Monarch Cake Shop
Call now
Call now
Website
Call
Monarch Cake Shop
Monarch Cakes has been baking from the same recipes for over 80 years. Many of the recipes originated from the original shop in Poland and were brought to Australia and have been used here ever since. In the past, a cake was made from fresh, raw ingredients such as butter, flour, eggs, and sugar. Today many have sacrificed that old fashioned flavour in order to bake more quickly and cheaply.

At Monarch Cakes we would never dream of doing that! We bake the same way our grandmothers did, using the ingredients in their most natural form. Our cakes are made with the highest grade butter and sugar and we never use substitutes or premixes. This is evident in the way the cakes taste. Most of the recipes come from Eastern Europe: Austria, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and a few more recent editions from the French.
Services
The shop was opened in Lygon Street, Carlton in 1931 by a Polish emigre and her family. After many years of experience baking European cakes at their cake shop in Poland, they migrated to Australia bringing with them their delightful recipes and traditional continental style of baking. Monaco, as it was known then, established itself as the centre of 1930's euro-cafe society.
Pecan Delight, Marzipan Stick (gluten/wheat/dairy free), Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (gluten/wheat free), Florentine, Palm Leaf (egg free), Poppy Seed Delight, Lemon Tartlet, Cherry Crumble, French Vanilla, Apple Crumble, Custard Vanilla, Polish Cheesecake, Home Style Caramel Slice, Gingerbread Men and Women (dairy free), Sacher Torte, Flourless Chocolate and Almond Cake (gluten/wheat free), Flourless Hazelnut White Chocolate and Orange Cake (gluten/wheat free), Chocolate Kooglhoupf, Lemon Tart, Assorted Cup Cakes.
Monarch has always made fabulous cakes, and now we offer fabulous coffee to intensify the experience. We use Gravity coffee. It is uniquely Australian in style, and flavour. It is a world class blend, which is smooth, rich, full-bodied and complex. It is designed for both superb cafe latte and stunning espresso.
These cakes are only examples of what we can do. When it comes to cake and Monarch's expert chefs, you are only limited by your imagination! Croquembouche, Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, Mother's Day, Christening, Confirmation, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, 21St Birthday, etc are all made to order by consultation with our cake consultant.
All orders are subject to availability. This is not an instant order page as many products run out on a daily basis. If you are wanting an instant order, please call the cake shop directly on (03) 9534 2972. All order requests will be answered by the end of each day. Some cakes are only available for local delivery and cannot be sent by overnight express.
Reviews (26)
Leenathelawyer
Leenathelawyer
Jan 14, 2022
Report
Best poppy seed cake and gugelhupf I’ve ever had. The poppy seed cake reminds me of how my late grandma used to make it, so it’s incredibly special to me. Please, never change Monarch.
David Lin
David Lin
Dec 11, 2021
Report
A Melbourne institution started in the Great depression era. The claim to fame is it's 100 year old Polish Cheesecake recipe. Although I must say, they have changed the recipe slightly from back 20yrs ago. It's no longer taste that cheesy because the clever use of lemons to musk it, and perhaps less sugary. They still do sell this cake by the weight it seems. You are definitely getting what you paid for!
Jane Tilling
Jane Tilling
Nov 07, 2021
Report
Wow just shared the Polish cheesecake with my colleagues was so beautiful! We have also had the Kooglhphf and that was amazing! A big shout out to Peter Barbuto who is the pastry chef there - what a mighty good job you do to make others happy!! thank you so much!
Ozzy Kunnu
Ozzy Kunnu
Aug 23, 2021
Report
These legends probably do the best Gugelhupf. Second close will be the Polish cheesecake, and almost 3 out of 5 times it turns out to be consistent.
But, other than that, we found other desserts / cakes too sweet for our palate.
Rosie Haehnsen
Rosie Haehnsen
Jul 28, 2021
Report
Beautiful European style cakes in a shop full of history and character. It’s been there forever and a constant highlight of Acland Street.
Aaron
Aaron
Jul 05, 2021
Report
If you feel like stepping back into time with lots of history and some decent cakes - this is the place. You'd get more appreciative to history.
Fatima
Fatima
Jun 19, 2021
Report
We enjoyed some of their cakes, my favorite was the custard cake.
We had a small talk with the owner too .. very nice staff and customer service.
Vito Doria
Vito Doria
May 19, 2021
Report
The interior is very old-fashioned but they do have a fine selection of northern and central European cakes. It's my first option for cakes whenever I am in the neighbourhood.
Dexcellent Productions
Dexcellent Productions
Dec 29, 2020
Report
Monarch Cake Shop is one of the, if not the originally owned and operated cake shop in Acland st. There is so many different types of cakes to choose from from full size cakes to cake slices. They cater for wheat egg and dairy free products in cakes however unfortunately don't carry lactose-free milk if you want to have coffee or tea with milk. (For Lactose intolerant people) There option is soy milk or almond milk only. Staff same friendly and helpful prices are similar to other cake shops however quality we believe he's better than monarchs paint shop than artists
Peter Peters
Peter Peters
Aug 21, 2020
Report
The 100 year old cheesecake tasted 100 years old. And that squirrel curled drag queen looking? woman needs a few thousand lessons in customer service
Praveen Aradhya
Praveen Aradhya
Jun 25, 2020
Report
Delicious Cakes on offer, tried Hazelnut and white chocolate cake 🍰 with some almond Swirls, both were gluten free and rich in flavors. Friendly staff and quick customer service.
John Kimpton
John Kimpton
Jan 01, 2020
Report
Great family business built on long standing recipes and a passion for excellence.
Dustin M.
Dustin M.
Mar 20, 2018
Report
Rounding out the Melbourne trip was dessert at Monarch Cake Shop. As with a lot of cake shops, the sweets in the window do a nice job of drawing you in. Quaint inside and out, but outside is preferred in good weather. The service was nice, and the recommendations are always welcome.

The Kooglhoupf is a specialty there (shaped like a bunt cake and resembling a marble rye on the inside). It comes in a mini size so it made sense to grab another dessert. I opted for the apple crumb cake. I wouldn't write home about either. The crumb cake served cool didn't have much of the cinnamon or nutmeg
Tim C.
Tim C.
Jan 28, 2018
Report
Easily the most authentic feeling cake shop on the strip. The interior is original and gives a taste of what it was in the 30's. Cheesecake and kugelhoupf the top picks
Kelly K.
Kelly K.
Dec 01, 2016
Report
There's a slew of sugary options on Acland Street, but Monarch Cake Shop got my business first. Their cookies and cream cupcake caught my eye in their window. I stopped and got some milk on my way home to wash it down and unwrapped what I hoped to be magic. Though the frosting is rather delicious - sugary, creamy, thick, rich - the cake beneath left plenty to be desired. It was very dry and downright chewy, devoid of moistness. It made a better frosting pedestal than anything else. You don't see many cupcakes on Acland Street so it's disappointing to say the least I can't count
Brenton S.
Brenton S.
Aug 18, 2016
Report
One of the most praised cake shops on the Acland street. They have some original recipes that have been passed down generations. I love the cheese cake there. There are works happening there at the moment so make sure you get down and support the local businesses. Still a enjoyable sugar fix to be had!
Paul C.
Paul C.
Apr 02, 2016
Report
Good value as it is cheaper than the next doors but nowhere near as good. Reasonable coffee and friendly staff although there are communication hiccups due to lack of English skills.
Kelly M.
Kelly M.
Jul 20, 2014
Report
I think sugar highs may have been created here.

Awesome cakes, awesome service and great cups of tea.

If you can make a decision on what to order in less than 3 minutes you're a better person than me.

Share if you dare.
Deborah E.
Deborah E.
Feb 25, 2014
Report
As a local it's the only cake shop I go to. the others look like they're cakes are factory made. Everything is good to tonite I do feel like their Apple Tart yum.
Kate S.
Kate S.
Oct 19, 2013
Report
Truly scrumptious and mouth-watering desserts to be behold at this bakery. I traveled to 7 cities in Australia and Melbourne hands-down has the Best baked goods (as well as restaurants) in all of Oz, much better pastries and cakes here than you could get in Sydney, that's for sure. The poppyseed cake and the Polish style Cheesecake were absolutely amazing and I still dream about them.
Siri W.
Siri W.
Sep 29, 2013
Report
Tried chocolate kugelhoupf. It tasted bland like cocoa powder with flour and slightly sweetened. Was not that good and I have a pretty low bar.

But service was good. They charge by weight which was convenient.
Keith E.
Keith E.
Aug 20, 2013
Report
It's such an St. Kilda icon, when we visited here there was only once cake for me, the "Chocolate Kooglhoupf" and it was worth it. I loved the old style atmosphere and cramped seating arrangements. Its was great being part of history.
Stuart M.
Stuart M.
Apr 03, 2013
Report
If you like cakes this is a no brainer, starve yourself for a day or so in advance, that way you can justify all those kilojoules you will consume in one cake or pastry alone!
Jennifer Y.
Jennifer Y.
Dec 27, 2012
Report
I expected more from this famous shop, but I also suspect I might have not known what to order (I visited before yelp was available in Australia). From these reviews I see I should have ordered the chocolate kügelhopfs...darn.

I had a black forest cake that was alright, but not craveable. My friend had something else (I think it had a layer of caramel) that she seemed more satisfied with.

The definitely did have variety!
Alex L.
Alex L.
Nov 13, 2012
Report
Best coffee on the strip at st Kilda. Good looking cakes too, all served by authentic hipsters (with caps and moustaches and everything)
Shara S.
Shara S.
Oct 25, 2011
Report
Ahhhh this is more like it! Unlike its neighbour, Monarch Cakes offer delightful sweet treats that are as good to the eye as they are to the palate.

My little girl loves coming here and selecting one of the little cupcakes with coloured frosting, one of the handmade cookies of the day, or we both choose a gingerbread man or woman and giggle as we chomp their heads off!

I'm more of a savoury girl than a sweet tooth, but the sacher torte slice here (a chocolatey cake with mousse just under the dark chocolate icing, with dark chocolate fudge in between the cake layers) is the most decadent