Image Credits: Caramella Patisserie
Hutt St’s newest café has just opened its doors, and dare we say, the proof is in the pastry. Caramella Patisserie is bringing decades of baking experience to its new location, and a busy opening weekend has proved that when the words ‘European baking’, ‘artisanal pastries’ and ‘Greek delicacies’ are uttered, Adelaidians’ ears prick up.
“The opening weekend was really busy. Honestly I wasn’t expecting that since we are new here and we don’t know that many people,” tells Anna, daughter of Caramella co-owners Isabella and Manolis.
After beginning a baking career at just 12 years old, Manolis went on to spend 30 years working as a pastry chef in Greece before travelling through some of the world’s pastry capitals – including Belgium, France and Italy. But we don’t just have to tell you about his experience; one bite of Caramella’s signature desserts and you’ll be able to taste it for yourself.
The new location is almost equally as enjoyable as the desserts. Awash with warm whites and natural light, it’s crisp and clean. It possesses an airiness that feels distinctly Mediterranean. With a plethora of indoor and outdoor seating options, you can bring the whole work team, the girls for a coffee catch-up, or the family for a sweet-treat outing. Plus, with a view of Hutt St and numerous outdoor umbrellas, it’s sure to be the perfect people-watching spot for a summer afternoon coffee and dessert on the sidewalk- full European-style.
Cake fridges line one side of the store, stocked full of sweet treats and savoury snacks; perfect for anyone who likes to do a bit of ‘window-shopping’ before settling on a choice. But alongside the nibbles, they’re serving up a collection of quality teas and carefully crafted coffee, using beans from 1645 – a family-run Adelaide specialty coffee business.
So what were the stars of the show over the opening weekend?
“Our best seller this week was the Galaktoboureko, all four days that we have been open within the first hour of it coming out of the kitchen it has been sold out. Coming second, I would say, are our Spanakopitas. I have grown up eating those exact spanakopitas from my yiayias (grandmothers) hands and I just feel so happy when I see others enjoy them as much as me. And not forgetting our coffees, thanks to our supplier, a small Italian family business that has the best roasted coffee beans,” Anna explains.
When a café opens its doors for the first time, it doesn’t automatically mean a steady flow of customers, flowing coffees and treats galore. It can take time to build momentum and convince people of a reason to come, and a reason to stay. But it seems the Caramella team are already well on their way.
Over a busy opening weekend, the café more often than not had its seats filled, shots pouring, and dessert spoons clinking. So what’s the secret behind all the buzz surrounding their artisanal desserts?
If we had to guess, we’d say it’s their decades-old recipes and commitment to fresh ingredients that truly make a noticeable difference. Head chef and co-owner Manolis explained that they make everything from scratch – using fresh milk, eggs, authentic flour and age-old methods. No premixes here.
“My father passed me a book with some recipes inside that were from my father’s grandfather,” tells Manolis.
With real ingredients and tried-and-true recipes, it’s an authenticity you can’t fake.
Caramella – Now Open
Where: 1/242 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000
When: 7 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday, Sunday 8 am – 2 pm
