Reviews

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

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

"This is my favourite cafe. The food is consistently lovely, and so is the service!"

"If you love coffee, you'll must go here for an exceptional coffee. Good service and friendly staff."

"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!"

"Quality coffee!!! Great service."

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

"Delicious food and staffs is friendly"

"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"

"Great local. Great food, coffee and service"

"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."

"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."

"So good! Had so many brunches arround Mel, it is definitely the best. Mushrooms and burger were very impressive. Can’t wait to get back!"

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

"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."

"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."

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

"Great staff and food"

"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"

"Really cute little place with good food"

"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"

"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 place. Try the frozen chai"

"Good service and food. Nice ambiance"

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

"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."

"Beautiful local cafe. Delicious food and coffee."

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

"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!"

"Excellent."

"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⭐"

"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."

"Amazing little cafe, found it by accident. Super friendly staff and the slow drip coffee was amazing! Definitely going to recommend my friends to go here!"

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

"I like this place the service is good, coffee good and the sandwich really good."

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

"What a gorgeous little place. Their menu looks amazing so will definitely be back to try various dishes. I started off with the chilli scramble as my first dish. Delightful"

"Delicious food!!!!"

"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!"

"Great food. Super friendly staff."

"Love darling st and always my go to for a great brunch. Service is great and menu is delicious. Consistently delivering tasty meals and coffee."

"Excellent food and service. Highly recommended!"

"Lovely food and a nice courtyard"

"Great café. Delicious food and coffee. Friendly staff."

"Best food, coffee and service"

"Delishhhh!! Thats all i have to say."

"Nice little place for breakfast and a coffee"

"Breakfast board is amazing!!!"

"The best cafe in the area. Been here many times and everything I've tried has been excellent. The food quality and care of preparation gives me the confidence to keep coming back. Great service and friendly staff. Plenty of street parking. Beautiful and inviting atmosphere inside. I would say this cafe is the best hidden gem in the area. If you value quality, creativity, a warm atmosphere, and amazing service, then this is your place and your people."

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

"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."

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

"The food is great and the staff always have a smile on their faces"

"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."

"Very busy. Menu looks great but the chicken pie special was not fantastic. Coffee was good though."

"Very nice food and fantastic smoothie!"

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

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

"Best eggs benedict I've had anywhere"

"The staff, the coffee, the food"

"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."

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

"Must try the special prawn roll! ❤️❤️"

"Delicious brekkie and coffee!! Aussie style"

"Sunday morning breakfast, friendly service, great coffee and delicious food. Generously sized tables made this small cafe space feel really spacious."

"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"

"Great food"

"Great team and coffee"

"Lovely place in a hidden location with awesome breakfast"

"Definitely made improvements (renovations) since we visited several years ago. Place looks very neat and tidy... Staff were very pleasant and prompt. Food excellent and reasonable choice and variety. I had the baked beans"

"Absolutely love this place, the food and the staff!"

"Good variety. friendly place"

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

"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."

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

"Best cinnamon scroll!"

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

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

"Great place and is walking distance from marbi river."

"A little cafe tucked away in the suburbia. Good food and coffee with friendly staffs."

"Nice place frequented by local on the west side"

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

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

"Top local."

"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 :)"

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

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

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

"Good coffee. Nice staff."

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

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

"Great friendly service and food"

"Great food and services"

"Great little spot for coffee and breakfast"

"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."

"Breakfast burger with chorizo for the win."

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

"What a lovely cafe. Staff are friendly, helpful and super efficient. Food was amazing and the coffee was just right."

"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."

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

"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."

"Great coffee"

"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."

"Amazing coffee, I would recommend highly."

"Great coffee and excellent menu, all the usuals with a bit of a twist. Photo of the mushroom with chilli scramble and the fritters. Loved also all the gf options and a great kids menu. The service was excellent. I can't wait to go back to try more of the menu."

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

"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."

"A nice little cafe whixh serves great food!"

"Awesome everything!"

"Delicious food! I’ll be back again!"

"Good cafe"

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

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

"Great location and great 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!"

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

"Good brunch spot to meet with friends."

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

"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! ❤️"

"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."

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

"Good food and coffee"

"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."

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

"A pleasant surprise at the corner of Darling Street Moonee Ponds. We enjoyed our breakfast at the courtyard, outdoor sitting. Staffs were friendly, good coffee and breaky. Happy to recommend."

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

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

"Interesting and delicious Coffee served in the European style"

"Best coffee around and gorgeous outdoor dining setting."

"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."

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

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

"This has always been a great spot but it has been elevated to a new level with recent ownership. The food is absolutely exceptional, don't miss the Turkish Eggs or Wild Mushrooms and their homemade cakes are a little too tempting...... This is everything you want in a cafe; relaxing, excellent service, food that may appear later in your dreams (just me?!) a daily paper to flick through and some inspirational books to help you identify your next hiking/driving adventure. Thanks DSE team for doing such amazing things with our gem of a neighbourhood cafe."

"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"

"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 :)"

"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!"

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

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

"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"

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

"Lovely staff, really tasty food"

"Nice place friendly staff..."

"My favourite brunch spot."

"Great flat white!"

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

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

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

"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"

"Very nice food and coffee with attentive and friendly staff who were down for a chat but also quick with the order. Will be back."

"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."

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

"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."

"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 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 menu and lovely staff"

"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."

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

"Thank you so much to the staff at Darling Street Espresso, for looking after the sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren of Mary and Tony Farrugia - owners of Farrugias Corner Store from the early 1960’s to late 1980s, on the morning of Mary’s funeral. It was so lovely to reminisce where the boys grew up, enjoy delicious food and drinks. The staff were so kind and thoughtful. We really appreciate the renovations and your care of the old shop"

"Nice place, good coffee and lovely staff."

"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."

"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!"

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

"Lovely and cosy place"

"Such a lovely place to sit and have coffee and food. Coffee is delicious with all the fruity notes."

"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!"

"Lovely food. Cute place"

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

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

"Nice food"

"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!!"

"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."

"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."

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

"Well made fritters, perfect for breakfast."

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

"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!"

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

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

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

"Amazing food, lovely people, nice space. And did I mention the food is amazing?!"

"Best coffee"

"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."

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

"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!"

"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."

"Beautiful food, had the open omelette it was lovely."

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

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

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

"Very nice place, a more practical set of the tables would be good!"

"Cool place"

"Delicious coffee, (I had the Kenyan as a long black) , and a warm vibe. The food was amazing, clearly the chefs out lots of thought into the menu. If your lucky you might even run into bill shorten!"

"Wonderful coffee"

"Always yum and staff are friendly"

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