No matter how much we profess to love clean-eating, low-carb, paleo, or sipping on triple-distilled unicorn tears, we’ll always find room (or excuses) for cake.
After all, a party without a cake is basically a meeting. And a bad one at that.
With that in mind, we’ve decided to create the ultimate ode to cake, with our list of the best cake makers and dealers that Melbourne has to offer.
Here are Melbourne's best cakes.
Proof Is In The Pudding
Richmond
You’ve got to give these guys props for mad innovation. Red velvet Nutella tart? Done. Tim Tam Brownie? You betcha. Proof’s cake selection is equally outrageous—everything from Marshmallow layer cake to an almond ganache tort that’ll make you believe in God. Definitely swing by next time you’re in Richmond.
Mister Nice Guys
Ascot Vale
Mister Nice Guy's have been taking care of allergies since 2010, and we're pretty darn happy about it. Completely vegan, Mister Nice Guy's can also cater for gluten free, nut free, whatever you like. And on top of all of that - their desserts are delicious. Order a custom cake, or swing by their cafe and choose something for the cabinet; cupcakes, doughnuts, cinnamon buns, they've got it all.
Burch And Purchese
South Yarra
With a name that is almost synonymous with the Melbourne dessert scene, Burch and Purchese are a Melbourne classic. If you haven’t tried their mirror glazed cakes, you haven’t lived. You’ll find them tucked next to a construction site on Chapel St, near the river.
Mill And Bakery
Docklands
Mill and Bakery is your ultimate vintage-style patisserie, filled to the brim with artisanal bread, pastries and cakes and other stuff you know you shouldn’t. With their daily selection of sweet treats, plus cakes made to order for weddings, you’ve got all your Melbourne cake needs covered. Who knew Docklands could be so delicious?
Bibelot
Forget the petite gateaux, we're heading straight for the Grands Gateaux at Bibelot, South Melbourne's premier dessert bar and cake shop. Each of these works of art is created by hand using French pâtisserie techniques, with rare ingredients imported all the way from Europe. Prices can range up to $160, but you get what you pay for at Bibelot. Drop one of their glossy passionfruit chocolate cakes on the table, or the delicate hazelnut praline crunch, and you'll be a party hero for decades. In a world of same-same, Bibelot makes statements. The statement being: 'We make the best damn cakes in town.'
Cremorne Street Bakers
Cremorne
You've probably seen Cremorne Street Bakers' wares in cafes around Melbourne and hadn't even realised. These days they've also got their own shop that you can visit in Cremorne. The team bake a delicious array of cakes, tarts, cookies, individual cakes, slices, meringues, and much more.
Call ahead to order a big batch or hit their website.
Tidbit Cakes
Richmond
This vegan haven resides in Richmond and it’s sweeter than ever. A dedicated vegan bakery and patisserie, Tidbit Cakes offers bespoke, whole cakes to order as well as a range of daily rotating treats. Raw cake slice options may include raw salted caramel or raw snickers, and Instagram-friendly slices of cheesecake, pastel pink macarons and cupcakes topped with intricate designs (think: gold dusted strawberries, roses made from icing and edible flowers) beg to be eaten from the glass cabinet.
Miss Ladybird Cakes
Elsternwick
Using locally sourced products and making everything on-site, Miss Ladybird Cakes are pretty much cake magicians. They make gorgeous, traditional buttercream-iced cakes, from buttercream and fondant, naked or semi-naked, as well as novelty cakes. Check out their wedding cake gallery and weep, that’s all we’re saying.
Bad Love Club
Footscray
Footscray’s boozy new jaffle bar and cocktail lounge might not seem like cake paradise, but owner Sarah Ryan comes from a long line of bakers, and her pecan pie is a thing of beauty. Swing by Bad Love Club after dark and check out what’s cooking in the big glass cake cabinets. Cross your fingers for Sarah’s signature strawberry and Prosecco cheesecake...
LaManna Direct
Essendon Fields
Ever wanted one of those cool unicorn cakes? Or a cheeseburger cake? Or a cake topped with giant lollipops and colourful chocolate shards? ‘Course you have. Look no further than LaManna Direct, then. You can find all this more at this epic Melbourne cake shop.
Bake And Co.
Bentleigh
From ‘naked’ cakes topped with flowers, to cakes literally dripping in ganache and topped with an explosion of chocolates, praline shards, and everything in between, Bake and Co. is the place to go. Specialising in only custom cakes, cupcakes, and biscuits, no celebration is too big or small for Bake and Co.
Image credit: Cremorne Street Bakery