Mentone has a desserts scene that punches well above what you’d expect. The suburb runs creative, walkable, authentic — and the food reflects it. We’ve eaten at every desserts spot in the area and these are the ones worth your time and money.
Expect to pay $28-45 per person for a proper sit-down meal. The cheaper end gets you gelato, the higher end gets you tiramisu done properly.
Our Top Picks
1. Cleo Mill — 121 Ash Terrace
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10pm Price: $14-25 per person
Cleo Mill is the benchmark for desserts in Mentone. The churros is what most people order, and for good reason — it’s consistently excellent. The pavlova is the other standout, done with genuine care rather than the paint-by-numbers approach you get at chain spots.
The room seats about 45 and fills on Friday and Saturday nights. Midweek you’ll walk straight in. The service is efficient without being rushed, and the owner is usually behind the bar.
Order this: The chocolate fondant ($14) as a main, plus lemon tart to share. Insider tip: The specials board changes weekly and is usually better than the printed menu.
2. The New Kitchen — 142 Flinders Lane
Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-10pm Price: $22-31 per person
This is the locals’ pick — less polished than Cleo Mill but arguably more flavour per dollar. The kitchen runs tight with a small team, which means everything is made to order. The tiramisu here has a depth that comes from doing the same dish three hundred times until it’s muscle memory.
The space is small — about 30 seats — and they don’t take bookings on weeknights, so arrive before 6:30pm or after 8pm to dodge the rush.
Best dish: The gelato ($22). Simple, executed perfectly. Pro tip: BYO wine on Tuesdays ($5 corkage).
3. Black Commons — 52 Brunswick Avenue
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm Price: $20-36 per person
Black Commons opened in late 2025 and has already built a following. The menu is short — eight dishes — which is usually a good sign. Everything on it is considered. The pavlova ($26) is the dish that gets photographed most, but the lemon tart ($26) is the one regulars order.
When to go: Sunday lunch is the sweet spot. Same food, half the crowd.
4. Rex’s — 236 Flinders Lane
Hours: Tue-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-11pm Price: $15-30 per person
The takeaway option on this list. Rex’s doesn’t have table service — you order at the counter and either take it home or eat at the three outdoor tables. The quality-to-price ratio is the best in Mentone. The churros ($15) is the standout.
5. Nina’s — 264 Ash Terrace
Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-11pm Price: $17-25 per person
A solid all-rounder. Not the cheapest, not the most experimental, but consistently good across the entire menu. The tiramisu ($29) and the gelato ($21) are both worth ordering. The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful for a desserts place.
Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | Best For | Price (pp) | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleo Mill | Overall best | $14-25 | Recommended Fri-Sat |
| The New Kitchen | Locals’ favourite | $22-31 | Walk-in only (weeknights) |
| Black Commons | New opening | $20-36 | Yes, via website |
| Rex’s | Best takeaway | $15-30 | Counter service |
| Nina’s | All-rounder | $17-25 | Recommended weekends |
Desserts Price Guide — Mentone
| Category | Price Range | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $12-18 | Counter-service, takeaway, no frills |
| Mid-range | $28-45 | Sit-down, proper menu, decent wine list |
| Premium | $50+ | Tasting menus, premium ingredients |
Before You Go
Best time to visit: Weeknight dinners (Tue-Thu) for no wait. Friday and Saturday — book 3-5 days ahead for the top two spots.
Parking: Street parking along Brunswick Avenue is metered until 6:30pm. Side streets are usually 2-hour. After 6:30pm, most are free. Best option: Public transport options in Mentone.
Dietary: Every restaurant listed handles vegetarian requests. Vegan and gluten-free: call ahead to confirm, but most are accommodating.
Delivery: Rex’s and Cleo Mill are on Uber Eats and DoorDash. For better quality, order directly — delivery platforms compress your food in those bags and charge restaurants 30%.
Nearby Guides
- Sandringham Desserts
- Hampton Desserts
- Mentone Cheap Eats — when budget matters
- Mentone Bars — post-dinner drinks
- All Mentone Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Best Pizza in Mentone
- Best Thai in Mentone
- Best Japanese in Mentone
- Best Italian in Mentone
- Best Vegan in Mentone
Useful tools:
Where To Go
Gâteaux by Marc Frissard
This is Mentone’s strongest pure-dessert stop: a French patisserie known for polished cakes, macarons, chocolate éclairs, fruit tarts and glossy individual pastries. Go early if you want the best range, especially on weekends, because the counter is more grab-and-go than long lazy cafe session.
Simply Gluten Free
Simply Gluten Free is the practical pick when you need cakes, slices or baked treats for someone avoiding gluten without making dessert feel like a compromise. It is especially useful for birthdays, school gatherings and mixed-diet groups where one safe bakery stop solves the whole table.
The Corner Store Mentone
The Corner Store works best for sit-down coffee-and-cake rather than a dedicated patisserie run. Its all-day cafe format makes it a reliable choice when you want dessert after brunch, an afternoon sweet, or a low-key finish after dinner nearby.
Le Roi Cafe
Le Roi is a station-side cafe suited to coffee, brunch and a sweet bite before or after errands around Mentone village. It is not a formal dessert bar, but it fills the everyday gap: good coffee, relaxed seating and something sweet without needing to leave the suburb.
Bakers Delight Mentone
Bakers Delight is the dependable crowd-pleaser for finger-bun cravings, sweet pastries, scrolls and simple bakery treats. It is the least boutique option on this list, but it earns its place for convenience, consistency and easy picnic sweets before heading toward the beach or train.
Local Tips
Mentone’s best dessert run is strongest around Mentone Parade, Como Parade West and the station-side village strip, so plan it as a short walk rather than a drive between venues. The suburb is compact enough that you can buy patisserie first, grab coffee nearby, then continue toward the foreshore if the weather is good.
For Gâteaux by Marc Frissard, treat it like a morning destination. French patisserie counters are usually at their best before the lunch rush, and the most attractive individual cakes are often the first things people choose for weekend visits.
If you are buying for a group, mix one showpiece item with simpler bakery sweets. A box of refined pastries from Gâteaux plus scrolls or buns from Bakers Delight covers both the dessert people and the “just something small” people.
Gluten-free dessert planning is easier in Mentone than in many bayside suburbs because Simply Gluten Free is local. Still, order ahead for birthdays or special occasions rather than assuming the exact cake or slice you want will be ready on the day.
The best low-effort dessert plan is coffee plus takeaway cake. Mentone’s venues lean more daytime bakery and cafe than late-night dessert bar, so don’t leave your sweet run too late unless you have checked current hours.
FAQ
Q: What is the best dessert spot in Mentone for proper patisserie?
A: Gâteaux by Marc Frissard is the standout for French-style pastries, cakes, éclairs, tarts and macarons. It is the place to choose when dessert is the main event, not just something beside coffee.
Q: Are there good gluten-free desserts in Mentone?
A: Yes. Simply Gluten Free is the most useful local option for gluten-free baked treats, especially when buying for someone with dietary requirements.
Q: Is Mentone better for dine-in desserts or takeaway sweets?
A: Takeaway sweets are the stronger category, especially patisserie, bakery items and cakes. For dine-in, The Corner Store and Le Roi are better suited to coffee-and-cake style visits than full dessert-bar dining.
