Melbourne Cafe Reviews

Café Pharmacino
Woolcock St
Warracknabeal

Ph. (03) 53 981713
Open 9.00am-5.00pm Daily

Pharmachino was Warracknabeal’s first cafe. Named such because it is attached to the town’s Pharmacy. It is, however, quite a separate space. Scott St is the main street, Woolcock is a quieter side street. A large glass frontage forms the café’s Woolcock street wall. Plenty of natural light floods in. There’s about six tables inside, and a childrens’ play area inside and out. A good design, allowing parents enjoy a coffee as well.

Order and pay at the counter is the system used. On offer are cakes, scones (herb or plain), focaccias, sandwiches, cookies and biscuits. I ordered a long black and scones with jam and fresh cream. The service is quick, a wait of about three minutes. The long black comes with a decent crema and good flavour, you get a small wrapped mint choc on the side. The scones were excellent, fresh, right amount of jam and cream.

At 3.00 p.m. there’s a couple of 16 year olds chatting at a window seat, and behind me a man and his son. There’s no rush here, you feel can sit for a while and read the provided newspapers.

Café Chickpea
30A Pynsent Street
Horsham, Victoria
(03) 5382 3998

It’s 1.00 p.m. This cafe is very busy. Two rooms: a main one to the left as you walk in — about ten tables, and the main entry, a couple of tables here. We decide to sit in the quieter side, (main entry) and this too is where you order. Options are wide. Focaccia, falafel, sandwiches, rolls, pies and quiches. I see a nice looking quiche go out with a stack of golden chips on the side. I order a focaccia with chicken schnitzel, lettuce and lemon juice. And a long black for coffee.

There’s no music on and the cafe instead is full of chatter and working sounds, dishes, cups and saucers moving about. I find the lack of music a fresh change. The folk here seem to be those getting away from work for lunch and those who don’t have to work, but are here for lunch anyway. Tables are neat, wooden and study, as are the chairs. You order and pay at the counter, and are handed metal stalk with a table number perched on top. Service is quick and friendly.

The food is neatly presented and tasty. The focaccia is fresh, the schnitzel not to big, and it has a herby coating — quality is the key. The long black is hot and fairly strong. It hasn’t got the flavour and strength it could have, but it does fairly well.

Fenix
680 Victoria St
Richmond Vic 3121
Ph 9427 9257

I stumbled upon this place, although I believe it’s quite well known. You walk down steps off busy Victoria St and down next to the Yarra. Bell birds chirp away. The bike track runs along the river below. Sat outside at a table with an umbrella. Ordered a long machiatto. Took about 5 minutes and water was brought out. Macchiato was excellent, hot, good flavour. Comes with a small dry biscuit as well. It’s good to come to a place and be surprised by a top quality coffee. Will come back here again. Fairly busy when I was here — spare seats out and in, but it’s a large venue and most were taken. Fenix is a restaurant also. It’s location here, lower than the road and over-looking the river is really nice, a sort-of micro climate. Didn’t even know Bell Birds hung out this close to the city.