Cacao Fine Chocolates & Patisserie

The Mothers at our school use to frequent this café because of the location plus the absolutely delicious food. I am not a big drinker of coffee when it is extremely strong and Cacao does have a weaker coffee that I can stomach a bit better. It probably also helps that they have amazing hot chocolates.
The bread from here is absolutely delicious and I always look forward to making soup in the winter months and using their bread to soak up the remaining juice in the bowl. If you haven’t tried a lovely sandwich from them, you definitely should. They have a wonderful range of sandwiches, pastries and muffins. Every time we go in there for coffee we tend to get a muffin which ends up being a lovely sweet one and absolutely to die for. I’m not sure what the baker is doing but they are almost as addicting as crack (not that I would know, I just have heard rumours!)
With going there for the past year after school drop offs (with our little babies that have now grown into toddlers) and never having had issues with taking our little ones there, we encountered a very grumpy guy that was working there. Our little ones were exploring and chatting to these old ladies (who had said that they didn’t mind because they were use to their grand kids) when the man said we needed to keep our children under control. One, they weren’t really bothering anyone, just exploring and walking around, and two, we had been doing there for quite a while with our «terrorising kids» and never had an issue. I’m not sure who this person was but normally the people at the counter would chat and laugh at the children. I think I was more flabbergasted when I was told to «control my child» and I did respond with ‘I’m trying” although honestly, my child wasn’t doing anything too out of the ordinary that other toddlers do. Aren’t Mothers encouraged to go out and have coffee and chat to ensure that they have the social outlet? A place that discourages that is not a place I would like to be.
Needless to say, they’ve lost my patronage. Any place that does not like one of my children being in their midst will not get my money. It’s honestly a bit of a disappointment but at least there’s heaps of coffee places to go to on Fitzroy St.

The small cakes are incredible! You can get 3 for $ 13.
The oreo thing was one of the best chocolate desserts I’ve ever had. My chocoholic bf also agrees with that assessment. It’s smashed up oreos, Bailey’s cream, and milk chocolate mousse covered in ganache.
The citrus custard thing w/​a macaron on top was also incredible.
The pecan pie was our least favorite. It was super nutty compared to the ones in the U.S. Also, pecan pie is just always better served warm.
***You definitely need to try the oreo thing!***
Tip: if you’re using a card, there is a $ 10 minimum.

The world of sweets have become a popularity contest. For some reason, Melbourne has become enamoured with l’amour for macarons. Late last year, a macaron competition was covered by the print media with great fanfare, while the crafty use of social media saw floods of band-​wagoning bloggers and others flock like zombies to the opening of a specialty macaron store in the inner South. This year, two slices of Paris teleported itself into a laneway and an arcade, and an advertising beetle car covered in macarons traipsed across the city. It furthermore no longer seems to be possible to have an afternoon tea without seeing these little sweet biscuits featuring on your three-​tiered silver service. And, almost every chocolate/​sweet specialty boutique now stocks a range of these little round critters alongside delectable traditional chocolate products. Cacao is one of these long-​standing specialty chocolate boutiques to do so, but it does so well.
Cacao macarons are good macarons –
In terms of appearance — Cacao’s macarons do generally suffer from «appearance injuries.» In this sampling, a few of Cacao’s macarons contained large hollow air pockets encased within their meringue discs, often sustained when macarons are baked at too low temperatures for too long. Others lacked symmetry in formation, with lop-​sided shells, protruding frilly foots or barely any foot at all (foot is the rim of the shell). Conversely, slightly too high temperatures are usually the cause of these problems. There also seems to be a general tendency to be flatties, rather than fatties.
In terms of taste — If La Belle Miette can be beaten, it is perhaps in this category. All Cacao’s macarons are high-​powered, vibrantly flavoursome. None are insipdly-​flavoured, all-​sugar mediocre messes commonly found elsewhere. The ganache filling of each macaron is generous. There are many stand-​outs: Lemon, Passionfruit, Short Mac, Strawberry, Pistachio, French Vanilla and Cassis macarons. A few macarons perhaps, may be more accurately re-​named (the Salty Caramel and Fresh Mint).
In terms of texture — A consistent trait from this and past samplings, most possess the sought-​after balance of crispness, airiness and just slight chewyness. Never crunchy, never soggy, never sticky.
With regards to maturation — «Maturation» (ie allowing to stand for a day or so, or refrigerate for a few hours) is not necessary. Cacao’s macarons may be eaten on the day of purchase.
Overall, if La Belle Miette offers the pretty, chic, Audrey Hepburn-​esque Parisian version of macarons, Cacao creates the more intense, flamboyant, Marie Antoinette-​esque Versailles version (with frilly hems to match!). For consistency in texture, perfection in form, accuracy in label, and delicacy of flavour, the prize goes to macarons from La Belle Miette. For strength of taste and vividity of colour, Cacao wins the accolade. Take a box of both home and it’s like having the best of two French amants.

Please note that the best mochas and hot chocolates reside at Cacao in St Kilda.
Creamy european liquid milk chocolate churns lovingly behind the front counter of this small café patisserie that doubles as a chocolatier, waiting to be united with frothy warm milk and if you so desire a well made shot of caffeine. If my jeans get a little snug — you can blame Cacao!
Pretty little pralines and chocolate truffles line the glass windows of the bench on one side for you to pick and mix into quaint little wooden boxes that make great gifts. To the left of the counter you’ll find pastries, cakes and sandwiches perfect for a light breakfast or lunch or an afternoon snack. Prices are a touch above the average run of the mill café in St Kilda but worth it for the extra bit of love in the quality of the food and coffee.
While the food and chocolates are good… it’s really not what keeps me coming back. Yes, churning liquid chocolate, I’m talking to you… I only have eyes for you.

Came up on Cocoa while strolling along Fitzroy. One just couldn’t help but stop for a snack at a beautiful shop that sold chocolate.
Had a cappuccino, a macaron and a passion fruit truffle (all of which I enjoyed) in front of the bakey area. Behind the glass, two pastry chefs were making chocolate curls from transfer sheets and rolling out doughs. They were very friendly and one told the other to wave while I took out my camera. (It’s the Asian in me.)

I’d seen the chocolates for sale in GPO, and worried that maybe it was just another chocolate shop, selling their wares with little concern for originality or excellence. I’ve been spoilt for truffles of late, there are some incredible chocolatiers in and around Melbourne. As soon as it becomes a chain, however, quality slips a little and uniqueness of flavour combinations goes out of the window.
So seeing a café made me instantly think of those ghastly Lindt cafes, where it’s stopped being about celebrating chocolate in all its possibilities and is just about stuffing one’s face with impressive looking but ultimately just sugary cakes and cookies.
Saving grace number one: the coffee. Really, really good. It hasn’t been forgotten or neglected in favour of making the hot chocolates yummy. I would (and will) come back just for the coffee.
Saving grace number two: the chocolate. Beautifully presented, beautifully made, and there are still some interesting flavour experiments to try.
Saving grace number three: the staff. All really lovely. Dining is a pleasurable experience.
So go on, indulge.

Cacao is a chocolate lovers heaven. This busines doubles as both a café and a chocolatier, and the two blend so well that it will often have me stopping for a coffee and cake, as well as picking up a box of their delicious chocolates to take home.
The café itself is really lovely. On the quiet side of the road on bustling Fitzroy st, it is an inconspicuous café and is a spot of quiet in an otherwise rowdy setting. You can pass your time with their fantastic coffee or hot chocolate, enjoying the peace with an often rich but moist and delicious piece of chocolate cake, or whatever other dessert tickles your fancy.
As a chocolatier, Cacao is known for their hand made chocolates, often identified by the colourful prints layed onto the chocolates as they are setting. A box will usually include three or four flavours. My favourite would be the rasberry jelly chocolates — and dont be mistaken, these are not like cadbury snacks… they are rich, yet subtle in flavour, and melt in your mouth good.
All of the chocolates are delicious — and you will pay for the quality. Perfect to show someone you really care, or think they are worth the price tag!

Coffee, Chocolate Macaroons, what more could you ask for?
One of my absolute favourite places for coffee and cake in St Kilda, the team at Cacao produce some of the most incredible Macaroons I have ever tried not surprising they won the award for Melbourne’s Best Macaron & Melbourne’s Best Designer Macaron in 2010. You can treat your tastebuds with flavours like pistachio, licorice, coconut and jam and cream lamington just to name a few! As if that wasn’t sweetly satisfying enough Cacao also make their own selection of fine chocolates, which you can buy them singularly or mix and match for a whole box.
The coffee is also well above standard, you will often see commuters around St Kilda with yellow paper take away cups, enjoying a caffeine boost on their way to work. Cacao is a chocolate or coffee lovers dream if you like to enjoy the finer things in life look no further than this incredible little patisserie.