“I have never tasted anything like it” is probably the best thing you can hear when entering a café. At newly opened Sweet Crumble in Malvern, that’s what the customers are saying.

After graduating from a psychology degree, owner Timna realised that the only way to really fix people was to give them sweets. She didn’t actually use those words, but it’s a logical conclusion to draw. Her mother and grandmother were great bakers when she was growing up (both have had cook books published) and now some of the family recipes feature in the cabinet.

There are bite-sized delights for those faking restraint, such as cake pops and pillow-soft handmade marshmallows. We won’t list all 30 cupcakes, but the red velvet and salted caramel caught our eye. If you’re a macaron fiend, they come out of the kitchen in an array of flavours (try the hazelnut and the pomegranate), made by a chef who worked in Paris for seven years.

Inspiration for the patisserie came from top sweet spots in Italy, New York and LA, but it is the Parisian influence that really shines through. The décor is decidedly French provincial, with rustic tables, a grand banquette seat, basket chairs and an outdoor sidewalk perfumed with dried lavender. The wooden shelves are adorned with Bonne Maman jams, homemade preserves, toffees, artisan chocolate, glass domes and colourful cupcake wrappers.

Timna was raised in Kenya, so it makes sense that the coffee is an exclusive Kenyan blend. There’s also a catering service available and the patisserie is planning to host baking classes and children’s parties in the near future. Sweet Crumble is currently putting together a breakfast and lunch menu of French pastries and gourmet baguettes, but for now you’ll have to settle with sweets.

Location: 111 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
Open: Mon-Thurs 8am-6pm| Fri 8am-5pm|Sun 10am-4pm (Subject to change)
Phone: (03) 9077 6956
Details: sweetcrumble.com.au and facebook.com/SweetCrumble