Melbourne’s Best European Bakeries: Your Passport to Pastry Paradise
From Italian treasures to Scandinavian sweets, these are the best pastry shops in Melbourne for a European treat.
If Melbourne knows one thing, it’s bakeries — and when it comes to European-style pastries, this city is next-level. Wherever you turn, you’ll find an aromatic bakery doorway beckoning you inside with promises of flaky croissants, buttery brioche, and delicate cakes that transport you straight to the streets of Paris, Naples, or Warsaw.
While we may not be jetting off to Europe this year, Melbourne’s finest patisseries bring the continent’s most iconic flavours right to your doorstep. Ready to taste your way across Europe without leaving town? Here are the city’s top spots for a genuine Euro pastry fix.
Vanilla Lounge
Vanilla Lounge in Oakleigh is basically Greece’s best-kept secret, right in Eaton Mall. This family-run haven has been whipping up Mediterranean magic since 2008 with love and flair. Every bite is a delicious trip — from flaky spanakopita and tender lamb souvlaki to desserts that read like poetry, including rich baklava and silky galaktoboureko. The Flourless Hazelnut Heaven? Pure indulgence with a capital H. Pair their biscotti (our pick is the almond shortbread showered in icing sugar) with an espresso, and you’ll officially earn your Yiayia-approved tea-time credentials — opa!
17-21 Eaton Mall, Oakleigh
Cannoleria
Cannoleria Carlton is pure Sicilian seduction. The flagship store of the beloved Cannoleria brand, this chic caffetteria on Lygon Street is devoted to the art of the cannolo — golden, crisp shells filled fresh to order with That’s Amore’s velvety ricotta. Five rotating flavours (think zesty citrus, dreamy tiramisu) keep things playful, while moka pots of St Remio coffee bring just the right touch of Italian drama.
With only 18 seats, it’s intimate, elegant and transportive — a bite-sized escape to a sun-drenched piazza in Palermo.
334 Lygon Street, Carlton
Amann Patisserie
With croissants so crisp they practically sing and a scent trail that stops passersby in their tracks, Amann Patisserie feels like it was plucked straight from the backstreets of Montmartre. Helmed by Yohann Godec — whose pastry pedigree hails from Versailles — this no-fuss “pastry door” operates out of a stripped-back commercial kitchen in Carlton North. It’s all about the craft here: viennoiserie baked to perfection, seasonal tarts that dazzle, and just enough counter space to savour a bite before floating back to reality.
645 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
Artisanal Bakehouse
In Bentleigh, where Melbourne’s quiet streets meet European flair, Artisanal Bakehouse hums with the soul of a sunlit French boulangerie. Helmed by Michelin-starred pastry wizards David Caillaud and Aymeric Vincent, this spot isn’t just about croissants — it’s an ode to centuries-old technique and buttery brilliance. Each tart, galette, and scroll whispers of cobbled laneways and long Paris mornings. It’s no wonder they’ve earned a spot on La Liste’s 2024 guide to the world’s best pastry shops. Step inside and prepare to be utterly, deliciously transported.
313 Centre Road, Bentleigh
Enjoying Reading About the Best European Bakeries in Melbourne? You’ll Also Love…
Amalfi Dreaming: The Best Restaurants, Cafes, Bars & Shops for a Slice of Summer in Italy
A Taste of the Past: Retro Melbourne Restaurants, Bars & Cafes
Cheri
Ah, ma chérie! Cheri is pure French elegance brought to life by the masterminds behind Darling Group favourites like Higher Ground. From flaky morning croissants to divine afternoon cakes, every bite feels like a Parisian love letter. Don’t miss the truffle mushroom croissant — a luxe twist that lingers on your palate long after the last crumb.
285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
Madeleine de Proust
A patisserie dedicated to madeleines? Yes, please. Chef Hyoju Park’s artisanal creations at Madeleine de Proust are almost too pretty to eat — almost. The corn madeleine steals the show, filled with brown butter cream cheese, dotted with popcorn ganache, and wrapped in a corn-infused chocolate husk. Pure genius.
253 Lygon Street, Carlton
Publique Bakery
Parisian perfection meets Melbourne charm at Publique, where traditional French techniques craft irresistible breads, croissants, and pastries. The display cabinet alone will stop you in your tracks. Craving savoury? The Quiche Lorraine is an oozy, salty masterpiece that’ll have you hooked.
QVM MUNRO 18 Blender Lane, Melbourne
Preston Market
Monarch Cakes
When we think of the best European pastry and cake shops in Melbourne, Monarch Cakes instantly comes to mind. This cake shop is almost 100 years old, and has remained practically unchanged the whole time it’s been open (other than moving from Lygon Street to Acland Street shortly after originally opening).
Monarch Cakes has been slinging the same recipes ever since the beginning, with many of the original recipes originating back to its first ever shop in Poland. With recipes from all over Eastern Europe, including Austria, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and even France, the team behind this iconic foodie landmark sure knows what they’re doing.
Sitchu Tip: The Polish cheesecake is an absolute must, with the same recipe being repeated and perfected since the early 1920s.
103 Acland Street, St Kilda
Pulcinella
Pulcinella brings the heart of southern Italy to Melbourne with its traditional pastries and warm hospitality. From silky cannoli to ricotta-stuffed sfogliatelle and rum-soaked babà, every treat is crafted using time-honoured techniques and quality ingredients. Whether you’re stopping by for a morning espresso or picking up a celebration cake, Pulcinella offers a genuine taste of Naples right in Brunswick’s vibrant food scene.
592 Sydney Road, Brunswick
T. Cavallaro & Sons
T. Cavallaro & Sons is a family-run bakery rooted in Sicilian tradition for four generations. Established during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, their pastries —cannoli, biscotti, and cakes — carry rich history and authentic flavours. The recipes reflect founder Tommaso Cavallaro’s childhood on the Aeolian Islands, making every bite a connection to Sicily’s past. This Footscray bakery is the go-to for genuine Sicilian pastries crafted with love and tradition.
98 Hopkins Street, Footscray
Inner West Swedish Baker
A hidden Scandinavian treasure, Inner West Swedish Baker offers authentic Nordic pastries made fresh daily. Warm cardamom buns, buttery cinnamon rolls (kanelbullar), and saffron-infused treats fill the air with cosy, comforting aromas. This charming micro-bakery delivers a slice of Sweden to Melbourne’s inner west, beloved by locals for its rustic flavours and small-batch freshness. Perfect for a taste of Nordic warmth on chilly days.
549A Barkly Street, West Footscray
Ned’s Bake & Bistro
Ned’s Bake & Bistro is a unique European pastry shop in Melbourne that delivers the vibes of a charming rustic bakery, while simultaneously serving modern brunch fare. Quickly pop in for a croissant or your morning baguette, or sit down and enjoy a hearty lunch. Blending old-world charm with a contemporary twist, a trip to Ned’s will feel as though you’ve been whisked away to the streets of Paris.
Locations in Albert Park, Middle Park, Armadale and South Yarra
Baker in the Rye
We absolutely adore Baker in the Rye, a Jewish bakery slinging rye sourdough and Belarussian pastries. Run by Mara and Michael Rakov since 2002, it’s a story of passion and perseverance, with recipes steeped in heritage. Their dense rye loaves, poppy seed rolls, rugelach, and honey cakes offer earthy, comforting flavours baked fresh daily. More than a bakery, it’s a community hub honouring resilience through food.
185 Carlisle Street, Balaclava
Semla the Bakery
Semla the Bakery is a Scandinavian-inspired micro-bakery baking up a storm in Melbourne’s southeast. Known for cardamom buns, rye sourdough, and caramelised tosca buns, this cosy garage bakery captures the spirit of Sweden’s beloved “fika” ritual. Freshly baked in small batches, their treats bring warmth and sweetness to any day. They offer free local delivery (order by Wednesday for Friday delivery), making Semla a must-try for Nordic pastry lovers.
Free local delivery: order by 12pm Wednesday for delivery every Friday
Check postcode eligibility at check outSatrudays – Edigrocer pop-up
Loved reading about the best European bakeries in Melbourne? Now you’ve filled your belly with cardamom buns and cannoli, take a trip over to the Mediterranean with these Greek spots around the city. Or wash down your sweet treat with one of our favourite happy hours.