Meet Dalmaine Blignaught, Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar’s new pastry chef. He’s in charge of their dessert bar, so we think he knows a thing or two about sweets. Mentored by pastry legends in some of London’s best hotels and restaurants, Dalmaine’s fresh out of the oven from England. But this sugar daddy has already had time to explore Melbourne’s sweet spots. We cornered him for his Top 5.

Cioccolatolombardo, Prahran Markets | Stall 117 163 Commercial Road South Yarra | cioccolatolombardo.com
I met the owners of this great place at a seminar on Fechlin Chocolates in Switzerland last year, so when I arrived in Melbourne it was first on my list of places to try. His salted caramel frogs are to die for. I spent a day working for him when I first arrived in Melbourne and I think I ate about five.

Chez Dre | Rear 285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne | chezdre.com.au
Another person that I met in Switzerland last year was Andreas Reiss. Her range of sweets are delightful, especially when matched with their single origin Madagascan blend that I have come to crave. This place is a definite must.

Journal Canteen | 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne | journalcafe.com.au
There seems to be an eclectic mix of Melburnians here, which is what initially attracted me to the place. There’s a takeaway window in the library corridor, the canteen upstairs and an antique-like espresso machine at the main counter… and their tiramisu is one of the best I’ve had.

French Fantasies | 15 Toorak Road, South Yarra | frenchfantasies.com.au
This French bakery is a few doors down from France Soir, which I’m told is one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne. Their mille-feuille is made perfectly with flaky, crisp puff pastry and silky custard. They make bite-sized versions of all their desserts too, so you can try more!

Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar | Level 1 Crown Metropol, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank | crownmetropolmelbourne.com.au/mrhive
Of course I have to give this one a mention! The chocolate bar dessert was modelled after the snickers bar. It’s a chocolate bar with peanut and caramel, and it’s a favourite on the menu. I’m a fan of all desserts that have caramel.