Cake. That sweet treat loved by us all. But different climates, available ingredients – and tastebuds – results in a huge variety of cake types throughout the world. Where fruit rules in some places, chocolate dominates in others. A dream for all sweet-toothed travellers, who simply have to try it all (and photograph it for Instagram!) It may appear that PackThePJs are determined to visit every café on earth (we are trying), but for this series of posts we have asked our travel blogging friends to show, and tell us, about their favourite slices of cake. On our world-wide quest to tempt everyone’s taste buds, today we will visit Thailand, London, Austria, Germany, and Croatia. Enjoy!
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Cheevit Cheeva Café
Thailand has never been known for its cakes (at all), but when it comes to desserts, and balancing flavours, Thai sweets can be hard to beat. Many desserts also share similar local ingredients, such as sticky rice, coconut, and fresh seasonal local fruits. But the big obsession with many would be the durian, which due to its rather pungent odour and is said to “taste like heaven and smell like hell”. If you can endure the “smells of hell” the durian is one of the most subtly sweet and delicious fruits you’ll find.
It is also a seasonal fruit, typically found between May and August, when Cheevit Cheeva Café in Chiang Mai celebrates the occasion with the Durian Bingsu. This is a dessert bringing together the Southeast Asian obsession for durian, with the hugely popular Korean Bingsu (shaved ice dessert popular in the surrounding ‘coffee streets’ of Chiang Mai’s quirky Nimman area).
As with almost all Thai dishes, there will also be options for flavours and textures, served with salty deep fried banana crisps, a rich coconut sauce, cuts of almonds, and a sweet and slightly salty sticky rice. Alongside a menu of the usual Chiang Mai coffee menu, including iced coffees, teas, and Italian sodas.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Live Less Ordinary
London, UK: B. Bakery
The English are well-known for their afternoon tea and it’s simply a must when you’re visiting the UK. B Bakery, which is based in Covent Garden in London, has come up with a novel concept of combining afternoon tea with a London tour. How? By hosting it on a bus, of course! A big, red double decker one you always see in British movies.
Numerous tables are installed in the bus and when you get onboard you can’t help but gawk at the beautifully displayed towers of baked goods. Scones, cupcakes, macarons, dainty sandwiches, tartlets, smoked salmon blinis, quiches, doughnuts, biscuits, you name it. All throughout the tour the warm drinks flow freely, from red bush tea to hot chocolate.
Can’t finish all the goodies? At the end of the tour you’re handed pink takeaway boxes to store leftovers in to enjoy later.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Greedy Gourmet
Berlin, Germany: Roamers
Close to the bustling heart of Berlin’s Neukölln district, you’ll find a tiny oasis that resembles a mix of Australian coolness and the décor of an US-American diner in the middle of nowhere. The ceilings are decorated with old light bulbs, green plants fill empty spaces and the entire room looks much more like a museum than like a café. However, the true attraction at the café Roamers in Berlin are their cakes. Not only are they simply yummy, but they decorate them in a way that you actually feel bad eating it.
When we came to visit, we ordered the carrot cake and ended up having a masterpiece on our plate. The piece was put on a wooden board. Around it were flowers, seeds and other things that we have never seen before. Wow! It seems as if they create a little garden around every single piece of cake that they serve. Nuts and rosemary on an iced carrot cake? Sure thing! Berries as a contrast to white dough – perfect! You’ll be absolutely amazed at the stunning cakes they are serving here – promise. As a bonus: the coffee is quite amazing too!
Submitted by, and thanks to, Travellers Archive
Hvar, Croatia: Nonica Caffe Bar
Nonica Caffe Bar is located on a side street close to the main harbour in Hvar, Croatia. We actually stumbled upon it by accident while exploring the side streets in Hvar on our ‘Croatia island hopping adventure’. We’re so glad that we did.
When you walk into the tiny shop, you’re faced with a massive, well-lit case full of desserts – cookies, cakes, bars, you name it! We chose a raspberry and blueberry oat cake. It did not disappoint.
The topping was made with pistachio and the cake came with a berry drizzle on the side. While the top was crunchy and sweet, the inside was very soft and almost buttery – and melted in your mouth!
The side street location is what makes Nonica special. There are benches set up with little white cushions and tables for placing your coffee and your dessert on. The peaceful street is shaded by the old town houses around it. This made escaping the heat a real blessing while we got to indulge!
Submitted by, and thanks to, Penguin and Pia
Vienna, Austria: Café Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
Walnut biscuit in chocolate cream, coated in marzipan and decorated with golden flakes, is how the Klimt torte/cake at Vienna’s top patisserie Café Gerstner is officially described. I would say it’s a piece of cake heaven. The soft and moist cake centre gives a melt-in-your-mouth goodness with just the right sweetness of chocolate and the subtle hint of almonds. The Klimt cake is the immediate choice here but it is not an easy one. Café Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker – once the Imperial and Royal Court Confectioner, has been loved since 1847 for its exceptional cakes loved by the locals – pretty cupcakes, petits fours, savoury truffles, pralines and chocolate bars.
The Klimt cake happens to be a tribute to Austrian symbolist painter, Gustav Klimt, the golden flakes are a nod to his gold technique in his mosaics and imagery. It is sold at 4,40€ a slice, 44€ for a whole piece.
The Café
Café Gerstner can be found opposite the Vienna State Opera and is housed in three floors; first floor includes a display of all the goodies and where customers mostly pick take outs. The second floor has a café-restaurant offering the best of Viennese cuisine. Also the interior of the café is not to be snubbed, it has gold-trimmed wood panelling, historical ceiling paintings and awesome fireplaces. In summer, guests can enjoy dining in a lovely garden in the inner courtyard with palms, where they can choose from homemade ice cream creations, hand-made pastries, and sparkling wines.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Vienna 101 Facets
Thank you to all our amazing contributors. Gosh, we have gained weight just looking at the photos! What a fantastic range of delectable sweet delights. Please come back tomorrow to see the next part in our Series – or check out yesterday’s post here. We’d love for you to comment below and tell us about your favourite café, and why it’s so memorable to you x
