Reviews

"The goodness bowl is delicious! Can’t recommend it enough"

"Amazing food with a difference and friendly service. Highly recommended."

"Great food, friendly service and awesome cold drip coffee. 5 stars"

"A fantastic cafe with friendly efficient service, delicious meals and tasty beverages. There's lots of seating both indoors and outdoors."

"Amazing place, food was superb and friendly staff. Dog friendly as well. Definitely recommend!"

"Can get very busy here at times food is good"

"Lovely food. Cute place"

"Wonderful atmosphere a perfect cafe to have some brunch. Made me and my friend feel very welcome."

"Nice suburban cafe. Can’t comment on the food. Just had a nice spiced hot chocolate with a shot of espresso."

"Hidden gem"

"The environment are very friendly. There are different type sitting area which either you want to sit comfortably inside, on the alley or playing with little kids at the backyard. Food is good with various type either veggies, fish, or meat. I have latte which good in my type with not too strong."

"Best staff. Best food. End of story!"

"Delicious food and staffs is friendly"

"Great service, great food, great coffee. Hidden gem. Will come again"

"Great food, great coffee, good space and friendly service, very easy parking"

"A little corner cafe with quality coffee and a tasty variety of all day breakfast and lunch. My new go-to in the area."

"Fantastic change in food. Staff are incredibly helpful."

"Delicious food!!!!"

"Best eggs benedict I've had anywhere"

"The food and service here is outstanding. The menu is full of surprises and is always great. The coffee is awesome and so are the sweets"

"Pretty impressive small cafe at the roundabout, food was presented in very beautiful way that's very instagrammable. Taste was pretty good as well! Although there was a slight wait for the food , but no complaints for the overall experience in this quiet cafe."

"Fritters and iced was delicious and refreshing."

"Good coffee and chicken burgers"

"Consistently delicious food and drinks. The wait staff are polite and knowledgeable about the menu. My favourite thing is to have the breaky board with a side of mac cheese croquet so satisfying!"

"Great coffee... Nice environment... Great people We tried the Mexican bowl and chicken burger and we loved it..."

"Best coffee"

"Interesting and delicious Coffee served in the European style"

"Food good, love going to cafes in residential areas! Good service"

"Great imaginative food. Friendly staff. Attractive décor. Hot water served with espresso for long black."

"I live in the western suburbs but this place is worth the drive. I'd be happy to travel an hour to come to this beautiful little café. Once upon a time it was a little milkbar but has been beautifully converted into a warm and cosy café. I've been here on several occasions and I always forget to take photos but they have a fantastic Instagram page that showcases the beautiful café and their delicious food and beverages. Out of all the times I've been here I've never had a bad experience. The customer service is fantastic and friendly, they really make you feel comfortable. The food is exceptional and tasty. I especially loved the porridge they make, it goes down a treat on a cold winter's day. Before Covid I was making frequent visits so I could try the majority of their items on the menu. Unfortunately I fell outside the travel limit so it's been a while but to be able to attend again was music to my ears. I will most definitely add photos on my next visit that I go. Found some photos and that's paints a picture of just how good the food is. Best porridge I've ever had, such a wonderful winter dish. Food 5⭐ Coffee & Beverages 5⭐ Customer service 5⭐ Cleanliness & Comfort 5⭐"

"I'd been meaning to visit for a couple of years now after hearing about your effort to reduce food waste. We had a great time. Your staff are super friendly and were great with my preschooler who was creating a small amount of chaos. The food was tasty and in large portions."

"Great outdoor garden"

"Innovative and great tasting menu with friendly service."

"What a hidden gem great food & great service will definitely go back!!"

"Absolutely excellent coffee, food is quite good as well. Always friendly staff, delivering orders efficiently. Popular, get in early on the weekends!"

"Great milkshakes .....particularly the caramel banana with ice cream and smashed Cornetto cone"

"Great place. Try the frozen chai"

"First time there and it was a wonderful time the food, coffee and service were impeccable. I do recommend booking ahead as it very popular and busy busy."

"Must try the special prawn roll! ❤️❤️"

"Great team and coffee"

"The friendly service, the top-notch coffee, the delicious food, the awesome atmosphere - everything about this cafe is beyond exceptional."

"Consistently good food and great service. Can get a little squeezy at busy times"

"Hidden gem in Ascot Vale, friendly service and good (strong) coffee ☕"

"Great place. Awesome vibe. I had a great date here and the atmosphere really helped with my nerves! The coffee was excellent eggs were done well. Will come again!"

"Pre gud."

"Friendly staff and nice place. The mocca was absolutely amazing and the food is really tasty."

"We were skeptical of finding a seat here when we walked in, only to be surprised in finding seating behind the service counter and even more out in the courtyard. The coffee is Devine and the bacon & egg burgers are phenomenal. I’ll be a regular here Staff were friendly & attentive and they even have blankets & heaters outside to keep you toasty on a chilly day."

"Great brunch place with delicious food and friendly service."

"Paige and the other staff are great and the food and decor is special"

"The best breakfast and coffee in Moonee Ponds. Our local fav"

"Darling Street Espresso in Moonee Ponds is a hidden gem that is not to be missed! From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by friendly and attentive staff who are passionate about coffee and delivering exceptional service. The coffee is truly outstanding - rich, bold and full of flavor. The food menu is creative, and everything is made fresh to order, with high-quality ingredients. I highly recommend the salmon benedict - it's a true delight! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet moment alone. What makes them even more amazing is that they’re dog friendly - they have puppy treats on offer to spoil your fur baby. What sets Darling Street Espresso apart is the attention to detail and genuine care for their customers - it's evident in everything they do. If you're in the area, make sure to stop by and experience the magic for yourself!"

"Great cafe, no indoor seating for prams. Food and coffee great. Staff friendly and helpful!"

"Everything about this cafe is phenomenal. From the amazing coffee, to the expertly crafted dishes that taste as well as they present. What isn’t shown is the 2 other seating spaces that this cafe has. A beautiful art deco second dining room, and then a very generously spaced outside area that’s dog friendly. An experience you must have when north of Melbourne."

"Wonderful coffee"

"Wonderful brunch, unfortunately there wasn’t much seating available so we had to sit in the little alleyway which wasn’t the best, but regardless the food was great. My friend ordered avo toast and I had the zucchini fritters, fresh, full of flavour, I would have loved some bread to pick up all that amazing sauce. I will be back again this week with family, for sure!"

"Best food, coffee and service"

"Fave cafe in Melb basically!"

"Coffee & Food is magnificent at Darling Street. Highly recommend."

"Fantastic service, very welcoming & kind, great environment to be in. The coffee and muffins are perfect The management is exceptional Would definitely recommend others"

"A fantastic setting to get some admin work done accompanied by great coffee, scrumptious food and lovely staff!"

"Delicious crab omelette with laksa sauce."

"Great friendly service and food"

"Grateful for the intro to this amazing little place by a friend yesterday. Told my son about it and so HAD to go back today. Unlike some places that might be hit and miss depending on what you order, all the meals have been generous and absolutely delicious with flavours balanced and interesting twists from the norm. My goal is to try everything on the menu!! To top off the incredible food and coffee (made properly as YOU like it), the owner and staff are just delightful, this place has real heart and warmth."

"I was really impressed with this cafe. Great menu, carefully prepared and well presented food, good coffee and friendly staff. We chose to sit in the covered courtyard outside which was cozy with the heater on."

"Popped into this cafe for coffee on mothers day was busy of course. Staff gave us instant greeting guided us to a back room was spacious .We were tempted watching food coming out to snack which we did was delicious x Will return."

"Just moved to the area and have found my new local coffee and brunch place. Food and coffee was delicious and reasonably priced. Will be back :)"

"Delicious brekkie roll and super juice, dog friendly if you sit in the back alley"

"Drink and food options are great! No split bills on weekends and family friendly."

"Good coffee and food, friendly service, great little venue."

"Lovely spot tucked away in the neighborhood. Good coffee. Tasty food. Children well catered for. Chloe is a charming beauty."

"An absolutely delightful coffee shop. Quiet, friendly, great service, and a smashing cup of coffee as well. Captain Atom Man definitely recommends."

"I often visit Darling Street Espresso and always have a fantastic experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is fabulous, and the service is exceptionally friendly. A definite 5-star gem in our community!"

"Always yum and staff are friendly"

"Quiet, creative, local."

"Lovely place in a hidden location with awesome breakfast"

"My favourite spot....."

"I had an amazing experience. Staff were awesome. My 2 girlfriend and I sat and chatted and they would come and check in, never once hurrying us to order more than coffee or always offering more coffees. Thank you so much"

"Fantastic little cafe tucked away off bustling Maribyrnong road. AMAZING coffee, great service and awesome atmosphere"

"Awesome nice Cafe with really good food!"

"HIDDEN GEM. Food is great and terrific coffee. And such a friendly staff."

"Great little spot for coffee and breakfast"

"Terrific local venue with good food, excellent consistent coffee and very accomodating staff. Our kids also enjoy going there which makes it an easy choice for us. The place looks fresh and rejuvenated after it’s mini-renovation over Christmas."

"My favourite brunch spot."

"Food is really yummy here. Great location with good parking and great atmosphere."

"Our favorite cafe in Melbourne. The coffee is made using Industry beans on a La Marzocco to perfection. Service is always lovely and food is spot on. Always have specials on that are actually 'special'. Small area out the back is great and allows for dogs. Breaky burger is sloppy, but totally worth it."

"Great food"

"The Breaky Burger on the new Spring/Summer menu is one of the best I have had, the coffee was nice to."

"Great coffee"

"Food was tasty, fresh and meticulously presented but most of all staff are soo warm and welcoming. We had a booking of 6 fairly loud friends and they did all they could to accomodate us and we ended up staying there for 3 hours. Highly recommend this spot for long brunches."

"Great coffee"

"The staff, the coffee, the food"

"Good place to have breakfast ,food was good and service was not good as expected ."

"Well made fritters, perfect for breakfast."

"Had a great brunch here yesterday, delish fritters and strong espresso but, Guys, move the juicer out of the main room!!"

"Fantastic cafe, with delicious food, great coffee and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Have been many times and have always left happy."

"Very nice coffee. Good selection of food for such a small place"

"This place is awesome.. never had a bad meal (breaky roll and the burgers)and the coffee is some of the best in the northern suburbs"

"Great spot for coffees and a meal with colleagues."

"This place has got to have one of the most creative and delicious brunch menus out there. Dog friendly which is great, and great coffee and service"

"Tom is the bomb. Best coffees in Melbourne. Awesome food. Chilled vibes. Perfect spot."

"Amazing coffee, I would recommend highly."

"Great local cafe. Awesome food and great coffee."

"Best coffee in the area! Excellent food and lovely staff. My fav coffee/brunch place."

"I came in here with my partner last month for a coffee and fell in love. It oozes character and just feels light to be in. It actually made me realise how much I want to live down this way and am now making my move. So this is a Thankyou. I haven’t tried any of the food just yet, but will be back. And will also be popping in my resume so I can hopefully be a part of this groovy place."

"Needed a quick coffee hit on the way to work, this place was close with great reviews. Did not disappoint! Excellent coffee!"

"Lunch was Excellent. delicious veggie bowl salad. Could feel my Body rejoice, it was so well presented and healthy. Added in a few delicious expert made coffees to celebrate with my new healthy insides. Lmao"

"My absolute favourite cafe by far. It’s become my second home over the years and love the team behind it all. The folks working are a delight and the food is amazing and always fresh. I love, love, LOVE their coffee! Never disappoints."

"Great food, great service. A must visit. Very creative food and beverage without the feel of a cheb changing the game too much to compete with other cafes. The simplistic complexity of the good food makes it one of Melbourne greats."

"Perfect seat next to the window. Nice coffees and cozy cafe"

"Enjoyed the pulled pork tacos on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Loaded tacos so I don’t try and eat with my hands, fresh with great flavour. Lovely undercover lane seating and attentive staff."

"Great food and atmosphere in this suburban corner cafe. Staff excellent especially Paige."

"Good"

"A beautiful space with delicious food and lovely service - we travel to make this our go-to cafe."

"Great food and service."

"Excellent."

"Great local. Great food, coffee and service"

"Great cafe, amazing food and fantastic vibe."

"Great little cafe in side street of Moonee Ponds. Def worth a visit. I had the salmon which was fresh and cooked to perfection. See you again soon"

"Always great food. Yummy coffee & a lovely setting! Love this little cafe."

"Do yourself a favour, get the breakfast board!"

"Egg Benedict with pork belly OMG!❤️‍"

"Great food. Super friendly staff."

"Awesome place. Out of city noises. In a quite street.. food and service is amazing. Its like a house made cafe stuff. Even tough they guys helps people in saving stuff which is of no use. U just bring ur vegetables and get free cofee or food instead. Great initiative in saving food. Must have a visit."

"such a lovely neighbourhood-like café, great quality food and the spiced hot chocolate is definitely delicious ."

"Came in at the end of the lunch service and they didn't disappoint. The meals, coffee and staff were brilliant and loved the community vibe. We will be back. If you haven't gone off the main strip and discovered this local gem - you need too."

"Great cafe, food is up there with the best in the area and the staff are friendly."

"Amazing local cafe, always a smiling face and wonderful personable staff. The coffee is consistently delicious, even when they are busy coffee is worth the wait."

"Best cinnamon scroll!"

"Awesome suburban cafe, tucked away from the busy Puckle Street and Union Road shopping precincts. Food is always of a high standard, and meticulous attention to detail on presentation. Indoor seating is ample and spacious, and has a chic feel. Outdoor seating is relaxed and offers a nice shady retreat."

"Love this Cafe with very good menu, very good coffee and gorgeous outdoor seating in the backyard. Coffee is not for the faint hearted - strong and lots of creama. And I love there Reuben sandwich! Moist, lots of pastrami and sauerkraut. So nice to get decent coffee in this neighbourhood."

"Great breakfast menu. The food is fantastic."

"What an incredible cafe! Totally stumbled across this today and will definitely be making regular trips back here. Food on point, coffee just divine, atmosphere perfect and location private and secluded. Get down and support this local business - you will be glad you did!"

"Nice place friendly staff..."

"Cute little coffee place ❤️"

"Great little cafe , nice ambiance with great coffee."

"Good variety. friendly place"

"The coffee is great! Had the bacon stuffed mushrooms. The white bean puree is fantastic!"

"Great inventive menu and friendly helpful staff. Could have sat here all day"

"had the best cappuccino made by the sweetest barista/waitress, chloe fast and super friendly service. will be back!!!"

"Incredible. The staff were attentive, patient, and lovely. The food was INCREDIBLE! Exactly as on their website. So delicious, perfectly cooked! Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu"

"Really good coffee at a reasonable price. The food menu looks amazing"

"Stumbled across this cosy cafe nice and early, there were three other little families with young kids enjoying their Sunday morning brekky there. Great dishes. I smashed my flavoursome fish tacos, the husband enjoyed his breakfast board spread and our son finished all his chips. We'll be back."

"Super awesome! Staff were pleasant and polite. The food I got was presented extremely well and tasted even better. The coffee was lovely. One of the best cafes I've been to."

"Coffee spot on. ..staff helpful. Meals delicious. Jezza"

"Good service , good food and decent coffee"

"Delicious winter warming food gr8 variety and lovely wait staff"

"Chicken burg is the best"

"Discovered this coffee shop, today on my bike ride. I just had a coffee & seems alright. Will come back to try some food soon."

"Great coffee, great food, lovely friendly staff and cafe owner. Probably the best potato rosti you will find!"

"I've been coming here every weekday morning to get a coffee to get me started for each day! Highly recommend to anyone who favours quality taste without having to pay an arm and a leg! ~ Liam"

"A nice little cafe whixh serves great food!"

"Lovely cafe with some great staff that make you feel at home. The true definition of your local cafe, I only wish I lived nearer."

"My Sincere Apologies this was a pocket rating! Now updated to reflect the true rating"

"Had a nice brunch with the family and found service was fantastic. All were very friendly and everything we ordered was delicious. If your in the area give it a go."

"Awesome vanilla milkshakes. Worth a visit."

"Great coffee and friendly staff!"

"Fantastic service - seems to be a hands on owner/manager who went out of his way to look after our large table. Food was excellent - tasty and we'll presented - and the general consensus around the table was that the drinks were good too, from milkshakes to cold drip coffees. Would definitely go there again. Busy with a nice atmosphere."

"We visit a lot of cafes as part of our bike rides. This cafe is easily one of the nicest in Melbourne and I think a lot has to do with the amazing people who run it. It shows when people love what they do. They put love into the food and the service and it makes for a great experience."

"Arguably the best Café in Ascot Vale. Beautiful dog-friendly yard, really great chefs, and awesome staff. The food and coffee is absolutely fantastic."

"Great service and food, coffee good also. Will be back."

"Nice place frequented by local on the west side"

"Fantastic warm and inviting cafe - staff even helped me find a local florist!"

"Always good coffee and great food. The menu changes regularly and keeps me coming back."

"Wow! Amazing look and feel. Service is speedy and second to none! The coffee is so good it is life changing! Definitely found a new favourite breakfast and lunch spot"

"Awesome everything!"

"Food outstanding, staff very nice, coffee very good, dog friendly..lovely place.. Unfortunately we had to wait nearly an hour fir coffee and food, admittedly they were very busy, as they are so good. I had a spinach waffle with poached salmon etc..was scrumptious.. Also my partner asked gf meal, and does get ill if eats gluten , she was served gluten...which is unfortunate, for her and the cafe.. CAUSE WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS CAFE IS FIVE STARS, ITS OUTSTANDING.. But these attentions to detail are really important especially for people that aren't gf, by choice but because it destroys there enjoyment of food..as it makes them ill... Get this right and this is 6 stars nothing around it competes..., keep improving. We will be back.."

"Great service, awesome coffee and tasty menu. Nice little place for weekend breakfast. The staff are always friendly."

"Nice local brunch, love the back seating"

"Good brunch spot to meet with friends."

"Fantastic food, amazing coffee, and even better service. Chris and her staff always make you feel welcome and serve you with a smile. It feels right to start the mornings here."

"Cosy brunch spot with outdoor pet friendly seating. Food was delicious and pleasantly presented. There were so many options on the menu to choose from. Warm and friendly staff. It was busy but there was no wait time for a table and food. Highly recommended."

"The ONLY cafe in Ascot Vale worth your time! Absolutely delicious, unique menu you will not be disappointed. The owner, Duncan is lovely and the cafe has a really homey vibe."

"Delicious menu with new weekly additions and daily specials. Coffee is always spot on."

"Just delishioso, the food was amazing, the staff even better, couldn't do enough for you."

"What a great place in a quiet suburb All ways full so get in early"

"Great cafe!! Totally random for us since we live across town but popped in and were pleasantly surprised! Lovely staff, great food, fast service! It was pretty packed but wasn’t stressful or overwhelming."

"Lovely hidden away cafe in a converted corner store. Great little courtyard and catering for kids and pets. A true neighbourhood gem."

"Yummy"

"Great flat white!"

"Cozy little cafe next door to a school, easy to miss. Enjoyed the laid back vibe, staff were friendly, service was prompt and on point. Great menu items, there is a good balance between savoury and sweet. I enjoyed the breakfast board, has it has a little something of everything, without feeling too heavy. The coffee hit the spot, wasn’t strong, with sweet after notes. Heaps of parking, well worth the visit."

"Nice coffee and pastries. Will be back to try the yummy sounding lunch menu."

"I absolutely love the food here! One of my all time favourite cafes in the area. Staff are super friendly too. Definitely recommend."

"A very pleasant place for a coffee and babychino with my daughter and grandson. The staff were friendly and attentive."

"Fantastic food (taste & presentation) and great service. The ambience is lovely, very cozy and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this place and I will definitely be back!"

"Best coffee around and gorgeous outdoor dining setting."

"Great food and great coffee"

"Lovely staff, superb coffee, delicious food. My favourite spot in Melbourne."

"Excellent food, atmosphere and coffee. This place is a little bit out of our way, but every visit is worth it."

"Top local."

"A quaint and inviting cafe tucked away in a residential area. It offers creative and delicious interpretations of traditional breakfast options and the staff are friendly and attentive. It's also reasonably priced. Check it out!"

"Scrumptious morning tea! Highly recommend the cheesecake and coffee."

"Very nice they have delicious yummy foods and drinks the staff are all quite nice but some things take a while but it's usually very fast to get food"

"warm welcoming staff， great service from local cafe，Nice food as shown on the photos."

"Great corner cafe tucked in the residential streets. We had their prana chai, sweet potato fritters and barramundi for brunch. Everything was perfect! Lots of elements on each dish to balance out flavours and content. Will be back for sure :)"

"The food and the customer service are always fantastic here."

"So good. Food, coffee, staff. Just the best."

"Lovely staff, really tasty food"

"Fantastic food and drink, wonderful staff and great atmosphere!"

"Incredible menu, moreish and delicious!! Sticky pork belly salad was phenomenal! Also has a very cute courtyard out the back. Will be back next time I'm in the area."

"Great Place with Delicious Food. I would definitely recommend it."