Bringing a touch of Parisian je ne sais quoi mixed with a little New Yorker bravado, Tarte Café and Bakery tantalises both eyes and taste buds in equal measure.
Under a canopy of trees on a cosy corner of Burleigh Head’s James Street precinct lies Tarte Bakery and Café. With its dark timber frontage flowing seamlessly to an interior of black and white tiles and brass accents, you be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in New York’s chic West Village or Soho districts.
Walking inside, you’re immediately greeted by the irresistible aroma of freshly made buttery croissants, delicate pastries, and warm breads, all housed within a charming, centuries-old antique display cabinet.
Run by the former owner of Paddock Bakery, Chloe Watts, Tarte takes pride in ensuring only the finest, locally sourced ingredients are used to create their culinary masterpieces. From the organic flour in the bread to the farm-fresh eggs in the pastries, every bite is a testament to Tarte’s commitment to quality.
Everything we can, we make from scratch on-site and as fresh as possible, says Chloe.
“Our pastries are made every morning at 3:30am and then constantly throughout the day, so you can walk in at any time from open to close and know everything is fresh.”
Made by a team of in-house pastry chefs, Tarte’s bakery options have a rustic twist, serving everything from freshly made flakey tarts, crullers, French kouign amann and cheesecakes to classic cookies.
“Our most popular pastry is the Muffin Top, a strawberry, raspberry and white chocolate muffin that consists of only the top of the muffin – the best parts are the crunchy edges and soft centre,” says Chloe.
“We worked for months alongside our head pastry chef trying out different baking methods, recipes, and baking trays to make sure our Muffins Tops are perfect and nobody else does them.”
In addition to mouth-watering baked goods, Tarte’s menu delivers a combination of both classic and innovative creations.
Whether you’re in the mood for a savoury breakfast or a sweet afternoon treat, there’s something to please every palate. Signature favourites include the miso scrambled eggs, miso chicken sandwich, Turkish eggs, the Bullseye Benny bagel, smoked brisket, and the delicious five-cheese and truffle toastie.
“Every season, we like to change things up and offer seasonal products on our all-day breakfast and lunch menus, as well as our pastries,” she says.
We always try our best to source locally and as fresh and sustainable as possible, using free-range eggs, sustainable hormone-free pork, chicken, salmon – the list goes on!
What truly sets Tarte Bakery and Cafe apart is its cosy and welcoming atmosphere. The rustic decor, adorned with vintage baking tools and warm lighting, creates an ambience that is simultaneously nostalgic and modern, making it a popular destination for both tourists and Burleigh locals.
Consequently, they have expanded to include a ‘Tarte Takeaway’ window for coffee and pastries, as well as ‘Tarte Market’ offering fresh salads, juices, and smoothies.
There’s also a new venue in the works – Tarte Beach House, a Hamptons-meets-Paris-inspired venue set to transform Currumbin Creek, serving up classic New York bagels, pastries and coffee, alongside Boston-style lobster rolls, seafood dishes and cocktails with a twist.
“The Tarte Beach House fit-out is currently underway with a target to be up and running by Spring this year,” says Chloe.
“For now, we have a coffee cart in front of the renovation site serving speciality coffee from Parallel Roasters and a selection of our crowd-pleasing pastries.”
With good reason, Tarte has become more than just a place to indulge. It’s a gathering place where people can come together to savour the simple pleasures in life and take a moment to slow down and appreciate the artistry of baking.
So, whether you’re a Burleigh local or a visitor, be sure to add Tarte Bakery and Cafe to your culinary itinerary.
