Café Melbourne

Mickael

5.0

I stumbled across Melbourne Café on a scorching summer day back in 2019, just walking down Saint-Laurent. Since then, I've probably been 30, maybe 40 times, & I'm still not tired of it. That says a lot!!

This place has been around for a while now, & there's a reason it's still standing strong. It's simple, a little funky, & effortlessly relaxed , exactly what I associate with Melbourne, where I lived for a year. The café captures that Australian café culture perfectly: unpretentious, fresh food, great coffee, & a space that just feels good to be in.

I've worked my way through pretty much every item they've had on the menu over the years, the bagel, the Lebanese plate, the chicken sandwich, & so on. The menu's not huge, but what they do, they do really well. That said, if I'm being completely honest, I tend to fall back on the same thing almost every time: the avocado toast!

It might sound basic, but theirs is on another level. I'd go so far as to say it's the best avocado toast I've had anywhere in Canada, no exaggeration. The bread is always perfectly toasted, the avocado is ripe & generous, but what really makes it is the homemade tomato chilli jam. It's incredible. Sweet, tangy, spicy, it hits every note & ties the whole dish together in a way that makes it feel anything but basic. It's honestly a little addictive.

The service has always been lovely. Sure, like most places, there's some staff turnover (understandably, in this industry & economy), but what's consistent is the energy & the welcome you get. & the owners, Sébastien & Lily, are absolute gems. I've seen them behind the counter since day one, they're hands-on, hardworking, & clearly passionate about what they do. It shows. They care, & it makes a difference.

If I could give more than five stars, I would. Melbourne Café is one of those places that just gets everything right, & keeps you coming back without needing to reinvent itself every season. A staple, & for me, a favourite.

Jiyoung

4.0

The avocado toast brunch was very good! While there wasn't anything particularly special, the café did a solid job with the basics. & the staff were very friendly!