Melania’s Gourmet

/ tango449

104 S Royal Ave.
Front Royal, VA 22630
540-749-0501
https://melaniasgourmet.com/
Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 AM- 3 PM

$$ | Pastry

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Melania’s Gourmet is located in a beautifully restored brick home on one of the main streets of Front Royal, Virginia. Situated at the corner of Jackson Street and South Royal Avenue, the café offers some of the finest pastries in the state.

Pastry Chef Melania Castegnaro and her husband, Ryland Greenhouse, opened Melania’s Gourmet in September 2023. Melania grew up in Costa Rica, where she learned the art of baking from her grandmother, sparking her lifelong passion for pastry. She holds culinary degrees from the Culinary Arts Institute of Washington and the Escuela de Pasteleria del Gremio in Barcelona, Spain. Ryland, who grew up in Front Royal, believed the town would be the perfect location to showcase Melania’s exceptional baking skills and open a café. Melania’s ten years of experience as an Executive Pastry Chef is evident in the quality and flavor of every pastry served at the café.

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20240217_144018The décor is super cozy, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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You can find Melania in the kitchen.

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There is an amazing array of chocolates and pastries.

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The chocolate is rich and silky smooth.

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20240330_143710The cookies are wonderful. This was the best peanut butter cookie I have had.

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The fresh flowers are a nice touch.

Melania’s Gourmet is a welcome addition to the Front Royal dining scene. It offers world-class pastries made from the finest ingredients. The café’s menu features a delectable selection of pies, cakes, and a mouthwatering Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit for breakfast.

Honoring Melania’s Costa Rican heritage, the café serves rich and flavorful Costa Rican coffee, which pairs perfectly with exceptional pastries. Every bite of Melania’s creations showcases her exceptional baking skills and attention to detail, honed over her ten years of experience as an Executive Pastry Chef.

If you find yourself in the Shenandoah Valley, Melania’s Gourmet is a must-visit destination for picking up delectable treats. However, keep in mind that the café is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and the selection can dwindle later in the day, so it’s best to visit early.

Melania and her husband Ryland have created a real gem that shouldn’t be missed. It is busy on Saturdays, so I can’t imagine what it will be like during the peak leaf season in the fall when Front Royal is overrun with visitors. The combination of Melania’s world-class pastries and the cozy, inviting atmosphere of the restored brick home make Melania’s Gourmet a true delight for the senses.