Looking for Melbourne's best vegan cafe? Melbourne's plant-based food scene just got a landmark new address. Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop has opened in South Melbourne, and if the launch day crowd snaking down the block is any indication, this neighbourhood has been waiting for exactly this.
Established in 2010 in Ascot Vale, Mister Nice Guy's is Melbourne's first 100% plant-based bakery - a place built on genuine craft, creative baking and the quiet conviction that extraordinary food doesn't require eggs, dairy or meat. The new South Melbourne store, featuring the best of hospitality from the warm and welcoming Manny and Josephine, carries that spirit beautifully into one of the city's most beloved community precincts, just a short stroll from the South Melbourne Market.
I was there on launch day amidst the community buzz. The line went down the block and didn't let up all afternoon. The vibe was electric, the community turned out in force.
At a Glance: Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop South Melbourne
| Location | South Melbourne (127 Market St, near South Melbourne Market) |
| Also at | 151 Union Rd, Ascot Vale |
| Open | 7 days a week |
| Menu | 100% plant-based; full cream milk available on request |
| Known for | Bronuts, cinnamon scrolls, cupcakes, sausage rolls, burgers, bagels, celebration cakes |
| Allergen labelling | All items colour-coded and labelled by allergen type |
| Website | misterniceguy.com.au |
In This Article
- The Story Behind Mister Nice Guy's
- The South Melbourne Launch
- The Savoury Side: Burgers, Sausage Rolls & More
- The Bronuts: A Category of Their Own
- Sweet Things: Cupcakes, Scrolls & Baked Goods
- Bagels & Baguettes
- Celebration Cakes & Custom Orders
- Allergy-Friendly & Inclusive
- FAQ
The Story Behind Mister Nice Guy's
Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop was born when Lucas Cook and Deb Kantor made the decision to ditch meat and dairy - not just for their health, but to build something they believed in. Lucas had been baking since childhood, and for years the same refrain followed him: "You should do this for a living." Eventually, he listened.
In 2010, they launched Mister Nice Guy in Ascot Vale as Melbourne's first 100% plant-based bakery. The ethos was clear from day one: use kosher, soy-free, organic and fair-trade ingredients, source locally wherever possible, and make food that genuinely delights people - regardless of their diet. The Ascot Vale store built a devoted community following that has never wavered.
Now, with Manny and Josephine at the South Melbourne store, that same warmth and community spirit has found a powerful new home. Both Manny and Josephine made a point of noting how much the community feel at both locations means to them - it's not just a bakery, it's a gathering place and bakery destination.
The South Melbourne Launch: A Queue Down the Block
Launch day on a Saturday told you everything you needed to know. The line stretched well down the block and barely let up all day - a genuine community event, the kind Melbourne does so well when a neighbourhood senses something special has arrived.
The location near the South Melbourne Market is perfect. This is a precinct where people already understand quality food, where they linger, where they come back. Mister Nice Guy fits the fabric of South Melbourne like it was always meant to be here.
One thing worth noting for those who might be hesitant: while the menu is 100% plant-based, full cream milk is available on request for coffee. It's a thoughtful touch - an open door for anyone who's curious but not quite ready to go fully plant-based. Try the food first. The food will do the convincing.
The Savoury Side: Burgers, Sausage Rolls & Hot Bites
Let's be clear about something: the savoury range here is not an afterthought. It's a full deli and lunch menu that holds its own against anything in the neighbourhood - plant-based or otherwise.
The Spicy "Chicken" Burger - Order This First
I went straight for the Chicken Burger ($15.95) - crumbed Seitan 'chicken' with house-made guacamole, jalapeños, fresh lettuce, tomato and aioli. The texture is remarkable: genuinely crisp exterior, satisfying bite, big spicy flavour that builds. I felt great afterwards. That's not something I say lightly - it's the feeling of food made with care and good ingredients, not heavy, not greasy, just right. This is elite plant-based cooking.
The Sausage Roll - Setting a New Standard
The Sausage Roll ($9) deserves its reputation as Mister Nice Guy's most popular savoury item. It's enormous - genuinely substantial - and not remotely heavy. The flaky puff pastry encases a smokey, savoury filling that's deeply satisfying. This is the benchmark for plant-based sausage rolls in Melbourne.
Pretzel Dog - Dangerously Good
The Pretzel Dog ($9) - a smokey filling wrapped in brioche pretzel dough - is the kind of thing you eat, pause, and immediately want another one. Addictive is the right word. The pretzel dough is beautifully chewy and the flavour combination is spot on.
More Savoury Highlights
The savoury range also includes a Cheese Burger ($14.95) - double smash patty, cheddar cheese, caramelised onions, tomato sauce and mustard - alongside Shepherd's Pie ($11) with flaky puff pastry crust and creamy mashed potato topping, and Spinach Fetta Parcels ($9), light and flaky with a creamy spinach and fetta filling.
The Bronuts: A Category Entirely Their Own
Brioche donuts - bronuts - are a signature of Mister Nice Guy's, and at South Melbourne they are extraordinary. The range is extensive and every one is worth your attention.
The Jam Bronut ($7.20) is deeply rewarding - jam-filled brioche, dusted with cinnamon sugar, warm and yielding in a way that makes you close your eyes for a second. The Biscoff Bronut ($7.20) - coated in sugar and topped with a Biscoff cookie - is an instant classic. The Homer Delight Bronut ($7.20) does exactly what a strawberry sprinkle ring should do. The Vanilla Glazed Bronut ($6.80) is what they call "the King Kong of doughnuts" - and they're not wrong.
For the gluten-free, there's a dedicated Vanilla Glazed GF Bronut ($7.20), GF Bronut Holes (3 for $6), and petite baked doughnuts in both Chocolate Sprinkle ($5.50) and Strawberry Sprinkle ($5.50) versions. And the Vanilla Glazed Bronut Balls (3 for $6) are the perfect one-bite introduction to the whole glorious bronut universe.
Sweet Things: Cupcakes, Scrolls & Baked Goods
Cupcakes
The cupcake range at Mister Nice Guy's is where the creative ambition of the bakery is most on display. These are elite cupcakes - the Red Velvet is the classic entry point, but the range extends to flavours like Neapolitan, Peppermint Pattie, Peanut Butter, Key Lime, Biscoff and rotating specials. The frosting is generous and properly made. Don't skip them.
Cinnamon Scrolls
The cinnamon scroll is one of Mister Nice Guy's most celebrated items - gooey, warm, enormous and deeply satisfying. These are elite by any measure, plant-based or not. Come early; they go fast.
Chocolate Babka & Portuguese Tart
The Chocolate Babka ($8) - fresh dough rolled with thick dark chocolate, baked and topped with chocolate ganache — is what they describe as their personal favourite. Hard to argue. The Portuguese Tart ($6.25) is a beautifully crisp puff pastry shell filled with sweet custard: delicate, perfectly balanced, the ideal accompaniment to coffee.
More From the Cabinet
The sweet range continues with Banana Walnut Bread ($7.20) - gluten-free and described as caramelly and nourishing — plus chocolate brownies, rocky road, muffins and daily rotating specials. The cabinet is never the same twice, which is exactly how it should be.
Bagels & Baguettes: The Deli Stars
The deli side of the menu is taken seriously here. The bagel and baguette options are substantial, flavour-forward and built for people who want a proper lunch.
The Curried Egg Bagel ($16.30) - curried tofu egg salad, lettuce, mayo and chives on a gluten-free bagel — has become one of the signature items across both stores. The Chickpea Tuna Bagel ($16.30) - chickpea tuna, dill pickles, celery, mayo and lettuce — is equally impressive. In baguette form, both are available as the Curried Egg Baguette ($16.90) and Chickpea Tuna Baguette ($16.90), served on sourdough.
Celebration Cakes & Custom Orders
For families managing multiple food allergies — or anyone who has watched a child sit out of a birthday cake — Mister Nice Guy has long provided something genuinely invaluable. Custom celebration cakes, made to accommodate gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and other allergen requirements, are available by pre-order at both locations.
The cakes are handcrafted and genuinely special — from the Holy Biscoff Cake to single, double and tiered options made to order. Place your order well in advance via misterniceguy.com.au.
Allergy-Friendly, Inclusive & Open to Everyone
Everything at Mister Nice Guy is 100% egg-free, dairy-free and meat-free. All products are labelled and colour-coded by allergen type — soy, wheat, yeast, nuts, onion/garlic, fructose — making navigation easy and anxiety-free for those with complex dietary needs.
Ingredients are kosher, soy-free, organic and fair trade, sourced locally where possible. Gluten-free options are clearly marked and extensive. And for those who want full cream milk in their coffee, it's available on request — a small but meaningful gesture of welcome to everyone, regardless of where they're starting from on their food journey.
This is food designed to include people, not exclude them. That philosophy comes through in every single thing on the menu.
Two Stores, One Community Spirit
| Ascot Vale (Original) | South Melbourne (New) | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 151 Union Rd, Ascot Vale | South Melbourne |
| Open Since | 2010 | 2025 |
| Run by | Lucas & Deb | Manny & Josephine |
| Days Open | 7 days | 7 days |
| Near | Union Rd strip | South Melbourne Market |
| Custom Cakes | ✓ (pre-order) | ✓ (pre-order) |
FAQ: Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop South Melbourne
Is Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop South Melbourne fully vegan?
The entire menu is 100% plant-based - no eggs, no dairy, no meat. Full cream milk is available on request for coffee, making it welcoming for everyone regardless of dietary preference.
Does Mister Nice Guy's South Melbourne have gluten-free options?
Yes - extensively. The gluten-free range includes bronuts, bronut holes, petite doughnuts, banana walnut bread, bagels and more. All items are clearly labelled and colour-coded by allergen type so you can navigate the cabinet with confidence.
What are the must-order items at the South Melbourne store?
The Jam Bronut, Spicy Chicken Burger, Sausage Roll, Pretzel Dog, cinnamon scrolls, Red Velvet cupcake and Chocolate Babka are all essential. Come hungry and come with a plan - or abandon the plan entirely and order too much. Both approaches are valid here.
Is the South Melbourne store near the South Melbourne Market?
Yes - it's a short walk away, making it an ideal pairing for a Saturday market visit. The area has a fantastic community feel that suits Mister Nice Guy's perfectly.
Can I order a custom celebration cake from the South Melbourne store?
Yes. Custom celebration cakes accommodating gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and other allergen requirements are available by pre-order. Visit misterniceguy.com.au to place your order well in advance.
Is Mister Nice Guy's suitable for non-vegans?
Absolutely - and this is perhaps the most important point. The Spicy Chicken Burger, Sausage Roll and Pretzel Dog in particular are the kind of food that makes non-vegans quietly reconsider their assumptions. It's just great food. Whether you're plant-based, curious, or a committed meat-eater who followed a friend in - you will find something here that genuinely excites you.
What days and hours is the South Melbourne store open?
The South Melbourne store is open seven days. Check misterniceguy.com.au or their social media for current daily hours.
What allergen information does Mister Nice Guy's provide?
Every product is labelled and colour-coded with a comprehensive allergen guide covering soy, wheat, yeast, nuts, onion and garlic, and fructose. Items that are soy-free or fructose-free are clearly marked. It's one of the most thorough and shopper-friendly allergen systems you'll find anywhere in Melbourne.
The Verdict
Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop's arrival in South Melbourne is one of the more exciting food openings Melbourne has seen this year. This is not a trend-chasing exercise or a box-ticking plant-based concept - it's a bakery with fifteen years of craft behind it, run by people who genuinely love what they do and the communities they feed.
The launch day crowd told the story.
Go for the Jam Bronut. Stay for the Spicy Chicken Burger. Leave with a cinnamon scroll for the road. And tell everyone you know.
Mister Nice Guy's BakeShop South Melbourne is open 7 days. Custom cake orders available at misterniceguy.com.au. Also at 151 Union Rd, Ascot Vale.