Dolcetti

The shop front looks only small and unassuming, but it’s like a hidden find inside. The cakes are homemade, delicious and traditional, and not even the slightest bit tacky. The coffee beans they use here is Dukes - roasted locally in Flinders Lane, Melbourne. It is a lovely place to have coffee and homemade cake / biscuit, hot chocolate etc - I especially recommend the mini homemade chocolate donuts - or anything really. Even the milk they use is of the best quality and care - everything is good about this place.

I've been reluctant to write this place up, because it is so great and I would hate to see it become overrun with customers! ...This part of Melbourne is blessed with two extraordinary cake shops, and they represent vastly different approaches to the art of cake-making. A little over a kilometre away from Dolcetti is Beatrix, where cakes are at the cutting edge of contemporary innovation - unusual ingredients and combinations with some brilliant results. Dolcetti is at the other extreme - light traditional Sicilian cakes and pastries delivered with flare and imagination. Many cakes delight - my current favourite is the pear and pistachio pastry. And the cakes are complemented by excellent coffee and a setting that is homely and endearing.

The best Sicilian cakes, pastries and savouries outside of Sicily and inside of Australia. Marianna along with the Dolcetti staff are meticulous and proud of their artisan ship. Through her Sicilian cuisine, Marianna tells the story of her cultural heritage and keeps alive the traditions passed on by her grandmother and mother. In my opinion, anyone who rates Dolcetti below 5 stars, lacks appreciation of fine ingredients, talent and handmade products.

I wanted to bring morning tea to my Melbourne coworkers when I visited. I had been tempted by one of the larger chains of pastry shops, but found the website for Dolcetti and I'm glad I did. It's a family run place that looks impressive - more importantly the pastries and cakes look and smell delicious and proved to be even better. I think I even got some more customers lined up to help support this great little cafe.

Wow....just wow.... What can we I say? Marianna, you have taken me back to my childhood, when a millefiore cake was a tradition in our family. On the basis of your reputation I took the risk of ordering a millefiore cake from you for my wife's 50th birthday celebration. Needless to say, as a dumb male trying to make sure he did right, the pressure was on me to impress. And your cake did just that. Not one person left our event without being super impressed and overawed at the experience of being able to sample your cake. For me personally you took me back more years than I care to think about. Beautiful. Thank you. Thank Melbourne for letting passionate people like you flourish.