The best cupcake shops in Canberra

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Where to find the best cupcake shops in Canberra. Image: File

Cupcakes are a wonderful alternative when you’re not quite in the mood for a full cake. Small, delicious, and decorated to perfection, the versatile cupcake is a major crowd-pleaser. Whether for a birthday party, wedding, gift, or other special occasion, mouth-watering cupcakes that look almost too good to eat are a fantastic way to celebrate.

However, if you’re not up for spending a day in front of the oven, a cupcake shop can be a fantastic option. From beautiful decoration to exciting flavours, hiring a professional baker for your cupcake needs might be just the ticket to getting memorable and delicious cupcakes for your occasion.

In this article, we’ll share with you the top three cupcake shops in Canberra, according to local feedback. These bakers produce some seriously delightful cakes, so get ready to feel hungry.

What makes a great cupcake shop?

We know you want your cupcakes to taste absolutely delicious – but what else should you look for when seeking out a batch of cupcakes? Here are some must-have traits to keep an eye out for.

  • An exciting range of flavours. Purchasing cupcakes from a professional baker gives you the opportunity to sample a new and exciting taste sensation. So, whether you’re after classic vanilla or something more exotic, look for a cupcake supplier with an exciting range of flavours to choose from.
  • Expertly decorated. Not only should cupcakes be exciting to look at, but beautiful decoration demonstrates care and passion from the bakers. Look for a bakery that goes the extra mile to deliver the best cupcakes they can.
  • Reliable. If you’re purchasing cupcakes for a special occasion, you need assurance that your dessert will arrive on time – guaranteed.
  • Well priced. A lot of work goes into baking, decorating, and delivering cupcakes, but this is still a competitive industry, and so they shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
  • Can cater to any dietary restrictions. If you or your guests have any dietary restrictions, such as gluten free or vegan, make sure the cupcake shop you work with can cater to these.

The best cupcake shops in Canberra

RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Cake Lovers

Cake Lovers specialises in custom-made cakes for any occasion. Cakes and cupcakes can be decorated according to your party's theme, colour motif, favourite character, hobby or sport, or even your corporate logo. Whatever concept you have in mind, Cake Lovers guarantees delicious, memorable and aesthetically pleasing cakes.

As Google reviewer Sue Lever writes, "Ordered cake for my daughter 21st. Amazing prices, taste out of this world, service outstanding. Been back for cup cakes so fresh, will always be back. Thank you for such a detailed cake."

Sweet Bones

Sweet Bones makes cakes and cupcakes for all occasions. Using high quality, locally-sourced ingredients, Sweet Bones makes delectable cupcakes in a wide range of flavours and styles. If dietary restrictions are a concern for your upcoming occasion, Sweet Bones is a fantastic choice. They offer delicious, inventive dairy-free custom cakes that will be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. What’s more, most of their cakes can be made gluten-free too.

On Google, happy customer Ash Peak writes, "Sweet Bones made my wedding cake along with 60 accompanying cupcakes, which were all absolutely amazing! Thank you all so much for your wonderful, delicious creations that everyone at my wedding loved!"

Ciao Café and Cakes

Ciao Café & Cakes, with locations both in Queanbeyan and Braddon, is a wonderful little café with a passion for friendly customer service. They take great pride in their team of enthusiastic bakers and baristas. Alongside their range of 40 standard cakes made fresh daily, Ciao Café also takes custom orders for cupcakes with a wide range of delicious flavours and stunning decorative choices.

As Facebook user Elise Hampton writes, "Amazing cupcakes! We order a large number for our daughters 1st birthday party. Needed ones that were gluten free and vegan, as well as the usual kinds. Matched the colours of our invites and the cakes were super soft. So delicious!"

The Cake Lady

The Cake Lady, founded by Linda in 2011, carries on the baking legacy of Linda's mother Amelia (from the now-closed Amelia's Cakes). Linda is dedicated to providing her clients with personalised service, delivering wonderful and creative cakes made with high-quality ingredients to suit any occasion. Using quality ingredients and baking fresh to order, Linda bakes designer cupcakes in a wide range of flavours and decorative styles for all occasions.

On Google, Kerry Bowden writes, "This generous cake lady has on many occassions donated her talents and cooking skills to our community. Always divine tasting cakes, rich and moist. Not possible to say no to."

L'Orange Patisserie

Dutch baker Chef Wim brings his 30 years of experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants and some of Canberra’s best-known hospitality names to L'Orange Patisserie. Offering high teas and pastries created in the European traditions, L'Orange Patisserie prides itself on delectable cakes and small pastries perfect for those wanting to indulge.

On Google, Anna Prosser writes, "Best patisserie in Canberra, a truly French, Dutch, European range of excellent bakery goods from croissants to finest cakes."

If you’ve got an event coming up and you need ideas, check out our articles on the best cake shops, the best gift baskets and hampers, and the best gift experiences that Canberra has to offer.

Your experience with cupcake shops in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you been to any of the cupcake shops listed above? Did we miss your favourite? Share your thoughts and feedback below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cake shops carry their full range ready in store?

Many shops bake cakes every day that are ready to pick up and devour. If you’re looking for something special, however, you might need to place a special order. Check to see if you can order online to need to phone.

Can cake shops cater to dietary requirements?

Most cake shops create cakes for specific dietary requirements, although you may need to place a special order. This can involve placing your order a day or so in advance. Ordering times can be longer during busy periods like Christmas.

Can I specify how I want my cupcakes decorated?

Usually, yes. If you have specific design ideas, such as colour or decoration, then you should allow some extra time for the baker to complete your order.

Why are professionally baked cakes expensive?

Not all cakes are expensive, but some are. This is because of the large number of ingredients that go into making them. Also, fancy cakes can take a long time to make and require the skills of a specialty baker. This all adds to the cost.

How much does it cost to order a batch of cupcakes?

The cost for custom-made cakes varies depending on many factors. This can include the number of cupcakes, how many ingredients are involved, what decoration is required and even if the cake is to be delivered. Generally, cupcakes are priced individually, at rates of anywhere between $3 and $10 each.

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my aunt is one of the top sellers in our family !

Mysteryman said :

Mess said :

Rollersk8r said :

Mess said :

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I was hoping someone would say Jazz Apple just so I could disagree!! It’s the single most overpriced place in Civic, with Raw Sugar also a very strong contender. The cupcakes are close to double the price of any pastry/cake/slice in Dobinsons. And if you buy 6 cupcakes ($5 or $6 each??) they’ll give you $1 off. Wow, that’s worth it!

and I like when people bring up Dobinsons so I can say how it is the most overrated bakery in Canberra!

Overrated, how? The food is well priced and enjoyable. Their menu is more than adequate for breakfast or lunch. Coffee isn’t too bad. And their sweets selection is consistent and tasty.

I have to agree with Rollersk8r regarding Jazz Apple. The last time I went there, the cupcakes were all the same flavours – plain vanilla or chocolate – and quite small. The only difference between them was the buttercream icing and I don’t feel that’s worth paying $5 a piece for.

Jazz Apple would have to be the worst cupcakes I’ve ever eaten. I recall taking my niece there once when she was 7 or 8 after a theatre show. After the first bite she wouldn’t even eat it and asked if we could go home and make some edible ones. They very stale, hard and way too sweet. (I have a massive sweet tooth)

I’ve grabbed a cupcake every now and then from Jazz Apple afterwards and same result. Stale tasting and way too sweet.

As for Dobinson’s they are overrated. Their sausage rolls are soooo greasy, their meat pies lack flavour and I’ve never really enjoyed a breakfast meal from there other than avo on toast. I only returned for breakfast on several occasions as we have a monthly work breakfast there.

The only “nice” food from Dobinsons is their flans and tarts.

Not sure if it’s still there, but Cherry Seed in Gold Creek were the best I ever had in Canberra!

I like Crafted3 and Veganarchy…both found at markets

Agree Jazz Apple overpriced/overrated…

I also like Sweet Bones but their icing is often melting…

To be honest though Canberra seems poorly-resourced for cupcakes compared to Melbourne/Sydney sadly…

To put this in perspective $8.50 is what Zumba charges for his genuinely master creations, which not only just look sophisticated but taste to match.

Must admit Zumba doesn’t have smiley faces/Dollar Sweet sprinkles, or an Aero rammed in a bland sponge mix. That must knock a few dollars off the price.

Jazz Apple: “As the skills involved in producing these couture cupcakes* are quite specialised and therefore we have limited number of staff who can produce these cupcakes. To this end we recommend that you order your Couture Cupcakes well in advance of your function to ensure that we can fulfill your order for you.”

* $8.50 a “couture” cupcake! Wonder how much the “Executive” or “Stockbroker” cupcakes cost? Basic principal of franchising or photo-franchising is sell something essentially near worthless but dress it up with marketing and offer a discount to the slightly less gullible.

These should be relabelled as American Icing (…with cake attached).

What I classify as food for the tasteless. All it is is pretty colors, kids designs, faces for the really intellectually challenged, and ridiculously sugary. Good food has an interesting balance of flavours and isn’t a super heavy dose of sugar, fat, salt and starch, mass-produced by monkeys on minimum wages.

This is basic marketing to infantile taste, but with an absurd price tag to make it look like it is special.

The consumer who falls for this has belatedly let go of their notion of chicken nuggets as haute cuisine.

I love the cupcakes sold at deli planet at the Fyshwick markets. I asked one day and they said they get them from Sammy Sprinkle a LOCAL small business. Good on them.

Another vote for Crafted3. So many yummy and beautiful cupcakes!

Seems like this has become a ‘hating on Jazz Apple cupcakes’ thread.

I also stand by my Dobinsons comment. Every single time I have been there the food has been bland and uninspired.

Mess said :

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I disagree. Jazz Apple cupcakes are far too sweet.

Crafted3 at the Epic farmers market has the best cupcakes. We used them for our wedding, because couldn’t find any better ones in canberra.
We had a few guests with allergies and that wasn’t a problem for Crafted3.

Mess said :

Rollersk8r said :

Mess said :

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I was hoping someone would say Jazz Apple just so I could disagree!! It’s the single most overpriced place in Civic, with Raw Sugar also a very strong contender. The cupcakes are close to double the price of any pastry/cake/slice in Dobinsons. And if you buy 6 cupcakes ($5 or $6 each??) they’ll give you $1 off. Wow, that’s worth it!

and I like when people bring up Dobinsons so I can say how it is the most overrated bakery in Canberra!

Overrated, how? The food is well priced and enjoyable. Their menu is more than adequate for breakfast or lunch. Coffee isn’t too bad. And their sweets selection is consistent and tasty.

I have to agree with Rollersk8r regarding Jazz Apple. The last time I went there, the cupcakes were all the same flavours – plain vanilla or chocolate – and quite small. The only difference between them was the buttercream icing and I don’t feel that’s worth paying $5 a piece for.

Rollersk8r said :

Mess said :

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I was hoping someone would say Jazz Apple just so I could disagree!! It’s the single most overpriced place in Civic, with Raw Sugar also a very strong contender. The cupcakes are close to double the price of any pastry/cake/slice in Dobinsons. And if you buy 6 cupcakes ($5 or $6 each??) they’ll give you $1 off. Wow, that’s worth it!

and I like when people bring up Dobinsons so I can say how it is the most overrated bakery in Canberra!

Ezy said :

I would have to give a vote to Stand By Me in Lyons. Not only do they dish up a new taste sensation each day, but they come with delicious puns! Having said that, they are more in the muffin territory.

Rules may need to define cupcake… is it simply the icing?

Yes! Stand By Me! I had a honeycomb muffin that was out of this world!

Mess said :

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I was hoping someone would say Jazz Apple just so I could disagree!! It’s the single most overpriced place in Civic, with Raw Sugar also a very strong contender. The cupcakes are close to double the price of any pastry/cake/slice in Dobinsons. And if you buy 6 cupcakes ($5 or $6 each??) they’ll give you $1 off. Wow, that’s worth it!

Milly Withers12:43 pm 03 Feb 15

I’ve had good cupcakes from Veganarchy. They’re vegan, but as a dedicated meat lover I still rate them – which I think says something about how good they are. While they don’t have a shopfront, I think they’re at the markets (I’ve had them at the Living Green Festival) and they also do online orders.

Little Miss Cupcake (also Canberra-based with online orders) does amazing-looking cupcakes, and fantastic cakes too.

I find that most shop-bought cupcakes are too dry and sickly sweet. Looking forward to hearing your verdict, Sophia!

BombaySapphire11:34 am 03 Feb 15

I am yet to find anywhere in Canberra that makes cupcakes that taste even close to as good as baking my own. I don’t know why it is either!

Jazz Apple cupcakes are always good.

I prefer patty cakes.

Alexandra Craig10:00 am 03 Feb 15

I make Canberra’s best cupcakes haha.

If you’re after the old school classic cupcake with smartie eyes and sprinkle hair – the bakery at Kingston. I think it’s called Kingston National Bakery. They’re about $2.50 or so and they’re exactly the type of cupcakes I grew up with. The ones where the icing has set and you can pull it all off in one go. Amazing.

I would have to give a vote to Stand By Me in Lyons. Not only do they dish up a new taste sensation each day, but they come with delicious puns! Having said that, they are more in the muffin territory.

Rules may need to define cupcake… is it simply the icing?

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