Melbourne Cafe Reviews

El Mirage
349 Lygon St
Brunswick East
Phone (03) 9388 0966

Modern, slick design. Even a bit daring, I think — when you walk in, or in viewing the cafe from the street, the sparse look, and often being quite busy, can be off-putting. A better explanation might be possible through comparison. This cafe, in layout, is converse to one where you might peer through a window to check it out, walk in unobtrusively and have a look.

Back to design. The photo does not reveal much of this. The caf is deep. There’s a decent expanse wooden decking at the front, two bike hoops meeting the footpath (like this bike emphasis). At the top of the decking is `bar’-type seating and a large slide-up perspex window showing through to inside. It can be a bit funny when the window is drawn down and people sit facing you on the same seating arrangement from the other side.

Inside, the coffee machine, register and whole setup runs down the right-hand wall. On the left-hand wall, bar seating, khaki type green, running the entire length. Small wooden square tables and chairs fill most of the floor space, with table spacing good — not crammed (although an initial look from the door could give the perception of tables tightly packed in).

Coffee is excellent, my only criticism would be that sometimes it’s not hot enough.

I like the menu boards — a simple light wooden board with a single sheet of paper, computer printed in a very plain font with a low-detail printer. (A funny thing to comment on, perhaps; but this place has a noticeable style to it).

The menu itself offers a good selection of food. Egg breakies, muesli, BLTs 1 to 4, fritatta, pancakes and more. There’s a selection of small pastries and slices on display. I’ve found the food to be quality, a favourite being the pancakes which is simply and elegantly presented with a dollop of rhubarb and cream at its centre.

The atmosphere is interesting. Wait staff are great, very friendly, efficient. In it’s open design, the cafe loses that intimacy and cosiness we like. What it gains however, is a cool look, and in this, it’s simply interesting to be at. A place that you’ll remember and might like to be hanging out at again, in the not-to-distant future.

Kerekere
John Medley Building
The University of Melbourne
Parkville

Riding through the grounds of Melbourne Uni today, I came across this neat little coffee stop. Two wide brown umbrellas up, students laughing and ordering coffee. I had to get off my bike then and have a closer look.
 
Cafe latte in a cardboard take-away cup = $3.00. I’m given a large playing card: 4 of Diamonds in this case. You wait until your card is announced, then, you pick up your coffee and place your card in one of three holders: Environment, Charity, Owner. This will designate where 100% of the profit made on your coffee goes.

The coffee quality itself? It could’ve been hotter, but the blend was smooth and the latte well made.

I like the sense of fun in the idea, and that people were enjoying themselves as well as helping an important cause of their choosing. The location, in the grounds of Melbourne Uni, was well chosen — a sort of enclosed area, by the trees, shrubs and paving.

The Maling Room
Crn Maling & Canterbury Rd
Canterbury

Lovely old building, great natural light… but the praise might end here. Spacing of tables was not thoughtful; for instance, to look at the cakes etc. on display one has to squeeze behind chairs and tables. Service was not entirely clear. We had to order at the counter, but I saw some folk being served at their tables(?). The coffee was quite good, but not up to our expectations*: the long black lacked density and depth – although our cappuccino tester was happy with her coffee. There was no music, which was a plus.

The atmosphere was not one which we at cafesmelbourne.com enjoy. I like a cafe which is not too busy, but has a buzz, perhaps even a sense of excitement. However at the Maling Room the atmosphere was somehow indifferent. We felt as though it didn’t really matter whether we were present or not. Wait staff seemed to drift or float around without providing even an occasional attentive eye.

* A placard stuck onto the front counter advertises the The Maling Room is ranked very highly by Crema.

Bomb Cafe
229 Johnston St
Abbotsford
Ph (03) 9486 0699

I stumbled across this place by accident. Having a spare 10 minutes, I drop in for a coffee.

Walking in the red front door, the first thing I notice is the fresh baguettes being prepared and an assortment of pastries behind glass.

Just three tables in this cosy front room; one a half-height coffee table for the L-shaped bench which I sit at.

“Are you aware there’s two types of coffee?” I’m asked, having just ordered a coffee and sat down. “No,” I reply, “What are they?” The answer is “Strong Italian style Genovese or a smooth organic one.” I choose the organic. I receive a loverly smooth and well made latte. Later I ask what type of organic coffee it was. “Gravity — an organic type,” I’m told, “It’s not available in supermarkets or anything.”

In the front room here it’s quiet compared to outside. A guitar and vocal track plays. A local comes in and talks about a protest she attended. I hear the staff talk about a smear campaign against The Greens, and The Greens preferences. I think The Greens would get support here.

Five bar stools in the front window. A reader sits at one, with coffee. On the menu: Baguettes, five choices, Bruschetta, four choices, Risotto, three choices. Nothing costs more than $10. Friendly staff, smiles.

This place is really quite discreet. I didn’t even notice there was a section out the back until two people appeared from a doorway to pay their bill.

Cafe 3A
3A Edward St
Brunswick 3056
03-9380 4996

Public Transport: By train, get off at Jewell Station on the Upfield line. By tram, No. 19 get off at stop 25. A short walk from either.

At most this cosy place would accommodate about thirteen inside. Five square, solid wooden tables with two seats at each. Stool seating in the front window. Artistic photos spaced along the white walls. A blackboard with small neat handwriting in white chalk lays out the menu.

Meals are exquisite. I invariably order “Eggs Olivada”: Two poached free range eggs atop two slabs of quality sour dough, sprinkled with feta, an olive paste and capers. Small fresh cakes available, today among others are orange poppy seed cakes with thick icing.

The long black, when first placed on the table, had a crema of about 25mm. Organic, fair trade coffee is used — Ethiopia Gold. FaemaStar coffee machine. Music at a good volume, cool jazz. A couple sit next to our table, about four people at the tables along the wall, and a young woman reads at a stool in the front window. People come in for a take away coffee. Wicker stools out on the front pavement (but too cold today!)

Considering just how flavoursome and high quality the meals are, they’re very cheap. $7.50 for my Eggs Olivada. Almost no cafe will give you an egg inclusive breakfast for this amount. The waiter is efficient and has a sense of humour.

Journal
253 Flinders Lane
Melbourne
9650 4399

Any number of transport options, since the location is Melbourne city. Journal is in Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Swanston Sts.

Journal is the slickest cafe I’ve been too. Like a lot of places in city laneways, you can walk right past without noticing. If you were walking into the Melbourne City Library however, you’d see a row of cosy bar stools on your right below a cut out rectangular section, revealing the cafe. Inside there are two long dark wooden tables with good lighting and shelves above containing books and other reading material. It’s not messy though, but sharp and neat. There’s two large windows and a sliding door leading to Flinders Lane. About six smaller tables are placed around for people to sit at. Bar stools run along the inside of the cut section so people can sit inside or on the other side – I like this, it adds an extra sense of dimension.

The crowd is a mix of those coming in from the library to read a book or peruse study notes, to professionals who work in the area. I’ve been here when two architects and another guy (maybe the person with the money) were having a quiet argument. At one point I heard ‘the other guy’ say, “No — wait until I’ve finished speaking please.” Today there is a man in a black suit and a woman with photos at the end of a long table. She is showing him the photos one by one and he is commenting on them, “Hmmm… No, I really like how you’ve got the background in this one.” At one of the smaller tables, a girl waits and is eventually met by a young guy.

Service is smooth and friendly. A long black has a good crema, flavour, and is hot. This is not the place you’d expect a poor coffee. Two people across from me have ordered a glass of red each. Food is available, although I’ve only ever tried their pastries, which are good quality. In terms of atmosphere for reading, thinking or having a chat with someone, Journal rates highly. I stayed here for about two hours, in the end ordering a glass of red too. I could’ve stayed longer.

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.

Las Chicas
203 Carlisle St
Balaclava 3183 VIC
Phone: (03) 9531 3699

Public Transport: Two easy options. Catch a Sandringham Line train and get off at Balaclava Station or catch a No.3 East Malvern Tram.

Great location in Balaclava. If you’re on a city bound train when you get off at Balaclava station you’ll walk down the ramp and smell the coffee and toast. A large open window reveals the cafe as you walk onto Carlisle St. This part of the Melbourne is home to the famous Wall Two cafe, which we haven’t yet reviewed.

At 10.40 am the cafe is very busy and has a cheery vibe. I nick in at a small table at the back of the front room. Next to me a larged shared table, and beyond that the large window in onto the train station ramp, light flooding in.

In two minutes I’m aked if I’d like a menu and a large Absolute Vodka bottle filled with water is brought out. The menu is large. All types of bread offered, pancakes, bagles, all the drinks, smoothies, fresh juices, teas. The breakfast options are divided into Vegetarian and Non-Vegetrarian. I order a long black and a scrambled eggs, spinage, bruchetta option.

The long black comes in a small thick white cup. I like these, they seem to hold the heat. The crema is about 10mm thick, one of the best yet. A slip shows the coffee quite good, but not a full bodied rich taste, as the crema had me thinking. The meal comes on a large white plate, a pide type base, spinage, scrambled eggs and a pesto type top with a healthy sprinkling of pinenuts. Quite nice.

The wraitress serving me definately looks an in-the-scene type. Thirties, short hair, friendly, quick. After ten minutes a guy with a mobile phone and newspaper sat down at a table. “How’d you find the party last night?” I heard him ask her.

Balacava is slightly different again to Brunswick and Fitzroy. I found it cheerier than Fitzroy and more dressy than Brunswick. When I paid the guy said, “Thank-you, and now enjoy the sunshine!” The total came to a very reasonable $11.