Passiontree Velvet is a boutique dessert cafe, located inside the beauty precinct of the Monaro Mall, in the
Canberra Centre shopping centre. It is a surprising place to find a cafe amongst the beauty counters and stylised products, however, it fits in perfectly with its fresh, modern and colourful decor. This pretty cafe with a pretty name, opened in October 2017 and specialises in macarons, cakes and desserts, and also has a tasty, affordable
menu for breakfast and lunch. It is just one of the popular outlets in a successful franchise, with the other
venues located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney.
Ever since it has opened, a friend of mine who works in the centre has raved about their macarons so much, that I had to go and try them for myself (and such a hardship it was!). On our visit, the colourful display window had several flavours available, which included Salted Caramel, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, Earl Grey Milk Chocolate and Pistachio. Although I personally have never been one to
ooh or
aah over a macaron - this all changed with one soft bite into a gooey Passiontree Velvet macaron. Although I have tried macarons elsewhere which were hard and crunchy on the outside, the Passiontree variety are much softer and simply melts in the mouth. The softness of the outside and hit of flavour in the gooey inside, is a decadent, velvety combination that makes you want to go back for more!
Passiontree Velvet macarons, with Salted Caramel and Cookies & Cream particularly delicious!
The fresh and modern Passiontree Velvet, in the middle of the beauty precinct in Monaro Mall
View from the open plan seating area
The macarons had us melting from the inside, however we were also just as enamoured with the delicious coffee, which hit the spot on a busy Sunday morning. If you would prefer a savoury breakfast to enjoy with your coffee, popular dishes include
Mushrooms on Toast and
Avocado on Toast, with all breakfast and lunch meals under $18. See
here for the menu.
If you are looking for something even sweeter, then why not visit Passiontree Velvet during the week and book in for a delicious
High Tea?
The Duchess Full High Tea costs $34.95 and has an assortment of ribbon finger sandwiches, home baked English scones and an array of High Tea fancies. If it is just the scones that you are after, they also offer a
Devonshire Tea for $13.50, complete with traditional clotted cream and strawberry jam. The kids aren't left out either, with a
Teddy Bears Picnic tea for $9.95 with ham sandwiches, fruit, a macaron and drink - just enough to fill them up and make them feel special. If that's not enough, you can also order a macaron tower or cake to take home for a special occasion - or any occasion! They are
almost too good to eat. See
here for details.
Enjoy a healthy breakfast with a refreshing drink or mug of coffee. Image: Passiontree Velvet Facebook
Cakes, scones, croissants and over-sized cookies - a morning tea for any sweet tooth...
...or book yourself in for the Duchess Full High Tea or order a colourful cake! Image: Original photos from Passiontree Velvet Facebook
Passiontree Velvet is a fresh, bright and inviting café to stop for a coffee and sweet pick-me-up, whilst out shopping around the Canberra Centre. On our visit we watched as customers shopping in the beauty precinct stumbled upon the café and their eyes lit up in relief, to find somewhere attractive to sit down for a coffee and cake. There were also customers who had obviously been there before, as they met up with friends and enjoyed a decadent cake before their day of shopping. It may not be somewhere that you linger for a long time, as it isn't particularly "cosy", however the fresh colours, quiet ambience and open feel, is a welcome relief in a day of shopping in the popular Canberra Centre.
Be warned - you won't be leaving empty-handed with tasty takeaway coffee, macarons and sweet treats to buy and enjoy later!
