Reviews

"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"

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

"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"

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

"Great neighbourhood Cafe. Staff were lovely. Great coffee and cakes"

"We were in the neighborhood and was looking for a cafe for brunch. Stumbled upon this cafe and it did not disappoint. Coffee was amazing! What’s even better was the food - Chilli Scram was so delicious; and even the prawn roll (I had the last one for the day which means it’s so popular that it’s sold out by noon) was such good portion and well-balanced. There was a courtyard at the back, really nice during the summery weather we had today and oh, they were dog friendly too. Chloe who served us was so friendly and pleasant. She made sure that we enjoyed our meal and even had a bowl of water for our fur babies. Well, that’s enough to tell you that we will certainly be back! Thanks team!"

"Great flat white!"

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

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

"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."

"Good ambience and creative food. The overall experience was fantastic."

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"Guys keep up the great work, me and my husband will be back very soon."

"Great 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"

"Top local."

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

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

"Best coffee"

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

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

"Cozy and friendly staffs. Easy to park."

"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."

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

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

"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."

"Cute little coffee place ❤️"

"Great cafe with excellent coffee, fresh squeezed juices and sensational food. Just tried their house made Rueben Sandwich and it was exceptional - absolutely delicious. This is all topped off by friendly efficient service and lots of street parking nearby. Highly recommend this cafe!"

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

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

"Good food and coffee"

"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."

"Very friendly nice food. The area could have been warmer"

"Great coffee and friendly staff!"

"So lucky having such a great cafe to have close to home. Such a friendly team, great atmosphere and excellent food/coffee!"

"So good I literally am moving into a house on darling street just to accommodate my addiction to the breakfast bun (with a side of avocado)"

"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"

"Hands down the best cafe in Melbourne. Each dish is made with such fresh ingredients and looks like an actual work of art. Their menu has a wide variety of options, all of which will leave you satisfied and full. anytime I have visitors I take them here and have never been disappointed. Amazing flavours, great atmosphere and lovely staff Special shout out to the lovely server from Chicago who was a real joy"

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

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

"Second time coming here, great food and friendly service. I loved that i was served the long black with the shot in a cup and the hot water on the side! First time in years anywhere has done that and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Food was tasty! Very unique and take on some classics. Thank you!"

"Fantastic cafe"

"Friendly service and delicious food which was tasty, generous portion size and was dished up so beautifully. Little bit of a wait on a Sunday and a tad expensive but otherwise great! I highly recommend the avo toast with smoked salmon"

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

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

"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"

"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⭐"

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

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

"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!"

"Lovely food and a nice courtyard"

"Always yum and staff are friendly"

"Good local cafe with kid’s menu."

"Well ."

"Great breakfast and coffee!"

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

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

"Quality coffee!!! Great service."

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

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

"Nice food. Attentive staff! Vegan friendly."

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

"My favourite spot....."

"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!"

"Great place, great food!"

"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 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."

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

"We were hangry and tired and needed nourishment and this place soothed the soul and hit the spot on every level. Absolutely loved the food and ethos. Great staff too"

"Delicious brunch meals with kid-friendly menu selections as well as the availability of high-chairs. The staff are friendly and attentive. The indoor dining area can be pretty warm during warmer days, however."

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

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

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

"Well made fritters, perfect for breakfast."

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

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

"Great food. Super friendly staff."

"Delicious crab omelette with laksa sauce."

"Pre gud."

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

"Must try the special prawn roll! ❤️❤️"

"Lovely and cosy place"

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

"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!"

"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"

"Great place. Try the frozen chai"

"Excellent food and service. Highly recommended!"

"Delicious food and staffs is friendly"

"Great hidden gem in Moonee Ponds. Going to be a regular."

"Good"

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

"Coffee was great and so was the service....thank you!"

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

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

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

"Brisket Eggs Benedict Chilli Scrambled Darling St Espresso is a humble family run cafe where they use nothing but locally sourced ingredients. It almost feels like you’re having a meal in someone’s home. They have a small outdoor courtyard which I personally think could be only improved with some music for a little bit of vibe. Their Eggs Benedict looked and tasted incredible I loved the use of brisket. The chilli scramble was also a hit, it had a slight sweetness to it, totally delicious. The green juice was, dare I say, abit tooo green, needed something to sweeten it and make it less gritty. A solid choice in the area, we will be back!"

"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."

"Great local. Great food, coffee and service"

"Chicken burg is the best"

"Excellent food and service always."

"Fritters and iced was delicious and refreshing."

"Great neighborhood Cafe with food that is not your standard and great coffee"

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

"Great menu and lovely staff"

"Lovely atmosphere and relaxed, casual setting. Ingredients are fresh and well prepared. The chilli scramble were well cooked and tasty (could use a little more chilli, but then I do like a bit of spice) and the waffles were beautifully light, not too sweet and not at all stodgy. Will definitely be coming back."

"Great service ,food and pet friendly"

"Nice 2 hangout, tasty food good coffee Do yourself a favour if your in the area"

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

"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."

"Presentation FTW! We're regulars here. :)"

"Great staff and food"

"Melbourne’s best kept secret! This place has incredible food and is a place I can’t recommend highly enough to friends and family."

"Best coffee around and gorgeous outdoor dining setting."

"Cute little cafe. Tacos were to die for."

"Awesome vanilla milkshakes. Worth a visit."

"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 place and is walking distance from marbi river."

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

"Nice place friendly staff..."

"We were staying at a friend's house around the corner and decided to have breakfast here. The coffee was great and the food exceptional! Highly recommended!"

"Breakfast board is amazing!!!"

"Good coffee"

"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."

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

"Lovely food. Cute place"

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

"An unassuming place located in residential Ascot Vale but arrival after 1pm with a healthy crowd indicated it is a popular place. Seating in and out is compact, but not to bad to feel like you are jammed in. Bike parking racks down the side to the rear but a few blocked by tables and plants. The service was good, friendly. Good menu variety. Wait times was quite reasonable. Finally, the food: cheese burger was a great burger and I'd even think about putting it in my upcoming top ten burgers of Melbourne news article. A great well cooked blend. The serve of chips though are the thin cut McDonald's style. Change these out to some healthier steak cut and you have a winning combo. Added a choc milkshake and it was a good priced lunch. My two friends reported they enjoyed their lunch. This place is located just off the Maribrynong River Bike trail if your looking for a place to refuel yourself. Otherwise, worth the visit."

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

"Nice local brunch, love the back seating"

"Always great service, friendly staff and terrific food/coffee. So blessed to have this little gem just around the corner."

"Always a great vibe and beautiful experience. Chris and the team always make us feel welcome! The food is exceptional in quality, taste and we love trying the seasonal menu. It’s consistently delicious! Darling St Espresso is our go to cafe, it ticks all the boxes, great food/coffee, service and plenty of parking! Our little guy is also well catered for and entertained with colouring pencils! We’ve been coming for years and find it a true gem in Moonee Ponds! ❤️"

"Cool place"

"Great place to eat. Food was awesome. Full of flavour. Fantastic service."

"What a lovely little cafe, with a creative and delicious menu. I had the grain salad with added chicken, the chicken was so succulent and perfectly cooked and the salad was made with care (little slices of radish and bits of pomegranate). They also do a great bonsoy matcha, and their courtyard is cute."

"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"

"A nice little cafe whixh serves great food!"

"I was introduced to this lovely cafe by a friend and I’ve been raving on about it since. The court-yard at the back is my pick for a quiet and relaxed breaky... the staff, food and ambience are so homely, it almost feels like you’re being looked after by family! The food and coffee speak for itself at this humble cafe, it needs no bells and whistles, it’s just simply for what it is! Pet and kid friendly, great for all ages."

"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!"

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

"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."

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

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

"Service was perfect. The food was also delicious and reasonably priced."

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

"Fantastic wee cafe with a superb breakfast roll. A hidden gem."

"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."

"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."

"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!"

"Nice food"

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

"Good coffee and chicken burgers"

"Lovely place in a hidden location with awesome breakfast"

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

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Best cinnamon scroll!"

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

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

"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"

"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."

"Quiet, creative, local."

"Great options from their menu here, it’s obvious why this place is so solid in their customers. It’s a vibrant bustling cafe with great staff and food to go with it!!"

"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 :)"

"Interesting and delicious Coffee served in the European style"

"A smile with a service that can’t be beat!"

"Great service and fan cappuccino"

"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"

"Amazing coffee, I would recommend highly."

"Good coffee, yummy brunch offers, can't ask for more. It's a very instagrammable place if you're looking for something visually pleasing as well as offering good quality menu items."

"Hidden gem"

"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."

"Egg Benedict with pork belly OMG!❤️‍"

"Can't comment on dine-in experience as Melbourne lockdown hit, but visited here a couple of times for coffee fix. Coffee was really really nice and balanced and the same quality each time I ordered. Very moreish. Strawberry and Chocolate muffin was oh so good and full of both strawberry and choc..no skimping on ingredients. Such a great little local spot and will definitely return and try the food."

"Innovative and great tasting menu with friendly service."

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

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

"This is a beautifully positioned store in the heart of the community. Coffee is excellent and food very good. Staff are extremely friendly. What more could you want."

"Amazing coffee and food and superb service Very inviting atmosphere aa+"

"YUM!!! I had the potato rosti breakfast and a smoothie, both utterly delicious and I left with a full and happy belly."

"Service, food, pram-friendly, ambience, location, cost is perfect."

"Always reliable to get a good quality feed - whether breakfast, brunch, lunch or just a coffee. Service is good but can occasionally be slow. Great place for Moonee Ponds cafe scene!"

"Great coffee, chai and smoothies. Excellent food with exceptional ingredients. Our go to place for brunch. Can be very busy, so book ahead if you don’t want to be disappointed. I recommend the Beef ragu gnocchi, Chorizo smoked scamorza cheese toastie and the breakfast bun."

"Great coffee, food and exceptional service :-)"

"Everything is fantastic at this place! Absolutely love their toasties"

"A lovely café hidden among the backstreets of Moonee Ponds, with good coffee, and a great range of dishes for breakfast, brunch or lunch. This place is deceptively big - there’s a decent sized area out front, with share tables, and another big dog-friendly area out back, and more tables along the passage at the side. The twice baked French Toast was delicious and massive, the salads were superb, and there’s a decent range of GF options for a brunch style cafe. The location also means there’s plenty of street parking right outside."

"Nice small cafe, out of city."

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

"We came back for breakfast and coffee. But the place has been changes, the atmosphere so nice and pleasant, coffee and foods (Bake Beans) so delicious . Thankyou"

"Fantastic food. very cosy admostpher. Great service. Fresh food. Good staff too. Keep it up guys."

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

"Only had takeaway coffee... It was top notch. The meals being served looked really good too... I'll have to head back to try those."

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

"Great little spot for coffee and breakfast"

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