As far as cafes around the area this place pretty much tops it. The venue it self feels very quaint as if it were a home depot or ikea showcase which is a good change from the regular hipster cafe. Coffee itself is brilliant and their cold drip is great too! It has become my daily routine. They have a range of easy to grab and go foods well displayed on the counter with a great menue that changes from time to time so it's always something exciting. Did I mention friendly staff yet? They are a delight to chat with and keeps the mood of the space always delightful. They also have Friday night happy hour starting a 5pm with $5 drinks. It gets even better because the place is also open of weekends which many aren't in this area of the city. read more

Went here for breakfast twice over AFL Grand Final weekend when in town for the game. The place was packed, however they still managed to find us a table. The food came out very quickly and was spectacular. Truly gourmet food at reasonable prices. Will definitely head back when in Melbourne read more

Decided to try out a new breakfast place for my birthday and heard good things about the grain store so decided to give it a try. Firstly, it's located in an odd part of town past king Street down Flinders lane, not a very touristy spot though it is close the aquarium. The decor inside is very warm with lots of light wood mixed with an industrial loft style celling. The atmosphere feels very welcoming and the Cafe is not very big. The staff are very friendly and attentive. Coffee is above average but not the best if compared to places like seven seeds, market lane or industry beans. However they offer other beverages such as jucies and smoothies which looked amazing. My partner ordered a bloody Mary and it was delicious. The breakfast selection is not big but the the dishes that we ordered were exceptional. I had a smoked salmon with a fried poached egg and cucumber salad with lime and it was one of the best breakfast dishes I ever had. My partner had the pollenta fritter which was also very good. Overall the dishes felt very well balanced and not to heavy but enough to not leave you hungry afterwards. We had a very positive experience here and will definitely be coming back read more

The Grain Store - Cosy interior - Cafes Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Amazing brunch place! I think food in Melbourne is ahhhmazing- I never had any bad food experiences during my visit to Melbourne. We arrived around 11ish and had to wait about 20-30 mins to be seated. But trust me it was more than worth the wait. I've got salmon salad, latte and ricotta pancake to share with a friend, and she's got some lamb breakfast. Everything tasted absolutely delicious and fresh(no doubt they use very very fresh & good ingredients which i value so much). Their ricotta pancakes were to die for- it was the best pancake i've ever had in my life seriously. i am craving it right now writing this review. Wish i was back in Melbourne now so i can have it tomorrow morning. Coffee was great and other dishes very nice. I actually liked my friends better than my salmon dish because this salad tasted a bit too healthy, but don't get me wrong i'm not saying it was bad or anything. I would just say the lamb dish had more flavors to it. So it totally depends on your tastes. Would def go back to this place for my next visit in Melbourne! read more

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Cute interior and decor. The staff are friendly and the food presentation is on point. If i could eat with my eyes i would. I've tried most of the dishes on the menu and my favourite is the salmon. eating it feels like going to heaven if that is what heaven feels like. Perfect place to have weekend brunch with friends or family. read more

Top breakfast and perfect coffee. Try the polenta fritters with avocado and chipotle mayo

I've been to here a few times and have never been disappointed by the coffee or the food. On this occasion, it was a few of the staff I found a bit unpleasant. A friend of mine and I had organised to meet there Thursday. However, she got the day wrong and turned up 24 hours earlier. So I shifted my schedule around to meet her and got there as fast as I could. I love about half an hour out of the city and got there in 45 minutes (including finding a park). When I walked in and asked where my friend was sitting, the waitress looked at me with a bit of disdain and said, 'she's been waiting here for a long time' as if it was my fault! I politely replied that my friend wasn't supposed to be here today, which was received with the same look and I was left to find her myself. The other moment was another waitress who came across annoyed at us for wanting to split the bill, which couldn't happen because they'd merged the table numbers for whatever reason. She then printed the bill and told us to figure it out ourselves. I get that it was busy, but it's not great to feel like a nuisance. (The other two waiters who served our food were lovely, just to clarify.) read more

Oh yes, the Grain Store is a mighty sound choice for breakfast. This is a very well run establishment from what I experienced and clearly popular. I arrived on the dot at 7.15am and it was already buzzing. I started with a sparkling as one does, or at least as one does occasionally recalling the cava I pounced on at breakfast in Madrid a few years ago. Sounds wanky I know but it was there at the hotel buffet breakfast and included in the price, so why not I thought. Loved the one here at the Grain Store too. It was a lovely lead in to breakfast proper, which was the potato rosti with mushrooms. I also had bacon as an extra. I chose wisely. The dish was extremely good. The mushrooms were as good as I've ever tasted. Beautifully and skillfully cooked with a rich and deeply satisfying flavour. I've not encountered many better. I'm getting misty eyed thinking about them again. The bacon too was superb. Best I've had for a while, again with a deeply satisfying smoky flavour. The rosti could have done with a bit of a lift I reckon but was still enjoyable. The spinach in the dish was terrific as well. All in all it was a very nice dish indeed and just the right size. Coffee here was good too despite the trend of having it a bit on the cool side. It reminded me of Barry in Northcote where the coffee is too cool too. It's a silly trend in my humble view. No matter, it was still enjoyable. Finally, I have to comment on the service here. It was seriously good. Each server who attended to us was superb. Very pleasant and very speedy. It appeared to be a very well run team with the individuals chosen for their efficiency and niceness, a very wise selection criteria. I also like the United Nations feel of the thing as the servers were clearly from multiple countries. So, a pat on the back for everyone, managers and staff alike. This place was a rock solid 4 out of 5 for me. I will definitely return soon. read more

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Great healthy Breakfast and good service too ! Get the banana nut bread for desert ;)

Great staff and wonderful heathy items, great European style and modern menu and excellent coffee!

Outstanding food, coffee, and vibe. I loved the chocolate pancakes and bacon (that rivaled the best US bacon)!

Yummmmm food mixed with great service = perfect Sunday brekky. The place was pumping but the staff run a fabulously tight ship and everything happened pretty quickly, never having to wait for food, coffee or attention. Next time I visit Melbourne I'll be back. Really impressed. read more

It used to be one of our regular but somehow the manager changed and this new manager, she was unfortunately very rude. I think her name was atzira? She is an Indian decent. Asked for a cake, she hesitantly assisted, I told her to bring out after food for the birthday girls but she bring it out and just put it on the table and left, got asked to leave as soon as we finish(maybe because we have a toodler?), asked her help to break 20 notes to smaller notes- again she not willing to help, this is her exact words "I don't think I can help you" with till full of notes and change (I know because I stand next to her, the till is not behind the counter). Overall very unfortunate awful experience at a place that used to be our regular just because of one really bad customer service by the manager. On the good notes food and coffee are OK read more

A great place. The wait staff were amazing. We called up on a busy morning for a large table and they squeezed us in. Food was delicious, coffee good and all came out fast. read more

What a find! Tucked away in a tall building on Flinders Lane. Make a Reservation or expect to wait for a table. Split two sandwiches between 3 of us - the Veggie and a Panko breaded fish. Both were excellent! The sandwiches came with a salad that would have been enough on its own to satisfy me. It had roasted squash, golden beets, broccoli, and buckwheat (the mystery grain). Along with Arugula, and only lightly dressed. Sandwiches are Huge, so plan to share. read more

Cool space, but what in Melbourne isn't? I had an awesome bacon and smoked mozzarella bagel with a fried egg and chipotle mayo which I'll come back for when I have a chance. Good coffee. Not entirely sure about the menu for kids but can't say i was paying too much attention. :) read more

I met my French friends here for brunch and they liked it. The coffee was good but the hot chocolate was a bit too sophisticated for my 10 year old - "Bitter" she called it, although I thought it was deliciously grown up. It was packed to the rafters and we hadn't booked but after only a few minutes wait they found us a table. At the end of the meal we were hurried out the door as "the next booking was waiting" which was a touch rude, but otherwise I'd recommend it as a reliably good spot to take out-of-towners for brekky or brunch. read more

Popped in here late on a Saturday afternoon for a coffee as it was about the only place open. It was pretty quiet as i think they were finishing up for the day. We only came in for a coffee and were served really quickly and pretty much had our choice of tables. I have heard however that this place is super busy and has some amazing food. Will need to go back to try the food, but the ambiance was really good and could easily have spend the afternoon drinking coffee and chatting away. read more

The lamb hash was a solid 10 for brunch. Partner had portobello mushroom potato rosti and couldn't get enough. Well worth any wait. read more

Awesome breakfast venue, great menu and friendly staff. Had a bagel with egg, bacon and avocado, which tasted amazing. Went with my buddy and we both enjoyed it. read more

Great little foodie brekky restaurant. Beware there is a wait. Definitely worth your time.

Amazing food BUT terrible customer services ever!!!! Not worth for the price! Ruin everything! Waited so long and been ignored by the lady who is supposed get you a table. read more

Amazingly yummy brunch in a bit of an odd setting in the business side of the CBD. The setting is adorable with wood paneling everywhere, the food is scrumptious, and there's enough variety for everyone. Be prepared to wait some for the weekend brunch slots though; it IS worthwhile! read more

Stumbled across this obviously popular cafe before going to the aquarium. Fabulous display of healthy fresh food of sandwiches/muffins/sweets etc. great service and lovely menu.... Would def recommend.. read more

We were only 2 days in Melbourne and We definetly don't regret our choise of going there for Brekky. The food was so so good, wonderful place (trendy!), great location! We ate one "salty" and one "sweet" breakfast and both were awesome. So were our Latte! :) read more

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Every dish on the menu was amazing - wish we could have them all. Felt like fine dining; was presented beautifully. Wasn't an issue that we asked many questions (dietary requirements). Staff was amazing, kept it simple. Great area really open space. Want to come back everyday and wish we had bigger stomachs. AMAZING!!! read more

Im going to have to give this 5 stars. The meal was amazing it came out quickly but not too quickly, still had time to chat. The atmosphere was nice and the music and aura of the place was perfect for a weekday breakfast. However, the waiters need to smile more!!! read more

Great food but the waitress who served us was a b*tch. Rude, ill mannered. Kind of spoilt things. But the food was very good.

Never have I ever been so rudely treated. I guess it's one of those places that you have to be a regular or you are a nobody! The hostess not only treated us badly when she asked if we had a reservation but we called ahead and they said we needed a party of 5 to have a reservation. We are in Melbourne often and have eaten here before and the food was good. We decided to take a friend to brunch on her birthday and it was a very embarrassing situation. It was suppose to be fun and nice and from the moment we walked in .. it was a a terrible experience. If you want to be treated nicely and have good food go to St. Alley Roasters! They are the best in town! read more

Menu creative and very innovative . I had the "Polenta Corn Fritters with Avocado and smashed greens", all around a great dish, but was a little disappointed to find out it was nothing more than merely a slice of pan fried polenta. I was expecting something with actually corn kernels with the polenta from reading the name ( similar to Bill's corn fritters - Yum). However the surrounding components to the polenta was really it's crowning glory ! A perfectly poached egg was laid over the polenta sprinkled with sesame seeds & hazelnut dukkah. Avocado mashed with peas, mint leaves, and herbs -add freshness and cuts the creaminess of the avocado. Oh ! And the sauce - pear & cider relish, compliments the dish so nicely with sweetness. Crispy carrots chips too. You cut through the eggs and let the yolk drizzle into everything, really an explosion of flavors and textures in your mouth. Decor modern, high airy ceilings and lot of natural fiber and materials. Can't wait to try other dishes here in the future if ever in Melb again. read more

The Grain Store - Polenta corn fritters with avocado and smashed greens - Cafes Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

excellent service. food is also really good! clean, beautiful dishes. very tasty! I had the vegan cauliflower. my friend had the pork belly. happy with both. bit on the pricy side, but worth it! read more

AVOID! My experience today: At first confronted by an abrupt manager (I assume she was a manager) whose greeting was "HEY! Hey! Talk to me!" I was able to order a coffee and a bite. I said I could sit outside, was told that was fine, took my croissant and cappuccino out there. Inside, there was a mix of diners and people sitting on laptops with coffee. It was a bit chilly, so no one else was outside. A waitress finished setup of the three or four tables after I sat down. I made a (quiet) five minute phone call home, no one else was out there. One or two others showed up and sat outside soon. I was waiting to see the waitress to order another coffee when the same manager from before appeared and rudely demanded I leave in favor of paying diners; I tried to politely assert that the evidence of my patronage was actually in my hands. She wasn't having a bar of it and said the place was filling up and I needed to vacate for higher-paying customers. For perspective, I was dressed well, quiet, had only been therr for a maximum of fifteen minutes and had ordered at least as much as half of anyone inside, with the intent of ordering more and being joined by friends. This woman was rude, abrupt, and even understanding a need for turnover this was very strange and simply unacceptable. Worst dining experience I have had in Melbourne. Avoid this place in favour of the dozen other excellent cafes in the area. Recommended: Cherry and Twigs or Hunters Roots. read more

With a two minute walk from our apartment, we could not have found a better place for our first meal in Melbourne. Beautiful tea, coffee and hot chocolate were enjoyed before a variety of ricotta pancakes, bacon steak with hash and eggs & croquettes with black pudding were enjoyed for brunch. The service was friendly and helpful and would absolutely recommend a trip to Grain Store to anyone in Melbourne. We will be visiting this cafe before the end of our trip :) read more

The food is lovely, and the wait staff pretty hospitable until... I had come alone to the cafe to do some work on my laptop- and in the meantime had ordered a plate lunch. About 10 minutes after I'd finished eating, a woman I assumed could've been the owner came up to me and asked me how much longer I would be. I was taken by surprise as this is hardly a quick eat/take out joint. I told her that I was still going to have a coffee. Again she asked how much longer I would be as it was their lunch hour to which I replied that I was here for lunch. And just because I had finished eating didn't mean I was finished. How long do most people take for lunch here? I asked. To which the owner shut up and finally stopped badgering me. It's unacceptable. If I'd been here with a lunch companion, taking my time over lunch I would not have been harassed the way that I was. But because I ate alone I was singled out and asked to leave within the hour. Offensive and short sighted customer service. read more