Overview
If you've had the pleasure of tasting one of Tokyo Lamington's desserts since it opened in Sydney, you know they don't make just any old lamington. These inventive cubed sponge cakes come in an array of exciting and nostalgic flavours ranging from fairy bread and tiramisu to yuzu meringue. While the cult dessert store has been kicking around the harbour city for several years now, the brand has just taken the leap south and — like many Sydney icons in the past, from El Jannah to Black Star Pastry — has finally opened a Melbourne outpost.
If you're new to Tokyo Lamington, it's a big deal in the cake game, all thanks to founders Min Chai and Eddie Stewart. After starting life overseas, introducing places like Singapore and Tokyo to some innovative riffs on the humble lamington, the brand settled in Newtown and has been impressing Sydneysiders with its creative desserts ever since. And now, for the first time ever, it's setting up shop permanently down south.
Tokyo Lamington x Koko Black collaboration
Tokyo Lamington popped up in North Melbourne earlier in 2022, in a collaboration with Le Bajo, but that was only temporary. As of Tuesday, October 18, however, the dessert legends have opened a permanent bricks-and-mortar Carlton location from which to pump out those beloved lamingtons — so you can still get your chocolate and coconut fix next time you're down visiting Melbourne.
Just like the Newtown joint, this new Elgin Street store boasts an extensive range of vegan cookies alongside savoury favourites like onigiri, pies, quiches and sausage rolls, too. And for caffeine addicts, it's pouring coffee from Single O seven days a week as well.
Melburnians will also have their fingers crossed for some more local collaborations. In the past, Tokyo Lamington has teamed up with the likes of By George, Circa Espresso, Stitch Coffee, Koko Black and KitKat.
For Chai and Stewart, who also founded N2 Extreme Gelato, there are clearly endless ways to transform the Aussie favourite into something new and exciting. Get your tastebuds ready for whatever they dream up next.
Find Tokyo Lamington at 258 Elgin Street, Carlton. It's open 7am–3pm daily.