Pawpaw’s pop-up bakery was a life preserver at the height of Brisbane’s pandemic lockdown. The cafe’s assortment of doughnuts and croissants attracted hordes of folks looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, which encouraged the Venzin Group to expand the pop-up into a permanent concept of its own. The group opened Darvella Patisserie on Bulimba’s Oxford Street in December 2020, unveiling a large bakery and shopfront in a redeveloped mixed-use building nestled near the street’s Brisbane River end. Darvella (named after the town in Switzerland where owner Giorgina Venzin’s dad grew up) boasts an upmarket European feel, with classic neutral tones helping create a sophisticated vibe that draws attention to the assorted treats. A large glass window gives guests a chance to peer into the brand-new baking kitchen at the rear, where the Darvella team craft the Swiss-inspired offering. In addition to traditional croissants, doughnuts, breads, savoury items and the signature baby cakes, guests can expect Swiss cheeses, deli sandwiches and Swiss-chocolate-infused treats. Darvella is also supplying to Pawpaw and Monocle Coffee, crafting the breads, buns and sweets that are key fixtures of the cafes menus.