This place was actually recommended to me by a friend, and as such we decided to check it out. From what I gathered from other reviews you can have sit down meals, but that didn't seem the case when I was there, though that might have had something to do with the recent lockdown. However, they do make a decent coffee, and it is hidden away down a side street, mostly to create that hidden gem feel of the place. Oh, and of course you can by bags of coffee to takeaway as well. read more

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An Ozzy friend of mine suggested we check out this place in Balaclava, Monk Bodhi Dharma, for brunch. It's hidden as you need to walk a few steps inside of an alleyway to find it. They specialize in being a coffee and tea house with vegan only food. We dropped in on a late Tuesday afternoon (around 3:00pm). It's a very hip, cozy spot. Note: their kitchen closes early at 3:00pm (weekdays) and 3:30pm (weekends) which is bizarre because they stay open later than both those times. The breakfast/brunch menu sounded pretty intriguing. There's about a dozen options along with a few lunch specials (up on the black chalkboard). - Latte ($4.00 AUD) - this is on their menu as "any black". Litaly got his usual latte and let me try a sip. It was actually really, really good and that's coming from a non coffee drinker. Almost made me want to start taking it up! Incredibly smooth and flavourful. Trip #2 On the drive back from Great Ocean Road, we decided to come back to MBD to try their food. Heck, we almost missed our flight out driving to the airport after brunch. We dropped in on a Friday afternoon (around 1:30pm). - Flat white ($4.00 AUD) - I tried a sip and have to say, the latte is still the winner in my books. - Zucchini hotcakes ($19.00 AUD) - zucchini & mint hotcakes with beetroot relish, pickled cucumber, chili and vegan sour cream. Beetroot relish was fantastic. You could definitely taste the chili sauce come through the hotcakes. A bit greasy of a dish but decent. - Banana dharma pancakes ($19.50 AUD) - buckwheat banana pancake served with coffee & date ice cream, raw vanilla bean whipped cream and maple syrup. These were heavy, dense pancakes (think like banana bread style). You get three of them; not sure I could eat a whole plate myself. That being said, the coffee and date ice cream were both delicious and came with a nice mix of fruits (raspberry, blueberries, banana and strawberry). Great if you want a sweet dish. This place is as hipster as you can get. This is a solid spot for drinks, the food is slightly below that level. read more

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First time at Monk Bodhi Dharma & I loved it. It's a cute little dining space, with just enough room between the tables, without feeling too cramped. I could easily have ordered the whole menu but sadly I don't have 10 stomachs!!! So I opted for the Umami Mushrooms which came presented on Pumpkin Polenta Bread with goats cheese, thyme & a drizzle of chilli oil. It was simply delicious!!! Initially I thought the serve looked on the small side but I couldn't have been more wrong, it was just right :) Whilst the coffee was a bit too strong/bitter for my liking the food & service were great so 5* from me. I can't wait to go back!!! read more

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I have a friend who is the biggest bacon freak EVER. The first day I met him he had a raging hangover and said that the only cure was a bacon sandwich. So when he told me that he loved Monk Bodhi Dharma I knew that my assessment of this place was totally spot on. Why? Because Monk Bodhi Dharma is a vegetarian cafe but even the most hardcore meat-osaur doesn't seem to notice the lack of meat. They do some of the best breakfasts here. Corn cakes, Yucatan beans topped with fetta, Umami mushrooms on a polenta pancake, oh and the Bircher muesli - I've whispered sweet nothings at it on at least one occasion. With a daily lunch menu rotating through stews, soups and interesting baguettes it always feels like such a wholesome experience here. Then you realise that they have one of the best tea lists around AND they roast their own coffee. The options are always changing - but expect a house blend and a couple of singles that you can request either through the Synesso, syphon or as a pour over. The latter two will be served in a big brandy glass and you'll feel rather sophisticated indeed. Also check it out for dinner sometime. For two nights a week you can pick from a completely different menu which is mainly raw. The raw desserts are impressive, made with a mix of coconut, ground nuts, nut milks and fruit. The last time I went with five girlfriends, we picked one of everything off the dessert menu and rolled ourselves home... read more

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Hidden away making it hard to find (gotta walk away from the main street down an alley and its behind the main shops... see attached pics). Was a bit sceptical sitting in the somewhat dodgy looking building but as the food and drink came out, its clear the reviews online were spot on... coffee is great, and today the umami mushroom dish was the best... If your not an egg person, this place opens up a new range of brunch options. read more

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My gosh Melbourne, you're killing me with these cute cafes. Will you stop it?!? No no, don't stop! Behind the Safeway and in the parking lot (err..carpark) lays a little cafe called the Monk Bodhi Dharma. It's like one of those secluded and hidden bars, but instead a cafe where I sipped on my Chai Latte (so aromatic!) and devoured some of the buckwheat pancakes. I'd much rather come here than one of those cake shops along Aclan in St. Kilda to enjoy the sweets, especially if they're drizzled with maple syrup...mmmmm...sugar...... read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Sunday chai latte - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

I've been here a few times for coffee before and had their organic toast (which is amazing, btw) but I had their Raw vegan trifle, and being a 100% red meat eater it was new grounds. And.... It was damn fantastic! Will be back and will be trying their menu from top to toe. Just hope my bank account can take it. read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

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The epitome of Melbourne's coffee culture. My local coffee haunt, Harrison C. and I tend to tickle our itch for hedonistic fulfilment here on multiple occasions per week. With 3 different blends available at any given time, there is an option for all palates, including one milk-coffee specific blend- however the black coffee here is as good as any I have had. My favourite blend is one with a molasses mouth feel, though its origin escapes me at this moment. The location, down the alley next to Safeway at Balaclava, has kept this diamond in the rough from becoming overly mainstream, and characterises this venue as definitively Melbournian, yet expect to have to wait 20 minutes for a table as the weather warms up all the same; good things come to those who wait. Enjoy. BWA read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - El Salvatore long black - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

I am glad I was recently told about Monk because it has literally changed the way that I drink coffee. I had recently found out what a piccolo was (small strong café late) and was hoping that this would lead to me drinking espresso's. I was telling this to my friend who took me to Monk and told me that he would order my coffee. We got the Zen Blend (which I now have at home) in espresso form, the sweet fruity flavours of the coffee were amazing. I never knew what coffee was meant to taste like until that day. Enough about the coffee, Monk itself is an amazing place. The menu is vegetarian, this is no issue for non-vegetarians like myself as the food is amazing (highly recommend the avocado mash) and the building is small and intimate, filled with a subtle funky style. read more

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This is by far my favourite cafe at the moment. With Melbourne being the cafe central identity, it's always refreshing when you find a relatively unknown little gem. Monk Bodhi Dharma is a tiny cafe situated down an alley way and behind a Safeway's supermarket on Carlisle Street in St Kilda. Not the most glamorous position I realise but inside it looks like an old barn/chapel that's been re-melbournized to look cool and chic. It barely sits 20 people where you might be unlucky enough to be squashed next to someone smelly on the long table. Doesn't sound great yet? Where this cafe stands out is with the amazing food and extremely high-quality aromatic coffee. There is something really communal about it as well, when, even though you sit next to people, I have never had someone change their order due to how good my meal looked. That meal was the French toast with poached pear and lemon ricotta and my god was it amazing! The breakfast meals are so fresh and really well presented where the intimate surroundings and low-hanging lights make you feel really like you've found the perfect little breakfast joint. The only problem is the fact that it's too small and the more people like me that say how good it is, the busier it gets and now I turn up with there being a line out the door! So, I'm going to say that it's terrible and not worth it...but clearly it is and I love it. read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

First time here and was absolutely blown away by the attention of detail and the care which was put into both my food and coffee. I had the apple pancakes and the combination of flavours with the cinnamon ice cream and fruit garnish was scrummy!! This is how vegetarian food should be-exciting, vibrant and making you come back for more. I'll definitely be bringing friends on my next visit, it's too good to keep to myself!! read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Apple pancakes :) - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

I am still puzzled as to why it is so hard to find a good salad (or any salad) at a Melbourne cafe. I was super pleased to see a beautiful kale salad on the menu at MBD: It featured maple roasted beetroot, spinach goat cheese, pepitas, rosy slivers of grapefruit, and of course, great ruffly green leaves of kale! Healthy, colourful and delicious. We also ordered a red bean chili topped with avocado, which was warm and filling. Monk Bodhi Dharma is great for vegetarians or those who just want healthy, tasty, and sustainable fare. They also do a mean cup of coffee. read more

My Mum is coeliac (i.e. gluten intolerant in the serious way not the fad way) so when we go out I try to scout places with a decent gluten free menu to avoid her usual dilema of being able to order one thing from the menu by default. I was delighted to check out MBD's menu and see that almost everything ticked the box. She's also a tea lover - CHECK. This place has the best tea list I've seen. Usually my one priority is coffee. Lucky for me, Monk is also a speciality roaster. My ulterior motive for bringing Mum here was to get my hands on some Tanzania Blackburn Estate pour over. Stunning coffee that I have had at a few other trusted cafes, so I knew it was going to be my kind of place. We both really enjoyed our meals and I enjoyed the heck out of my two coffees. I have a feeling we'll be back. read more

Honestly one of the best spots for coffee in town let alone the vegan pancakes!! Every mean is top... Only complaint is that even with its back alley nature it's still super busy in peak brunch times read more

This is the best coffee I have ever had. Last time I went, I tried the espresso, flat white, and one of the pour over options. Each was amazing. The pour over was sublime, though pricey. I am still not sure why pour over is 3 times the price of espresso in Melbourne. Maybe it is because it is still fairly rare and a bit of a novelty, even at the better coffee shops. Maybe Melburnian coffee drinkers haven't caught on yet. Maybe it is because it takes longer to make or because the beans are better. I don't know. The prices for a tiny glass of coffee are what you will pay for a glass of wine or a pint of beer but, despite this, I will still happily order it at Monk Bodhi Dharma because they make it exceptionally well (something that can't be said for some other local coffee shops). If the price of the pour over makes you balk, go for an espresso or a flat white. The espresso is amazingly good and made by people who know what they are doing. The difference between a well made espresso and an exceptionally well made one is surprisingly large and MBD do it exceptionally well. You are paying premium prices anyways Melbourne, you might as well get the best. read more

This place never fails to disappoint. Food both meets the palates needs and is catchy to the eye. The staff are always friendly and easy going people. Best known for there coffees this cute cafe is located in an alley way. read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Food was okay. Definitely not worth sitting 30min in the alleyway floor for like we had to while waiting for a table at 11am on a Sunday. Rather than going out of their way to make exceptional vegetarian dishes, it just seems like a regular brunch spot minus the alcohol + eggs/meat. I can see what this place is trying to do (Vegan/Laptop friendly Eastern-But-Still-Hip-Western-N-Chill etc, a type of back alley Williamsburg NYC affair, but it doesn't quite pull it off). There's nothing here you can't make at home, and at roughly $16+ for super basic small dishes like smashed avo or granola, I'd go elsewhere. Not quite sure why it's named after the Monk Bodhi Dharma, as its really just an expensive coffee bar located a parking lot shed. The marketing name sort of feels like a bit of a ploy to con people into thinking it's some kind of eastern-inspired experience, where it's really just a super limited breakfast menu in a minuscule location that's over priced. read more

This is another one of my locals, that a friend put me onto a number of years ago. Great coffee (I even occasionally buy my whole beans here!) as well as an amazing atmosphere, but watch out... it can get busy! It's also perfectly located; a laneway cafe just like in the city (door-in-the-wall style), yet in the suburbs. Easy to find, located just behind Safeway takes away some of that mystique, but none of the flavours :) Worth a visit, and the vegetarian meals will also delight if you can get a seat around lunchtime. read more

Sure it's a bit hard to find, but that's part of the charm of Monk Bodhi Dharma, as it feels as if you've discovered a gem. And a gem it is, especially for vegetarians and vegans (although my friends have told me that they did not miss the meat or seafood in their dishes). It is a small space, with only a few small 2-4 person tables, a communal table, and a bench - so I would try avoid the brunch rush. Their brunch menu is great (mixture of vegetarian and vegan dishes) with an assortment of "traditional" brunch items such as french toast (accompanied by poached fruits in season), sweet corn fritters, and avo and feta mash, but also there are often indian and moroccan inspired dishes (typically the specials for lunch). Their chai is the best I've tasted (brewed and seeped for a minimum amount of time before bringing it to your table), and their desserts are incredibly tasty - especially as some of them are vegan, raw or both! read more

This place doesn't seem like it needs much more love. Busy with a nice feel and cool lay out as long as you're prepared to be up close to your neighbours. Possibly the best coffee I've had in Australia. The barista recommended a Bolivian single origin for my long black and you really could taste the butterscotch and plum notes. The food also, was incredible. I had a lunch special of crushed white bean bruschetta with almond feta and dehydrated tomato. I wish I could spend longer in Melbourne to go here more often, or take it back to the UK with me! read more

Cool cafe with wonderful art that has the music of a top lounge bar and the food of a healthy yogi. I enjoyed eating the zucchini hot cakes which consisted of zucchini and mint hot cakes with beetroot relish, pickled cucumber, chili and almond feta. This was accompanied by an almond chai latte which was prepared with fresh spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. It was a delicious and healthy breakfast! read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Zucchini and mint hot cakes! - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

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Overall, I wouldn't mind having a vegan and vegetarian brunch if it's taste like most of Monk Bodhi Dharma dishes. Even though I still prefer my meat. If you are looking for something similar, Monk Bodhi Dharma's sister cafe called Admiral Cheng Ho at Abbostford served similar menu such as Umami Mushrooms. For the meat eater out there if you want to try your first vegan and vegetarian brunch, I recommend you to start here. read more

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I can see how you'd miss the Monk... it's in a tiny, old, decrepit building essentially in a supermarket carpark. It is however, worth finding. The coffee is quite amazing and the food rather delicious. That said, the entire establishment is vegetarian. So whatever you do, don't drag your bacon-eating husband in here because you will inevitably have something along the lines of 'where is the meat?!' hissed at you across the table. So, with warning... go. Oh, but perhaps choose a nice day because chances are you'll be waiting for a table. read more

You will find Monk in the most unlikely of places, along the path past the supermarket dumpsters off Carlisle St. What awaits inside the timber hut is plenty of incredible vegetarian fare paired with a great set of coffees. The french toast and the bircher are always winners. read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Good soup. Very nice cafe with good service. I came here because a friend recommended them. I will come back:)

What a great hidden gem! Tucked behind Coles off of an alleyway so it's extremely difficult to find. True story: I came here 2 times thinking it had closed and didn't exist before a friend helped me out. Despite the tiny coffees and espresso shots that Are a bit overpriced, the food here is great! I love the shepherds pie and umami mushroom plate is Pretty ok. read more

While we were extremely excited to come and eat at Monk Bodhi Dharma and drove an hour to visit, we were confronted with a closed kitchen two hours before they actually closed. Now while I understand most cafes close their kitchens prior to the whole shop closing, two hours is quite excessive and should be advertised on yelp and their website. This cafe being mentioned on multiple broadsheet articles and other featured websites, many people would travel far for what it has to offer, so it would only be decent to mention such an unusual policy. May not travel out this way again for this place. read more

This place ticks mostly all the boxes. Coffee Atmosphere Food Finally an amazing coffee. Full of flavour and an actual true long black. Not many people can make this surprisingly. The food was amazing. All vegetarian with the vegan option. Portions sizes are large and price is very reasonable. This place is a hidden gem just off of Carlisle street. The cafe itself is very small and cozy. Nice on a winters day. The only reason I didn't rate it a 5 was because I was able to get my pram in there which was a bit annoying. I was told (in the most gentle way) that I would have to leave my pram outside and had to hold my daughter the whole time. But hey so worth it for a great coffee and food. Cannot wait to return but without bubs read more

This has to be one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants out there. The staff are very knowledgable and friendly. Their menu is vegetarian but they can make any dish vegan(excluding one). Great atmosphere(very homey) and most of the time you'll be waiting for a table but it's definitely worth the wait! This restaurant is great for lunch, dinner and even breakfast! They serve fresh coffee and all their desserts(muffins, cookies etc) are ALL vegan. Their muffins use to be much better(cake too)(3 months ago)- now they seem like they're made by someone else which is a bit disappointing. read more

Monk Bhodi Dharma is a seriously quirky, and alternative, vegetarian cafe which is literally located smack bang in the middle of a Woolworths car park - just off Carlisle St, Balaclava near the corner of Chapel. Twosheds popped in solo on a Friday for a late breakfast. The coffee here is superb - organic milk - no skinny allowed. These people care for their coffee, with four different origins on offer. Rich, creamy, smooth and strong - thoroughly enjoyable. They also do a variety of "pour over" coffees. For food, I ordered the zucchini hot cakes. They arrived promptly and were delicious - topped with shaved cucumber and served with a coconut cream with a piquant, sour finish. The fritters themselves were fresh and crispy, but a touch under seasoned (Twosheds fixed this with the classic wooden salt and pepper shakers on offer). On the side was a grated beetroot relish infused with whole cardamom seeds. Fantastic flavour and texture, and a very filling dish. Patrons and staff are denizen of the roots of the cafe: friendly, quirky and alternative. I had troubling choosing what to eat, and got a great steer in the right direction from the fantastic waiter. Recommended for your weekly dose of vegetarian goodness. 4.0 read more

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One of the best coffee destinations in Melbourne (aka the world) and one of the few cafes also offering many single origin selections as well as pour over filter coffees. The staff is incredible friendly and polite, some more knowledgable than others, which just adds to the inviting and happy vibe of the cafe. Definitely my favourite spot for filter coffee, and shockingly good espresso drinks as well. They use very high quality milk from a local farm, and believe me you can taste the difference. They roast everything on site, hence the large selection of filter and espresso options each day, and the amazing smells flooding Chapel and Carlisle each night! read more

Monk Bodhi Dharma - Great latte art! - Restaurants Near Me - Balaclava, VIC

Great space friendly staff, the best coffee in Melbourne and a healthy super tasty menu what else could you want? Monk is a must highly recommended! read more

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Been here a number of times and the food is amazing however it feels as though the management has slipped in a big way. Last few times have involved waiting for a table for more than 40 minutes and then waiting another 40+ minutes for the food. This would be a 1 star review if the food wasn't incredible/if the staff weren't incredibly friendly. Apple buckwheat pancakes are amazing but not worth waiting one and a half hours for. read more

My love for Monk Bodhi Dharma can only be expressed in deep guttural groans followed by voiced glottal fricatives. So rather than attempt to translate, I'll try to win you over with strictly rational logic: At Monk Bodhi Dharma you can eat something that's vegan, gluten free and delicious. All at the same time. And you can wash it down with specialty roasted coffee. Only here. In V/GF brekkie heaven. read more

Best chai tea I've ever had. It's the Monk Bodhi Dharma homemade chai blend and it's totally divine.

yes, it's not the easiest place to find yes, brunch rush is a killer but YES, they happily serve you coffee while you patiently wait outside (.. in the alley near the dumpster) and YES, lovely coffee and lovely menu.. That's all just standard here, but the most pleasant surprise for me is the lovely tea menu read more

The thought of trying out this place was the only thing that got me out of bed this morning - and it was worth it. I had actually tried to come here before but was thwarted by its tucked-away location. A little more research (and some helpful yelp reviews) later, I knew where to go. Hidden away behind shops on Carlisle Street (turn down the laneway next to the deli) and next to the supermarket carpark, finding Monk Bodhi Dharma feels like a reward in itself - and then comes the food. The coffee is great and my umami mushrooms were delicious - and incredibly filling, a little creamier than I had expected. There were so many other enticing options on the menu - even though I am generally not a sweet breakfast or pancake person, I am dying to try the Blackpool Breakfast Trifle and the Avignon Apple Pancakes. The service is friendly, and you have got to admire the care taken making the coffee - this is definitely my new takeaway latte joint. The space itself (stylish exposed brick etc) isn't huge but there are a few little tables for two or so, as well as a great long communal table and a bar bench - this is definitely a great place to come with a friend but it is equally cosy for the lone diner. They are also open for dinner on Friday night - I'm looking forward to going with my vegan friend who is going to love this place. read more

I've been to Monk Bodhi Dharma a few times now. Decided to deviate from my normal sweet-tooth preference for breakfast and go with the sweet corn and ricotta hotcakes. I've tried the apple pancakes and the Bircher before - both of which were excellent - but the hotcakes just didn't do it for me. They're very dense, and hence filling considering they serve up 3 large hotcakes. The flavour reminded me of hash browns. I love the cafe however, and will still return here to try other menu items. read more

I would argue this grungy little hard to find cafe has the best coffee definitely the best chai and best vegan food in Melbourne. It is seriously good. Their almond milk is by a million miles the best in town and is amazing with the chai and coffee. Definitely worth seeking this place out. read more

after two short blacks from here I am ready to plot the overthrow of Castro. The best place in St Kilda for made men to load up on seriously good coffee. Because it is so small easy to spot tails as well. read more