Whether it’s a mid-morning pick-me-up, an after-dinner treat or a late-night spot that’s not all about alcohol, dessert bars are the answer. And lucky for us, Melbourne has plenty.
From shaved ice to Thai-style toast and pandan pudding, here are some of the best desserts in Melbourne and where to find them.
Neighbouring its sibling Lulu’s Char Koay Teow, Pandan is a modest spot with a knack for nailing a few key desserts. This Malaysian-style bar focuses on bingsu, puddings and “dessert soups”. Try the ais kacang (also known as ABC) for a bit of everything: rose bingsu topped with evaporated milk, grass jelly, nata de coco, corn, peanuts, red beans and chocolate or vanilla ice cream. For something simpler, the pandan pudding is a standout.
27 Hardware Ln, Melbourne, 3000
From the team behind Raya, late-night dessert bar Nimbo is a must-visit for matcha lovers. Indulge in matcha crookies, matcha custard and strawberry-topped toast or matcha bingsu topped with matcha basque cheesecake. For those not into tea, the vibrant ube bingsu with mochi and cornflakes is a colourful alternative.
119 Hardware St, Melbourne, 3000
Homm’s first CBD location was so popular that a second location opened just around the corner, both often drawing lines down the block. Their biggest draw? Thai tea bingsu, wrapped in a plastic ring that’s removed before eating to reveal a cascade of whipped cheese cream. Other highlights include bruleed shokupan topped with Thai tea custard and salted egg and pumpkin boba bingsu served in a whole young coconut.
294 La Trobe St, Melbourne, 3000
From its humble beginnings as a pop-up inside Brick Lane Café to its own dedicated shop, Scoopy has become one of Melbourne’s top spots for shaved ice. The self-serve model means you can load up your bowl with toppings like boba pearls, berries, mochi and coffee jelly. Beyond bingsu, they offer age-pan (a Japanese fried bread dessert) stuffed with matcha cream and strawberries, bruleed vanilla cream or Mörk chocolate cream and banana.
303 La Trobe St, Melbourne, 3000
Sebastian’s light, fluffy kakigori (Japanese shaved ice topped with flavoured syrups) was a hit in Shibuya, Tokyo, before its owners introduced it to Melbourne. Now a Queen Street staple, Sebastian Kakigori serves flavours like strawberry and rose with elderflower jelly or white chocolate and coffee with rum foam. Dairy-free options like the vegan Earl Grey and orange kakigori with soy milk foam mean everyone can enjoy this unique treat.
203 Queen St, Melbourne, 3000
Rongcha is an all-day dessert spot serving Thai-inspired treats in a kopitiam-style setting (a coffee house concept popular around Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia). Their signature Thai-style burnt butter toast – a stack of thick, pan-fried bread – is loaded with toppings like mango and sticky rice or pandan and coconut ice cream. There are also rotating seasonal specials like s’mores hot chocolate with a rim of torched marshmallow fluff.
18 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 3000
Ché specialises in its namesake dish, one of Vietnam’s most popular desserts, made from a vibrant mix of fruits, jellies, legumes and coconut milk. It’s vegan unless you add a scoop of ice cream or a slice of banh flan, both options here. They’re also one of the few places in Melbourne to try Vietnamese egg coffee, a creamy blend of espresso with foamy egg yolk and condensed milk.
Shop 2/359 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 3000
Similar to a giant crumpet or Ethiopian injera, martabak manis is beloved for its spongy, porous texture that soaks up any sauces or spreads it meets. It’s the specialty at Indonesian export Martabak Pecenongan 78, where you’ll find it stuffed with everything from Biscoff spread and durian to the popular combo of peanut, chocolate and cheese. Choose from the original batter or a fragrant green version made with pandan.
114 Lygon St, Carlton, 3053
MasterChef Australia star Reynold Poernomo’s CBD dessert bar is a celebration of expertly crafted French technique with a local twist. The matcha and raspberry chocolate log, topped with moss and butterflies, is inspired by Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, while the orange entremet with pandan, coconut, mango and almond pays homage to Carlton. Open until 10pm, Koi is perfect for a sweet nightcap.
100 Queen St, Melbourne, 3000
With a mini location at Melbourne Central, another sprawling site on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell Street, and a suburban outpost in Hawthorn, Sulbing is a leader in Melbourne’s bingsu scene. Options range from fruit-forward mango cheesecake or strawberries and cream bingsu to decadent Biscoff and Oreo versions. But for something classically Korean, try the injeolmi flavour topped with nutty roasted soybean powder and sweet, chewy rice cakes.
168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 3000
Yo-Chi is not your average froyo shop. Known for collaborations with everyone from Pistachio Papi to Tarts Anon, Yo-Chi frequently draws club-style lines down the block – bouncers and all. Flavours include tart yoghurt, green tea, chocolate and vegan coconut yoghurt or dairy-free acai. But the real fun starts at the topping bar, which stocks everything from mini mochi and halva to Oreo cheesecake and chunks of Tony’s Chocolonely.
194 Faraday St, Carlton, 3053
Cannoleria has grab-and-go stalls at markets and shopping centres across Melbourne, but their Carlton flagship is the best spot to explore the full cannoli range. Choose from five rotating flavours like Sicilian-style ricotta and pistachio, tiramisu or seasonal specials. For the perfect accompaniment, try their Moka pot coffee served with a pair of mini cannoli on the side.
334 Lygon St, Carlton, 3053
By day, Palette serves Korean-style brioche and croissant sandwiches, but by night, the shop transforms into a cosy, dimly-lit dessert bar. Top picks include basque cheesecake, affogato brioche toast and croffles (croissants cooked in a waffle press). For an evening boost, try the peanut latte, made with espresso and sweet peanut cream.
610 Queensberry St, North Melbourne, 3051
The stretchy, chewy Turkish-style ice cream known as dondurma is Cuppa Turca’s specialty, available in flavours like fig and walnut, feta and melon or mastic. Get it in a cone or, if you have a sweet tooth, sandwiched between slices of pistachio baklava or served atop cheesy kunefe. To combat the sugar crash, Turkish coffee and tea are available until late.
262 High St, Northcote, 3070
Set over two levels, Balha’s is Brunswick’s best-kept secret for late-night sweets. They’ve got Lebanese pastries and desserts for every palate, from syrup-doused slices of knafeh and baklava to halawet el jebon, a mild sweet cheese dumpling topped with clotted cream. If you’re tempted to take something home for later, choose your own assortment of packaged bon bons and biscuits or grab a mixed box off the shelf.
761-763 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 3056
Discover Time Out original video
