Simply Mike’s

THE VERDICT

Melbourne loves an American-style cinnamon scroll, and Simply Mike's has drawn crowds since opening in March 2026. Warm, soft and stretchy, filled with sugary, buttery cinnamon and topped with thick cream cheese frosting and a generous snowfall of yet more cinnamon, the signature scroll packs a wallop. Comfort and decadence in each bite.

Surprisingly, classically trained French baker and patissier Mike Ying had never heard of cinnamon scrolls before coming to Australia, and hadn't heard of Cinnabon until receiving a legal notice to change the name of his former Albion venue, ‘Cinnabuns’. Coming to Melbourne 13 years ago, Ying was instantly inspired by the city's love of food and appetite for trendy experimentation. Baking under the banner of Simply Mike's in the new Brunswick home, he whips up the ever-popular classic cinnamon scroll (customers often order in bulk, six or 12 at a time) as well as twists like coffee, Biscoff, pistachio and even carrot cake scrolls. Serious cinnamon scroll fans can even order the large-format cake size.

The signature house drinks are equally bright and inspired, with a salted caramel iced latte with cream cheese foam (tastes just like a scroll), an iced matcha creme latte and a mont blanc with cold brew and a foam infused with house-made marmalade.

Bakery shelves are also stacked with viennoiserie pastries like croissants, kouign-amann and a mindblowing salted caramel and sesame escargot. For savoury, plain artisan sourdough loaves are sold alongside 'sandough' sandwiches: a folded ciabatta-like dough stuffed with fillings like prosciutto, fior di latte, pesto and rocket. Ying also lines his quiches with the same fermented sourdough croissant pastry for a crisp, buttery bite. Perfect takeaway for lunch on the go, but there’s ample space to sit in at little tables lining the wall of the airy, white-walled cafe.

Words: Kosa Monteith
Imagery: Supplied