Hello yelpers! Been a while (shame on me) but I've been traveling around the world for a bit and now the reviews are going to start funneling in. I have some catching up to do, but this one is a must. Came here on my bday while in Melbourne and it was lovely... A few musts: - get the BBB brekkie (in my case BBBBday Benedict) delicious. A great creation that I haven't found in SF - sit on the outdoor patio. If it's sunny (Melbourne weather can be tricky... But just bring a light jacket) you will thank me. - staff is extremely friendly. You don't always get that in Aus, so try to appreciate it...! - mimosas were tasty! I got a mixed juice one and it was good as This neighborhood (Balaclava) is delightful, so after you're delicious brunch, take a stroll. Enjoy!! read more

Las Chicas - Birthday mimosa matey! - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

The coffee was fabulous - divine and smooth, not bitter or burnt. Great customer service and extremely friendly servers. I ordered the coconut Bircher & was expecting a muesli bowl but got something way better! I was also slightly concerned it would be too coconuty but it wasn't at all. To top it off, the presentation was quite fancy and overall very filling! My partner ordered the salmon smashed avo with poached eggs. The portion was generous making it a great valued brunch! Will absolutely be back to try more plates as so many sounded incredible (it was hard to choose)! read more

Las Chicas - Coconut Bircher - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

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There is always a line to get in here for weekend brunch, but the extensive menu is a pretty good explanation as to why. The thing I like most about this place is the option of half serves, so if you feel like some porridge AND eggs and toast, it's totally do-able without being a complete glutton. Can be a little pricey, and also dont allow any menu variations. read more

Las Chicas - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Holy Moly! If you are hungry and love a good bagel, I highly recommend the Bikini Blowout. Open bagel with avocado, two poached eggs cooked to perfection in a way that I have never seen before, bacon and hollandaise. I was also blown away but their unique mint crisp hot chocolate. I can't believe I have never thought of such a perfect combination. There is ample seating with an amazing courtyard about the back or street frontage seating, however due to its popularity you still might find yourself having to wait for a moment. Definitely worth the wait. read more

Las Chicas - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Be warned this is not your average breakfast hot spot. It may appear just like every other Carlisle street cafe from the outside but is not to be judged solely by its exterior. It's bustling street vibe and all menu really packs a punch and gives you more than you bargained for. By the time you finish browsing the breakfast menu it will be time to give your table up the next eagerly waiting patron. Freshly brewed coffee, good consistent service and all day breakfast menu with choices such as omelette of shallot and enoki mushroom with soy dipping sauce which is one to look out for. The prices are reasonable which make sharing more that one selection the perfect option :) read more

Las Chicas - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Las Chicas is the "cool" place to go when it comes to cafes on Carlisle St. There is often a wait of about 15 minutes (always ends up being 30 minutes) due to its massive popularity. I was skeptical but it truly is a great cafe. It's large inside and usually a little loud for my liking but has a big outdoor seating area with heating and partly undercover so all bases are covered when it comes to comfort. It has that aura of "cool" when you go there and people seem to always order the Bloody Mary with their breakfast rather than a coffee. I do like the fact that the menu has a few different options such as some good vegetarian dishes as well as some cheaper bagels, which I had with an amazing lemon and ricotta spread! I was impressed and even though the place is always packed you can relax because the staff never seem to stress too much and the service is unexpectedly quick. I felt pretty "cool" eating breakfast there next to some Collingwood players one time. I would say it's the "cool" place to go but I can't promise that you will get a table straight away and if you're impatient then it's a tough "15 minutes" standing out on the street. A lot of people are turned away so you might feel a little spiteful to the place but if you wait or get in before the rush than it is without doubt one of the best cafes in Melbourne. read more

Las Chicas - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Wandering along looking for that perfect midday meal and found it at Las Chicas. Extensive all-day breakfast menu coupled with burgers, salads, wraps and sandwiches. Lots of drink options, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and a proud server of St Ali coffee. Service was fast, not super friendly though, would be nice to hear a 'good morning' or 'how is your day going', rather than 'you ready to order'. Really happy with the quality of the breakfast I ordered, will return when I am next in the area. read more

Yum and yum. Lovely aesthetics inside the dining area. Great area for window shopping before and after dining. Conveniently located near train station. And tonnes of Pokestops on the way that made the walk from the trams so lovely :). Service good and will go back again. read more

Las Chicas - Lentil fritters - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

An institution located right beside Balaclava station. Nice warm space. You can watch people going off to catch their train if you desire. Utterly gorgeous coffee here. St Ali. Mine was expertly made. Silky smooth, superb length. A triumph I doubt you could make it better. A great start to any day. Eager and helpful staff here. A very nice place worthy of many returns. A 4.5. read more

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Wow!!!! I cannot say enough good things about this place. I went with a couple of girlfriends for brekky. If you've read my profile you know the first thing I rate a place on is there coffee. WELL....I'm no exaggerating when I say .. I had the best strong skinny latte I've ever had. The flavours were complex,changing as you sipped and swallowed. No bitterness, just beautifully smooth, pure coffee magic. Add to that the quality of the food and you have a great experience. We had the french toast with bacon and it was delicious. I hate it when bacon is served either half raw or so over cooked it's like a rock. This was crisped to perfection. My girlfriend had a chai and even that was an experience. They brought it out with little accompaniments and she said it was delicious. The atmosphere is just what you want from a quaint city cafe and the staff were friendly and pleasant. Service was great. I can't wait to go back here. read more

While I do love Las Chicas, the extensive waiting times are a real turn off. I mean this place is so busy, that they have a specialised section of the menu advising you on which meals are the quickest out. Whining aside, excessive popularity is usually the mark of a seriously good cafe. Las Chicas is worth the hype and (if you're less impatient than I am) also worth the wait. Simply put, the food is delicious. Sure it has all the trappings of a trendy Carlisle Street cafe and the staff are extra hip, but ultimately it's all about the food. If you're looking for a beautiful breakfast head to Las Chicas. But, perhaps make it a weekday date rather than having to navigate the Saturday/Sunday brunch rush hour. read more

Pros: The food is excellent. The coffee is usually of a really high standard. Staff are helpful and friendly. Prices are reasonable. They have a good selection of vegetarian and omniverous items on the menu. Cons: During busy hours it can take 15-20 minutes to get a table and sometimes even that long for a takeaway coffee. read more

There's a lot to like about Las Chicas, but my favourite of all the things is the rear garden. Many's the morning I've sat there nursing a hanover, trains thundering through Balaclava station above. You wouldn't think a hangover and trains would go well together, but they really do. I suppose though, for completeness' sake, I should mention the other things I like about Las Chicas. They're open late at night. I've dropped by after its gone dark and ordered a dozen takeaway coffees. And they do a good sweet breakfast. read more

The BBB is my old time favourite. Coffee is nice. From Supreme coffee roasters. Variable quality depending on the day read more

Melbourne pancake review #2 Flavour 9/10 Texture 9/10 Thickness 6/10 Serving size 8/10 Innovation 5/10 Ultimately a solid set of pancakes, clearly a lot of blood sweat and tears has gone into the actual pancake mixture. However it really lacked Innovation in terms of toppings and also lacked thickness. I'm not sure if they were going for a more retro pancake dish but strawberries, ice cream and maple syrup don't quite cut it in 2018. I recommend changing the flavour of ice cream and increasing thickness. 5/star establishment though read more

Best place for breakfast and great coffee! See pictures I posted. Love the way they serve the food as well, delicious! read more

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I visited Las Chicas after a medical test near by on a very warm and pleasant day. I was very tired and seeking a quiet spot to have a drink that was healthy and not coffee since i needed to rehydrate from the long test. I had seen this cafe many times when exiting Balaclava station and been attracted to the display of chocolates in the window and salads inside but something about the atmosphere never gave me any sense of welcome to feel game to enter. I got my courage up this day and after two inquiry's of disinterested servers finally located the drinks menu. I ignored the prices as i was so drained and ordered a spiced latte and a salted caramel chocolate. I knew i would like the chocolate as i had tasted Panna Chocolat chocolates before in Elwood yet i found the latte rather disappointing for the price. It was liberally filled and thick with the sediment of spice that left me choking and drinking much of the water carelessly placed beside me in such a way that i was confused whether it was poured for me or not. .The reserve of the staff was ice cold to the point of unfriendly and efficient indifference that left me to my own thoughts effectively but exacerbated the unfriendly sense of place i had felt on entrance. I was glad to be forced to drink more water but would not order the drink again. The worn second hand seating which twisted and did not move was awkward about the outlook on the station wall was a bit tiring though i guess it was a great place to watch the bustle of life flow past if you could have felt at ease but i felt prickled, summed up as not yuppy enough for deign of notice. I was relieved to leave and my opinion of the friendliness of Balaclava as a place was not lifted from the impression initially formed by visiting Monk Bodhi Dharma where after spending two hours looking for the dirty and cramped hovel the waiter there had a similar attitude to those at Las Chicas, like they couldn't be bothered with you. Their careless attitude at both places meant the drink i had let a bitter taste in my mouth and about the same careless indifference as the servers had shown me to whether i ever felt like going back. Subsequently i see Balaclava as an overpriced place with too high opinion of itself, not enough return in accommodation for the investment it expects and a laziness of attitude that is as insolent as it is empty headed. I really hope there are other cafes in the area with more warmth and less self centredness.. read more

Who doesn't love a good breakfast in the summer time with outdoor seating and a great coffee to go with it!! I love this place! Used to live close by and came all the time the service is always good! And again the coffee is amaze!! read more

During my visit from Sydney, I met a friend Trudi here for breakfast. Our arrival timing was great, we got the last seats (sharing a rectangular table for 3 others). Shortly after sitting down the other three's food arrived). I had instant food envy. Every one of the 3 dishes were sizable and looked scrumptious (from the BBB (Bikini Blowout Benedict), to the wrap with scrambled egg, to the Bircher muesli with fruit compote). Trudi settled for the mini BBB (one egg) and I finally decided on the polenta bread with beans and spinach and poached egg. I wish I had more time in Melbourne as I would love to work my way through that menu. Every item had me salivating. The coffee was good, we even had seconds. By the time we left (90min later, there was already a cue of people outside the door. I can't wait to visit my friends in Melbourne again and go back to Las Chicas. They are Chic As! Oh la Las. read more

I've heard the food is pretty special, however judging by my experience (trying) to get a takeaway coffee before work, it's been a comedy of errors... Everyday, I have ordered the same coffee, and everyday, something has gone wrong.,., To start off, they usually ask me 2-3 times to repeat my simple order, and if I get it on time, it has either come back in the wrong size or the wrong coffee entirely (that's on a good day). Recently I have been pressed for time and asked them prior of they can make it in enough time before the train arrives (at least 5 minutes which should be plenty of time) to which they have said - ofcourse. Yet when it comes down to the one minute countdown, they haven't got around to making it yet, this has happened at least 5 times now. Because I like the coffee, I'm happy to try again, and hopefully (day 16) will be successful. read more

Fabulous spot for brunch on Carlisle! My new fave area in Melbourne has so many choices for funky brunches and lunches - I've been meaning to come here for ages but like sitting out the front and today there was a spare spot good for a pram! I had two great St Ali coffees with almond milk - then the big breakfast with gluten free toast - firstly the toast wasn't crappy gluten free but one full of seeds and nuts so good quality. Lots of bacon, chorizo, mushrooms, roasted baby tomatoes spinach and I had scrambled eggs - a massive serve that could feed two for sure! Little one is a chocolate milk freak and he loved his treat too. Great service from both male staff - perfect outside in the sun too. When going in to pay I saw all the luxe trimmings inside and it looked like a great place for a vino too with the girls!! read more

Seriously good brekkie! Would recommend the BBB, can't go past it. Have tried other options but always go back. Really friendly staff, well priced and delicious! read more

If the chips were the staple used to rate this spot then I'd give out top marks. I ordered the burger and it wasnt the best I ever had, plus I struggled to eat off the chopping board the burger was served on. Top notch service though, especially the english dude! read more

Favourite spot for a brekkie on Sundays! Good coffee, nice staff, food is amazing... I'm just sad because my favourite dish (mushroom burger) is not on the menu anymore. If you've never been there, give it a try and you won't regret! Ps: they have the coolest take a away coffee cup ever :) read more

The staff are very rude and make a lot of mistakes. Coffee is not the best considering all the options on the strip. Food is hit and miss.

I've tried a lot of mocha around Melbourne. This place serves the best! Very quick and friendly service as well.

Slowwww service and bland food. Sat myself down and took ages for someone to serve me, even though I was in front of the register. Ordered coffee which came out in a reasonable time and it was quite good. Then the guy never came back to get my food order even though he walked past me a hundred times. Finally one of the girls noticed I had not ordered yet and I reluctantly ordered, even though I was over it by this time. (I was hungry). Then the breakfast bruschetta came out and was the most tasteless breakfast I've ever had. Was so disappointed, I did not even want to pay. If you enjoy shit service then go for your life and eat here. read more

Great Fast Seevice, really Good Cold Drip Coffee and the best Coconut yogurt I have tasted in a Long time. Went with a Group of 7people and they brought out out Meals all at the same Time read more

Damn delicious. Sitting out the back in their lovely garden we ordered breakfast. I can highly recommend the breakfast burrito. Being right next to the station, I've ordered a coffee and asked 'Can you make it before the train comes in 2 minutes?' And of course they did. With a smile. The barista Chris is a total babe and I really should go back in for a peanut butter milkshake sometime. read more

I have travelled over 10 countries and am a huge foodie, this is by far the best cafe I've come across on 12 years. There French toast, tortilla wrap and roasted pumpkin sandwich are absolutely must haves. Coffee is always fantastic. I live in USA now and miss this cafe every day of my life. read more

Consistently awesome food & coffee. Can get a little busy, especially on weekends do expect a wait but it's worth it.