Il Dolce Dell’Amore

Better known as “Rocco” to locals (named after Italian owner Rocco Marino), Il Dolce Dell’Amore is a coffee shop hidden on an unassuming street in suburban Vaucluse. The frequent line out the door is credit to the fact that the AllPress coffee is consistent and great, whether you’re drinking a macchiato or mocha (into each of which a tablespoon of 51 per cent dark chocolate chips is stirred). 

Choose from a wide range of Creazione Pasticceria pastries to enjoy with your coffee or T2 tea. Think flaky cornetti filled with triple berry or apricot jam and Nutella tarts. Gluten and dairy-free items are clearly marked, such as petite Bacio biscuits and shiny white Brutti ma Buoni, which are like chewy almond meringues. 

Many coffees are ordered takeaway, though if you do sit-in you’ll be treated to ornate, gold-rimmed crockery and quirky vintage teaspoons. These, along with the crisp, white button-downs worn by staff and the wooden outdoor tables lend Il Dolce Dell’Amore an air of old-school European charm. If Rocco himself is around, ladies can expect to be welcomed with a “Ciao bella”.

Originally published on Broadsheet