Part Japanese teahouse and part French patisserie, Cafe L’arôme is a hidden treasure.
Tucked inside the Joseph Road precinct, this charming cafe is the love child of Vincent Gunawan and Winny Sadikin, the husband-and-wife culinary duo turning a quiet pocket of Footscray into a foodie’s destination.
“I have wanted to be a pastry chef since I was teenager,” says Winny, the dessert whiz in the partnership. “I trained in Melbourne and then in Paris, and that’s where I met Japanese friends and got hit hard by the Japanese food bug.
“When we decided to open Cafe L’arôme, it felt only natural to include the flavours that I love most into the menu.”
Vincent’s path to hospitality was less direct. “I used to be a photographer, and then did a stint in real estate. At home I was all about making coffee and learning everything about it.
“It was through my real estate connections that I met the landlord for this Footscray building. With me as the barista and Winny in the kitchen, we thought it would be the perfect location for our first Australian cafe.
“We’d previously owned a pastry shop in Indonesia also called Cafe L’arôme, and since we were now settled in Melbourne, we thought it was the right time to put down deeper roots here.”
Cafe L’arôme opened in May 2023 with their pork katsu sandos and French-style pastries flying off the shelves.
Other menu highlights include the strawberry whipped cream sandwiches, their croque monsieur and the insta-worthy teishoku set meals.
“We try to do everything in-house. No shortcuts here, just good food made with heart,” smiles Winny.
L’arôme offers a small outdoor courtyard for catching those sun rays, while the interior exudes warm, cosy vibes that makes you feel like you’re in a chic café in Tokyo or Paris.
And guess what? They’ve got big plans. Vincent spills the beans: “We want to extend the hours. Keep evolving our menu to what customers like. We’re thinking onigiri, sake pairing and Parisian-inspired delights at night.” Cafe L’arôme, we’re here for it!
