L'Orange Patisserie

L’Orange Patisserie brings European pâtisserie traditions to Kingston, with its current home at The Lawns in Manuka. The website presents the venue as a place for both a casual visit and more considered occasions, combining handcrafted cakes, pastries and desserts with a brunch offering served at the sunny Manuka Lawns. The menu includes omelettes, savoury croissants, fresh baguettes and Chef Wim’s house-made soup, giving the patisserie a broader daytime appeal than sweets alone.

For something sweet, the offering includes viennoiserie, French macarons and éclairs, along with L’Orange favourites, High Tea, croquembouche and celebration cakes. The business also describes its cakes, pastries and flans as being made fresh daily, without preservatives or other artificial agents. Chef Wim says he is mindful of gluten-free options and sometimes uses alternatives such as Manuka honey or fruit pulp where they suit a creation, though the website does not provide a detailed dietary menu.

The story behind the patisserie is central to its identity. Chef Wim Den Hartog has spent more than 30 years working in pâtisserie, including time in Michelin-starred kitchens and well-known Canberra hospitality venues. Born and trained in the Netherlands, he discovered French pâtisserie as a teenager and later opened L’Orange Patisserie in 2015. The move to The Lawns marks a new chapter, while the business continues to focus on European technique, careful preparation and welcoming service.

L’Orange could suit a daytime catch-up over brunch, a High Tea gathering, or anyone looking for a carefully made pastry or dessert in the Manuka area. Its celebration cakes and croquembouche also make it relevant for special occasions, while the range of smaller pastries offers a straightforward option for a solo visit. The website’s emphasis on family and friends, as well as its mix of savoury and sweet offerings, suggests a venue that can work for relaxed groups and celebratory occasions alike.