5 Venues to Appease Cravings for Pastries and Cakes

You know the feeling…just ordered your go-to brew and can’t decide what to pair it with. Do you go for the banana bread, gooey chocolate brownie or a flaky, buttery croissant?

Whatever your favourite, there are venues all around the country waiting to satisfy sweet or savoury pastry and cake cravings.

Here are five to check out where you’ll always get the treat you desire along with a great cup of Joe:

Find Melbourne’s home of Portuguese tarts, Casa Nata, on High Street in Thornbury. The sister venue of the Windsor store, Casa Nata is the city’s first and only dedicated Portuguese tart café, bringing a love of traditional tart-making to the Melbourne foodie scene.

 

Drop in and pair a Code Black coffee with a pastel de nata – a puff pastry cup filled with creamy custard originally made by monks from the Jeronimos Monastery in Portugal in the 18th Century. Perhaps grab a take-home pack to treat the family to a delicious dessert.

Frankston South foodies have fallen in love with little gem Flourish Café on Norman Avenue. A family vibe has locals and visitors alike returning time and again to enjoy a bite and brew alfresco or head indoors to find casual elegance with statement pendents, a monochromatic décor, ornate mirrors and tantalising aromas wafting from the kitchen.

 

Perhaps grab a signature white chocolate and berry muffin to go with your cappuccino, or devour a slice of housemade plum cake, apricot Danish or almond croissant, dusted with icing sugar; don’t forget to check out the range of savoury sausage rolls and pies in the cabinet. 

Take flight on a culinary journey around the globe at Brighton’s The Timbuktu Café on Wilson Street. Tucked away from the busy streets of this Melbourne suburb, this café is that quiet place where time stops; while the kids enjoy the play area, real people meet for catchups or come here alone for a coffee and treat, brunch or a glass of wine.

 

Live your everyday life to the beat of an enticing menu of international fare such as Bogota smashed avo with poached eggs crumbled feta, rocket, tomato and pine nuts; before indulging in a slice of slice of carrot cake, topped with cream cheese icing, seeds and nuts.

Destination-worthy diner The Old Milk Bar Café on Dundas Street brings a slice of retro vibe to Thornbury. From the rustic sign and wooden doors to the metal hanging lights, it's like stepping back in time to when milk bars were on every corner and the local place to hang out. Sit outside under a canvas awning and watch the world go by, or indoors where exposed red brick and plaster walls set the mood for relaxed dining from a menu full of creative classics. 

 

For the perfect addition to your morning coffee, add an almond croissant, Portuguese custard tart, apple crumble muffin or cherry Danish to the mix; for a savoury pastry fix, opt for a croissant with Swiss cheese and Virginian ham.

Known as one of the Eyre Peninsula’s most-loved dining destinations, head to L’Anse French Café on Liverpool Street in Port Lincoln for all things croissant. Eat, drink and relax at this stylish venue, where a glass-fronted bakery allows guests to watch the Chef in action creating delicious sweet and savoury treats.

 

Setting an ambitious standard for breakfast and brunch from an ever-evolving menu, expect to be tempted by dishes such as miso scrambled egg with Parmesan, a croissant and fries; or give into temptation and spoil yourself with a Caramilk cronut…yum!