Cacao Lab opens on Driver Lane

In a ‘laboratory’ akin to Willy Wonka’s factory, keen patrons will be stuffed senseless with sweet delights at Melbourne’s newest dessert establishment, Cacao Lab. Manning it all are co-owners and master pastry chef-come-chocolatiers, Laurent Meric and Tim Clark.

“I think what we’ve got here is something quite smart, contemporary and fun,” says Clark of the new 22-seat Drivers Lane café, raising a glass of Laurent-Perrier over its gleaming counters.

Amidst the rows of handcrafted glossy cakes, delectable chocolates and luscious macaroons is a selection of ‘new-wave’ éclairs, including the red and white striped ‘Where’s Wally’, lemony ‘Leroy’ and vanilla-rose ‘Audrey Hepburn’. Continue the sugar high with sinfully scrumptious vodka red bull ice-creams and test tubes filled with piña colada crème.

Clark predicts the ‘Salted Caramel’ will be their top seller, but ‘Pinocchio’ with his pistachio crème and strawberry jelly, is right up there too.

For those with a more savoury tooth there are lunchtime bites on offer, including a melty-cheese and ham filled croque monsieur, and brioche bun brimming with pulled pork, spicy slaw and house mayo.

The quirky, white-walled nook is tucked behind the new H&M building, offering tempting refuge from the hoards, a well-earned post-shopping treat or a good ol’ pastry perv.

Cacao Lab

Driver Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Monday - Wednesday: 9am - 6pm
Thursday - Friday: 9am - 9pm
Saturday: 9am - 6pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm
www.cacao.com.au