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 Australia, Czech Republic, South Africa, and The Netherlands. Enjoy!
Apollo Bay, Australia: Apollo Bay Bakery
We love Lamingtons. What are they?! Lamingtons are an Australian creation and used to be a way of using up slightly stale sponge cake that would be dipped in chocolate sauce and then rolled in Coconut flakes. Sometimes they are sliced with jam in the centre too.
Down along the famous Great Ocean Road in the sweet little town of Apollo Bay is a wicked bakery that sells the best ever Lamington Cakes (along with awesome scallop pies I must add).
I thought I had tasted and seen all the variations of lamingtons in Australia, but this little bakery went up another level. The sponge cake is so soft, the jam so sweet and the chocolate coated in shredded coconut just plain decadent. Take one away with a coffee and sit on the long golden beach just opposite to have a truly superb experience.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Explore The Great Ocean Road
Prague, Czech Republic: Werich Villa
The Werich Villa in Prague is a newly reopened historical villa, which housed one of the biggest Czech poets, playwrights and actors, such as Jan Werich. The villa, originally constructed more than 450 years ago, suffered greatly in the floods that came to Prague in 2002 and damaged large parts of Prague. This included the Kampa Park, a little island the Villa is located on.
The reconstruction was carried out mainly thanks to the funds and efforts of Mrs Meda Mládková, a famous Czech art collector, who spent decades living in exile. To honour her contribution, in the café on the ground floor you can order “Dort paní Medy“ (Cake of Mrs. Meda). The cake combines the amazing tastes of chocolate and raspberry.
Even the café itself is unique. It belongs to a local small café chain called IF Café run by a Czech confectioner. She was inspired in France and now applies her skills locally.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Travel Geekery
Cape Town, South Africa: Charly’s Bakery
During our first time in Cape Town we discovered the delicious Charly’s Bakery while exploring the District 6 area of the city. Since then this incredible café has been our first stop when we touch down in Cape Town.
Started by Charly and Jacqui Bless in 1989, Charly’s Bakery has remained a family run business to this day. It sells everything from delicious cakes and treats at their café to amazing wedding cakes that are more like works of art! The colourful cakes and sweet treats are an Instagram dream!
We love picking up a delicious treat and a coffee and relaxing at the outdoor seats in the shadow of Table Mountain. One of Cape Town’s famous yellow photo frames is located right beside Charly’s. Our favourite cake is the wicked chocolate cake, a Charly’s Bakery signature. It looks so good you won’t want to actually eat it!
Submitted by, and thanks to, Show Them The Globe
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: De Taart Van M’n Tante
‘My Aunty’s Cake’, as the name translates, may just be my dream cake shop. In the window is a display of crazy cakes, baubles and knick-knacks. Inside is an eccentric grotto of vividly painted mismatched chairs and tables covered with colourful tablecloths. The equally bright walls are hung with multi-coloured lights, and a random assortment of pictures and ornaments.
Settle into a corner of this kitsch and quirky cake shop, and order from a wide range of cakes and tarts. From classic Dutch favourites like apple pie and lemon tart, to a decadent slice of beautiful cake… We loved the decadent Chocolate Cake featuring kirsch, buttercream and chocolate royal icing. But the winner was a light and lovely Swedish Princess Cake, beautiful in its green marzipan coat.
Submitted by, and thanks to, Kavey Eats
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. This brings to the end our decadent Series! We hope you’ve enjoyed it. Miss yesterday’s post? You can check it out 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
