If anyone knows where to find the best pastries, cakes and sweets in Paris, it’s Brooke Saward. The blogger behind beloved travel resource World of Wanderlust and self-confessed dessert die-hard has run herself ragged across nearly every arrisdonment and down every rue in the city, seeking out the best macarons, croissants and cakes – as well as the most reputable spots for learning how to make them. At places like Ritz Escoffier, the famed cooking school located underneath the Ritz Paris, Brooke first learned to master the art of crafting the perfect macaron. Over the years Brooke familiarised herself with a host of cake and confection-making techniques, eventually putting her skills to the test in 2016 when she opened Charlie’s Dessert House in her hometown of Launceston (now overseen and operated by Brooke’s parents) to great success. Brooke’s newest venture, Brooki Bakehouse in Fortitude Valley, is perhaps a more pure expression of the self-taught dessert doyenne’s affinity for picture-perfect Parisian-inspired treats. The dispensary, tucked away on the Marshall Street side of the Stewart & Hemmant building (just around the corner from Rosmarino and next door to soon-to-open pizzeria ETNA) cushions the building’s brick and cement interior with a elegant aesthetic crafted by Clui Design. Deep burgundy tones, marble counter tops, mosaic floor tiles, fluted glass and brass details give off a classic charm that, when coupled with the venue’s gritty inner-city surrounds, conjure up visions of Parisian-via-New York patisserie.

While the interior is certainly fetching, it’s what’s in the Brooki Bakehouse cabinets that will no doubt draw most eyeballs. The concept’s main focus is making sensational celebration cakes, with a range of fluffy, full-sized, four-layer creations lathered in silky buttercream and crowned in indulgent decorations. These beauties are available to pre-order in a host of flavours, including lemon wildberry, vanilla matcha, red velvet, Oreo and salted caramel. Brooki’s array of cupcakes, macarons and some bake-at-home goodies are also available to order online, but a rotating range will always be available for drop-in and takeaway purchase. The macarons are made using the Italian method, which results in a a glossy finish, delicately crunchy shell and delicious soft ganache centre. A mind-boggling list of flavours will be available week-to-week, from classic options like pistachio, hazelnut praline and lemon curd to more far-out varieties such as banoffee pie, Vanilla Coke, milk-choc Milo and bubblegum. The cupcakes, too, come in every flavour you could want – peanut-butter cup, carrot cake, cotton candy, s’mores, Nutella injection and Rolo are just some of the selections that Brooke and her team will cycle through on a daily basis (be sure to check Instagram for that day’s range). Cookies, blondies and brownies also earn space in the cabinet, perfectly suited to pair with a cup of barista-poured brew from Archer Specialty Coffee.

Brooki Bakehouse is now open to the public. Head to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and cake-ordering info.