Awesome place, on holidays went to this cafe for breakfast. Food was unique and super yum. Highly recommend if you are looking for a breakfast out of the box. read more

A week or so ago after a night out on the town, my partner and I decided to head to 'The Hardware Societe' for breakfast. It was a small little shop that was actually pretty hard to find considering it wasn't really around anything, and that we were expecting a much grander shopfront. To start, hot chocolate. It arrives looking like a tea set, a mug(with chocolate paste inside), a jug with hot frothy milk, and another jug with extra chocolate sauce. It takes up quite a bit of space on the already tiny round tables, but hey- you get around 3 cup-fulls worth of refills. The menu is a little hard to get your head around if your not a morning person, baked eggs and chorizos, duck confit(yes this is the breakfast menu), croque madame. Now I was set on my meal, my partner however was lost. They did not have bacon, yes that's right- no bacon on the menu whatsoever. Not a problem for me, but my partner who drank into the night was in need of a hangover cure. If your just after your average bacon, eggs and toast breaky, I probably wouldn't recommend this place. Now if your after something a little different, my baked eggs and chorizos was an absolute delight. Steaming hot, right out of the oven served in a cute tiny pot on a chopping board, with herb bread on the side, it was like dippy eggs and soldiers on crack(in a good way of course). Overall I found this place quite pleasant, the staff were helpful, and the prices were about right. My only downside would be the size, the shop was very compact and everyone wanted a piece of it(even for a 9am Sunday). I would not consider going with a large group of people, as the table can become squashy and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, this dish was exceptional, I will 100% return in the future to eat the same thing once again. read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This is the best brunch we have had in Melbourne! Great food and coffee and value for money. Ten minutes wait, but I promise you it's all worth it! We have tried the most popular lobster eggs benedict and baked eggs with scallops. read more

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It is very easy to walk past this café without giving it a second glance. The yellow "Café" sign is the only indication of the surprises within; that is unless you visit on a weekend when the crowds gathered around the store front capture your interest. This tiny French/Spanish inspired café has both quirky décor and staff which makes it charming and is backed up by the delicious food. Seated around a large communal wooden table gave me the chance to check out other diners food and the teapot cozies that added to the atmosphere. I went for the poached eggs with pear hollandaise, tomato and jamon, which was a delicious and surprisingly subtle twist on a classic. Yum! If nothing else don't go past the hot chocolate, which is made with real chocolate that melts at the bottom of the pot and gives you one last chocolate hit. Yes. There is just so much right with this place. The only challenge is making sure you don't miss out as Hardware Societe closes at 2pm on weekends, It is worth getting up early for! read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Great and amazing food. Visited twice within a week. However poor service, Asian waitress discriminated Asian face. Really disappointed and frustrated. read more

3 stars for the Great decor & ambiance. Liked the 2 different theme decor. Variety of food is good. Ordered the Mac & Cheese, Beer Battered fries and cheese Pizza. Taste was ok. Tried the 6 glasses beer taster. Truthfully, the beers are not that good compared to other craft beer I've had. read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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If you want breakfast with a twist and that will satisfy you for your trek around Melbourne this is the place to go When I visit Melbourne this is my daily breakfast joint everywhere else is a waste of money and I'm missing out because I should be eating at Hardware Société ! The baked eggs with chorizo is a must served sizzling with sourdough soldiers only thing I suggest is as for a separate plate as it's easier to eat The pork belly with eggs is sensuous crunchy crackling served with heavenly croquettes watercress and the most insane hollandaise sauce yum!!! Their signature lobster on black brioche is divine!!!! in fact the only issue is every time you come here you'll get FOMO and need to come back the next day and order what your partner had!!! I'm going back today for the croque madame and the new lavender bavarois read more

It's really hard to get a seat in the main cafe where all the cute and instagrammable decor is. I've been there twice now and was seated outside or in the second dining area across the lane. Food was delicious both times and tea was nice in it's little tea-cosied teapot. Matcha lattes are tiny. Highly recommend the fried brioche (French toast) and baked eggs. read more

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This was the very first breakfast restaurant I visiting during my spring break and so I kind of went all out. I had the matcha latte with the lobster eggs benny and a warm croissant. The flavors that the lobster eggs benny brought out were absolutely one of the best that I've had; however it could definitely be considered more on the heavy side for a breakfast portion. The matcha was superb, no clumps, just a smooth creamy matcha latte. The croissant was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside which is exactly the way I like it. Overall, I recommend this place for its food and the aesthetics of the seating area. read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Too extravagant for me and I didn't like things in the dishes. Couldn't change pork belly to bacon. Guess they don't accept customized orders. Weird for a place who wants to seem extravagant, especially consodering the price. Still very good coffee and friendly staff. read more

We went for lunch. The menu is quite large. I had baked eggs with scallops and some fruit sourdough toasted. My friend had the tuna Mille feuille. I think she won the meal choice (mine was nice, hers was amazing!). It is not a super cheap place but that can be attributed in part to the fact they appear to use high quality ingredients. The staff were awesome. The only thing that let lunch down was the coffee. In saying that - I'm sure there's plenty of other good places and I'd not usually want to queue 20mins to get a table! Oh and they do not split bills which was a bit of a pain for us. read more

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Consistently good! Amazing fresh and wholesome produce with a French-Spanish spin on things, The Hardware Societe is an absolute favourite. This is the perfect spot for brunch! It's small and cosy with a counter that's overflowing with croissants, macaroons, cakes and biscuits. We sat outside in the lane, amongst the hustle and bustle of Hardware Lane. We had the Niçoise salad w/ tuna, omelette w/ Spanish potatoes, tomato & Brie cheese and an empanada. The food was delicious and had spot on ideal flavours. The service is fast and friendly and it's always a pleasure eating here! read more

We had a great breakfast here. Cute spot in a fun laneway. The menu had a good variety to choose from and what we ate was delicious! Coffee was yummy too! Friendly and great service! read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Yummy! Always yummy and the staffs are super lovely! Been here for a couple of timeS!

Great little place down an alley. However, the soy milk Long Mac I received was split. Asking the waitress for another one was received well, yet the new coffee also proved to be a challenge to the barista and once again arrived split. Enough negativity though, my friend had a regular milk latte that looked perfect and he said the same. The Baked Eggs Duex was fantastic! The almonds really set the dish apart. It was well balanced and full of flavour and the portion size was spot on. read more

Great spot for a bite of brunch and amazing coffee. Always seems busy but well worth the wait!

Really enjoyed the place , absolutely beautiful and very good food and drinks, lovely staff. Design is cool. Definitely coming back

The decor and food presentation is gorgeous and service is excellent but none of us loved our meals and it was expensive. My husband did not enjoy the vegetarian baked eggs. He felt it tasted bland. My daughter did not love her eggs with smoked salmon. It looked a lot better than it tasted. I had the Bircher which was tasty but much too sweet for a meal. It would have been delicious if it was for dessert. read more

I had heard that this was 'the best breakfast in Melbourne' and I was certainly not disappointed! Luckily I planned to visit on a Friday morning when it was 'quieter' because it was still extremely busy - for two of us it was a struggle to get a table while a few people were turned, away - and certainly not for lack of space, there are plenty of tables here, it's just that they were all full! Delighted to get a table, thanks to the lovely and oh so friendly staff, my Mum and I sat down and began drooling over the amazing menu! I ordered the baked eggs with chorizo while while she ordered a dish that came with some little poached eggs in shot glasses and bits of cheese, salmon, little pickles and tasty meats to nibble on. Both were served with yummy bread and in fantastic time, considering that the cafe was so incredibly full! The food was wonderful but for me, the absolute stand - out highlight was the amazing hot chocolate. So rich and tasty and so so so much of it - for only $5 which is so cheap compared to other places that have served me up very very average hot chocolates for much more. Put this on your list of must try places - but from all reports, try to avoid a weekend if you don't like lines! read more

The naughtiest healthy breakfast I've had but it was oh so nice. When Bircher muesli tastes like a luscious, luxurious dessert I know this is not the type of Bircher muesli Mish prescribes the 12wbt disciples. With each creamy, deliciously balanced sweet bite I wonder what sort of workout I am going to need to do to burn off all of this "healthy" goodness. Especially when I top it off with the deservedly acclaimed hot chocolate, what a delight this is. Whilst I contemplate the pleasures of my choices and the pain that will need to follow, I am in awe of the fried brioche with lavender panna cotta that my friend is relishing but alas he is defeated and can not finish the final few bites of brioche. Service here is efficient with our meals arriving in a matter of moments. The gorgeous fit out and frenchy music made me feel like I was in Paris...thankfully without the attitude. Hardware Societe is the perfect example of naughty but nice, very, very, nice. read more

Hardware Societe - Bircher muesli - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Bring cash, get there early and grab a spare seat if you can - this little cafe deserves all of the buzzing attention it gets. Though I nibbled a few bites of the Yelp rave-inducing baked eggs and chorizo, and drooled over some sort of fried egg, toast and prosciutto volcano monster brekkie that made me full just looking at it, I ended up with the stalwart and fan-favourite bircher muesli with fresh fruit and nuts. I honestly believe this is the type of place where you really can't go wrong, and you could easily challenge yourself and a dining companion to sample the entire menu. The tea pots (and accompanying cozies) were beyond precious, but I couldn't help but assume they were jealous of the delicious spoon doughnuts that the coffees come with. Or maybe that was just me... read more

Sadly I was very disappointed by my recent dining experience at The Hardware Societe. I've had this place bookmarked for ages & all the other positive reviews & pictures of delicious food had well & truly sold it to me. There is always a queue outside, therefore when I arrived I joined it. Only to then see people turn up from nowhere & go in ahead of those in the queue. I inquired with the server as to if there was a booking system & was instructed that I should have read the sign (said sign simply said that a server would be with you once you joined the queue, no reference to giving your name to them before joining the end). Thankfully the wait was not too long & we were shown to our table. The table had barely been cleaned from the last diners & we were left with a half empty bottle of warm water rather than being provided with a fresh one. I ordered the baked eggs, which were over cooked when they landed on the table and having come straight out of the oven obviously continued to cook & despite stirring vigorously as I had been advised to do by the server they ultimately became burnt & stuck to the pot...all very unpleasant. The only positive was that the pesto bread was tasty. My friend simply opted for some gluten free toast & again we were left a little dismayed when she lifted the lid off the butter dish to discover that it only contained a smear of crumby butter. Just one choice of preserve was provided which had a fly enjoying it's lunch probably more than we did!!! I appreciate that this place is busy with a high turnover but poor customer service & not restocking the basics is not acceptable when you're paying a slightly above average price. read more

Wow just wow, what a gorgeous little breakfast and brunch spot. After waiting some time for our table I ordered the deconstructed cheesecake on Brioche with Grand Marnier oranges. The staff were really attentive and the food came out quickly. The meal was beyond grand, and well worth the wait. It's places like this that make me think I could put up with Melbourne's crumby weather just so I could feast at these kinds of cafes. On that note, the only reason I'm giving it 4 stars and not five is because a lot of seating is outside and there's no heaters. It was cold. read more

Came here for an early breakfast before an exam with a friend. Found this one after looking for popular cafes in the Melbourne CBD. We came shortly after their 7.30am opening and it was quickly filling up- both inside and outside. Got a lovely trim flat white with the cutest little mini cinnamon donut on the side- which was also delicious. Neat heart pattern- a small one above a large one on top. For breakfast, got their vegetarian un baked eggs while friend got their very cool sweet platter with 3 dessert like minis on a wooden board. The eggs came in a wee little metal pot with a lid (to be stirred) on a wooden board with a side of small pieces of crusty bread- Tasty. Loved the French feel of the place with it's beautiful furniture, retro cool hanging lights and feature wall with butterfly wallpaper. Had a great wall of hanging tea cups at the main counter and range of tables and seating. Cool sweet treats on sale where you pay. Think their head chef, has a great philosophy in using seasonal produce with slightly varying menu. Very cute place with good food and coffee. read more

This place is hard to snag a seat in, which means it's good! We sat at a communal table, which was great because we could talk to some of the locals. We tried the lobster Benedict and the pork belly with a chili fried egg. The pork belly was just ok, but the chili fried egg was delicious. The lobster Benedict was also flavored well. Definitely eat breakfast/brunch here. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked delicious read more

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Went to this place back in February 2018, remembered how much I loved it when I saw it pop up just now. The breakfast was fantastic, the service was really good, can highly recommend. Seating may be be a little bit of a challenge when it's busy so would recommend getting there pretty early especially on the weekend. All in all a great cafe with amazing food and delightful service, it's a Melbourne institution definitely don't miss if you're travelling through. Not cheap but definitely represents value for money. read more

Ok, if you're a foodie, (and if you're in Melbourne I take you're a foodie for granted) this is the place you want to go! is placed on a walkway street in CBD, where you can smell the trendy and pure spirit of the city, the restaurant is tiny and you may need to wait in line on weekends to have your "Brekky" but it's totally worth it. it's sort of a French fusion amazing cuisine, I ordered the Croque Madame and bf had the Bennies, both amazing and unique, never tried anything like that before but the dish essence isn't lost either. on my opinion this place is a must for brunch in the bohemian capital down-under. read more

YR: F4.5/E4/R4 yrscore.com Interesting choices in the food menu. I went for the steam egg with scallop which was well made. The sweetness of the scallop was nicely infused with the egg. Macha latte and latte were well crafted. The interior is well decorated. Gave me the impression of a fairytale land. The queue can be quite long. Will revisit if I am back in this area. read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

As everyone else says, the line is long. As everyone else says, the line is very much worth it. Delicious baked eggs (I'm not usually much of an egg eater, but these were amazing!!). You won't be hungry afterwards. The coffee was ok, but not amazing. Staff was efficient but not overly friendly. But the FOOD.... amazing. Can't go wrong. read more

Who doesn't love a hearty breakfast? And this restaurant definitely served some of the best breakfast dishes that I've ever had! My friends and I had the Lobster Benedict and Baked Eggs. Both were out of this world! I love eggs benedicts and I love lobsters, so when I saw lobster benedict on the menu, it was a no-brainer. And boy was it a good choice! There were chunks of lobster sitting on a buttery brioche, with perfectly poached eggs on top covered in a blanket of hollandaise sauce. It was definitely that best eggs benedict I've ever had. My friend chose to order the Baked Eggs. At first I had my doubts, as it sounded a bit boring, but he insisted on getting it based on the reviews of others, and I was so glad that he did. This was a very unique dish and I'm not sure how to best describe it; each bite was just such an amazing explosion of flavours in my mouth. If you came here and could only get one thing, definitely try the Baked Eggs as you wouldn't be able to get this anywhere else! It is a very cozy restaurant, with not too many tables. The service was very quick and friendly, but we never felt rushed even though we could see the line starting to form outside. We came around 10am on a weekday, and were seated within 10 mins. read more

Hardware Societe - Lobster Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Cute little french place on hardware lane in the city. A nice and cosy place to have some breakfast and coffee with some of your gal pals or your partner. Have tried most of the dishes on the menu and there is nothing to fault. My favourite dish here is the baked eggs. So delicious. Wouldn't get it anywhere else read more

Hardware Societe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I keep hearing how wonderful this place is but waiting in line is not my thing. One day I noticed there was no line. I went in, was seated and waited... And waited. I got the attention of wait staff who indicated they would serve another table then me... Then I waited some more. Eventually my patience wore out and I simply left. Which is how I found the delightful cafe across the lane. read more

The location is good and very convenient. I have heard about this place and how it is a must try so I took my friend from overseas here for lunch. We had to wait but when we were seated the service was prompt and friendly. It is not the cheapest cafe but the service size is decent. I got the baked eggs with chorizo and my friend got the duck confeit. We both got teas and they even came with tea cosy's! I would go back but next time would make sure I went nice and early or after the crowd has left. read more

Okay so we had to wait an hour on Easter weekend for a table here. and then we were out of there 30 mins after being seated! So efficiency is key here, even if there's a bit of a line to begin with. While this place isn't really suitable to become your new inner city local, it's definitely worthy of being on your 'cafes to visit in Melbourne' list, and everyone should drop by once or twice. Awesome food and coffee, pretty ace service and it doesn't break the bank. I had some kind of pork belly thing with eggs and it was phenomenal. read more

Believe the hype... Best breakfast in Melbourne! I had the baked eggs with chorizo and an amazing coffee. Friends had the mushrooms, and another the omelette. All plates were cleaned with their delicious fresh bread. Highly recommend. read more

The Hardware Societe was recommended to me by a number of foodie friends as the one place you must not miss in Melbourne, and they weren't wrong. This place is fab! The decor and service is excellent and the food on another level. This isn't your average cafe, so don't expect low prices, but also don't expect your every day 'run of the mill' menu items. They are all made with high quality ingredients and it is clear that each dish has been made with care and thought. Whilst the price may be above your average cafe menu's the food is also above average so it is all worth it. The coffee is also tasty. read more

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Immediately when I got there I was greeted by one of the kindest waiters. I wish I would've asked him his name at the time. He greeted me with a smile and proceeded to assist me in finding a place to sit. Before I got to my table, however, he asked me if I would be comfortable in a regular chair or a stool. I know this doesn't sound like much, but when you are on the chunky side chairs with or without handles matter to your overall comfort. I was extremely excited to see that I didn't have to approach this conversation first. And that never happens! Besides this illuminatingly rich and warm customer service, the food was amazing. The fried brioche with passionfruit curd and creme fraiche was a highlight to my very first morning in Melbourne. I will always remember it as a part of my holiday. read more

Good brunches, coffee and cakes but I hate waiting in line so we basically never go. As others have said the baked eggs are not to be missed. I watched how the guy did it and then ripped it off at home -- surprisingly easy and no waiting in line :) Many of the gluten free cakes are also pretty good. read more

Awesome food, vibe and service. I had the omelette with bacon and brie which was amazing. Attention to detail with fitout and food presentation. Great coffee as well. Will definitely be back! If I had to pick on anything it would be the cash only payment! read more

Hardware Societe - Entrance of Hardware Societe on Hardware st, Melbourne - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

"No wonder half the amazon is chopped down". That's what he said as he sipped on what we think THE BEST hot chocolate in Melb-Town. What is in this? I asked the cute waitress longingly, please, tell me, what it this amazing concoction, how do I make one of these at home?? "Cream" she said, a dollop of it, don't forget the chocolate ganache, Did you hear that? Chocolate Ganache! in my hot choc mug. with cream. and that's not counting the hot choc yet! We had scrambled egg with chorizo and baked egg with fetta, I am not sold yet but I will definitely be back if only for those hot choc and mini donuts. This is a completely biased review influenced by hot choc poison ;) read more