Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mr Tulk

    3.3 (41 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Mr Tulk Photos

    MR TULK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Mr Tulk

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Hugh M.

    I've done it again. Managed to finally review a place many, many, moons after the fact, years more likely. This space opposes Rmit University, and sits within the foundations of the State Library. Mr Tulk is one of those places that is bursting at the seems and about to break apart. (Being busy and all.) Such is this modernist cafe. The long black I drink is fantastic, but holds no real effect, but that's more the blame of the copious amounts of coffee I've had prior. Brilliant lunch things are on offer. Focaccia, filled baguettes and little pastries and mini cakes. All of which transcend bland and boring flavours. Hip, young, and suspiciously too attractive is the precedent set for most floor staff here. They seem all au-fait with the most current trends. Ergo, it would be easy to enjoy one's self here in a work environment. Lunching bread based options; meat ball, salami, Vegetarian, etc. As well as other brilliant option that I wont tell you about as you'll just have to visit for yourself. All bread based lunch things are around the $9.50 mark. Not the cheapest in Melbourne, yet it remains relatively good value. At least in terms of how's its framed. Melbourne is getting more expensive by the day. One can't really go wrong for options though. I imagined Mr Tulk as a squared reading room, but it more a long a skinny annex. It's also the haunt of literary types, and the hordes from the state library. It's not as if someone can absorb knowledge here by osmosis, but I decree that involving one self in the practise of such questions (information) would certainly yield results. Oooh, I almost forgot; they have alcohols here; beers, ciders, wines and spirits. This could make just not for an extended stay, but future "later in the day" visits too. There's more than one reason to have you coming back. Mr Tulk sort've has a life of it own; poly-rhythmic, with a double heart beat. Judging by the amount and types of people that flood through here it's not about to abate any time soon.

    I've never ordered a long black before. Are they usually half empty??
    Wendy F.

    I quite like Mr Tulk because of its location (directly across from work). It's housed within the State Library Building accessible from with the library just past the bookshop and direct street access is via LaTrobe street. The cafe has a nice open feel and outdoor tables are roomy and comfortable. The coffee is nice so are the cakes and slices. It's a great location for a 'work meeting' over coffee. Staff are nice but it gets very busy and service can be a bit slow even when it's not busy.

    Michelle W.

    I have always come her for coffee only but the last time my coffee tasted so bad that I haven't been back for more. This time, I thought we would try and have the lunch. We had the salmon baguette, the avocado on toast and I had the meatball. The meatball wasn't too bad, but I keep thinking I have had better. For $11.50, its not too bad. I might come back and give them another go for their coffee again! Stay tuned!

    David S.

    I really like people to use a strainer when they make their tea so I can remove it before it becomes too strong (I don't like strong tea). So, when I get my pot of tea and they haven't used either a tea bag, or a strainer, then I am immediately put off, and you guessed it - this place does not use a strainer. Mind you, I have been here a couple of times before, but after about a year I completely forgot how they made their tea, so went back and had a throughly unenjoyable beverage. They aren't cheap either. The place itself isn't all that bad, and maybe I am being a little picky, but since I don't drink all that much coffee, I do like places that make the tea the way I like it.

    Hope M.

    Mr Tulk: hot coffee, hot waiters. 'Nuff said. It's also got some other things going for it - the main one being that it's attached to the State Library, so is the ideal place to procrastinate when you should be studying. I also enjoy both the outside area and the interior. The outside is a lovely sunny spot to watch people and traffic go by, and in winter the heaters keep you toastie warm. Inside there's a wall filled with books - it reminds me a bit of Bruce Wayne's library - very cool (am I alone in wishing I lived inside a Batman soundstage?). Make sure you have the avocado on toast - it's such simple comfort food. In fact, over the years I've had everything on the breakfast menu and it's all been great. Everything they do is wholesome and packed with flavour, with serving sizes you can actually finish... Yum.

    Vanessa R.

    Great that this cafe opened up at the State Library. It's such a treat to have an excellently made coffee on hand when it's break time from the hard slog in the Library. It's obviously a very student-y hangout, which is no bad thing, but they were also ok with me arriving with my sister-in-law and her two little girls, both of them old enough to move around and make lots of noise and mess. The staff are a bit up themselves or perhaps they just don't really care about being there, but one senses boredom and a nonchalance bordering on resentment coming from them. Food here is sandwiches and stuff. All pretty good but not the cheapest around.

    Avocado on sourdough.
    Natalie Z.

    I went for brunch with a friend before exploring Melbourne. My friend took the wrong train so I sat at a table and waiting for 25 minutes before she arrived. As I waiting, I had plenty of water and the staff made sure I had my flat white to drink. I ordered the avocado toast on sourdough with feta and it was amazing! The presentation was beautiful as well.

    See all

    Photo of Jol K.
    21
    4
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Review Highlights - Mr Tulk

    This space opposes Rmit University, and sits within the foundations of the State Library.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Coffee & Tea 277 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Caretaker's Cottage

    Caretaker's Cottage

    4.0(5 reviews)
    0.2 kmMelbourne

    - super friendly staff - free wifi…read more- delicious drinks - lively scene - came generously recommended by the city's top bartenders

    Absolutely disappointing experience and appalling customer service. The vibe looked good and we…read moredecided to take a chance. We entered at 11pm and decided to get a bottle of sparkling. No one informed us about any policy. We paid for the bottle with 5% service charge which I do not think they deserved. We had a sudden work call at 11.30pm and grabbed the bottle to go, only for the staff to chase us to the front of the bar to inform us that they do not have a takeaway license. For christ sake, we already had bought the bottle!! Though it's alright, we respect policy. They highlighted that they needed to keep the bottle in the establishment. We asked if we could come back and finish it. They said they would keep our bottle. We rushed back to our hotel (Marriott- 200m away for the call). When we returned at 11.58pm, they had already thrown our bottle away. Unbelievable! They were quick to receive our money but equally quick to throw our experience out the window. No doubt, we returned almost at closing times but throwing our wine before closing time - if you wanna go by the book, that is still not your closing time. When we raised our grievances to the staff, she said she told us about closing time at 12 midnight. However, we emphasised that she should have let us know about the takeaway policy and license. Had we known, we would not have ordered a bottle. She looked at us blankly and simply replied "feedback received, but we do not allow anyone in after 12, so you have to leave". Quite honestly, ChatGPT / Claude / Grok could have conveyed more empathy. I am not a VIP customer nor am I a high spender. That being said, I value places with a human connection and empathy, and would regularly visit such places with joy and happiness multiple times. This place is not one of them. For this reason, I will never visit again. If you think likewise, and value authenticity and a true Aussie welcome, you would not visit this place. I hate to give negative reviews but please spend your money elsewhere.

    Photos
    Caretaker's Cottage
    Caretaker's Cottage
    Caretaker's Cottage - Found you!

    See all

    Found you!

    State of Grace

    State of Grace

    5.0(7 reviews)
    1.3 kmMelbourne

    State of Grace was one of the highlights of our Melbourne trip -- an incredible dining experience…read morefrom start to finish. The atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and full of character. From the moment you walk in, there's a buzz that makes the place feel alive without being overwhelming. It strikes a great balance between upscale and relaxed, making it perfect for a date night or a fun evening out. The warm lighting and eclectic design add to the charm and make you want to linger. Service was friendly, attentive, and well-paced throughout the night. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, checked in on us at the right moments, and made the whole experience feel effortless and welcoming. Every dish we ordered was excellent -- not a single miss. We started with the Cauliflower & Mozzarella Croquettes, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly creamy inside. The Grilled King Prawns were flavorful and cooked just right, while the Kingfish Ceviche was fresh, bright, and beautifully balanced. The Stracciatella & Heirloom Tomatoes was simple yet outstanding, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. For mains, the Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and full of rich flavor, and the Lamb Backstrap was tender and well-seasoned. The Pecorino & Ricotta Ravioli was comforting and delicate, while the Seafood Linguine stood out with generous portions of seafood and a beautifully balanced sauce. The Honey Glaze Carrots were the perfect side -- sweet, savory, and executed flawlessly. Overall, State of Grace delivers on every level -- ambience, service, and food. An exceptional spot that lives up to the hype, and one we'd absolutely return to on our next visit to Melbourne.

    State of Grace has a positive vibe. Even before your first drink you will think oh what a cool…read moreplace. It's the decor from extravagant chandeliers to deer heads with pearl necklaces; it's beautifully eclectic. I had an old fashion and it had the right mix of orange and bitters. I also ordered the burger which was decent and the fries were hot and crispy. The night I visited there was a live singer playing tunes. Service was quick and friendly. Even the ordering is eclectic as you order electronically (QR) pasted to a library book. This place is worth a visit.

    Photos
    State of Grace
    State of Grace
    State of Grace

    See all

    Mr Tulk - coffee - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...