Gerbino’s Pasticceria

I was pretty excited the first time I stumbled upon Gerbino’s. They have an extensive range of delicious looking pastries, but for me, that’s just about where the positives stop.
The girl serving on the cash register was arrogant and not at all friendly or welcoming.
The goods are expensive, and definitely not worth the money. The first time I visited, I bought a fruit flan. I was really let down — it was stale, had a tiny smear of custard on the less than average pastry, and had a questionable piece of cake in the middle that I am still trying to work out.
I went back a second time, under the proviso that I had just maybe caught them on a bad day the first time. Sadly, the experience was much the same.

So many Italian naughties (goodies for everyone except us diabetics) and good coffee. They do lunches and staff always cheery and friendly. Observe the protocol, line place order and stand back and get off your phone.

It’s easy to see why Gerbino’s Pasticceria is always bustling. It’s a welcoming, cosy, authentic Italian pasticceria complete with good coffee and cheerful service. There’s always a queue here at lunch time. Their Italian sweets and pastries are the main event at Gerbino’s. The cabinet holds an ever-​changing array of Italian pastries, biscuits, cakes, and tarts. Everything looks beautifully rustic and homemade and that’s probably because it is. If you’re after more than a biscuit and a coffee, Gerbino’s also offers hot meals like pies, toasted sandwiches, and pizza breads. They make sandwiches to order on their lovely sourdough bread, too.
Despite the fact that Gerbino’s is often so busy, the service is always friendly and attentive and you never feel rushed or like an inconvenience. There’s always some friendly banter going on in here between the staff and the customers alike. Gerbino’s is about simple, wholesome homemade pastries and good service, and that’s exactly what they deliver.

Back in my ‘uni student’ days, I would love going to Gerbino’s for lunch. The toasted ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches were so satisfying. Before you start thinking «What is so great about a ham, cheese and tomato toastie?», let me assure you that these are no ordinary toasties, the bread they use makes a huge difference.
Just writing about this makes me wish I was a uni student again so that I would have an excuse to go back there. The sandwiches were not the only things I would get from here, I also treated myself to the off cannelloni and Italian-​esque doughnut. These were also very delicious and if I remember correctly, they were very reasonably priced.
The staff were always friendly, there was one particular staff member who began remembering me every time I came in.
If you want to try some delicious sandwiches and Italian cakes, I would recommend you take the journey to Kelvin Grove and check out Gerbino’s Pasticceria.

For thee sweet-​tooth, Gerbino’s is a godsend. The cabinets are stuffed with delicious pastries, tarts, cakes, and all manner of sugary goodness. If you’re a student at QUT Kelvin Grove, it’s a great spot to take a text book (or any book) in between class and boost your reading experience with a piece of cheesecake.
If you’re more of a savoury type, Gerbino’s also has pies and sandwiches. Personally though, I think that if you can walk past those sweet morsels you’re living life the wrong way.

Before Kelvin Lee’s Hot Bread moseyed on into Kelvin Grove, I’d swing by Gerbino’s Pasticceria outside Woolworths for a pie and salad. Gerbino’s makes a mean curry pie, with real chunks of beef as opposed to the meat sludge you find at so many other bakeries.
If you’re after a healthier option they also offer custom sandwiches with all of the salads and spreads you could dream of. Or, as little — I once saw a kid stand at the counter with his mum and demand a Vegemite sandwich. Vegemite and nothing more, nothing less.
Set your meal down at a table either inside or outside the café, and then finish it up with one of Gerbino’s delicious desserts.

My parents love this place. When I meet them here for a coffee and desert they always recount stories of their trips to Italy and how that Gerbino’s Paticceria is like being back there. I’ll have to take their work on it.
When you look though the display cabinets a vast array of all sweets, made in store, tempt you to indulge in the fine sugary creations of Gerbinos. Behind the counter there is a range of different loaves of bread that should be purchased to reminisce on later.
The coffee they make there is pretty on point especially when consumed with a the torte filled with chocolate and vanilla custard between layers of soft sponge. Dear lord do I need to say more? Yes I do.
In addition to the cakes, sweets, breads and coffee, there is an Australian favorite at the end in a hot cabinet. Gerbino’s meat pies are a fast selling item in the store, especially the plain mince. Don’t be surprised if you arrive after lunch and they’re all gone.

For an authentic Italian bakery experience head to Gerbino’s Pasticceria. The success of owner Salvatore Gerbino’s creations is evidenced by his expansion in to multiple locations across Brisbane. With over 300 different products the range is truly impressive. I go there sometimes for a loaf of crusty bread for a dinner party or enjoy some dolci (sweets) in store with a authentic cappuccino. My favourite treat is his Limoncello shortbread. Delizioso!
Salvatore also does some visually and gastronomically delightful whole cakes for special occasions, like his Easter Columbo cakes (in the shape of a peace dove) or his ‘Agnello Pasquale’ — a tableaux of marzipan lamb, also a traditional Easter cake.
The café also offers a range of sandwiches at reasonable prices, making it quite popular with the local student contingent. The café itself is spacious without losing its sense of homely Italian hospitality. Amateur linguists might even want to try practising their Italian with Salvatore.