The name may evoke visions of a French patisserie, but as I recently discovered, Croissant D’or is much more than baked delights. Established since 1978, the company’s Civic Bus Interchange store has long been something of a tradition for city workers seeking amazing morning tea or delectable cakes. And when they recently invited their Facebook friends to attend a taste test at their new Westfield Woden location, I was excited to take them up on their offer!

The new cafe is upstairs in Westfield Woden opposite Woolworths. The cafe features distinct orange chairs, and a bench with bar and stools, though you will quickly be distracted from the interior by the impressive array of beautiful cakes, tortes and macarons on display.

We sampled a huge range of the menu…Thai fish cakes served with Thai chilli dipping sauce were tasty, served with a side salad – but the standout was the dressing – I would buy this by the bottle if they sold it!

Gluten free fried zucchini, corn and sprouts fritters served with yoghurt dip – the corn is sweet and tasty and I appreciated a gluten free option. A different side salad is chopped carrot beetroot and zucchini – fresh and tasty rather than the usual sad affair that you wouldn’t touch.

Garlic sourdough bread is delicious and crunchy. The salt and pepper squid is lightly crumbed, thick pieces of lovely and tender squid – no rubber tubes here!

I also tried a Mango Magic Smoothie – mango, lime, banana and pineapple – it’s delicious and recalls a happy memory of slurping down mango smoothies on a sunny day in Byron Bay one summer.

We tried two delicious salads that I will definitely be back for! The Salad Niçoise – served with a wedge of Parmesan bread, it’s a lighter healthier option packed full of flavour. The mango chicken salad is tasty and definitely has some spice to it!

There is an impressive assortment of cakes, sweets, macarons and tarts; of the impressive range on display we sample the pistachio cake – with thick rich ganache encasing a vibrant green cake, it’s beautifully presented.

Croissant D’or is due to open tomorrow and I will definitely be back – the staff are warm and friendly and  I am aiming to make my way through that dessert cabinet!

the essentials

What: Croissant D’or
Where: Westfield Woden
When: Opens Thursday 17 October
Web: Croissant D’or on Facebook