Don't blink or even with it's brightly coloured sign, you'll miss Carousels Cupcakes while dodging traffic on frenetic Gympie Road at Chermside.
However, step inside this retro haven and you'll be transported back to a much calmer decade when women were mothers and wives and excelled in kitchen gymnastics.
Just to show they don't take that all too seriously, there's a great sign for those who like to colour coordinate all aspects of their life.
This is a fun 50's diner style cafe with a bright and perky decor and staff to match. You gotta love the bright pink booth seating, chandeliers, LP covered walls and retro posters. I was told the shop had recently changed hands but the cupcakes are still being made by the original owner.
It's always hard to choose from the delicious array in a cupcake cabinet and this shop was no exception.
Our picks:
Hot Date - had a laugh with the name and liked the good touch of ginger with the expected date cake topped with a moist cream cheese frosting.
Rascally rabbit - this was a light moist carrot cake and you could see the grated carrot in inside and taste nuts. The surprise was hidden stash of caramel. It was topped with a cute small sugar carrot and cream cheese icing just the way I like it.
Oreo - Small pieces of Oreo biscuits were dotted through this cupcake but it had a slightly oily after taste. One of my favourite ice cream additions at Hard Rock but obviously not so easy to convert into a cupcake - not our top pick.
Vanilla cupcake - this was good in the old fashioned way with a nice light sponge balanced by, rather than overpowered by the icing.
The coffee is Di Bella.
The full range is much more extensive and also can be ordered online.
Bottom line: You could visit Carousels Cupcakes either for the decor or the cupcakes.
Carousels Cupcakes
819 Gympie Rd, Chermside QLD 4032 p 3630 5946