Melbourne Cafe Reviews

Ludo Cafe
118 Queen St
Melbourne

I stumbled upon Ludo Cafe when visiting the shop next door. When you enter it has a sophisticated feel about it without being intimidating. Ludo is fabulous place for lunch or breakfast. They serve quality food and it is reasonably priced. It is also a pleasure to have table service in a cafe (makes a nice change). I love the menu especially the paninis and their daily soup and pasta specials are totally yummy. The coffee is great and it’s ground on the spot. I highly recommend this cafe-style restaurant and I noticed that they have been featured in the Herald Sun several times. They also sell wine by the glass. I highly recommend Ludo, it is my favourite Melbourne Cafe!

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.