We opened our first cafe in 2013 with the mission of offering specialty coffee in a warm and inclusive environment.
During our expansion, we quickly understood that as a company, our central commitment was to our employees. It is with them and thanks to them that everything else is possible.
Overall, MELK Café is described as a stylish, cozy spot with excellent coffee and friendly, multilingual staff. Passion for the beverages is evident with praise for matcha, chai, and a standout cappuccino, and cookies, scones, and banana bread are frequently highlighted as tasty treats. Prices are sometimes described as a bit high, with muffins, scones, and other snacks cited as pricey, though many feel the quality justifies it. The interior and atmosphere are repeatedly praised as warm and inviting, and some reviewers rate it as among the best cafes in the area. Crowding and noise can be an issue, especially on weekend mornings, with tables small and often taken by laptops, shifting the vibe toward a coworking feel. A few comments touch on inconsistency in drink taste or service and on a service charge, but overall staff are friendly and attentive. The place is noted for its versatile seating and occasional outdoor area, with decor and a photo above the bar earning compliments.
I've been coming to this café for over 10 years. This is my place - my favorite coffee, my favorite atmosphere, my little ritual. But lately… what is going on?
Every time I try to come in, sit down with a friend, enjoy a coffee, read a book, or just relax with my child, I end up walking into what feels like a fully functioning coworking space. It's no longer a café - it's'Open Office 24/7.' Every table is taken by someone glued to a laptop for two, three, sometimes four hours. At this point I honestly feel like some of them should start paying rent.
I miss the atmosphere this place used to have - when you could actually find a table, enjoy the vibe, & connect with real people instead of feeling like you're interrupting someone's Zoom meeting.
Please consider making weekends laptop-free. No need for anything drastic - just give people who come here for the coffee, the warmth, & the community a chance to actually enjoy it without competing with a sea of glowing screens.
I love this café with all my heart. That's exactly why it's so sad to see it slowly turn into a tech hub instead of the cozy place it used to be.
Great coffee. Little expensive. Nice atmosphere. Beautiful interior. Decent service & very Anglo friendly. Don't like the minimum of 18% service charge, so often say no service now when taking away.
I've had multiple drinks from here & loved all of them! This spot is in a great location & had lovely interior designing. Great for a quick study spot or a place to grab a coffee with a friend. The Matcha was phenomenal as well!
Usually love this place. All the baristas are super friendly & nice to chat with. I reliably get a great drink made well every time I come in (a few times a week). The other day there was someone I'd never seen working who threw off the whole vibe (an older woman maybe mid 40s). She seemed friendly enough with customers but was rushing & stressing while making my drink. She also seemed to snap at the other people working which was very tense & weird to see. I'm not sure if she thought they were moving too slowly or doing something incorrectly but it was way more disruptive to have someone so visibly frustrated than it would've been to wait another minute for a drink. The chaotic energy felt more suited to a starbucks or fast food spot than the cozy local coffeeshop I'm used to. Hoping she was just a trainee (& there's always room to improve!) but, owning a business myself, I'm always happy to receive feedback & wanted to offer my own.
Really cute coffee shop but unfortunately the coffee taste isn't consistent (same for matcha). I still end up going because it's a 50/50 chance of having a nice cup or a burnt one 🥲. Overall workers are sweet & the shop is always clean & comfortable
Aug 11, 2025
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Great coffee & atmosphere. Very spacious. Knocked one star off for food because I haven't tried their selection of pastries. Lovely place to work - very bright & plenty of sunlight with outdoor seating.
Nice cafe on Monkland. Service was quick & efficient. Coffee is good, prices are a bit high. Lots of pastries if you want something to eat. Seating is quite limited & the tables are quite small & close together.
