Melbourne Cafe Reviews

Cicalata
323 Lygon Street
Carlton VIC 3053
03 9641 8899

Public Transport: Catch any tram with “Melbourne Uni” on its Front (from City or South of) and get off at Melbourne Uni, the last stop. Walk East and you’ll come across Lygon St. If you’re in the North, easiest to explain is: go into the city and catch a Melb Uni tram back up, from Swanston St. Otherwise, lucky ones can catch a handy Toorak No. 8 which comes from the North, from Coburg, and it’ll take you within a stones throw: get off corner Elgin and Lygon Sts.

I’ve been to this cafe three times now, each time I like it more. The first time it was by chance. I noticed Cicalata had taken the place of an average cafe.

It’s a smart cafe, new tables seats and a pull-out awning. Just inside the front window there’s four white bar stools. Most noticeable to me first up were the friendly waiter staff. Then the fair pricing. And considering this is in a great location, near Readings, the Nova, and the rest that Carlton has to offer, this cafe is a good find.

Today I couldn’t sit outside, but there’s seats available inside. Which reminds me of another plus: each time I’ve come to this cafe there was no problem getting a seat. The first two times I sat outside. This morning I take a bar stool. The door is open and a gentle breeze comes in. I’m served promptly, offered a menu and asked what I’d like to drink. Long black straight up, and later I order pancakes.

Outside two old guys sit at a table. One smokes a pipe and the other has a crisp glass of white in front of him. At least two people have books. Bottles of water are at tables.

When the long black comes it has a dark-golden crema. It’s hot and the flavour is a smooth blend not a strong one. Pancakes are not my normal order at a cafe. The pancakes I got today will be a cafe meal I remember. Two pancakes, one on top of the other, blackberries, maple syrup and a dollop of vanilla ice-creme. Not being a great food connoisseur, I won’t try to describe the flavours etc., but it was elegantly presented the whole lot sat together well and it wasn’t over the top. It tasted great.

Total price came to $11.30

A1 Food Store
643 Sydney Rd 
Brunswick 3056
(03) 9386 0440

Public Transport: Catch the No. 19 Tram. It comes up Elizabeth St in the city or down Sydney Rd from Coburg North. Get off at Albion St. The train is a option too: Upfield Line, get off at Anstey Station, walk East to Sydney Rd.

I won’t rate A1 because it’s already known by many, and they know it’s good!

The food is the cheapest you’ll find anyway. I get the spinach and cheese triangles, $2.50 each. Fresh as. There’s also herb pizzas (1 buck!!!) and sausage pizzas, vegetarian pizzas… and more. Coffees are just $2, they make a strong coffee. Eating in makes no difference to the price.

A1 is not just a cafe, as the name says, it’s a food store too. It’s this factor, like Brunswick in general, that makes the place a joy to sit back in: it’s a functional, busy place. Stacks of cans, be it beans or tomatoes, are piled up to be sold cheaply. There’s breads, bottles, tins everywhere and shelves laden with food.

Update: 7 December 2008

A1′s prices have shot up. The classic Spinage & Cheese Triangle went from $2.50 to $3.50. I suppose it always had to go up, being such good value. Yet I found myself slightly disappointed by the sharp rise (if you think about it as a percentage). There’s one other annoyance: the tables and seats were replaced about six-months ago and the new ones are dreadful! Great heavy things that screech across the floor, and the table legs are great wacking steel girders that allow no room for your legs … yep, sorry folks, A1 is A2; but it’s still pretty good!

Mart130
Middle Park Light Rail Stop
107a Canterbury Rd
Middle Park 3206

Public Transport: Catch the No. 96 St Kilda Tram and get off at Middle Park.

A really nice little cafe on route. I was heading to St Kilda on the No. 96 to see a friend when I noticed this cafe. A location like this — built into an old train station, and now a caf’d up tram stop — is an eye catcher and I immediately needed to hang out here. Jumping off, I headed into a quiet, calm atmosphere.

The staff are lively, but there’s an air of relaxation. Nobody out the front at this stage. Walking through the single main room (about two tables taken here) I went out onto the rear balcony area. Umbrellas are up, some guys playing tennis in a court beyond and city buildings showing in the distance. There’s quite a few here on the balc, it’s a good spot to be. A girl on her own, about three couples and a young family.

Meals are cheap. I ordered the mushroom soup and a long black. The long black comes out within 4 minutes and is quite full with a good but not powerfully strong flavour. The soup comes out a bit later, it could’ve been a bit hotter, but there’s plenty of mushrooms and it’s rich in flavour. Comes with a slab of white bread.