Bakemono Bakers Menu & Prices: Melbourne's Japanese Pastry Guide

Bakemono Bakers is at 273 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, with the shopfront accessed via Drewery Lane at the rear of the building. It is a short walk from Melbourne Central Station and the State Library of Victoria. There is no seating inside -- most customers take their pastries to the State Library forecourt or nearby public spaces.

Bakemono Bakers is open Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. In practice, popular items such as the yuzu almond croissant, garlic bread buns, and shokupan regularly sell out before 11 am on weekends. Arriving early is strongly recommended. The bakery is takeaway only with no indoor seating.

The Yuzu Almond Croissant (AUD $10.30) is the single most in-demand item -- a twice-baked croissant filled with almond frangipane and bright yuzu citrus, topped with crunchy toasted almonds. The Garlic Cream Cheese Shokupan Buns are described as 'perpetually sold out' and the Shokupan loaf (AUD $10.30) -- a pillowy Japanese milk bread -- is the most celebrated bread item, typically emerging from the oven around midday.

Shokupan is a Japanese milk bread loaf (the word roughly translates as 'eating bread'). It is defined by its cottony, pillowy crumb -- softer and more delicate than most Western-style white bread -- achieved through the Tangzhong or Yudane technique (a pre-cooked flour paste that improves moisture retention). Bakemono's version is widely praised as one of Melbourne's best. Loaves are baked in a classic Pullman tin for their characteristic square shape and typically emerge from the oven at midday; check their Instagram for baking time announcements.

Yes. The majority of Bakemono's menu is vegetarian. Sweet pastries -- including the Yuzu Almond Croissant, Blueberry Danish, Kouign Amann, Caneles, Shokupan, Shiopan, Meronpan and all drinks -- are all vegetarian. Savoury vegetarian options include the Spinach and Ricotta Danish and the Garlic Cream Cheese Shokupan Bun. The main non-vegetarian item is the Ham and Cheese Croissant.

Bakemono is a specialty artisan bakery at CBD prices. Individual pastries range from roughly AUD $6.00 to $10.30. A typical visit -- two pastries and a coffee -- comes to approximately AUD $20 to $35 per person. Coffee and specialty drinks (hojicha latte, matcha latte, house chai) are separately priced. Prices are in Australian dollars; confirm current pricing in-store as they change without notice.

Bakemono Bakers serves coffee from Small Batch Roasting Co., a respected Melbourne specialty roaster. The full espresso range is available -- flat white, latte, cappuccino, long black. Specialty drinks include a hojicha latte (earthy roasted Japanese green tea), matcha latte, house-brewed chai, hot chocolate using Mork Chocolate (another Melbourne specialty brand), and a seasonal yuzu iced tea. The hojicha latte is particularly praised in reviews.

Bakemono Bakers was originally set up as a pastry-production kitchen to supply Little Rogue, a nearby Melbourne CBD cafe co-owned by Leo Lee, his sister Jen Lee and Bruce Luu. The baking operation expanded and opened as a standalone bakery, becoming the primary venue. Bakemono now also supplies baked goods to several other Melbourne venues. Head baker Claude Kim (trained at Agahe Patisserie, one of Melbourne's leading patisseries) leads production.

Bakemono Bakers announces baking times and occasional pre-order opportunities via their Instagram account. The official website (bakemono.com.au) is the primary source for current availability updates. Given how quickly popular items sell out -- especially on weekends -- following their social media is the most reliable way to time your visit or check whether specific items will be available. There is no published online ordering system as of the date this page was reviewed.