Cafe Review: Does this Queenland cafe have the ‘best ever’ vanilla slice?

This Queensland cafe claims to have the “best ever vanilla slice”, but does it really love up to the hype? Our reviewer finds out.

“BEST EVER VANILLA SLICE” reads the sign in the window at casual Cairns cafe Archie & the Bear.

I love venues that make bold, definitive statements like this because there’s obviously no way to quantify such a claim. But what I appreciate is its brilliance as a marketing tool.

I mean, can you really visit an eatery that claims to have the best of something without trying it? Of course not.

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But when it comes to vanilla slices, I certainly don’t need any encouragement. For as long as I can remember, they have been my favourite bakery treat. Though, sadly, they’re far too easy to get wrong. Sickly sweet icing, custard set harder than a calculus exam, pastry so thick it tears the dessert apart in a single bite.

The vanilla slice at Archie and the Bear Sustainable Cafe in Cairns.

But not at Archie & the Bear. While proving it to be the “best ever” may be an impossible task, it is undeniably bloody delicious.

Crowned with a thin sheet of layered puff pastry dusted with icing sugar, the custard is airy and light, like it’s been folded through whipped cream to create a beautiful mousse-like texture. They say it’s the simple things in life that bring the most pleasure and it’s unquestionably true of this dessert.

That focus on simplicity extends to the rest of the breakfast menu where classics take centre stage. Think the likes of eggs on toast, toasties, bruschetta and avo on toast.

The Better Benedict ($21) comes with runny yolked poached eggs on buttered toast with grilled tomatoes, mashed avo, wilted spinach and your choice of smoked salmon, ham or bacon. And the better bit is a little slice of terrific vanilla cake and a thimble-like cup of housemade carrot and ginger juice.

Archie and the Bear cafe, north Cairns Picture: Marc McCormack

The cute extras are also added to the haloumi plate ($21) with the grilled Greek cheese splayed across chunky pesto-topped toast with a side of poached eggs, avocado, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.

Both dishes represent homely, no-fuss cooking. Could you make it just as well yourself? Probably. But to do so would be to miss out on the charming, mood-lifting service, where the effervescent, young waitresses asks you about your life and your plans for the day with genuine interest. It would also mean doing without the very well made Ransom coffee – smoother than Channing Tatum’s dance moves in Magic Mike. And most importantly, it would mean depriving yourself of the “best ever” vanilla slice and the chance to try the other array of hand made sweet treats available, including a comforting CWA-style lemon slice. And it’s those experiences that make Archie & the Bear a worthy visit.