Our Story
Where It All Began
A LIFELONG PASSION
Hi, I’m Vicki. For the past 13 years, Dolce Fantasia has been my life’s work. Although I can hardly call it work, because I love it so much. Food has always been central to my life. My fondest childhood memories are of baking cakes in my mother’s kitchen – sifting, stirring and creating delicious flavours. Growing up in a hospitality family, I took a slight detour into marketing before a trip to beautiful Venice reawakened my passion for food and set me on a lifelong journey.
First, it was cheffing for a renowned Italian restaurant where I specialised in desserts. Then owning my own busy café in vibrant Richmond. Then I heard that a much-loved patisserie, founded by an Italian couple, was for sale in Oakleigh. Given my love for pastry, the rest – as they say – is history.
Read MoreIt was a privilege to take over the business, earning the trust of the loyal customers who have been here since the beginning and forging new relationships with wonderful new customers as the business has grown from strength to strength.
What we create
Of course, when describing Dolce Fantasia it makes sense to tell you about all the delicious things we make. The glistening profiterole cakes finished with lush gianduja chocolate mousse. The rustic continental cakes made with sweet Sicilian custard. The decadent Tiramisu. The ever-popular novelty cakes with fun edible images. The intricate dolce petite, including Melbourne’s best cannolis as voted by The Age. The list goes on. Everything we create is just like Nonna used to make, using the freshest natural ingredients such as whole eggs and butter (with absolutely no preservatives) to achieve a fresh-tasting, authentically European product.
Why we do it
To really understand Dolce Fantasia though, you need to know why we do what we do. For us, it’s not about being the best. Yes, we love the precise science of cake making, experimenting with flavour and crafting cakes that are beautiful to look at. But it’s not about the end product. What really drives us is your expression when you see your cake and what it means to you.
As your patisserie of choice, we have the privilege of being involved in some of your life’s biggest moments. From 21st birthdays, engagements, weddings, right through to your children’s christenings and birthday parties. Often, we have customers who have fond memories of visiting with their parents for coffee and cake, who then ask us to cater their funerals when they pass away. We get to witness the story of your life through the people and events you celebrate, which is truly a privilege.
When we welcome you to our shop, we want you to feel at home. To enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee and piece of cake. To be transported back in time to a particular memory by a flavour you haven’t tasted for years. To have trust that we will always prioritise our relationship and never try to upsell you. Because nothing is more important to us than you – our customers.
At Dolce Fantasia, we believe that food is not just food. It expresses love. Reawakens memory. Comforts grief. Enables connection and celebration. Through all of this and more, it’s an honour to be there with you on the journey.
Where It All Began
A LIFELONG PASSION
Hi, I’m Vicki. For the past 13 years, Dolce Fantasia has been my life’s work. Although I can hardly call it work, because I love it so much. Food has always been central to my life. My fondest childhood memories are of baking cakes in my mother’s kitchen – sifting, stirring and creating delicious flavours. Growing up in a hospitality family, I took a slight detour into marketing before a trip to beautiful Venice reawakened my passion for food and set me on a lifelong journey.
First, it was cheffing for a renowned Italian restaurant where I specialised in desserts. Then owning my own busy café in vibrant Richmond. Then I heard that a much-loved patisserie, founded by an Italian couple, was for sale in Oakleigh. Given my love for pastry, the rest – as they say – is history.
Read MoreIt was a privilege to take over the business, earning the trust of the loyal customers who have been here since the beginning and forging new relationships with wonderful new customers as the business has grown from strength to strength.
What we create
Of course, when describing Dolce Fantasia it makes sense to tell you about all the delicious things we make. The glistening profiterole cakes finished with lush gianduja chocolate mousse. The rustic continental cakes made with sweet Sicilian custard. The decadent Tiramisu. The ever-popular novelty cakes with fun edible images. The intricate dolce petite, including Melbourne’s best cannolis as voted by The Age. The list goes on. Everything we create is just like Nonna used to make, using the freshest natural ingredients such as whole eggs and butter (with absolutely no preservatives) to achieve a fresh-tasting, authentically European product.
Why we do it
To really understand Dolce Fantasia though, you need to know why we do what we do. For us, it’s not about being the best. Yes, we love the precise science of cake making, experimenting with flavour and crafting cakes that are beautiful to look at. But it’s not about the end product. What really drives us is your expression when you see your cake and what it means to you.
As your patisserie of choice, we have the privilege of being involved in some of your life’s biggest moments. From 21st birthdays, engagements, weddings, right through to your children’s christenings and birthday parties. Often, we have customers who have fond memories of visiting with their parents for coffee and cake, who then ask us to cater their funerals when they pass away. We get to witness the story of your life through the people and events you celebrate, which is truly a privilege.
When we welcome you to our shop, we want you to feel at home. To enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee and piece of cake. To be transported back in time to a particular memory by a flavour you haven’t tasted for years. To have trust that we will always prioritise our relationship and never try to upsell you. Because nothing is more important to us than you – our customers.
At Dolce Fantasia, we believe that food is not just food. It expresses love. Reawakens memory. Comforts grief. Enables connection and celebration. Through all of this and more, it’s an honour to be there with you on the journey.
In the Spotlight
BAKING ALL YEAR ROUND
Wedding cakes
years baking
Awards
love baking
WHAT WE OFFER
Daily Fresh Menus
We offer a range of fresh meals that are cooked on site daily to cater to dietary needs including vegetarian meals.
Fresh Ingredients
We take pride in preparing all our dishes from scratch, using the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced locally where possible.
Tasty Meals
All our recipes have been hand-picked from among our own traditional favourites, to give you a wholesome, delicious meal.
Creative Chefs
Relax & enjoy knowing our expert Chefs have your catering under control. We specialise in traditional recipes that have been tried and tested over time and time again
Authentic Cakes
We try to capture the true Authenticity in our cakes using traditional ingredients, techniques and baking methods to deliver to you that wholesome tasting experience just like Nona’s used to do.
Amazing Coffee
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“A great local find”
“The quality of the food and the cakes and also the friendliness of the staff makes this one of the hidden gems in South Oakleigh. I have recently moved into the area and was pleasantly surprised to have stumbled across Dolce. A visit to Dolce has now become a weekly routine”.
JACK
“Fabulous food & service”
“Everything was great, from the friendly staff down to the delicious taste of their petite creations! Will come back again and again. The selection of cakes is amazing, there is so much that is just wonderful to look at, but their cannoli were hands down the best cannoli I had ever had”.
LUCY
“Amazing flavours”
“Delicious cakes, amazing flavours and so much variety. If you love sweets, you must check out this place! Very impressed with the standard of the food. Delicious, home style cooking and huge portions. Highly recommended and cannot wait to sample the other dishes”.
RACHEL
“Speechless”
“When I walked into the reception, upon seeing our wedding cake for the first time, I was speechless for the first time that day. Vicki, who was amazing to deal with, took the time to listen to what we wanted and made it all happen. Our wedding cake looked beautiful and tasted amazing”.
BELINDA
Come on In!
Weekdays
MON: 7am - 4pm
TUES - FRI: 7am - 5:30pm
Weekends
SAT: 7am - 4pm
SUN: 8:30am - 3pm
Contact
Phone
Address
1202 Centre Road
South Oakleigh, VIC 3167
