Danny & Monica - Cafe Dulce

Words by Jamie Jansen

Located in the lively centre of Port Douglas, Café Dulce serves up a unique fusion of South American flavours alongside beloved Australian classics. This culinary fusion is a fitting reflection of its founders, Danny and Monica, who proudly embody a rich heritage that weaves together both South American and Australian influences.

Danny, hailing from Argentina, carries with him a colourful history. His parents first set foot in Australia in 1973, driven by dreams of a better future. However, when Danny was just three months old, they returned to Argentina, where he spent his childhood. At the age of 13, the family re-emigrated to Australia, ultimately settling in Sydney. Monica shares a similar background, her parents also emigrating from Argentina to Australia in the seventies, and she was born and raised in Sydney.

Fate brought Monica and Danny together in 2004 at a gay nightclub during Danny’s brother's 30th birthday. Introduced by a mutual friend, they felt an immediate connection. Danny was captivated by Monica's adventurous spirit, particularly impressed by her driving skills on their first date. While Monica was initially drawn to Danny's good looks, their shared South American heritage deepened their bond. Just a month after their first date, Danny proposed.

As the years went by, the couple grew weary of the hectic pace in Sydney and longed for a more relaxed lifestyle. Monica reassured Danny that she would be open to moving anywhere in Australia if it promised a better quality of life. Their journey took a significant turn in 2018 when they visited Port Douglas on holiday. They returned the following year, eager to explore the possibility of starting a new chapter in their lives, including the exciting prospect of opening a business together.

With more than 10 years of experience in the coffee industry, having run mobile coffee vans since 2014, Danny felt a natural pull towards this field. To their excitement, they stumbled upon a vacant shop that had previously been a café. Fuelled by enthusiasm, they decided to take a leap of faith and seize the opportunity.

However, their plans encountered an unexpected setback when Covid-19 hit. In February 2021, Danny moved to Port Douglas to set up the café, while Monica and the children stayed in Sydney, kept in limbo by strict border closures.

By Easter that year, Monica and the girls were able to fly up for a week to proudly celebrate the grand opening of Café Dulce, a significant milestone that marked the fulfilment of their dream. After the celebration, they flew back to Sydney to finish packing up the house.

As Danny managed the challenges of setting up the business on his own, the stress grew for the family. They had arranged a removalist, booked flights, and made travel plans for their dogs, only to face further delays. When Monica and the girls finally flew to Cairns, they were met with government restrictions that required another two-week quarantine.

Despite these challenges, the couple persevered and finally reunited in July to begin their new life together. Over the course of three years, Cafė Dulce has cultivated not just a customer base but a community, with locals and returning holidaymakers forming the core of its support. A warm atmosphere characterised by familiar faces allowed the café to thrive.

While Danny and Monica’s vision for the café originally centred on bringing South American flavours to Port Douglas with authentic dishes, they slowly adapted to their customer's preferences. With a focus on “homemade classics” the menu highlights simple, nostalgic dishes made with care. Standouts are the beloved Aussie bacon and egg roll and the South American traditional omelette, featuring chorizo, tomatoes, and a hint of chimichurri.

As a duo, Danny and Monica manage their business effectively. Danny oversees the café while Monica works full-time as an office manager at a local engineering company also lending a hand at the café on weekends. Monica handles the bookkeeping, allowing Danny to focus on the day-to-day operations.

Though they often describe themselves as opposites, like cats and dogs, they complement each other beautifully. Danny can be hot-headed, while Monica remains calm and level-headed. He excels in business with a savvy entrepreneurial spirit that she doesn't always share. This balance works well for them, as Monica often helps soothe Danny when he gets agitated.

As busy parents, Danny and Monica navigate the demands of family life and their responsibilities. Their two daughters, Selena, 17, and Elena, 11, pitch in at the café on weekends, adding to the family dynamic. Balancing work and home keep the couple on their toes, and they make a concerted effort to carve out quality time together.

The couple has found solace in the friendly atmosphere that envelops Port Douglas. In their experience, walking down the street often results in dozens of cheerful greetings, a stark contrast to the lack of interaction in Sydney. They recall how, during the recent Cyclone Jasper disaster, they were unprepared for power outages.Fortunately, their next-door neighbour stepped up and connected them to his generator, keeping their fridges running and phones charged. The duo emphasises that this spirit of friendship and support thrives in Port Douglas, where genuinely caring neighbours truly make a difference.

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