I had written a previous review indicating that the carrot cake was horrible. I decided to try it again just to see whether it was a one off. The carrot cake I had today was considerably better and I recommend it. It just depends on the particular day. Babka is a cafe I recommend for both desserts and breads. read more

In my fairytale life, this is the cafe that would be sitting pretty at the end of my aspirational leafy suburban street. Cosy provencal interior, fantastic salads, seasonal offerings, delicious coffee and exceptional baked goods. The aroma and sight of fresh baked breads and croissants is beyond delightful. read more

Every time I come here I think about the Seinfeld episode with the Babka. What a show, and what a delight for the sensors this place is. I love being able to have a meal so go that it makes me salivate just to think about what is about to arrive at the table and then after the meal be able to take a souvenir home with me from the gift shop (bakery, whatever you want to call it). The last time I came here my friend ordered the borsch. For some unexplainable reason I have never in my life had the desire to order this dish, so many wasted years. It was amazing! Highly recommended. Also highly recommended are the Siberian lamb dumplings, at first when they arrived under my nose I was actually a little reluctant to eat them as the smell was a little of putting but once I had a little taste my life changed. What a flavour, sweet, salty, spicy and sour all in one. I could go on for hours about the other meals that I have had here but it would be better to wait in line and try for yourself. read more

See all

Great coffee and breakfast. I had the beans and feta and husband had French toast. Both yummy and filling. Coffee was really nice, atmosphere cute and artsy... Very Fitzroy. read more

Babka Bakery Cafe - Babka - Restaurants Near Me - Fitzroy, VIC

See all

This is one of the best cafes in Melbourne. There I said it. Prove me wrong. Babka is an institution on Brunswick Street, always busy, always delicious and well worth a visit on any day. Freshly baked bread and pastries (don't leave without an almond croissant), delicious seasonal produce: cabbage rolls braised in white wine stuffed with beef and rice, ham hock and pea lentil soup, and ricotta hotcakes with honey and pistachios are just some of the highlights currently on the menu. Getting a seat can be difficult, if it's a sunny day then opt for an outdoor table, if there's no space available then queue. The chefs and wait staff are organized and professional enough to make service fast and still friendly. On several occasions I have bough pastries and cakes from the café. The tarte tatin and Belgian chocolate cake are sensational, and Babka is home to my favourite lemon tart in Melbourne. Buttery pastry and citrus curd it is perfection in every mouthful. The bread alone is worth the wait. Follow it up with the chai tea, it's brewed in the pot with soy, skim or full cream milk and served with leatherwood honey. On a cold day the tea and bread is the perfect way to start the day. Babka is consistently brilliant and worth queuing every time. read more

Babka Bakery Cafe - Babka - Restaurants Near Me - Fitzroy, VIC

Unless it's some random and relatively rare hour of the day that Babka is not absolutely rammed with hungry, sugar-starved locals, I can't handle eating in here. It's just too busy and I can't quite relax. That's no bad thing though as the staff at Babka are only too happy to pack up whatever sweetie it is that you crave and send you off on your merry way, which is how I like to do it. It's no secret that the lemon tart here is legendary, and pretty much any of the cakey, biscuity treats are worth a taste. I've never tried their eggs or other savoury dishes, but if the sweetness is anything to go by, then the rest of it is bound to be a winner too. read more

Babka Bakery Cafe - Restaurants Near Me - Fitzroy, VIC

I swear every waiter and waitress working here is waiting to be picked up as an extra in a movie. There is pretentiousness oozing from the walls. Damn I hate this place. Why does the food have to be so good? Why do their blintzes have to be so very magical and feel like a warm hug with ricotta and sultanas and lemon syrup? Why must they simply be to die for? Damn I love this place. In Polish Babka means grandmother, but it is also the name of several different traditional cakes, be it a spongy yeast cake, or a coffee cake flavoured with orange rind and raisins and almonds. That's right, this place is named after cake and family. Damn I love this place. With extra menu items that include vegetable breads and pies, be prepared to cue for a seat in the not so huge space. And if you even think of bringing a pram in you will be set on fire. Maybe not on fire, but they won't like it. read more

This rating is solely for the almond croissant, I haven't had anything else from here. It's a very good almond croissant. Crispy outside, tender inside, loaded with almond and a nice hit of vanilla. Not sure if I'd go so far to say it's the best I've ever had (possibly a little too much on the sweet side), and I'm going to keep up the search ('tis my noble duty to the world) but it's a mighty fine one and in a world filled with broken promises (I maintain that the almond croissant is a high-reward but also high-risk pastry item) the babka version will give you the strength to keep believing in (almond-filled) love. read more

Babka is somewhere I've been meaning to try for a while and now I wish I had tried earlier. I think this has to be one of my new favourite's. I ordered the blintz with cottage cheese, raisins and honey. It was very rich, but extremely delicious. I also had a chai, which would have to be in my top five chai's in Melbourne, served how it should be-in a pot!! My mum and brother opted for chicken sandwiches, it was obvious this place is foremost a bakery as the bread was amazing, with the filling be just as great. I highly recommend this place for lunch or a catch up over a chai latte. read more

Babka is a tiny Russian bakery that makes the most delectable pastries, breads and meals. The place can get so busy they've had to devise a clever system to make sure things run quick and efficiently. If you're there for takeaway you must wait in the right queue and if you'd like to eat in, then wait in the left queue. Everyone has a favourite here, some love their sausage rolls and pies, others the pasta, maybe it's their borscht or the Russian blintz. Some swear they have the best lemon tart in Melbourne, and well, I have tried it and I must say it was damn good. So were the hotcakes. Slight crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. Plus I've got to say the combination of strawberries and pistachio was so delightful I've used it several times at home for myself and to impress my friends. There's something so cosy about this place. The people are welcoming and I find the matryoshka, or babushka, prints on the wall outside kinda calming as you wait and wait for your turn. read more

Babka Bakery Cafe - Restaurants Near Me - Fitzroy, VIC

Babka serves the finest food I have had in this city. The entire menu amazes me, the sandwiches a super standout. But also all the pastries. Look out for the Rasberry Danish. Best in town! read more

Stumbles upon this place by accident! Yummo pulled pork roll. BIG servings - their sandwiches looked ginormous - good value! Relaxed atmosphere and one of those places where you can't decide what to eat because half the items make it to your - could totally devour THAT right now - list! read more

Babka Bakery Cafe - Pulled Pork Roll - Restaurants Near Me - Fitzroy, VIC

I mean, we really wanted to like it.. after coming here 2 years ago, D and I thought it would be fun to return to a place we remembered so fondly. We even got seated immediately and were so excited for our breakfast here. Unfortunately, as almost every table around us got served, turned over to new patrons, who then were digging voraciously into their food, we realized we did not need to be neglected. After being offered free beverages because there was a "delay" on one of our items, and waiting 20 minutes for said beverages to arrive, we decided we could no longer tolerate the wait. The servers avoided all eye contact with us and after about an hour of waiting, we got up and left. No apologies from the staff, ever. I know Babka is good and I really wanted to enjoy a pleasant meal there, however something must be done about this horrendous treatment of patrons. read more

Stopped by for soem Babka but they didnt have any? Go figure. So we opted to sample their tarte tartin with cream on the side. Holy Moly! It was insanely good. The nice crispyness of the base which had soaked up the gooey syrup! Wow! I could indeed be back to eat one all to myself! You order and pay at the counter and they will bring it out! Tiny cute space that was very busy when we stopped by around 10.30 on a sunday! read more

See all

Wonderful place, cozy and traditional. Adding dill to omelette gives it a great layer of flavour. I had 4 slices of bread with butter and jam and it was delicious. Wish they served drip or pour over coffee, and that they had American diner style free coffee refills. read more

This place gets my vote every time. Hands down the best place on Brunny Street for brunch and one of the best in Melbourne. Food is A1 and service is excellent. It's hard to go past the pies for lunch - deliciously doughy with scrumptious sourdough on the house. Cheesecake is also delicious if you've got a sweet tooth. Serves your soy chai in a tea pot using real spice mix and a pot of honey to the side, just like it's suppose to be (thank you Babka!) You may need to wait for a table if you go at typical peak times, but the wait's generally not too long (i.e. not Chin Chin style). read more

Tried for breakky on sat am. Too many people waiting for a table. Sun am we went earlier and got ourselves a table. We had their delicious crossants with preserves and very nice coffee. The smells from their bakery were tantalizing. We will definitely return. read more

Very rude. We waited 25 minutes with 2 children and were scowled at every they got in someone's way. At no stage did anyone let us know that they knew we were waiting in the queue. I understand there are less tables to seat 4 people. No one communicated with us. 4 tables of two people were seated who were waiting behind us. Still no one communicated with us to let us know how long they thought it might be. When I asked the manager, the response was "we have a limited number tables." Not something helpful like it shouldn't be much longer. At this I took my family and left. Sorry I can't comment on the quality of the food. read more

A small little bakery but it is big on quality. I love their breads. you can eat in but i havnt done that yet

Always busy as it is popular especially on weekends. Great breads and cabinet food. Menu is comprehensive and also specials each day. Staff friendly and courteous and deal with crowds well. Recommended. read more

Not the cheapest but it's always FULL and FRESH .... should make an effort coming in early ...

Really pretty damn terrific. Been here twice: once for borscht and once for blintzes. Both were amazing. And the staff is just wonderful, happily surfing the stress of a crowded cafe with calm and friendliness. I plan to go again soon! read more

I can only comment on the sourdough, which I thought was pretty darn good. I came in on a Saturday morning to await a long line. Luckily, my loaf of choice had just been taken out of the oven so it was delightfully warm and crispy. Really, really good but I still think the best sourdough comes from Dench. However, a loaf at Babka was a couple dollars cheaper than Dench, albeit a tad smaller. Overall, I would go back again. I'd love to try some of the pastries next time! read more

We come back here time and time again: great coffee, delicious food and lovely, friendly service. It was a nice change to go there on a weekday (if you can manage it) as the atmosphere is much more laid back. read more

The food is good but the service is bad enough to make it not worth it. The staff have got an attitude that makes you feel rude just for asking for such extravagances as a menu, water or cutlery. Hipster service at its worst. read more

I've been to Babka several times. The bakery section is great, and the cafe is not too bad. It is a tiny cafe, and is always very crowded. This latest time that my husband and I visited, we were bitterly disappointed. We were ignored for 8-10 minutes after being seated. No menus, no water, no nothing. Four groups of people who arrived after us all got their menus, and their foods and drinks before we were even seen to. The waitress was quite rude and barely looked at us. She never once smiled. (She had a small tattoo near her elbow, you know who you are!!!) She practically threw the cutlery on the table. When we were trying to pay, it was the same. Everyone else was seen to except us, it was like we were invisible. I was very tempted to just walk out seeing that we were definitely not valued or wanted there I wonder if it was because one of us was Asian?? We certainly will not be going back in a hurry. read more