Cakes, pastries, bread and much more – make your dreams come true at Melbourne’s best bakeries and bread shops!
What’s better than a hot and flakey pastry with a freshly brewed coffee to start your morning? We’ll wait…
When it comes to bread, pastries and other sweet treats, Melbourne pretty much takes the cake. But with so many options it can be hard to know exactly where you can get the best baguettes or the most sensational sourdough.
So, to help you out, we’ve tracked down the best bakeries in Melbourne of 2023. Because life’s too short not to enjoy your carbs.
Photographed by Nadya Spetnitskaya. Image via Unsplash.
All Are Welcome
You always leave All Are Welcome with a smile and, most importantly, a full bag of baked goodies. As the name might suggest, this bakery offers a relaxed and approachable atmosphere as well as consistently delicious bread and pastries. From bread to coffee, to speciality celebration cakes and viennoiserie, this artisan bakery in Melbourne has it all. They also sell a range of fresh coffee beans from local producers and various fine foods and ingredients in-store. We also can’t talk about All Are Welcome without mentioning their celebration cakes. Order one to share for your next occasion or to enjoy by yourself (we won’t judge and they won’t either).
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Baker Bleu
Mike and Mia Russel first opened Baker Bleu in 2016. Their desire was to provide delicious and ethically produced bread to the local community. This bakery is known for its exceptional sourdough bread and pastries using the highest quality ingredients that have been sustainably and locally sourced. To bake their sourdough, Baker Bleu uses a traditional long fermentation method resulting in a high-quality product that is not only delicious, but also more sustainable. Whether it’s their classic sourdough loaf, bagel, baguette or beautifully golden pastry, it is always baked with care.
Photographed by Ivan Kemp. Image supplied.
Ket Baker
This Melbourne based bakery has developed a cult following for its delicious 100% sourdough breads and pastries which are made with high-quality, local and nutritious ingredients. You can find Ket Baker at the Alphington Farmers Market or the Coburg Farmers Market. Just be sure to get there early! There is usually a long line of eager pastry lovers waiting to get their hands on one of these sourdough sensations. Head baker, Miek Paulus, started her pastry journey in Belgium, then travelled to France to learn about the world’s best cuisine (and drink wine of course). Eventually, she moved to Melbourne and opened her bakery which was her way of giving back to the Bellarine community.
Photographed by mikeledray. Image via Shutterstock.
Lune Croissanterie
A Melbourne institution, this is probably one of the most famous bakeries in Melbourne we’ve ever heard of. Lune prides itself on crafting a croissant unlike any other. With each bite of a Lune croissant you can taste the precision, care and passion that has gone into baking it. Start simply with their traditional French croissant that has been prepared over a three-day period. Once inducted into the Lune Croissanterie club, try their Pain au Chocolat, Persian Love Cake, Cheese and Vegemite Escargot or their famous Lemon Curd Cruffin. Lune is always creating limited-edition items or bringing back vintage cult classics; regardless Lune is a must-visit for any Melburnian.
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Penny For Pound
Start your weekend off right with a pastry from Penny For Pound. Located off Bridge Road, this family-run business makes everything in house – from jams to puff pastry, confectionaries, cakes, cookies and, not to mention their famous pastries. You’ll be salivating just looking at their wide selection of baked goods on offer; and getting just one would be a crime. To ensure their croissants are endlessly fresh, Penny For Pound bakes them every 30 minutes – hot and flakey every time! Their online store also sells some of their most popular sweet treats, like their salted choc chip cookies, salted caramel or housemade rocky road.
Photographed by Kate Shanasy. Image supplied.
Rustica Sourdough
Located on the ever-so bustling Chapel Street, this iconic bakery and cafe is the perfect spot for brunch. Not only are their artisan breads and sourdoughs to die for, but each venue exhibits a customised menu that reflects the unique charm and feel of the location. You’ll be captivated by their array of perfectly baked breads, pastries and sandwiches; each one as tempting as the next. Watch on as the skilled bakers craft each sourdough that takes up to 48 hours to ferment. With an emphasis on sustainable farming and showcasing local produce, Rustica’s offerings are always delicious, memorable and, more importantly they will always leave you wanting more.
Photographed by Georgia Gold. Image supplied.
Tivoli Road Bakery
This cosy bakery and cafe serves up fantastic sourdough, pies and delicately crafted cakes and pastries that are baked fresh every morning. Whether you’re into traditional sourdough, soy and linseed, multigrain, fruit and olive or even spelt, they’ve got it all. A classic loaf is their stone-ground sourdough with a caramelized crust and a perfectly chewy centre. Or, try one of their croissants, fruit Danish or heavenly morning buns. Another stand out about this bakery is their artfully crafted pastries, cakes and tarts that are simply too pretty for consumption. One of the best patisseries in Melbourne!
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To Be Frank Bakery
Tucked away in a quiet side street in Collingwood, To Be Frank Bakery offers delightful breads and pastries that have been slowly fermented and naturally leavened, with an emphasis on organic and sustainable ingredients. They work with local producers to select ingredients that have been responsibly produced and farmed. Owner and head baker, Franco Villalva (also known as Respectus Panus), uses a long fermentation technique that takes up to 18 hours. Coupled with the amount of yeast used in their dough, this makes for a distinct tasting sourdough that you can’t get anywhere else. We recommend their beautiful country loaf or nduja (Italian chorizo) and pecorino scroll.
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Wild Life Bakery
Located in the heart of Brunswick, Wild Life Bakery serves up high-quality seasonal produce that shines through their sourdough breads, pastries and cakes. Each time you visit, you’ll instantly feel the warm ambience and sense of community about the place. Grab something on the go, or try their fantastic dine-in menu. The Brioche French Toast with ricotta and jam is a melt in your mouth experience, or, for something savoury, the ooey and gooey Toasted Cheese Sandwich with comté and cheddar is to die for. Wash it all down with a coffee supplied by Market Lane Coffee or a devilish dark hot chocolate from Mörk Chocolate. It’s no wonder why they’re one of the best bakeries in Melbourne for 2023!
Photographed by Ben Garratt. Image via Unsplash.
Woodfrog Bakery
This quirky bakery knows a thing or two about taking time to carefully craft the perfect sourdough. The Woodfrog bakers ferment their sourdough for 28 hours, resulting in a caramelised crust and fluffy open crumb. In the early days of Woodfrog Bakery, these guys were baking out of a vacant furniture store in St Kilda. Nowadays, they have over 10 locations in Melbourne, serving up some of the best sourdough you can get. Their selection includes a plethora of options like their pumpkin loaf, soir or olive loaf. For something a little less traditional, try their Honey Oat Yeasted Sourdough.
From French pastries to cakes, tarts and all things sweet, be sure to check out these 10 Best Patisseries and Cake Shops in Melbourne of 2023. Better yet, wash it all down at with these Bubble Tea Shops in Melbourne.
