
17 incredible Al Quoz cafés to try in Dubai
What might appear as an industrial park on the outside, Al Quoz actually boasts some some of the best coffee, cakes and sandwiches in the city. In fact, you'll find the best bakery in Dubai here too.
Housed in former warehouses and factories, it's time to explore.
17 Al Quoz cafés to check out
Avantcha
Where to find it: Warehouse 19, Kunooz 6th St, Al Manara St
Smell over 150 varieties of teas with unique ingredients like chocolate, chilli, caramel, honeybush and more.
The space also has a café curated by Chef Reif Othman. Expect matcha drinks, iced teas and tea-infused desserts and pastries.
Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. Kunooz 6th street, Warehouse 19 Al Manara St, Al Quoz 1, avantcha.com (04 338 9114).
Birch Bakery
Credit: Birch Bakery
Where to find it: The street connecting 23rd and 27th St, Al Quoz
Birch Bakery is the kind of spot that once you've discovered, you're never going to forget. So get ready for weekend mornings sampling all the croissants.
The cute spot has a handful of tables, but more often than not you'll leave with armfuls of baked goods ready to scoff on the sofa (or in the carpark, we're not judging). Don't miss the Emirati honey and sea salt croissant, while top picks for bread include a nut and seed loaf or sea salt focaccia.
Sweet tooth? The chocolate babka and apple tart have your name on. One of the best bakeries in Dubai for those in the know.
Open daily 7am-3pm. Al Quoz, birchbread.com (04 222 6665).
BKRY
Where to find it: Alserkal Avenue
In case you hadn't heard, this place was just crowned Best Bakery at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025, so it has our seal of approval.
Founded by three Emirati friends, also behind Archers speciality coffee roaster, the caffeine is just as good as the baking.
Pair your flat white with a pecan salted caramel croissant or a rich chocolate babka and thank us later.
Open daily 8am-10pm. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, @bkry.space (04 832 2433).
Boston Lane
(Credit: Supplied)
Where to find it: Courtyard 25, 4B St
Inspired by Australia's coffee culture, (from Melbourne to be precise) this stunning, compact coffee shop in a pretty courtyard in the heart of Dubai's Al Quoz serves up breakfast, lunch and sweet treats.
Aussies know how to do coffee, so it's no surprise the speciality roasts are top-notch in this neck of the woods.
Not into coffee? Grab a strawberry matcha and a BLT toastie and snag a bistro table to soak up the sun for a few hours.
Open daily 7.30am-7pm. The Courtyard, Al Quoz courtyard-uae.com (050 627 4799).
Café Rider
Where to find it: Warehouse 7, 14B St
If you want something a little different from your usual run-of-the-mill coffee shop, we recommend you check out Café Rider.
Half café, half custom motorcycle shop, it's a combination you won't get in many other places. Watch sparks fly in the garage through a glass partition as you enjoy a spot of lunch.
The coffee is also worth sticking around for, as the café has its own in-house roastery.
Open daily 8am-7pm, Warehouse 7 14B Street, Al Quoz, caferider.com (04 321 4411).
Cassette
(Credit:Supplied)
Where to find it: The Courtyard, 4B Street
This place is all about good food, food music and great art.
The menu is all Parisian-inspired dishes, from a French beef drip sandwich to a savoury waffle duck confit — yum.
Keep an ear out for the playlists throughout the day, as the team has worked hard to specifically curate the right music to promote new and upcoming artists.
Open daily 8am-6pm, The Courtyard, 4B Street, Al Quoz, cassette.ae (04 349 1966.)
Chrono Hub
Where to find it: Goshi Warehouses, 26 7 St
Not only will you find pre-loved luxury watches here, but Tap Coffee Brewery too.
Browse and shop pre-loved luxury watches while you sip on a fresh roast.
Open Tue-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm. Goshi Warehouses, 26 7 St, Al Quoz @chronohub.ae
East West
(Credit: Supplied)
Where to find it: The Courtyard, 6A St
A true hidden gem, East West is a coffee shop located in the heart of Dubai's modern cultural district, The Courtyard. Look for the easy-to-miss wooden doors and head upstairs to this little relaxed haven.
If you're arriving at breakfast time, the salmon croissant toast with cream cheese can't be missed, polished off with a fat slab of basque cheesecake.
Open daily 8am-7pm. The Courtyard, Al Quoz courtyard-uae.com (04 336 6444).
Ferment Artistry Café
Where to find it: No 2, Goshi Warehouses, 22nd St
Say hello to Ferment Artistry Café. A more recent addition to Al Quoz, the hidden gem, has a cosy but industrial feel and has a range of different brews available. What's more, head up the stairs once you've finished your latte and check out the art gallery that features various works on a rotation.
Open Tue-Thu 9.30am-7.30pm, Fri 9am-7.30pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9.30am-7.30pm. 22nd St, Al Quoz @thefermentjourney (050 147 3214).
La Nena
(Credit: Supplied)
Where to find it: 14B St
La Nena Coffee in Al Quoz, is a gorgeous and aesthetic café/furntiture store that serves up decent coffee and a selection of bites like bagels, croissants and sandwiches.
It's also pet-friendly. Win.
Open daily 8am-10pm. Al Quoz, lanena-home.com (058 570 0809).
Lazy Cat
Where to find it: Al Quoz Pond Park
Hailing from Kuwait and popular in Saudi, Lazy Cat is famous for its fluffy Japanese pancakes and eye-catching blue matcha.
The spot in Al Quoz Pond Park lives up to the hype, but be prepared to wait a while for a table (it's a popular spot).
If you're searching for something savoury, don't sleep on the dreamy egg and biscuit sandwich.
Open Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sun 7am-11pm. Al Quoz Pond Park, Al Quoz @eatlazycat (04 345 2542).
Mille Miglia Gallery and Café
Where to find it: 5A St
Calling all F1 fans, if you haven't already visited the Ferrari-themed Mille Miglia Gallery and Café then this is your sign to go.
Boasting Michael Schumacher's old car, signatures by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, you can sip in amongst the red memorabilia, before a quick look at the original pit wall used between 2017 and 2021.
Open daily 10am-9pm. 5 A St, Al Quoz. mmgallery.ae (04 295 0878).
NETTE
Credit: NETTE
Where to find it: 20 8 St
A former winner of Time Out Dubai's Best Café award, super-cool coffee shop NETTE is tucked away inside Matcha Club, making it ideal for a post-padel breakfast or catch-up coffee.
Dig into overnight oats, egg sando or a Japanese breakfast skillet in the morning and later in the day, turn your attention to a miso croquet madam or yuzu ponzu crispy salmon. A hip place that's perfect for a chilled-out coffee and one of the best cafés in Dubai.
Open daily 8am-10pm. Match Club, Al Quoz, @nettedxb (04 548 8369).
Nightjar Coffee
(Credit: NightJar)
Where to find it: Alserkal Avenue
This hipster joint is a quality choice for a good brew, it even has special taps serving up everything nitro tea, coffee and kombucha.
Grab a space on one of the long benches and set up camp for a few hours. An extra treat if you're feeling peckish, the cheese toastie is a specimen of salty stringy goodness sandwiched two thick slices that you'll think about for weeks after.
If you've spent a couple hours browsing the galleries, this is one of the best hangouts to refuel.
Open daily from 9am-10pm. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz nightjar.coffee (050 365 1120).
Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar
Credit: Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar
Where to find it: Alserkal Avenue
A modern Japanese bakery, Pekoe is a top shout if you're after a chilled out weekend morning in Dubai.
Don't miss the bread and spread –letting you choose your own slices and toppings (the whipped pecan and maple butter is a work of art).
If you want something heartier, the gochujang egg and sausage burger will sort you right out. Sit inside on either floor of the creamy café, or choose a table outside looking over the Alserkal courtyard.
Open daily 7am-9pm. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, mypekoe.com (04 359 3553).
RAW Coffee Company
(Credit: Supplied)
Where to find it: Warehouse next to RTA Carpark WH10, on the corner of 7A and 4A St
This place isn't just a coffee house, it's one of the few places in Dubai that roasts its own beans. Sourcing premium green beans from all corners of the globe, RAW Coffee Company offers locally roasted, organic and ethically traded beans.
All the coffee beans have been roasted in small batches and are available in either single origins or blends. It also delivers, so you can enjoy the coffee from this Dubai coffee shop at home.
Open daily 7.30am-6pm. Al Quoz, Al Manara rawcoffeecompany.com (04 339 5474)
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Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I had no idea Australian city is so lush, sophisticated and funny'
Throwing a couple of sunglasses into my suitcases, along with hats, shorts and some very, very heavy-duty sun cream, I sang: 'I'm off to see the Wizard – the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' At which point my husband asked: 'Darling, why are you packing to watch a film on television? And it's not going to be on for ages. Christmas is months away.' Very funny. 'Not that Oz,' I replied. 'I'm going to be Australia's own Dorothy. Throw another shrimp on the barbie because Sydney, here I come.' I've always wanted to see Australia, not least to check out if koala bears really exist. And so, in lieu of a house swept up in a tornado, a la the original Dorothy, I opted for a rather more comfortable means of getting there via a Qantas double-decker. It's 22 hours flying time from London to Sydney, possums, so if you can I'd recommend breaking it up with Singapore or Hong Kong. But I was extremely keen to get there, so I did it in one go, with the result that when I got off the plane, the combination of the sheer beauty of the place and jet lag really did make me feel as if I'd woken up in an alternative reality. And I'd landed the furthest I'd ever been from home. First impressions: I absolutely loved it. Sydney is so green it could easily be the Emerald City, while it was far more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than I'd been expecting (Dame Edna would have a lot to answer for and yes, I know she was from Melbourne.) And the Australian sense of humour is dry and laconic, very similar to ours. The city is beautiful and the spectacular Sydney Opera House is worth those 22 flying hours alone. In pictures, it looks as if it's slightly separate from the main body of the city, but actually it's right at the heart of everything. People who are not going to see a performance congregate there because there are many bars and restaurants dotted around. A chum who has lived in the UK for 20 years but is a Sydney native, says she always arranges to meet friends there. The locals, incidentally, have been known to observe that it looks like nuns in a rugby scrum. Inside, the building is vast and cavernous and home to a number of theatres, including one which housed the Australian Ballet performing Nijinsky and I scored myself a ticket. Ballet, champagne – the Aussies live very well – and the most spectacular views over the harbour? Strewth, this is my kinda town. But we Dorothys are made of stern stuff and as well as knocking back fizz and appreciating high culture, there's a city to explore. With three clicks of the heels of her red shoes Dorothy could soar to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge – but the rest of us are more prosaically able to climb it. In total, it takes about three hours and provides you with more world-class views. Incidentally, you are breathalysed for safety before you're allowed on the bridge, so hold back on the fermented fruits of the country's numerous vineyards the night before. My personal Yellow Brick Road was George Street, which runs through the heart of the commercial and business district, which is also the best shopping area in the city. You can take the girl out of the Kansas shopping mall but you can't take the Kansas shopping mall etc etc. Check out the Queen Victoria Building, home to shops and cafes. There you will find international brands as well as Australian designer labels, which tend to be very brightly patterned – absolutely beautiful. I recommend Camilla and Leona Edmiston, where, in lieu of red shoes, I invested in a beautiful red silk dress. A local speciality, incidentally, are Australian opals, and you will find many jewellery stores selling them. Sydney is a very modern city but, of course, it is part of a history that extends back 65,000 years. There is a great deal of debate about what to call the people who were originally there before Europeans, including among those people themselves, but I'm going with indigenous on the grounds that it doesn't seem to offend anyone. And so I found myself on a Guided Tribal Warrior Cultural Cruise, a tour of Sydney harbour by boat. 'Here are the life jackets in case there's an iceberg in the harbour,' said the skipper (it was a boiling hot day and I told you the humour is laconic). We sailed to Clark Island, once a sacred ground for some of the indigenous people and these days, while much of it is open to tourists, there are some bits you must stay away from. We were shown around by a very personable indigenous brother and sister team – he played the didgeridoo to welcome us on to the island, and if you're a woman, here's a heads up – didgeridon't touch it. Not culturally sound. There we learned about ancient methods of fishing and farming while the men in our group were taught how to perform a traditional courtship dance. It is the women who choose their partners in this matriarchal society, although it is also said in the West that men chase and women choose. More in common under the skin and all that. And you can't visit Sydney without going to the beach. Bondi is the most famous one but another option, and it is worth it, is Manly Beach, a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, near the Harbour Bridge. We walked through the centre of the pleasant suburb to Cabbage Tree Bay – many restaurants were advertising Manly fish, which I first took to be extremely macho ocean life and then suddenly realised they were local fare. You can snorkel to get close-ups of oceanic life or simply wade through the surf and the fish will swim up to say hello. Or will they? Were they swimming – or circling? This is Australia, after all. The most common fish is the grouper: the male of which is blue and the female brown. He can fertilise up to five females, but if he dies, the strongest female will change sex, turn blue herself, and start fertilising off her own back, or gills, or whatever it is that fish do. They're very pragmatic in Oz. Two of us stopped at a local cafe where I learned about a speciality you will find everywhere. 'I'll bring you some banana bread,' said the waitress, magicking up a loaf and some butter enhanced with maple syrup. 'No I couldn't possibly, it's totally against my diet,' I said. 'Oh my word that smells amazing. Perhaps another slice.' No wonder this is such a sporty culture, they need to work off all the fantastic Aussie cuisine. I never did get a shrimp from a barbie but the fish I did have was superb. It was Australia that gave us fusion cooking, originally a combination of Japanese food and that of the West. On the way back to the ferry I stopped at a shop called Budgy Smuggler to buy, yes, a budgie smuggler for my very own Wizard of Oz – he laughed uproariously when he saw it but strangely has yet to try it on – before going back to sample the multiple delights the city has to offer. The tranquil Royal Botanic Garden is home both to indigenous species and those brought in from abroad. It also offers stunning views of the Opera House and the bridge from across the harbour. Slightly further out is Taronga Zoo, where you can both stay and dine and appreciate yet more spectacular harbour views. And the zoo is probably your best bet to see a koala bear as their natural habitat has been damaged in recent years. My only complaint about Sydney is that I didn't have enough time there. There are numerous museums, art galleries, restaurants – you could spend weeks there and never be bored. Would I go back? Like a shot and this time for longer. The whole place is magical. Simply wizard, in fact. GET THERE Qantas flies from Heathrow to Sydney starting at £1,475 return, £3,097 in Premium Economy. BOOK IT Rooms at The Langham hotel, Sydney, start at around £240 a night. MORE INFO


Time Out Dubai
4 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Famous Dubai restaurants: 13 iconic dining spots everyone should visit
New to Dubai? Welcome to a city where the restaurants are shinier than your passport stamp and brunch is basically a competitive sport. Whether you're here for a few days or settling in for good, there are some places you just have to try – even if they're a little touristy. Now don't get us wrong… we're all about the cool underrated non-tourist trap spots in the city, but sometimes when you go to Dubai, you want to go to Dubai. We're talking truffle-topped pizzas in a place with Burj Khalifa views, shawarma served at 3am on Sheikh Zayed Road post-clubbing and, of course, brunch. No elaboration needed. So get hungry, charge your phone (you're going to want photos) and let us guide you through the must-hit restaurants every Dubai first-timer needs to tick off. 1) Arabian Tea House Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Arabian Teahouse Of course, we had to start with Arabian Tea House – the ultimate Dubai rite of passage. Tucked away in the historic Al Fahidi district, this charming courtyard café is all white rattan chairs, swaying curtains and laid-back vibes. Come for the tea (there are loads), stay for the delicious Emirati breakfasts, tanoor bread and Arabic coffee with serious kick. Since 1997, it's been a peaceful escape for celebs, locals and first-timers alike. Whether you're refuelling after a culture walk or just want somewhere to sip in style – this is heritage with heart (and very good hummus). Read more about Arabian Tea House: 27 years later, this Al Fahidi café is still one of the best in Dubai Unlicensed. Bastakiya opposite the Musalla Post Office, Al Fahidi Street, (04 353 5071). 2) at Burj Khalifa Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Atmosphere You're in the Burj Khalifa – need we say more? Whether you're there for breakfast in the clouds or golden hour bubbly with skyline views, is pure Dubai drama. Sure, it's a bit touristy, but there's something iconic about sipping a cappuccino while hovering 122 floors above the city. Dress up, book ahead, and soak it all in. It's the kind of place where every table has a camera out – and honestly, who can blame them? Read more about Atmosphere: You can have a three-course meal at the Burj Khalifa for Dhs165 Licensed. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, (04 888 3828). 3) Barasti Famous Dubai restaurants (and bars) you have to try. Credit: Barasti. Opening in its original form in 1995, Barasti is the city's original beach club, bar and pub, all in one. And it's still one of the most popular. Though when it opened, Barasti was far from the sprawling venue it is today. Back in the '90s, it was a swimming pool beside the beach with a hut where live musicians would play acoustic sets by the sunset. Today, the beach bar is open every day and attracts people from all walks of life. If you're looking for a laid-back bar to wear your flip-flops (or heels), Barasti is your go-to. Here's a history lesson: 13 old photos of Barasti from 1995 until today that will blow your mind Licensed. Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh Road (04 318 1313). 4) Bubbalicious Brunch Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Bubbalicious One of the biggest and best buffet brunches in Dubai, Bubbalicious is an absolutely massive Saturday afternoon food-filled extravaganza. Sprawling out across three restaurants and a large outdoor terrace, this is one for the Dubai bucket list. Famed for its huge spread of food, it's excellent quality, especially given the scale of it. Whether you want freshly shucked oysters and a slap-up roast dinner, stir-fries made in front of you, fragrant curries or fish and chips, you're in the right place. Or if you just want to go all out at the cheese station, well, we wouldn't persuade you otherwise. There are plenty of drinks stations, live music, entertainment for the kids and more. All bases are covered at Bubbalicious. More brunch? Best buffet brunches to try in Dubai Licensed. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh. 5) Bu Qtair Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Bu Qtair. Bu Qtair, to the uninitiated, may not look like a must-visit dining destination in Dubai but looks can be deceiving. Glitz and glamour are certainly off the menu at this fairly basic eatery, but turn up for a bite to eat and you will join a lengthy queue full of hungry hordes who know all about Bu Qtair's reputation for seafood excellence. The price depends on the type of fish and how much your order is, but satisfaction is pretty much guaranteed to follow, regardless of what you get. The family-run venue first opened in the early 1980s and is located just off Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour. Try it for yourself. You'll be hooked. Unlicensed. Fishing Harbour 2, Umm Suqeim, Dubai (055 705 2130). 6) Orfali Bros. Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Orfali Bros Bistro Consistently excellent, Orfali Bros Bistro is renowned as one of the best and most well-known Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai. Helmed by celebrity chef Mohamad Orfali and his siblings Wassim and Omar, the menu here is fresh, fusion and with plenty to talk about, with the Orfali bayildi, umami éclair and OB croquettes being just three of the incredible creations that are in store. Having been named the best Middle Eastern restaurant in the city multiple times by Time Out Dubai, it's an eatery that needs to be visited by anyone visiting or moving to this city. Read our review of Orfali Bros here Unlicensed. Wasl 51, Jumeirah, (04 259 2477). 7) Ravi Restaurant Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Ravis A rite of passage wrapped in foil and dripping with flavour. Ravi's is a Satwa legend – the kind of place where the tables are plastic, the biryani is always steaming, and everyone from taxi drivers to celebrities queues up for a taste. It's loud, a little chaotic, and completely unmissable. Don't overthink it – just order the chicken tikka, daal fry and a stack of hot roti, and tuck in under the neon glow. This is real-deal Dubai, one bite at a time. Unlicensed. Satwa (04 331 5353). 8) Saffron 2.0 Brunch Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Saffron It's iconic. It's rowdy. It's one of the most famous (infamous?) party brunches in Dubai. Saffron Brunch 2.0, as DJs spin chart-topping hits alongside dancers, singers and magicians, with each week playing home to a different theme. Sip on one of Saffron's legendary drinks or take your pick of cuisines from across the globe with more than 220 dishes and 20 live cooking stations to choose from. Licensed. Over 21s. Sat 1pm-4pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 2626). 9) Salt Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Salt This is what a Dubai beach day tastes like. Salt started as a burger truck on Kite Beach and exploded into a full-blown phenomenon. Today, it's a retro-cool spot with sliders, loaded fries, soft-serve ice cream (lotus flavour, obviously), and that unbeatable ocean view. Locals line up, tourists tag it, and honestly? It lives up to the hype. The food's quick, tasty and hits the spot – especially after a swim or a long beach stroll. Unlicensed. Kite Beach, Um Suqqeim 10) Time Out Market Dubai Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Time Out Market It's not just a food hall – it's the food hall. Time Out Market brings together 17 of Dubai's best homegrown chefs, under one very delicious roof. Whether you're craving ramen, risotto, or a ridiculously good burger, there's something for every palate (and every plus-one). Perched at the end of Souk Al Bahar, it also has front-row seats to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain (when it reopens in October) – a perfect way to explore the best of Dubai without having to drive around. Licensed. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai 11) URLA Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: URLA There are few places where you'll get a better view of the Burj Khalifa than from Urla at Address Downtown Dubai. With a huge terrace to take a seat on, you'll have a front-row view once the Fountain show starts off the evening, and with the Burj Khalifa front and centre in all its glittering glory, you may well be lost for words. There's also an Aegean menu, crafted mixed drinks and a mellow vibe. An amazing place to impress your visitors, this is one of the best bars with a view in Dubai, without a doubt. Licensed. Address Downtown Dubai, (052 554 5997). 12) Zaroob Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Zaroob Wouldn't be a rite of passage list without Shawarma now, would it? While there are plenty of places to grab this world-famous streetside snack, Zaroob is a Dubai institution, the kind of place where taxi drivers, party people and insomniacs all end up eventually. The shawarma? Wrapped, plated, chicken or beef – it's all on point. Open 24/7, it's earned its stripes as the city's unofficial post-midnight dining room. Falafel, manakeesh, fresh juices – you name it. But really, you're here for that no-fuss, perfectly spiced shawarma hit. You might want to know about… the 24 best shawarma sandwiches in Dubai to devour today Various locations including Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Marina, 13) Zuma Famous Dubai restaurants you have to try. Credit: Zuma There's Zuma and then there's Zuma Dubai. Yes, it's a massive hit around the world. But Zuma Dubai is at a whole other level. Long been one of the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai, it is one of the pioneers in DIFC's dining scene. Zuma draws in the crowds every day of the week – be it for brunch, business lunch or a fabulous dinner. The black cod is one of the most famous dishes globally, buttery soft, sweet and wonderfully moreish. The service is spot-on, the vibe is buzzing and the plates here are consistently brilliant – be it gyoza, sushi or robata. Want to make a reservation in the meantime? Read Time Out Dubai's best Japanese restaurants 2025 list here Licensed. Gate Village, DIFC, (04 425 5660). Want to make a reservation in the meantime? Over 100 of the best business lunch deals in Dubai, by area Upgrade your lunch with an incredible offer Dubai's best restaurants: 86 incredible places to dine in We know where you should book into this week The 40 best restaurants and bars on Palm Jumeirah Consider this your definitive, go-to guide to dining on the islandYou'll want to check it out… right now.


Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
The history of Australia can be told entirely in cake – how many have you tried?
A choo-choo train, a hickory dickory clock, a swimming pool filled with jelly or a Dolly Varden cake – if you were lucky to grow up in the late '90s or early 2000s, these nostalgic bakes are sure to stir up lots of memories. But celebrations looked very different before The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book entered the chat and long before Instagram changed the home baking game. You can learn a surprising amount about Australia's past by looking at its cake evolution. From humble colonial sponges and the birth of the lamington to multicultural flavours and uber-aesthetic creations, every slice serves up a piece of our nation's history. Let's dig in. 65,000 years ago Long before ovens were invented, Indigenous Australians were baking scones, damper and 'seed cakes' made from crushed native seeds, nuts and roots. They mixed these ingredients with water to form a dough, then roasted them over hot coals or ash, or boiled and steamed them in ground ovens. While not many Aussies are blowing out birthday candles on a damper cake these days, it's a classic Aussie camping tradition that's lots of fun to make. Late 1700s to early 1800s When European settlers first arrived in Australia, they brought with them recipes for bannock (Johnny cakes), fruitcakes, boiled puddings and simple sponges. With limited fresh produce and sugar available, these cakes relied heavily on preserved fruits and dried ingredients. Love 'em or loathe 'em, fruitcakes and puddings are now a festive staple during Christmas. Early 1900s By the early 1900s, Australia began carving out its own baking identity with two now-iconic creations – the lamington and pavlova. Legend has it that the lamington was created in Queensland in the early 1900s when a maid of Lord Lamington (the eighth Governor of Queensland) accidentally dropped a sponge cake into melted chocolate. Instead of tossing it, she coated it in desiccated coconut – and the rest is history. The pavlova followed in the 1920s, created in honour of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova during her tours of Australia and New Zealand. Its origin sparked a friendly rivalry with New Zealand that continues to this day. 1920s to 1950s During the Depression and wartime, cakes were shaped by rationing and frugality, relying on basic ingredients. Boiled fruitcakes and dense slices from colonial times remained household favourites, with the Country Women's Association (CWA) preserving these baking traditions through their cookbooks. The CWA's recipes also popularised afternoon tea favourites from the Victorian era, including tea cakes, sponge cakes, madeira cakes and seed cakes. Oh, and who could forget scones with jam and cream? 1950s to 1980s Post-war migration introduced new baking traditions to Australia, including Greek honey cakes, Persian love cakes, Italian tortas, Vietnamese pandan chiffon and Eastern European cheesecakes – and thank goodness it did. Imagine life without cheesecake?! 1950s to 1980s The release of The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book changed birthday celebrations nationwide, with brightly decorated cakes featuring jelly, fondant and playful shapes becoming party staples. Nostalgic recipes from my childhood include the swimming pool cake with blue jelly 'water', Dolly Varden cake with a Barbie wearing a 'skirt' of piped buttercream, and number cakes covered in icing, sprinkles and lollies. With the cookbook celebrating 45 years since its release, I'm stoked to see these cakes making a comeback. 1980s to 2000s In the 1980s, mass production ramped up, making cakes readily available in supermarkets and bakeries across the country. By the early 2000s, Coles and Woolworths' legendary mud cakes were a household staple – and I'll admit, I had a slice for morning tea almost every single day as a kid. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mouths of Mums (@mouths_of_mums) 2010s to 2020s Social media changed the cake game once again in the early 2010s, ushering in a new era of cake pops, rainbow layer cakes, drip masterpieces and even watermelon in disguise (thanks to Black Star Pastry). Then the early 2020s lockdowns sparked a home-baking boom, which led to a surge in side-hustle cake businesses. Now, we see talented home bakers piping up cakes that are bona fide works of edible art – think glitter, bows, ruffles and edible flowers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Butterface Cakes (@butterface__cakes) Now the question is – what story will Australia's bakers tell next? Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 🍫 Did you know o ne of the world's biggest hotels invented the brownie 🍪