Donna Hay Shortbread biscuits
Old fashioned wax straws
The amazing thing about girlfriends is their innate capacity to shop and consume sweets. I couldn’t live without them (girlfriends, shopping or sweets) and so when Teena, Gina and I finish our 6 course meal at Marque, we jump in the car looking for more things to eat and buy. Zumbo was a little too far out of Gina’s route home so we decided to pop in on the brand spanking new Donna Hay store in Woollahra.
Bird house decorations
Route 29 goodies
Set in a residential street, it’s not the place you’d necessarily expect to stumble upon a store. Beautifully merchandised, it’s filled with Donna Hay merchandise that is not available at David Jones as well as other boutiquey brands from all over the world, many of which I haven’t seen in other stores. Things are definitely on the adorable side although they aren’t without a price tag to match with a teddy bear retailing for $360 and little bird feeders for $200+ and twine for $30. It doesn’t stop me from wanting many things though.
Baby Eames Replica chair – me wanty!
Other items such as the Baby Eames replica chair are priced at $800 (is it wrong that I think that this is good value?). Of course no visit here is complete without a cupcake liner purchase and I’m happy to see that they’ve got two sizes of the French pleated liners that I’ve been carefully rationing.
Cupcake liner heaven
We’re interested in the sweet treats that you can buy. Unfortunately as it’s a residential area, there is nowhere to sit and eat your goodies. In fact, there is a petition for shoppers to sign so that the shop is allowed to sell takeaway coffees but for now, goodies are strictly a takeaway affair. Towards the back of the store is the macaron display and they also bake cupcakes and brownies using the Donna Hay recipe mixes sold in the store. Clever!
The baking area and macaron display
Cupcakes and truffles made on the premises using the Donna Hay mixes
Leaving the store with our goodies, we walk along Queen Street trying to find a place to sit down and sample these. We buy coffees and juices and create our own impromptu picnic.
Pistachio Macaron $3.95
Chocolate brownie
The brownies have a nice crispy top and a chewy texture. The macarons aren’t bad, although at $3.95 they’re quite a bit pricier than other places.
Shortbread dolls $3.95
The shortbread is adorable but quite sweet with the royal icing on top.
Peanut Butter Sticks
We were intrigued by the American brand Route 29′s Peanut Butter sticks (as Peanut Butter cup devotees we had to try some) and chocolate turtles. The peanut butter sticks are delicious, like a cross between a peanut butter cup and a Butterfinger bar.
Chocolate Turtles
The chocolate turtles are disappointing though as the entire thing tastes like a Picnic bar or something similar from a supermarket but at a boutique price.
Our impromptu picnic is finished off with a spotting of chef Luke Mangan by the eagle eyed Teena. Ah yes that’s why you have girlfriends. For chef spotting, shopping and sweetie consumption.
So tell me Dear Reader, what do you do with your friends when you go out? Shop? Eat? Drink? Or something else altogether?
Donna Hay General Store
40 Holdsworth Street, Woollahra, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9328-6555
Open: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
47 Comments | Add your own
So jealous! I wish I could visit a Donna Hay shop nearby. Looks like a lot of fun.
What a beautiful store! Lucky you to have something like that in your city…
This is right around the corner from where I live and work. I have yet to visit it but I might have to have some peanut butter sticks today!
Yep, that pretty much sums up what my girlfriends and i do – shop, eat, drink, eat some more
Everything looks so pretty & feminine! I want that chair too 
Wow. There sure is a variety of products in that store. I love the cupcake liners, too. Brisbane has such a limited range. I usually order mine online from various suppliers. What flavour macarons did they have? Apart from the pistachio one you showed? $4 is a bit rich. I think even Vue in Melbourne is cheaper than that!
I have one friend that we go to Ikea for lunch and shopping a couple times a year. (it’s hard to do with toddlers in tow)
I have recently become a single mother after leaving my husband, so my life has changed a bit, so I am looking around for some new friends… There is a Steiner based playgroup I am looking forward to next week. New friends!!! fun. (I think they are really into the health kick thing… i have no idea what to make and take?) :<
What a fab store – must visit when I am next in Sydney. I have a sudden cravig for a chocolate turtle.
$3.95 macarons? hmmmmmm….. BUT. i love donna hay recipes and her minimalist approach to food so hey, maybe $3.95 isn’t bad for a GOOD macaron.
You are fast! I plan to go there after school holiday but after reading your post I want to get there tomorrow! Thanks for another great post. Love it! Drooling on the Baby Eames Chair. Have to see it myself. I do the exact same thing with my girlfriends: shopping, drinking and eating.
Luke Mangan – 2nd time I heard of his name today. My hubby told me he gets to dine with him… but spouse not invited! I wanna cry!!!!!!!!!!
Oooh I love wax straws. For whatever random reason. Must drop by sometime…
What a classy, beautiful store! The sweets look really indulgent and delicious…I love the plethora of cupcake liners!
Oohhh!! Thank you for posting this review. So excited when I heard that Donna Hay was opening her store here. I will make the trek across town to visit soon. You have made me lemming the baby eames replica too.
I think it a good thing I live ‘down south’ and a fair distance from Donna Hay, or I’d get in big trouble from Red. $3.95 is a lot for a macaron, I’m interested how they compare to the Lindt ones? Are they bigger, nicer, more authentic?
With my girlfriends, we do all those things – we eat, we have each other over for dinner a lot, we shop, we exchange ‘goss’ and we do tend to giggle a heck of a lot. Keeps us young I think
oooo..pretty! Nice to know about the cupcake liners, pretty hard to find ones in the proper size (were they patty pan size or the larger ones? hard to tell in the pic).
And yes, when I go out with friends, food is always involved at some point!
oooohhh why not Melbourne…it looks so nice.
they so should make it into a cafe, will def sign the petition when i go there!
Looks like you and your pals had a perfect day! And how did you manage to take photos inside the store – the sales staff told me it wasn’t allowed. I loved the glassware and the stand-up placemats there – a bit pricey though.
wooowww. I want to buy liners.. and Peanut Butter Sticks..Is it $10.95 T_T so expensive..
I will go and have a look..donno they need staff or not…lol
i just recently bought a pack of those make at home cookies pack for a friends birthday from David Jones. hope she enjoys making and eating them.
ooh the peanut butter stick sounds great!
i am a fan of Donna Hay branding. just so lovely! but sadly the only things i own are some green cake sprinkles and a flour sifter.
That is my kind of store! So cute! Mmm the brownie looks good and don’t worry I agree, that chair is fantastic!
I want some of those straws! And look at all those cupcake liners! Sigh… They’re probably the only things in my price range anyway.
What a lovely post. Everything is so pretty! I’ve always wondered, do you have to ask for permission before you take photos in the store?
To answer your question, when I was living back home. I loved hanging out with my girlfriends. We’d do brunch, drinks,eat,drink wine. Yes definitely all food related.
Now however since I’ve moved to Sydney, I miss ‘girlfriend’ times.
Think its time to recruit some new ones!
oh my God, I LOVE Donna HAY! I had no idea she had a general store! All the things there…I’m like a kid in Candyland!
looks like a nice outing! I can spend hours in stores like these…
Awww…. That’s what girlfriends are for…..
Am glad you gals had a lovely time…
Hooray for this post! I’ve been wondering what this store was like, but couldn’t be bothered to make the trek.
I was wondering when you’d cover this! Can’t wait to check it out when I get back.
oh gosh. now you’ve got me craving for a bit of donna therapy. I visited the shop during my holiday stay in Sydney, albeit a little too late. argh. was staring blurry-eyed at the shop front. sad story… but the interior looks pretty awesome. Thanks for featuring.
Hi Lorraine, Not related to donna hay but not sure where else to post this – sorry! But was wondering you attended a cooking lesson at Adriano Zumbo in Balmain – the recipe you posted, Chocolate Caramel Lemon Tart – the pate sablee recipe doesn’t say how many eggs to use. Would you remember?
Many thanks!
I’ve been wondering what the Donna Hay store is like. Thanks for posting on it. It does look a bit pricey though… How was the macaron? and did you see how much the cupcake wrappers were?
$800 for a simple chair? perhaps i’ll keep it in mind if i ever find a wealthy man to marry.
meanwhile, i CAN afford a chocolate turtle or 12 and would enjoy them just as much.
The girls and I tend to eat, shop, eat, drink, eat, talk, eat… A vivid cycle, really.
I think that the store looks nice! I have been visiting her website & checked it out that way but I am glad that you vistited the shop! Nice review!
I pretty much just like to shop and eat. And go for walks. With or without friends. I sometimes drive to the closest city with a friend or two for bubble tea and a quick trip to the superior grocery stores there. Occasionally my friends and I cook or bake together if we aren’t up for going out.
I just came across the DH store the other day and wanted to do some online shopping. Thanks for the tour, and I would love to visit cupcake heaven. Glad you had a fun adventure with your friends.
I’ve been hanging out to go to the Donna Hay store, so it’s nice to hear about it. Looks like there’s lots of lovely things, although some are priced in the window shopping range. I like the look of the patty pans.
Tara you could use an anzac biscuit recipe, add some sultanas and make it into a slice – should look healthy enough for your new friends to tuck into!
Such a fun afternoon and one I will long remember when I’m back at work
Hi lisa-Maybe one day she’ll open up some more!
Hi yaelian-Yes it’s very nicely merchandised!
Hi Meg-Oh wonderful! There’s no excuse then not to pick up some PB sticks!
Hi Betty-Hehe it’s true isn’t it! Yes that chair is so cute!
Hi Julia-Yes there’s something for everyone it seems! I had a pistachio macaron. Yes it was a good macaron although as I’ve made them I just wanted to try it
Hi Tara-Ah yes I can imagine! Ikea is great for kids! Sounds great! Sorry to hear about it but I’m sure you’ll find some lovely friends
Yes Steiner parents seem to be a bit more alternative so something healthy is definitely in order (hubby went to one and I just asked him) 
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe yes who knows when she’ll open one in Brisbane!
Hi Trisha-Hehe it’s quality not quantity I guess?
Hi Ellie-Yes how cute is that chair? Although there is a sign “Please do not sit”. Yep sounds like a good girly time! Oh no, not fair!
Hi Chris-It’s been years since I had a wax straw-they’re such a blast from the past!
Hi Faith-It’s lovely isn’t it! Hehe yes you’ve got to love a store with a whole display of them
Hi romaverona -You’re welcome!
Hehe it’s even cuter in real life!!
Hi Megan-Hehe ahh so it’s less tempting!
Hmm well the Lindt ones are half the price but I’d say as good as so the Lindt one wins on price (and it’s slightly larger too from memory) 
Hehe it’s universal I think!
Hi shaz-Yes the cupcake liners are really nice here, especially the French pleated ones. They had two sizes and the smaller ones fit my pans. Yes food is always involved!
Hi jane-Yes perhaps one day!
Hi isLa-I know! We thought that it would be totally busy if it were a cafe!
Hi Belle-Funny you ask, I saw your pics so I thought it was ok and I talked to one SA who didn’t think there was a problem with taking pics. Then we went upstairs and I took some more and then I was told that photos weren’t allowed so I stopped then butby then all the pics were taken. Those stand up placemats are gorgeous. And I like the twine too!
Hi Ja-But I think you get quite a few in a pack? Does that convince you at all?
Hehe who knows!
Hi Simon-Perhaps she’ll invite you over to sample one?
Hi lindsey clare-They were really good and I’m told the peppermint bark is also good! Aww perhaps they do mail order?
Hi Steph-Hehe cool! I knew I’d find kindred spirits here!
Hi Gab*-I know, how nice are wax straws? I bought two lots of cupcake liners
Hi Einna-Thanks! I asked one girl downstairs. Yep food has to be involved in some way
Aww what a shame but I’m sure it won’t be long til you find some more!
Hi Sophia-Hehe cool! It’s her first one I think
Hehe yes I felt the same way!
Hi Alexandra-It was the perfect way to end off the way
Hi Nachiketa-Indeed!
We did thanks!
Hi Y-Oh cool! It’s open on Sundays too if that helps
Hi Christie-Hehe of course I had to!
Hi Sihan-hehe Donna therapy
Aww what a shame, the inside (as well as the outside) is nice! 
You’re welcome!
Hi Trissa-Sorry I have no idea but if you search for similar pate sable recipes I’m sure you could get a rough approximation as long as you compare quanties
Hi Anita-You’re welcome!
The macaron was good I have to say 
I bought some and I think they ranged from $10-$12?
Hi grace-Hehe but look how cute it is!
Hehe yes start off with the chocolate!
Hi Tina-Haha yes it’s a fun cycle though!
Hi Sophie-Yes it’s a really cute store
Thankyou!
Hi anna-Yep sounds like a great plan! Although I’m not great with walks (heels put paid to that). I like the idea of travelling for good food!
Hi Kim-Oh cool! You’re welcome
We did indeed!
Hi Arwen-It’s open on both Saturday and Sunday if that helps
hehe that’s true although the patty pans are very reasonably priced.
Hi bec-Ahh great idea! I love it
Hi Teena-Yes you need to get those in while you can!
And I was just saying how I needed her muffin liners which I bought once at Myer and have never seen since- I am sooo going there.
Oh, I so want to go there!! it looks like a trip to Sydney just to do that would be worthwhile!!
I am so happy that the store has been revamped. It used to belong to my great grandparents John and Hannah Holdsworth who lived at number 38 and ran a general store from number 40 for many years. I visited some years ago when it was a different store, but haven’t yet managed the trip to Sydney to see the improvements. Look forward to it.
I’m sure great grandma Hannah would be looking down and smiling !
the new SEASONS cookbook is FABULOUS!
I love Donna Hay and wish I live in Woollahra!
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] blog is concerned. One afternoon I was strolling through Woollahra and I decided to pop into the Donna Hay General Store. I enquired about Halloween decorations (as I tend to do) and the salesperson said that she’d [...]
[...] I was excited to see two of my favourite stores also share an interest in the Halloween theme. Donna Hay’s General store in Woollahra has a window devoted to Halloween where you can order cupcakes and buy boxes of pumpkin, witch and [...]
Post a Comment