Melbourne Cafe Reviews

Atomica Cafe
268 Brunswick St
Fitzroy 3065
(03) 9417 4255

Catch the No. 112 tram. Ask to get off at Johnson St. You’ll be near-by here.

At last. Brunswick St Fitzroy. Here we are at one of Melbourne’s best known cafe precincts. You’ve got a lot of options here, but I’ve opted for a place recommended to me for their coffee. The first thing I notice is music being a tad too loud, booming around and off the tiles. But, you’ve got to consider where you are – I thought about this for a minute – Brunswick street is a bit like Sydney, hyper and happening. Music a bit on the pumping side is part of the atmosphere here. One of the blokes behind the counter would have a dance every now and then.

We lodged ourselves at the very back, with a view through the café. I ordered a lemon tart and a long black. Water was a bit annoying because it was help yourself and no bottles were there, so you could only get a glass at a time.

There’s a different feel here than at cafes in Brunswick. Service is brusque, but not unfriendly. The staff are a bit flighty.

The lemon tart had a thin white-choc coating on top and was fresh. The long black had a fair crema, was hot, and good – but not full-strength. I was actually expecting a stronger coffee.

We ended up staying here for about two hours. It wasn’t packed, which is a great plus for this area. I liked the useful factor to Atomica. It isn’t just a trendy place – they make coffee. They sell it too. Six grinders filled with beans stand on the wall behind the counter. Prices for buying coffee by the kilo are listed on the wall. I saw a small amount of ground coffee on the floor. It’s this side of a place that allows you to linger a while, it’s not a sterile environment, it’s got a buzz.

A Minor Place
103 Albion St
Brunswick
Ph 9384 3131

Public transport: Best would be an East Corburg (No 1) or Moreland (No 8) Tram. Ask to get off at Albion St. This is coming from the city (catch these on Swanston St. They go past Melbourne Uni.)

This place has a cool design. I wonder if there’s an architect specialising in cafes – it wouldn’t surprise me. A large shared table at the front, sturdy and with comfortable solid box seats. Along the left wall are small tables and a long, horizontal strip window. There’s another room to the right, through a cut-out made in the wall which has a ledge built into it. In here more seating; on the wall a section of neat green and white pattern wallpaper, wood panelling with the putty and work still showing. Outside there’s more seating, a veranda providing shade.

In its location, the cafe is fairly unique. Even though Lygon St is two stones throws away, this is a suburban street. Around it are houses. We might start to see more of this.

There’s a fair mob here, but it was easy, at 10.50 AM to grab a spot at the shared table. On the menu are various eggy options. Not the usual. Combo’s including avocado, bagels, relish, ham, spinach. I noticed the French toast had rhubarb included.

I ordered a long black and a bagel. I can’t remember the bagel’s name, but it had a poached egg, relish, ham and rocket. I don’t normally like relish, but theirs was very nice. The bagel wasn’t an annoying bagel – (they can be annoying – not very fulfilling). This bagel had substance, like a sour-dough. The long black came with a smooth dark gold crema. A slip revealed the coffee as hot and strong, but without a lingering taste. It was lacking in body. Other coffees I saw coming out looked good – the lattes had a creamy head with a lovely swirl.

Music was grooving and not loud. A girl next me was on the mobile and the guy with her a bit over it; he was answering for the person she was speaking to, and repeating her questions. A guy sat on one of the tables near the horizontal window with a laptop. I noticed he was online. Maybe the cafe has a wireless network.

Did the cafe have the vibe for hanging around, chilling out and reading papers? Getting there. The design is 100 per cent, there’s plenty going on around you, but it doesn’t quite have that yet.*

Service is friendly and efficient. The staff seem happy to be here.

Coffees marked as $2.80, but they charged $2.50. Bagel $7.60.

* Update: 3 June 06

Coming here today, I took a seat in the second room. Only about six in here — a group of three, a couple and a girl tapping away on a laptop. It’s four in the arvo, a nice light enters the room. Having already had some coffees today (too many!) I order an earl grey tea. The vibe is about right, and I happily read for an hour.

Update: 17 June 07

This place is well settled in now. It seems more accomplished, confident and the coffees are just superb. On the downside, Minor Place has been so busy I was totally ignored for 20 minutes one Sat morn! Also, the music tends to get too loud — something that deteriorates off MP’s otherwise cool vibe.

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.

Green Refectory
115 Sydney Rd
Brunswick
93871150

Public transport: Catch the No. 19 tram!

Cakes so fresh they slump.

I had to start with that line. Even though this time I didn’t have a cake. But from my position, at the large shared table, I had a direct view. The slump I refer is to that of the Vanilla Slices topped with passion-fruit icing. The custard looked so fresh there was no hope of these slices holding a starch straight position. And yes, next time I’ll have one and tell you about it, but I think there’s a chance, if you’re a cake enjoyer, you’ll beat me to it. As well there were two large cakes, one a four-story black forrest — the price for a slice? Just $4.50.

The refectory has a moderate sized front room where you order. There’s a lot on offer. And fresh seems to be the word. A couple of meters of blackboard with cursive hand-writing in different colours lays out your options. That and the counter area laiden with food. The front room is well broken up with seating options and filled with natural light. A big table, shared. A couple of small for-two tables, and a couple of window seats. Then there’s the next room in, lots of two, three, and four-people tables. Here it takes on a very house type look – as if somebody’s converted their terrace house into a cafe (maybe somebody did). Then another room, past the stairs. Again, a room of a house, tables all about. And you can even walk out a side door to find tables along the side path against the tin fence. And happy cafes goers in all these places.

I order a long black and scrambled eggs. Previously, a friend who really likes a good long black had to order one with a double-shot to get the strength they require, and this cost more. However today I didn’t order mine this way, (just ordered a long black) and it came as a 1/2 to 3/4 cup full, good crema and flavour. I think their coffee’s been given a lift. Good stuff. The scrambles eggs were light and fluffy and a couple of slabs of white bread. No complaints here.

At about 11.45 Refectory was full. I’d squeezed onto the large table, having to ask someone who was sitting at an end to get up and let me in. 20 minutes later there were gaps here and there and it was generally more relaxing. Refectory has been accepted by the locals as a fine place to come. Music: Tracy Chapman. Crowd, 20s, 30s, 50s, I’d say majority late twenties to thirties. Conversation? Next to me a woman was reading out a stern text message received from her daughter to her companion cafe goer. They were laughing.

The Hot Poppy Cafe Bar
9 Errol St
North Melbourne

Public Transport: Easiest is to catch the No 57 Tram, get off stop No 15 (if travelling away from city) or No 14 (to city).

This was the busiest cafe in the Errol St strip. Outside seating a big thing in this warmer weather. All day breaky menu offering all the egg type meals you could wish for and various other options like strawberry pancakes.

Happy cafe goers. Noticed a few groups of six or more people all sitting together. Other tables mostly taken by twos. Inside there’s an interesting mixed layout, a couch in the front and table seating. Outside guy on a laptop checking his email wirelessly. Friendly staff. Water readily available, although did need to ask.

We joined the outside gang. Ordered some wedges and also bread and dips. The bread with the dips had been warmed and were loverly and fresh. Can’t go wrong with wedges.

Ordered a macchiato, which was well made and rich in flavour, although it could’ve been a tad hotter.

Later on we shared strawberry pancakes. Two plump pancakes stacked, plenty of ice-cream, fresh proper unbloated strawberries and maple syrup. Very good.

Corner Bakery Cafe
O’Hare International Airport
Chicago
Illinois
USA

This is a little wayside joint on the vast terrazo concourse of O’Have. It’s got a good vide – nice display of cakes, Danish, croissants, bikkies. Attractive signage in grey and black and white. They also sell salads and sandwiches (which are being freshly toasted all the time).

I had a double shot espresso in a poly cup. Excellent qual (for US). Also Danish – raspberry; fresh, light and fluffy.

Takeaway, but cost brilliant: $8.60 for coffee and tea and two Danish.

Turtle Cafe
34 Glenhuntly Rd (on the corner of Ormond and Glenhuntly Rds)
Elwood VIC 3184
(03) 9525 6952

Public Transport:

Tram No 67, Stop 42 – from here walk down Glenhuntly Rd to Turtle or catch the Bus down;
(or, get off at stop 39 and walk through the leafy streets to Turtle)
Train Sandringham Line, get off Elsternwick Station, catch the bus down.
Bus No 246 goes down Glenhuntly Rd.

If Ray Cafe is my benchmark for coffee, then Turtle is my benchmark for atmosphere – and the coffee’s good too. It’s more your classic kind of cafe, unlike the new and cool hole-in-wall ones. Turtle occupies a loverly rounded corner in Elwood. There’s plenty of seating outside, although some shade has gone since the council lobbed a large gum. Inside there’s turtle-back looking tables, in what I’d call the main area, and bar stools with copper topped benches all around the windows. The glass frontage curves right around the corner so you can choose to sit in your preferred position: more sun, less sun, a view to other cafes across the road. And around to the right of the counter/service area, the a second area which you can hang in with a similar layout to the main area, but a bit smaller.

There’s plenty on offer food wise. Soups are good, there’s good veggie options and a great breakfast menu offering one of my favourites, Turtle Eggs (just the name, not actually the creature’s eggs). I’ve never had mushrooms as tasty as these, and the bread they give you is a really nice sour dough (bread quality is a bit of a test I reckon.) Head up to the counter for a look at their cakes. There’s normally two or three on offer, and I’ve never been let down. Cakes come with cream or ice-cream… or both.

I like the tall ceiling and the way spaces are broken up. I find it has a relaxed, spacious feel. You can kick back here for two hours and read. The beach is only 500 meters or so down the road, and this could add to that feeling too.

Coffee is generally very good. A long black comes with a solid crema, good heat and strength. Only occassionally I’ve a had a one a bit lacking on crema and strength.

The people here vary in type. Plenty of 30s people who’d live in the area. Often 40s, 50s, 60s. Mainly couples and the odd group or family. Some come on their own, read books, study notes or write.

Ray Cafe
332 Victoria St, Brunswick
(03) 9380-8593

Public Transport: Tram: No 19, Stop No. 28. Train: Upfield line, get off Brunswick Station. Bus: 508 goes down Victoria St.

Cafe Ray is a very cool cafe. Just about everything seems right. Architecturally the space is good size. I like the way the bricks have been worked — kind of roughly sanded or something; paint remains here and there. The lighting is good: as well as electric lights, there’s these two very mechanical looking sky lights at the rear providing natural light. A great big slide up window is in the front wall, and a large table behind it. There’s no better place to sit and collect the morning sun. In the middle of the table is a pot plant. I remember being back in the country some time ago (two, three years?) and the Age had reviewed this cafe in the Epicure section. They had a photo of this big table, with the pot plant in the middle. Sometimes I feel a bit out of it in the country, a bit isolated. When I returned to Melbourne I went to this cafe and sat at the same table: I felt as though I’d entered a set, previously only able to view remotely on TV.

Speaking of TV, one of the things that intrigued me a good deal when I first came here was this little screen they have mounted on the wall. Somewhere — and I had to figure out where – a camera was mounted and providing the image.

They have a menu based around the Turkish bread — pide. But there’s also muesli, toast and other stuff. I really like the pides though. I love the Tomato Bocconcini one — it’s those two ingredients and a pesto with a lovely parmesan taste too — and fresh basil. There’s also cakes: fresh lemon tarts, Ray Cakes — a chocolate cup cake with Ray in pink icing on top and a variety of slices.

So far I’ve never had a coffee in the whole of Melbourne, better than at Ray. Ray is my coffee benchmark. But I have had equally as good — so I’m not stating there’s no comparison. Nor do I expect every place to do their coffee this way.

Ordering a long black (my favourite test for flavour and punch) gets you a double shot coffee, only about half full in the cup with a thick crema. Just great. The cafe lattes they do often come out with the head still forming – you can it watch slowly become whiter at the top 10-15 mm. Needless to say it has a lovely smooth texture, and blends in with the rest of the drink (ever had a latte or cappuccino where after the froth is gone it’s just a flat, unexciting drink? Not at Ray.) There’s only one fault I’d pick: I have before had a coffee which hasn’t been hot enough, but it doesn’t happen often.

At Ray there’s plenty of reading material — multiple copies of the Age and Herald Sun. I always like this, because it invites you to hang around and read. Water is readily available from the counter, they keep full bottles and glasses there — help yourself.

An iconic Ray sign is the wooden stools out on the footpath. Almost any time of day you can go past and see people sitting at these.

People who come to Ray are generally the late 20 and 30s, but you can get a very mixed crowd from young to elderly, a good sign. Most of the people look interesting types. I’ve heard people talking about film, reading and writing. Often I’ve seen a person scribbling away in a notebook.

Ray is very popular and most of the time there’s a quite a few people here. On your own you’ll normally find a seat, but with two or more there are peak times when you won’t: like Sunday and Saturday mid morning through to the arvo. Pick you time carefully and you can spend an hour here in relative quiet.

REVIEW UPDATES (1)

Sept 28, 2007

It’s about time to provide a brief update since this initial review (ages ago!).
Essentially, Ray remains a great Cafe. This is due to a consistent adherence to the original elements which made this cafe great: great coffee, great food including simple winners like the tomato bocconcini pide, grooving music at right volume, good crowd.

However, it must be said, that even Ray has its minor slips which don’t fail to cause annoyance. Two chief annoyances with Ray are forgotten/very very late coffee orders and, surprisingly, unkempt/unclean table tops. This second point in particular might seem petty. Maybe it is, but why it’s significant is because it reveals a “slackness” in service in general, which most of the time is very good, but at times stretched, perhaps by the still-thriving popularity of the cafe. And it is annoying to sit at a table and notice a stickiness about it.

In sum, Ray remains tops, but it’s not a cafe you always want to be at. As suggested in the original review, there are times when Ray is too busy and best avoided.