Pyney’s 🥧 Reviews
Cafe D’Lish
Deakin (Canberra), ACT
October, 2026
A few weeks ago I popped into Little Sutton Bakehouse’s new store in Deakin to say g’day to the team and check out there new store and gee wizz they have done an awesome job with this one. On my way to the car I walked past Cafe D’lish sandwich & espresso bar and saw a sign saying homemade 🥧’s. I walked in and introduced myself and next minute I’m doing a review.
Cafe D’Lish is located in the Deakin Shops in the Canberra suberb of Deakin. The classic sandwich bar has been in operation for over 24 years and that’s where I met current owners Jack & Laura.
This awesome couple have owned and run this place for the past two years, with Jack having worked alongside the previous owners for six years before taking over. Jack a chef by trade has been in the hospo game for most of his working life and the cafe now employs 11 staff and is open 6 days a week.
This place is super busy with everything sold here made from scratch and the selection on products on offer is first class and one of those products available is homemade 🥧’s. Jack mentioned that 🥧’s have been on the menu here for as long as he could remember and when he took over the place he decided to keep them on the menu.
There are usually three different flavours available at any one time, with the selection changing from week to week and reflecting the seasons. On the day of my visit, the flavours on offer were Aussie beef, beef and red wine, and lamb green curry. What a delicious-sounding line-up and of course I tried all 3, but for the purpose of this review I went with the “Lamb Green Curry” This particular flavour is something different to what I would normally go with and gee it looked fabulous.
🥧 THE REVIEW 🥧
1. Value for Money – $9.50 is more than reasonable value considering everything is homemade including the pastry which is made from scratch. It was also a very good size in weight and diameter and full of quality ingredients. 8/10
2. Meat/Fill Ratio – Zero problems here !! This 🥧 was full as could be. Great value 10/10
3. Flavour – Listen to this – slow cooked lamb, capsicum, eggplant, turmeric, coconut milk and thai green curry. This 🥧 was full of flavour and it lasted right to the last bite. Every ingredient blended in beautifully and the thai green curry was mild at best so it will suit nearly everyone. Jack and his team have done a really good job with this one. 8.5/10
4. Pastry – The pastry really surprised me and Jack tells me it’s been the same recipe since day dot. The color, shape, shrinkage and the highly important stability were all very good. The top bake and thickness were excellent while the bottom bake was also of night standard. The only negative was the bottom bake was a smidge under done and this is a easy fix. Overall Jack and his team has done a really good job with this pastry. 8.5/10
5. Serving Temperature – A smidge hot, but nothing to get excited about 9.5/10
Overall Rating
🥧🥧 44.5/50 🥧🥧
This review was totally un-expected and this 🥧 exceeded all my expectations. Jack and his team made a very good product and one I would easily have again. To be honest there wasn’t much wrong with this product and the positives far out weighed the negatives. The flavour and combination of ingredients worked a treat and the flavour lasted right to the last bite. The pastry was also really good and structurally held up very well.
Great work team you have done a sterling job with this product well done.
100% add this awesome old school sandwich bar to your food list. Yes the 🥧’s are terrific and the sandwiches are next level.
To Jack and Laura a huge thanks for having me in and allowing me to sample your wonderful products and sharing your 🥧 journey. Owning a small business in this current economic climate has its challanges, yet you guys and your team are doing a sensational job. Your products and staff are super amazing and it’s so refreshing to see a good old fashion sandwich shop thrive. It’s was great to meet you both and this is one place you will 100% see me again.
As always thanks for the ongoing support and keep supporting 🇦🇺 bakeries and don’t forget to invite all your friends to the page.
