Photo Tony Knox
Mietta's Review
The frenzy surrounding this place when it first opened may have settled, but it is still constantly busy, and if your not quick you may be forced to take away your lunch because seats are at a Premium. The coffee is always good here, so too the filled pannini's and the breakfasts, and early Friday evenings pawing over the short list of predominantly Spanish wines, it's great for a drink after work.
Other published opinions
Age Cheap Eats 2009
Age Cheap Eats 2008
Age Cheap Eats 2007
Age Cheap Eats 2006
Age Cheap Eats 2005
Age Cheap Eats 2004
The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Chic European-style hang-out.Popular for its coffee,but also for the great paninis filled with Cajun chicken and avocado or chickpea and eggplant.'
Age Cheap Eats 2004
Age, Sunday Life, 8/2/04, John Lethlean
Herald Sun, Citystyle, 23/9/03, Donna Coutts, Score 15/20,' the epitome of Melbourne's inner-city cafe culture. It's always packed, slightly grungy, takes coffee seriously and does - a decent-thought not cheap-lunch dish. Service is casual but fantastic.'
Or perhaps ...
The Basement Cafe (03) 9329 4554, 350 Latrobe St, Melbourne
Birdcage Cafe (03) 9329 7525, Hotel Discovery, 167 Franklin St, Melbourne
Cafe Au Soleil (03) 9650 0462, shop 45, royal arcade, 148 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Cafe e Biscotti (03) 9650 7705, 41-43 Block Pl, Melbourne - Once a little hole in the wall, Caffe e Biscotti has expanded to include two rooms with tables and chairs out in Block Place.
Cafe Y (03) 9329 5188, 489 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Coffea (03) 9326 7388, 521 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - Visit any time during market hours and this place is packed to the rafters with coffee-a-holics in this coffee roaster.
The Commune (03) 9654 5477, 27-29 Parliament Pl, Melbourne
Dancing Goat 9670 4002, Dancing Goat, Shop 4, 280 King St, Melbourne
Degraves Espresso Bar (03) 9654 1245, 23 Degraves St, Melbourne - This mostly outside cafe that takes over a lane is long time favourite of city work workers and residents. Always busy for coffee, lunch and snacks.
Deli Manjoo (03) 9671 4544, QV, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Earl Canteen (03) 9600 1995, 500 Bourke St, Melbourne
e:fiftyfive (03) 9620 3899, 55 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - Backpackers and travellers of all ages find this Internet cafe a comfortable way to contact the world they have left.
Elizabeth Street Espresso Bar (03) 9663 4422, 28 Elizabeth St, Melbourne - This one-time cigarette kiosk has become Melbourne's tiniest cafe. Good coffee and bread based snacks.
Guggenheim (03) 9662 1655, 55 Flinders la, Melbourne - For those of us who understand that a bagel is more than a bun with a hole in it, Guggenheim adds significantly to the amenities of the inner-city.
Postal Hall (03) 9663 0998, 116 Russell St, Melbourne - At the ground level of the Hero Apartment Buildings, Postal Hall brings to inner city workers and residents, reliable, good quality coffee, food and friendly service
Queen Vic Gallery Cafe (03) 9663 8799, QV, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Sam And Sons 0414 911 625, Shop 45, Royal Arcade, Melbourne
SMXL (03) 9629 6344, Shop 5, 15 Customs House La, Melbourne
Time Out (03) 9671 3855, St Paul's Court, 2 Swanston St cnr Flinders St, Melbourne
Toasted On Collins Place (03) 9654 4445, Shop 51 Collins Pl, 45 Collins St, Melbourne
Travellers Cafe (03) 9654 7690, 2nd Floor, 169 Swanston St, Melbourne
Word Lounge Bar (03) 9606 0611, 14 Goldie Pl, Melbourne