Babka Bakery Cafe

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 137

Favourite breakfast is always Babka, because in an age of try-hard hipness, it has the kind of relaxed atmosphere of people who know what they're doing and don't need to contrive any style. The food is always careful - by which I mean they make you feel as if every dish has pride put into it, regardless of the fact that it's an inexpensive and casual haunt. Everything is good, but especially beautifully made sandwiches, cinnamon French toast made from Challah and surprising, exotic salads. The bread and cakes are terrific too. J.M-S.

Babka gets our tea spotter's vote too. M.K. enjoyed Russian Caravan leaf tea served in a china pot whilst being served by charming, intelligent, flexible, hospitable waitresses. Vases of home grown, full blown roses and the feeling of being surrounded by people who are using this cafe as a home away from home.

358 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy
Melways Reference 2C:B6
Phone: 9416 0091
Opening hours: Tues- Sun 7am-7pm
Licensed & BYO
Corkage: $1 per person
Accepts some credit cards
Seating Inside: 24, Outside: 6
Closed: all public holidays
Features: no smoking
Favourites: Beetroot soup $6, Cabbage rolls $10, Vareniki (boiled dumplings) cheese & potato and mushroom filled $8- everything served with good hearty bread.

*An updated review can be found in Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Australia 2000, pg94