House of Desserts’ new shopfront at Verity Lane. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
It’s been three years since I first visited Tamara Sameeh at House of Desserts. In that time, she has worked tirelessly to make her wonderful creations ever more accessible to Canberra.
What began as a small suburban operation with a food truck has grown into a beloved local brand driven by creativity, courage and a deep love of sharing joy through dessert.
Tamara’s journey into business unfolded out of a blend of necessity and innovation.
Despite holding a medical science degree, she couldn’t find a role that offered the flexibility she needed while raising her young family. Determined to contribute and create something meaningful, she opened a family daycare in her home. COVID lockdowns brought an abrupt end to that chapter, leaving Tamara at a crossroads.
In that pivotal moment, she regrouped and innovated, turning to the hobby that had always lit her up: creating sweet treats for family and friends.
Encouraged by her husband and extended family, she made the bold decision to turn her longtime passion into a business. She began by snapping photos of her creations and posting them online. The response was immediate. Orders flowed in, community enthusiasm grew, and House of Desserts was born.
Since then, Tamara has continued to build and refine her business. The original food truck location has changed, new flavours have emerged, and her signature customisable dessert approach has developed into a fully realised experience. And now, she has launched a second House of Desserts shopfront, right in the heart of the city at Verity Lane.
We head in to enjoy some desserts at the new location. Yes, with all the construction happening nearby, parking is trickier than usual. We park at Canberra Centre, strategising that the extra steps might offset a portion of the sugary indulgence to come.
While the dessert bar has upsized, the concept remains the same: choose your own party for your taste buds. It’s an experience that unleashes your inner child. The joy lies in layering textures, flavours, and toppings into your dream creation, limited only by your imagination (and perhaps your budget, if you get too excited).
Just some of our House of Desserts haul. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
It begins with choosing your base: silky crêpes, crisp Belgian waffles, or fluffy mini pancakes. From there, you enter an options extravaganza that can only be described as dessert heaven: 10 spreads, two fruits, 11 fillings and 10 toppings.
A look through the menu shows that while comforting classics still shine bright, new desserts have also made their way onto the menu. Acai bowls offer a gluten-, dairy-, and caffeine‑free option.
For those who have embraced the Dubai chocolate trend, the themed offerings here are irresistible. I am smitten with the pairing of crisp, golden kunafa pastry strands with fragrant pistachio spread. Add pure Belgian chocolate to the mix, and you have perfection: rich, nutty, indulgent, and aromatic all at once.
Delicious Dubai Fix waffle. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Or enjoy your Dubai Fix on a waffle, crepe, or stack of pancakes. Or take it with you in a cup – decadent tiers of melty Belgian milk and white chocolate, pistachio‑infused kunafa, chopped pistachios, and strawberry slices.
Tamara is currently experimenting with matcha‑based dessert concepts; she’s excited to introduce them soon.
We order a Dubai Fix waffle, a Dubai Fix chocolate cup, and some dessert sushi; then indulge our Biscoff obsession with the Biscoff‑topped mini pancakes and a Biscoff shake.
The Dubai Fix waffle tastes crisp and golden, sandwiched around a generous layer of Dubai filling and topped with drizzles of melted Belgian chocolate, pistachios, and fresh fruit.
Chocolate chunks and melted chocolate bejewel each piece of dessert sushi; tender crepe encases rich chocolate mud cake cubes.
The Dubai Fix cup: we mix everything together, enjoying the interplay of textures; the crunch of pistachio and kunafa, the creaminess of the chocolate, and the tender sweetness of the strawberry.
Decadent tiers of the Dubai Fix Cup. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
My favourite dish? The Biscoff shake; simply the best Biscoff drink I’ve ever had. The level of Biscoff intensity surprises you in pockets within the layers of the luscious shake.
Did you know that House of Desserts has been officially recognised by Nutella, making the top 50 list of venues creating incredible Nutella dishes? Tamara’s standout creation for the award is the Waffle with Nutella – definitely worth trying.
Visit House of Desserts at Verity Lane and treat yourself to a Dubai Fix cup and a Biscoff shake. You won’t leave disappointed.
House of Desserts is located at Verity Lane, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Civic. It is open Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm; and at 133 Eccles Circuit, Macgregor (check Facebook for opening hours). Follow House of Desserts on Facebook and Instagram to see Tamara’s latest confectionery concoctions!
