Degraves Espresso

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 147

Impossible to say what part of me gets the place first, the nose or the eyes. The odour of ground coffee is verging on erotic, the furniture is elderly theatrical seating democratic. Is it OK to mention the female worker beauties here? The coffee, vodka, soup, foccacia, and flourless cake carriers are studded wonders of the known world. Degraves feels sort of Cuban, though I've never been there. Soul black coffee, chemically black hair, black clothes on bodies. They really look after you here, they know you can look after yourself. No fuss. Newspapers to read. The lane to look at or sit in. It's all so visual that TV commercials get hammered out in front of the store while locals long to get some kip. A sound place. Oh, and the young men are really nice, too. You'll love it.

23 Degraves Street
Melbourne
Melways reference 1B:M9
Phone: 9654 1245
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-late, Sat 8.30am-late
Licensed
Accept some credit cards
Seats Inside: 50, Outside: 25
Closed: Some public holidays
Features: Kids encouraged
Favourites: Panini - tuna, lettuce and tomato $5.50, Soup - pumpkin & tofu $6.50, Middle eastern spiced pumpkin salad served with a grape, molasses and yoghurt dressing $9

*An updated review can be found in Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Australia 2000 pg96, published by Black Inc., 2000, Vic