuki Ichigo, a blissful blend of creamy mousse and hidden strawberries. Their milk and cheese-swirled soft serve is a must-try, made even better when served with a shot of Market Lane coffee. The best part? It’s open until 10pm daily, which is great for satisfying those late-night cheesecake cravings.
238 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Gelato at Kariton Sorbetes
Melbourne is brimming with top-tier gelaterias, but none churn out flavours as exciting as Kariton Sorbetes. The small-batch shop translates beloved Filipino flavours into vivid desserts. You’ll find scoops like purple yams, caramelised coconut curds, and condensed avocado milk.
Sitchu Tip: Be sure to try their signature flavour, Turon, with banana gelato, muscovado butterscotch, jackfruit, candied sesame seeds and crispy spring roll pastry, or the Brazo de Mercedes, which is toasted marshmallow gelato blended with a mandarin-yuzu sorbet.
Footscray, Melbourne & Glen Waverley
Traditional Ricotta Cannoli at T. Cavallaro & Sons
It’s a big call, but this family-owned patisserie might make the best cannoli in Melbourne. T. Cavallaro & Sons has been part of the fabric of Footscray since the 1950s, treating customers to their crisp pastries filled with lush cream or freshly whipped ricotta. They fly out the door on weekends, so swing by early and buy a box to enjoy after dinner that night.
98 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Tarts at Tarts Anon
Lockdown side hustle turned bricks-and-mortar store, Tarts Anon specialises in magnificent sweet and savoury tarts, with perfectly even, crisp shells paired with classic yet addictive fillings. While the rich chocolate and caramel tart is their bestseller, we can’t look past their trusty lemon tart, particularly when it’s supercharged with a layer of zippy rhubarb jam.
Building 10, Level/658 Church Street, Richmond
44 Sackville Street, Collingwood (inside Pedla Bike Store)
Prahran Market – Shop 110A/163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Lamington Gelato Cake at Piccolina
The humble lamington gets the Italian treatment at Piccolina, where the gelato maestros have reimagined the Aussie icon as an indulgent gelato cake. Round and unassuming at first glance, it cuts open to reveal layers of sponge, luscious strawberry jam and airy semifreddo — a cool, creamy homage to nostalgia. Dipped in dark chocolate and dusted with coconut, it’s a perfect marriage of comfort and craft. The only thing we’re questioning? Their claim it serves two. Sure it does.
CBD, Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn and St Kilda
The Desserts at Palette. at night.
Late-night cravings find their match at Palette, an effortlessly stylish North Melbourne dessert bar blending Korean finesse with Melbourne flair. As the sun sets, the lights dim, and the air fills with smooth jazz — setting the stage for hojicha Swiss rolls, pistachio–raspberry croffles, Basque cheesecake, and French toast-style Biscoff brioche. Each dish arrives like art on a plate, best paired with a matcha or creamy latte. Elegant, inventive, and just a little indulgent, Palette turns dessert into a full-fledged experience.
610 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Have you tasted the best desserts in Melbourne and are keen to try more? Bake your way to happiness with the cake recipes and cookie concoctions you’ll want to try immediately.
