Review Admiral Cheng-ho - Abbotsford

We were cruising through Melbourne, when a little hunger asked me to pull over and have a delicious brunch with a tasty coffee. Lucky enough we just past Admiral Cheng Ho. We quickly stopped, looked, and found a parking and walked into the cozy, stylish café. First, I needed a thirst quencher and ordered the Yuzu Soda! WOW… what a zesty splash. Perfect for a hot autumn day. Then I ordered a tasty batch brew, which came in the – by far – most beautiful cup I ever sipped coffee from. Finally, I enjoyed my (well deserved) lunch… TEISHOKU LUNCH with salmon, accompanied by a salad, pickles, rice and a miso soup. Who said then Melbournian coffee culture is only about coffee? The longer I stay here in Melbourne, the more I am convinced it is all about delicious food AND tasty coffee. What an amazing experience… to the next one!

Very disappointing food. Exorbitantly priced, and small/unappealing portions (both from presentational and taste perspective). My $26 meal had a little piece of salmon (acceptably cooked yet without any additional flare), a standard salad (undressed) and some plain rice & soy sauce. Also got a miso cup, filled half way.. Cannot comment on their coffee, but would advise not to bother with the food. Staff were very nice though.

If I could give this cafe 10 stars I would! The most beautiful local cafe with the best coffee in Abbotsford! Great selection of lunches and light bites on the menu, lovely indoor and outdoor seating with many window seats and space to work or meet with friends- theres a little pile of local newspapers to read too. Such welcoming and kind team who even surprised our dog with her own ramen! A true neighbourhood gem and a perfect place to spend a few hours. We will be back

Amazing coffee and yummy food! Really friendly place to hang out on a Sunday, enjoy their delicious coffee in the sun and try out some of their dishes. We tried their egg sando, which was delicious and comforting. Bring your doggo as well! Will be here a lot :)

Sometimes all you want in the way of food is something tasty, nutritious and light on the wallet and thighs! Japanese food ticks these boxes so I always look forward to lunch at this cafe. Visually appealing, dairy and gluten free delicious food and top quality coffee!!

Nice coffee spot in Abbotsford. Excellent extraction, Mocha was tasty with a slight bitterness of the chocolate. Popular with cyclists and locals it seems.

Stopped in here today for the first time and was served by the young lady with dyed hair. What wonderful service and an exceptional coffee that was tasty and just how I like it. It was a pity that I was rushed and didn’t have time for lunch as the food menu looks fantastic. I’ll certainly be back!!!

I've never posted a public review for cafe/restaurant before. I went in today for a coffee and was "greeted" by one of the rudest employees I've ever interacted with. For reference, this person was young and had dyed hair. There was such a cold vibe from this person. Wasn't welcoming at all. I said "can i have a table please" and there wasn't a word said by them. Just a glance made in the direction of and empty table. And when i went to pay for my coffee, i was again met with silence. I just tapped my card and they walked away to talk to their colleague. I even said thank you loudly to them and got no response.

Long famous in Melbourne's cafe scene is Admiral Cheng Ho, specialising in artisanal coffee and vegetarian friendly food made from scratch. A small space on a quiet street in Abbotsford, there's no pretentious here and everyone who walks through the door is treated like a regular.<br/><br/>Coffee is their expertise. Consistently amazing, you will never get a bad cup of coffee here. Fresh juices and fairtrade teas round up the beverage menu.<br/><br/>The Admiral's Acai Bowl is one of the best acai bowl around. Smooth and creamy texture, topped with fresh fruits, and the house made granola is a textural delight.<br/><br/>The Northside Jimbo also hit the spot. The corn bread is soft, slightly crumbly yet dense enough to maintain its shape, and the freshness of the tomatoes is exceptional. The miso vegemite combined with chilli oil lent a piquant umami flavour to the dish, while the creamy avo helped balanced out all the bold punchy flavours.<br/><br/>Faultless from start to finish, which is why I will always return again and again.

This place used to be great, but I last 2 times I've visited the service has been terrible. To the point where I doubt I'll bother returning. Inattentive staff, even when it's not busy. Being plant based, the food is good. They have good nut milks etc, but not worth the poor service.

Great coffee and service. I have had the muffin, brownie and cookies and honestly they are a naughty but healthy treat. This is a great place and chilled vibes

Good service and although the menu selection was small, the food was great and the proportion was perfect! Highly recommend trying their cornbread and banana bread, filling but not too dense. Coffee was just okay but chai latte was good as it had enough spice and pepper taste to it.

The cafe is small and it took a while to have our orders taken.<br/>The buckwheat pancakes were absolutely delicious though. Highly recommend.<br/>Hubby had the cornbread with tomatoes abo & cheese - he didn’t enjoy it that much.

Live 5 doors down from the Admiral and get coffees here all of the time. We finally sat down and ate here for the first time after living so close for years. Food was amazing!!! So tasty, came quickly and was a perfect size. They do Vegetarian and Vegan food here, no eggs on the menu if that is what you are after. It is a small menu but everything on the menu is unique and looks delicious. The admiral is an Abbotsford staple, always busy and bustling. Yum!

This place is a coffee lovers paradise. No less than 6 single origin beans available each day, with both espresso and filter options. The Ethiopian as an espresso shot was rich and loaded with fruit flavours. If you're vegan, you will love this place even more.

Was walking around Abbotsford and this cute little corner cafe came up in suggestions for vegan food in the area. So happy I checked it out! The food, coffee and staff: excellent. I loved every bit :)<br/><br/>Thanks guys!

This cool little corner cafe has an awesome inside dining area filled with cool artwork. Staff are extremely nice and food is delicious. Two things that stood out for me were, one being the amazing range of coffee they had and second being the food. I ordered a cauliflower grilled sandwich. Best grilled sandwich that I’ve ever had. Amazing!!!!<br/><br/><br/>Can’t wait to go back and order one more!

Great staff with obvious passion for coffee. Price of coffees were definitely worth it and a definite must try for people who like different coffee varieties, but was a shame the vegan food was very meh.

Came off a night shift and got to Admiral Cheng-Ho for some much needed Brunch. <br/><br/>Amazing vegan brunch with a great playlist and lovely staff! I had the mushroom on corn bread and nicked a bite of my pal’s cauliflower toasties which were both fantastic! The chai latte was also a delicious and just hit the spot after a long night! <br/><br/>Will be back for more!! !

Caught up with a friend here this morning. The food wasn't overly good however the staff and great coffee made up for this. Rate the space, coffee and team!! Good little coffee spot.

Really cool little cafe in abbotsford. Had the smashed avo which was pretty nice, nothing outstanding though. Boyfriend had the mushrooms which were also good

Small and cute place, great for vegans and vegetarians. There aren't, however, too many options on the menu, and the prices are a bit on the higher side. I ordered the Aztec soup, which came in a huge bowl, and was really flavoursome and filling. I'd suggest this place for a quick healthy meal.

This small brunch cafe is located at the corner of Johnston and Nicholson street and they serve vegetarian dishes only. The overall experience was pretty average. What's great about some of the vegetable is that they are pickled in house. The dishes are apparently seasonal too, so they might have better dishes next time.

Outstanding coffee at any time. Team changes over almost daily so it must be the coffee right? No, they are all very good baristas. Friendly, warm and one day I will try the food and come back to report!

Had their mushroom on cornbread dish which was nice and also tried the smoked cauliflower and cheese toastie which wasn't bad. Soy chai latte was average although the latte was very good (and strong). Is a nice addition to the vegetarian scene in Melbourne with plentiful vegan options. Note there's a 10% surcharge on public holidays.

Terrible customer service. Waited 20 minutes for a batch brew, had to ask if it was on its way only to be told they had sold out. Asked for a latte instead, but they had clearly forgotten about it as all staff were standing around not serving anyone. Had to remind them to make it. I have never had to wait 30 minutes for coffee, especially in a cafe that wasn't even busy. Very disappointing, would not recommend to anyone. Bad.

Delicious rich but also fresh vegan food. Kudos to them for a full vegan menu and an understated vibe. Staff were super groovy. Get the mushrooms!

Excellent coffee, uber cool little cafe. Menu looks good too will have to come back for the food. Ethiopian stew and sourdough French toast. Friendly staff too.

Had their Umami Mushrooms and Cobb Lane Fruit Toast. The Umami Mushrooms was satisfactory even though I would prefer it with stronger thyme and chilli flavours. Moreover, I wasnt a fan of the shiitake soy cream as I felt it tasted weird. However, the Cobb Lane Fruit Toast was great on its own and the addition of both the cashew ricotta and homemade jam made it even better. The cashew ricotta was subtle in flavours while the homemade jam was sweet, sour and appetising. I felt that cashew ricotta could be even eaten on its own whereas the tanginess from the jam made it a relatively better complement for the fruit toast. Moreover, the Flat White here was great as it was slightly different from the usual ones. I felt that it was more rustic and had a more roasted flavour, and believed that avid coffee-lovers would love it.

Went again but can't remember the exact date. Had some lunch here. Very lovely. The menu is completely vegan, kudo's for the effort!<br/>Sept' 17 - Sat outside with my dog, had a lovely, but slightly expensive, soy chai in a beautiful mug. Service was friendly. Would love to come again when it's more sunny or without the dog so I can sit inside. The terrace is good because I could sit there with my dog, but it's a very basic terrace on a very busy road, so not the most pleasant option.

I've been meaning to try this place for a while and was faced with the option between this and the sister cafe Monk Bodhisattva Dharma in Balaclava - opted for this one to try something different. I found it to be Monk Bodhi's simpler sibling. If you don't go with expectations it's great, the menu is less varied than Monk Bodhi however the quality of both the food and the coffee is good. I had the hungry jimbo and it was yum - polenta was great and the flavours of the chilli oil and Vegemite weren't too overpowering. Service was a bit weird and inattentive at times but we weren't in a rush. A bit underwhelming but not a bad experience. Be aware of the 10% surcharge on public holidays.

Tried this cafe a couple of times because it had a good rating! Overrated to me ! Very limited options in the menu , a few dishes sold out already at 9am on Saturday! Very disorganized service even it was not busy at all, coffee was average, food was ordinary and nothing especial ! The guy was making the coffee was literally making loud noise from the coffee machine every 30 seconds ! I have no clue why you have got that high rating ! I don't think I will come back !

Super friendly staff, always accommodating and understanding of my inability to properly converse before my morning coffee. Lots of coffee to choose from, staff always happy to recommend.

Coffee - got a takeaway flat white. Rich and creamy flavour, with a very silky mouthfeel. The coffee flavours were delicate, light and floral. My personal taste is for something a little more robust but this was still a great coffee.<br/><br/>Barista was very friendly, which was really nice on a rainy, gloomy Friday. Fast and efficient as well

I called in here today for brunch and a good coffee. <br/><br/>Well for starters the service was excellent really personable and friendly! <br/><br/>The coffee that I had was excellent, it was really flavoursome, smooth and creamy! Yummm haha<br/><br/>I was going to have brunch here today but there were only 3 items on the limited menu for $17 each and I didn't feel like any of them. <br/><br/>They did have some home made sweet n savoury muffins but they weren't what I felt like either. <br/><br/>Overall this was a great experience sitting in the sun warming myself up and ready to face another day lol

I would come here every morning if I wasn't a poor student! Great service; attentive, friendly, warm, intuitive, complementary and welcoming. The coffee was sensational and the barista's are well-versed on flavour profiles. To my absolute delight everything was vegan- even the muffins and treats!!! The minimalist menu features a few knock-out breakfast/lunch items and is brilliant- you can't go wrong, and you're not spoilt for choice/ confused about what to order.  I had the 'hungry jimbo'- delicious moist polenta bread with just the right amount of vegemite, a generous serve of avocado, roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and almond feta. It was to die for! I could not be happier with the vibe of the place, and deliciousness of the food and coffee. It's small- but cosy and still feels quite spacious and open (great layout) and I loved the music...which seemed to be at the interest of the staff (which I prefer...can't stand cafes with their boring safe cafe mix's). Great tunes, great tudes (attitudes) and great cafe. I just left the place and already looking forward to my next visit! :D

It is never easy to have brunch again with ex...I think my good is being pretend that everything is fine. Actually it is not, when you found he is living better without you. But no point to be fuzzy , just enjoy the Coffee first. I chose the Kenya one which has very strong flavour, but really impressive! Food is simple all vegan but fresh. The only bad thing is the chai... Not spice and chai enough, not recommend. Overall, the place is particular for coffee lovers~~

The american cashier chick has such a passive aggressive attitude. I honestly wonder if she ever smiled once when talking to me...yeah i don't think so. Anyway, the food tasted like ikea food, this place is so over-rated. Do not waste your time or money.

Definitely a lil funky hipsterish cafe in Fitzroy/cwood. Busy on the weekend. Not much option for bfast but im sure that was on purpose. Unfortunately not to my liking. Had the carrot cake which was a bit too dry for my liking and the chai had too much spices in it. Service was good but not overly attentive, you'd need to make an effort to make eye contact to get attention - from getting a seat to ordering and paying.. for such a small place they surely had heaps of workers too?

This used to be my favourite cafe but now it has removed its food menu and replaced it with only two rotating specials and a couple of sandwiches in the cabinet. Very disappointed that I won't be able to come here to eat anymore. And as I don't drink coffee, I guess I won't come here again at all. So upset!

Amazing food and coffee. Beautiful presentation. Consistently perfect! So nice to see veg food done creatively and innovatively. Crazy stylish atmosphere. Huge coffee selection.

scrambled eggs on toast for $18.50???! get outta here. first and last time...much better cafes outta that would give value for money. guy almost charged me more for my food, lucky i checked at register

When there was that recent hubbub over a newpaper article suggesting that millenials couldn't afford to buy houses because of the money they spent on extravagant avocado on toast (irony fully missed) you know this was the exact type of place they were describing. Everything about it is unnecessary but gosh it's nice to have. <br/>On a more practical reviewing note: the music is far too loud (damn young people!), the chai is too gingery, and the mushroom omlette from the specials board is perfection.

Sister cafe to Monk Bodhi Dharma. Without a question the best Chai in Melbourne. Monks with almond milk Admiral with hazelnut milk. Coffee is consistently top 5 in Melbourne depending on your taste. Due to direct trade variations some coffees are otherworldly and can't be bettered. The passion for roasting here is palpable and contagious. The food is outstanding and hard to find better. Small and chic but a must visit destination.

This place used to have similar menu to the sister restaurant Monk Bodhi Dharma when it first opened but now it has its own special menu.<br/>Atmosphere is so much better here with lighting from both Nicholson St & Johnston St being on a corner spot. <br/>Tried the vegan sweet potato pancake with coconut ice cream. It was huge, super filling and yummy with caramel used pecan, beetroot and blueberries.<br/>The organic soy chocolate was really good. <br/>The organic hot chocolate with house made hazelnut milk was like a match made in heaven, tasted like Ferraro Rocher chocolate in a cup!!<br/>Vegan mushroom came highly recommended and it was very tasty with the salads.

Who knew vegan food could be so delicious and flavoursome! Visited this place with a rabid meat eater and even he was converted! Cauliflower salad with fennel, hummous, herbs and nuts was divine. Great combination of flavours. Had food envy when I saw the avocado on toast with hummous, herbs and nuts, looked amazing and was told it was!! 😲 coffee and service pretty good too. Really need to visit this place more often considering it is just down the road feom work!

Nice little place with friendly and attentive staff who made us feel looked after. The menu was interesting to, for once not just eggs, eggs, eggs. I ordered the sweet potato pancake which was very interesting. Reasonable prices too.

The coffee was good. Very few food choices. Food taste and presentation were below average. As a cafe that serves sourdough bread (hard bread), you should have sharp knives. The knives were so blunt one couldn't cut thin paper with it. The attitude of the staff was okay. Not very enthusiastic. Will I go back? NO!!!! Will I recommend this cafe to others? NO!!!!

This place is always pretty busy and from going there I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Although we didn't have to wait for a seat as it was midweek and 7am, we waited an hour for our food which was unnecessary considering we got smashed avocado with a boiled egg (the menu just states egg and it comes in an egg cup on the side?!) and fruit toast with fruit on top, I mean how hard could that be! Not to mention both the fruit toast and egg were cold! The prices are unreasonable for what you get and the staff are far too trendy to be nice. Definitely wouldn't go back!

When newly opened was good. Price is more and quantity is not enough for the price. Food quality is average. Let me down. Hope they consider reviews n work to improve the menu n taste

The east end of Johnson St is a mix of boarded up stores morphing into newly opened cafes and restaurants. Admiral Cheng-Ho is a funky corner conversion with a friendly large share table in the centre, some smaller tables to one side and a bar at the front. They are proud of their coffee, so that's a good start. Breakfast and light lunch on offer ranges from vege fritters, sourdough toast, eggs and soup and other small plates. The world will not catch alight but the service is friendly, toast and eggs are competently presented, the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is the real deal and there is a paper to read plus they leave you alone if you want it that way. Laid back Local.

Best Coffee in Melbourne. I am so lucky this is close by, but i would travel here just for the coffee. Staff are lovely, always ready with recommendations/suggestions. Food is really tasty - I'm a bit sad that they changed the mushroom dish though. (its still good).<br/><br/>Update: If the french toast is on the menu - GET IT! best ever

I'm a caffeine addict that has been in search for a double espresso that blows my mind. It's been a long time coming but I'm willing to say admiral has one of the best espressos I have ever had.... Chapeau gents and keep them coming

I have been frequenting Admiral Cheng-Ho for about a year now and they are awesome. <br/><br/>I always leave with a belly full of delicious and healthy food. <br/><br/>They have six different coffee beans that you can choose from and a variety of alternative brewing methods to try. <br/><br/>They're an awesome cafe with great food, great coffee and a kick ass front of house team who are always so friendly and accommodating. <br/><br/>If you want great food, great coffee and great service, pop in to Admiral Cheng-Ho. I recommend the mushrooms or the nutrition bowl. Good job, dudes.

Heard so much about this place from friends and finally came for visit today.<br/>Very friendly staff, nice rustic decoration. <br/>Very good coffee too! <br/>We ordered their homemade vegan crumpet and nutrition bowl. <br/>Love the crumpet that served with grilled banana, figs and syrup. Good combination! Yum! <br/>Nutrition bowl was bit dry, other than that would be perfect!

I ordered a takeaway chai. The bill came to $6. It was nice, but as far as I can tell was not magical chai. Prices in the inner north are becoming a joke, and the joke is on us!

In two minds about Admiral's. The coffee was excellent but my pick from the menu: an open mushroom goat's cheese sandwich was interesting but I got a small and unfilling portion for $18.50, and it was the lovely mint in most of the dish. It was also hard to eat on that ornate plate. Willing to give this place another go but was not totally satisfied. Nevertheless, the coffee was unforgettable.

Horrible chai!! Decided to try this place today and what a bad idea that was... The overbearing, bitter spices in the chai burned my throat as I drank it. Two table spoons of sugar couldn't save the taste. The only reason I tried to save the chai (by adding sugar) and didn't just throw it out after the first sip was because it had cost me $6 for a small cup.

I have always wanted to go check this place out cause not only does it look cool but the menu looked really good too. A vegetarian cafe with many vegan options too. For me, this was great. <br/>First thing is that it is really small and not a lot of tables, so we sat at the window on a bench which wasn't too comfortable. <br/>I ordered a house made beans dish with corn chips and guacamole (from memory) and it was quite bland. There was not much flavour to the beans and the corn chips didn't do much either. My friend got the Crazy Jimbo and didn't love it either. <br/>Also, the staff my friend and I had made us feel a little too at home and quite uncomfortable, sitting down with us to ask us what we'd like to eat. <br/>All in all I might go back and order something else, but not anytime soon.

Came here for coffee from a recommendation. Had the Brazil it was one of the worst coffee I have ever had will not be going back not worth it.

Coffee is great. Food is great.<br/>Service is a pity.<br/>Waited 20min to get order through (counter lady was talking to her friend) . And to top it, they forgot our coffee order until we reminded them.

With the risks of offending my fellow Vegetarian foodies .....<br/><br/>Not to offend any Vegetarian out there which accounts to some 5% of the Australian population, we just can't get them mad :-)<br/><br/>I'm Carnivore, so this place is not my favourite place to go, however ...... I still remember one of my favourite childhood history; the story of Admiral Cheng Ho, a Muslim Chinese Eunuch Admiral funded by the Emperor voyaging all over the world, just imagine the culinary experiences and spices he collected along the way.<br/> What a lucky guy, not sure about the eunuch bit.<br/><br/>Anyway, we are not here to talk about the history, their coffee range is extra ordinarily special, hence I've been there a couple of times now, although on the food side I'm not a fan, I would not crave for it but it is okay.<br/><br/>Got to love what they do in recycling things and making a good "unique" use out them, that's probably one of their Buddhism spiritual teaching not to waste and care for what you have. <br/><br/>It makes that corner street much more enjoyable now than before, thank you.

So happy to finally have the chance to try this place! I've been saving this for a rainy day and today was it.<br/><br/>I had the mushroom with almond feta and it was incredible. A small downside is that I personally didn't like the bread being so hard, so I only had one out of two pieces. However, I ate all the toppings because that was delicious.<br/><br/>Coffee was spot on. Would happily come back again.

If you're lucky enough to get here at the right time then this is without question the right place. It can get crowded at peak times and being a small place makes it difficult to move around.  <br/>I love the Crazy Jimbo Breakfast it is the best!! Coffee is amazing. <br/>Once or twice I've noticed a bit of inconsistency with the card minimum, some staff don't follow the $10 minimum rule and others do... this makes it hard when I go to get a coffee and don't have cash. <br/>Overall this place is great.

Even meat eaters convert and like this delicious, clean vego fare with gluten free and raw options. Only non-vegan ihme is feta, which can be substituted to nut cheese. They have cut down the menu to include just a limited amount of items (maybe 6-7). Lovely dude serving, same one as in Monk Bodhi Dharma, good coffee suggestions and so delicious cappucino my friends both had 2. We opted for the mushroom act, which I have already tried and tested in Monk, and the Jimbo, which is a plate of things with yummy yummy (gf) toast. I drooled over the granola as well. Lovely to have a cafe where it is hard to choose from all the good options! <br/><br/>

Wow. We stumbled in here unaware it was vegan. What a delicious satisfying brunch we had. Staff were so nice. Patient and took time to explain menu to us. We had the mushroom dish (mushrooms on polenta bread with the most delicious sauce EVER) and the Avoca Ho (smashed avocado with goat cheese. <br/>We are glad to have stumbled on this little gem and will be back (hoping there will be a spare seat for us). Thanks for a great experience.

This cafe is a great option for those with food intolerances. I loved the Crazy Jimbo - vegan and gluten free. The staff were attentive and friendly and the housemade hazelnut milk coffee is amazing!

The Rwanda coffee was really good, however the special $5 Bolivian was not worth the money. My dish the crazy Jimbo was nice, their version of the hungry jimbo (monk bodhi dharma). Our waitress was really friendly.

They definitely serves good coffee. The coffee was strong and smooth. Rustic atmosphere and ample parking space. The staff at the cashier was friendly.

Best coffee in Melbourne. Hands down. Owner believes in sourcing the best possible beans and flavours from around the world not just following everyone else. I had the Brazil with the homemade hazelnut milk and it was sensational. Definitely recommend this place for anyone who loves coffee

I turned up and the water jug was filthy dirty. I mean filthy. There was all sorts of God knows what in there. It was green at the bottom. When I asked for a clean one the waiter said a smart remark back. The 'clean' jug was just about as bad. The waiter then stuffed up our order after confirming it twice. We had to wait maybe 15 mins for another dish. We did get our coffees on the house though. But it was his overly relaxed vibe that made us feel like he was more interested in chilling out. The food was average at best. If you want the same meals at the same price, make the trip to Monk Bodhi Dharma.

Was slightly deflated to find that Admiral Cheng-Ho had gone from vegan to vego but was quickly won over by the food. We had the Crazy Jimbo and the Buckwheat Apple Pancakes. They were both seriously outstanding and I've been craving the pancakes ever since. The cinnamon ice cream and fluffy cream substitute that comes with them were so so good. All the veges in the Crazy Jimbo were cooked perfectly and it's so great to see vegan breakfasts that are a bit different. We can't wait to go back on our next trip to Melbourne (or please, open up in Sydney!)

Perfect full bodied coffee, quite strong (just the way I like it) served with organic full cream milk and at just the right temperature ! Thank god a cafe that got it right for once! I find it so hard to get a perfect coffee in melb!! The crazy Jimbo was a mix of toasted polenta bread, kale, carrots, diced tomato, smashed avo, beetroot relish and basil cashew cream to add some sauciness! I was feeling adventurous and wow this dish was an amazing surprise! All the elements were perfectly cooked, and individually seasoned and went together so well!! 10/10 everyone must try this dish. We also got the smashed avo -Avoca Ho, which was great too but quite a small serving. the cafe is quite small we went on a mon morning and was quite busy already but good service.

Food: Crazy Jimbo was great. Vegetables are well cooked and lightly seasoned, which still retained its natural flavours. It's easy to overcook kale but was done perfectly. Although the polenta bread was good, I wished the bread has the same thickness for one was too crispy and tough. <br/><br/>Drink: it was a full bodied coffee with a significant acidity to it. <br/><br/>Service: One was polite and another was alright.

I come here at least one a week with my family - it has become a second home. Fabulous coffee followed by interesting vegan breakfast, Being greeted by beautiful staff who care about how your day is and know about your life is always a way to make you feel right at home. The chia pudding - WOW! - topped with fresh fruit filling you up for the rest of the day. I cannot say a bad word about this place.

I have a running tradition of getting birthday pancakes at Monk Bodhi Dharma. This coffee house south of the city is famous for its seriously good coffee (rated #11 on Melbourne's Beanhunter!) and its vegetarian and vegan food. It's not only a local favourite, it is an institution of a gathering place for Melbournian vegetarian and vegan foodies to pig out. MBD is such a sought-after brunch place, it needed to open a second location. Thus came to being, on Melbourne's north-side: Admiral Cheng-Ho.

The perfect place to have your coffee!<br/>With 6 different choices for your basic espresso coffee, this really helps someone get a good bead on the flavors a different region coffee will present. <br/>Their general "house" coffee given was from Brasil, and my second cup ordered was from Guatemala. Other than soy, they have home made hazelnut milk and organic full cream milk. I had the soy and the organic milk and it was definitely not as bloaty as your regular full cream milk. <br/>The food menu is also awesome. Vegetarian and based on paleo, I had the special, which was corn tortilla with avo and beans (I think...) it was great.Definitely a place to come back to if you like your alternatives, but even more so if you love coffee.

Quirky vegetarian cafe that serves up some very interesting meat-free dishes. Good coffee and something a little bit different. Quite small, so gets pretty busy. Recommended for people lacking meat-loving genes.

“Cutting through Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Abbotsford, Johnston Street is the key gateway into the hipster mecca of Melbourne’s north-side. The street is a cosmopolitan in its own right; following no individual trend or influence, the street is a collective and eclectic vision shaped by many passionate business owners. From mismatched bars and pubs in Fitzroy, to a prominent furniture hub in Collingwood and cafes and restaurants scattered far and wide – the urban diversity flows freely on Johnston Street.

Enjoyed the Umami Mushroom - the pumpkin, spinach and sun dried tomato polenta bread was just unique. The almond feta was a sensation in itself. Love the various mushrooms that make up the dish. Really worthwhile visit.

Excellent all day breakfast options. After a busy visit to the Collingwood Children's farm market loading up on food for other people, we stopped in for our own sustenance at Admiral Cheng Ho. It's named for a famed explorer and military figure in China during the middle ages who rise to prominence despite being captured and castrated. Can't say I'm a fan of the paleo food cult which l sometimes think should similarly be retired to the annals of history but this place did make me think so much better of it. My African beans were fantastic - robust flavours, hearty serve and prettily presented. If l were being super picky l would say the cashew 'feta' had more of a ricotta texture but in any case it tasted surprisingly good. My friend ordered the Umami mushrooms on pumpkin bread and they really were that delicious despite my initial skepticism. Service was friendly and helpful. I'm still a bit cynical about vegan desserts which miss our on the vitality of eggs and butter, and reminded me somewhat of ACH's eunuch status But l have to admit these ones did look pretty impressive even if l couldn't bring myself to try one. A great place in the best traditions of inner city hipster cafes with great food

Yummy, healthy food. The use of ingredients is very creative and a change from the 'smashed avo' standard on most cafe menus these days! Good coffee although PLEASE get a large takeaway size for those of us who need big coffees in the morning. It'll make the world a better place!

Loved this place! All vegan menu, vegan Fenech toast with cashew cream and avocado with almond feta. Lovely coffee also! In a good spot not overly busy or noisy.

In the top 5 places in Melbourne for quality coffee. Haven't eaten here before but food looks amazing and super healthy. Strong flat white and espresso to die for!

I love the ambiance and great vibes of this place and the vegan oriented mentality. I, myself, am not vegan or vegetarian but these guys are able to offer a gastronomic experience for food lovers along with their brother cafe Monk Bodhi Dharma.<br/><br/>The coffee is great and just the set up there with all the variations makes your mouth watery before you have even had a chance to try it. And the result is equally satisfying. <br/><br/>We tried the chia pudding here and it was marvelous. The hazelnut mylk made pudding with macadamias, sour cherries and vanilla cream was greatly satisfying. <br/><br/>The only thing that I could potentially have a negative thing to say would be the toilet location and the wait on coffee at times can be long (room to improve).<br/><br/>Small, friendly, inviting and yummy. = your local great experience!

Very easy to get to. The place itself is on the small side so if you don't mind waiting, grab a coffee and chill outside while you wait for a seat inside. The service is so/so. We mainly had to grab their attention before we were able to get served but it's understandable since it gets busy. The food was average for me and there's not much variety. Overall an average experience.

Flavour filled food, locally sourced, everything being vegan with gluten free, organic and raw options. What more could you want? Admiral Cheng Ho has it all! Along with their impressive menu they have six coffee grinders with an intriguing range of delicious premium coffee.<br/><br/>We chose a few delights such as French toast with raw vanilla cashew cream, seasonal fruit and raw chocolate sauce,  North African style baked beans served with almond fetta and avocado on toast and a Chai Latte. Days later were still thinking about their delicious flavours! Checking them out is a must! NA xx

Love this place, great food and coffee. Quite a small cafe but it's nice and cosy and such tasty vegan food. Cannot go past the jimbo breakfast, it is so delicious!

Have been here many times but our recent visit was the most disappointing. Perhaps it was the staff constantly walking past us ignoring our pleas to order. We ordered the BLAT and the French toast, the BLAT boasted 'coconut bacon' which to be honest was not remotely close to bacon. The French toast was as expected, tasty. My partner thinks it best to give admiral's a wide birth from now on.

Sensational every single time! Love crazy jimbos and the mushrooms. Great coffee, tea selection and hot chocolate too boot. Service is warm welcoming and genuine , they all have a sparkle in their eyes, it must be all the good food!

Fantastic food and coffee. It is healthy and absolutely delicious. I have been here with many non vegetarians and they were pleasantly surprised. The only criticism is that it is a limited menu.

After driving past this place many times and it always being busy, we thought we will give it a try.<br/><br/>After receiving the menus, I realised that this Cafe is Vegan. The menu had a good variety, and I decided to order the Umami mushrooms. <br/><br/>The food came out and looked good. However the portions were small, my friend had the smashed avo and it was the smallest one I've ever seen. <br/><br/>My meal was decent for a vegan option, however I don't think I will be returning anytime soon.

Love this place!  Best coffee in Collingwood, delicious menu too.  Wish it was a little bigger as it's difficult to get a table at times but it's out favourite breakfast spot.

I’ve been to Admiral Cheng-Ho three times since it opened early this year. I’d really looked forward to it arriving as as the northern sibling of Monk Bodhi Dharma. I actually made it there on the first day they opened, went back again for coffee, and then dropped in again on Thursday for lunch on my way to volunteering at Fareshare. For some reason I’ve neglected to write a blog post about it. I’m not sure why, so I’ve decided I need to rectify that.

May 24, 2015 May 24, 2015 | Libby Szetho Admiral Cheng-Ho 325 Johnston Street Abbotsford, VIC 3067 03 9534 7250 Opening Hours: Mon- Fri 6am-4pm Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 8am-5pm My sister and I both enjoy waking up early and going out for breakfast. Living close to the heart of the city, there are an abundance of cafes to explore. We wanted to try something new, something different and decided to try out Admiral Cheng-Ho. This cafe is found on the corner of Johnston Street and Nicholson St. It is gluten free and vegan free friendly, catering for all types of people. This was my first time eating at a vegan cafe and it was a mixture of good and bad. We arrived at 10:45am and luckily we came before the morning rush. As we were waiting for our food the cafe got very busy and customers had to wait a while before ordering their meals or being seated. It was a little understaffed at times. We ordered the Umami Mushrooms and Crazy Jimbo to share, paired with a soy latte and soy mocha. Can you guess which coffee I ordered? Of course I would order the soy mocha! I am not a coffee drinker but if you mix it with chocolate, it will get me talking! What I look for in Mochas is that balance between chocolate and coffee. Unfortunately, this soy mocha was overly bitter and there was no sweetness at all. $4.00 The Umami Mushrooms consisted of slow roasted king oyster, shitake, oyster & swiss brown mushrooms on a house made pumpkin, spinach & sun dried tomato polenta bread served with almond feta cheese, thyme & red chilli oil. This dish was creamy and the flavours bursted into my mouth. There was a good balance between the mushrooms and feta cheese, without it being overpowering. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the polenta bread. It was hard a

We would return to Admiral Cheng Ho's in a heart beat. We were well looked after, we felt safe eating there with dietary requirements and the whole place has a fantastic vibe. This is definitely one to check out if you are in that part of town...

Consistently great experience. Quaint and not in your face, but when it comes to food, service and vibes, boy does it pack-a-punch. I've been to most of the highly rated cafes in inner city Melbourne and this one is most definitely a hot contender. Situated just beyond the city mixed with the fact it's got two hour free parking outside it makes the cafe really accessible. I've never been to an eatery that can make vegan taste so damn good. Admiral's dishes have got some seriously good ingredients and it's obvious to see that a lot of creativity has gone into them. The staff are always friendly, make great suggestions and are always open to conversation. But most importantly... they play proper tunes.

As always more coffee. I don't remember what i had it wasn't great. But the food was amazing...I had some African Mung Bean Combo thing, my friend had the Avo on toast, the only other thing i remember is pumpkin soup...

Delicious experience.... Popped in quickly for some take-away's for the family and was most satisfied. I had the Ethiopian and the other's had the Guatemalan, people speak of being dissatisfied here occasional however on the day in this moment our coffee's were bang on - So Delicious!!! <br/>The nibbles were the vegan brownie (GF) vegan choc chic cookie, vegan carrot cake (GF) and a vegan date/rhubarb, and strawberry muffin, again were bang on - So Delicious.<br/>The price's were modest to high yet I felt fair for the products I purchased.<br/>Now I do not visit Admiral Cheng-Ho often so I can not speculate on consistence and other factor's.

Cherry garcia. proof you don't need bacon with every breakfast adventure. absolutely delicious. #food

This cafe was a break in the clouds on a cloudy day. Thank you for breakfast. Delicious. So satisfied. 10/10... Congratulations

This Place is Awesome!!!. We Had been wanting to come here for a while but live south side and hadn't had a chance until Saturday <br/>And so happy we did!<br/><br/>Both my boyfriend and I eat out A LOT and This is a big call but their dishes the jimbo something (I can't remember the name) and the mushroom dish were quite possibly the best cafe food we have had in Melbourne!<br/><br/>And they take their coffee very seriously too and have 6 grinders with single estate coffees as well as an impressive filter menu and they had a mix of ninety plus coffee just for their batch brew!<br/><br/>Do yourselves a favour and head down to this gem of a place you won't be disappointed! 

Heard about this place a bit so went to try it out. After they gave our table away to someone that came after us, we sat on one those kids stools in the window. The Kenyan long black I had tasted underdeveloped, under roasted, green and vegetal. And the cheapest pourover was $10 and the most expensive is $25, get over yourselves!!!!

Staff are exceptional! Coffee is some of the best you will find in Melbourne. <br/><br/>Food is REALLY REALLY good. Mushroom dish so rich it will delight!

Woah. I like to smoke a joint and spend 45 minutes or more at this place, sinking back a couple of coffees, but mostly just admiring the babin staff. Like, seriously. So hot! <br/><br/>One of them accidentally flirted with me and I actually blushed. And I'm no swooner. But in this instance, I was. Clearly I was. Because he was so swooooony!<br/><br/>Go for coffee, stay for the babes...

Great vegan food, for vegans and non-vegans a like.. Some of the best food. Not sure what was in the salad I ordered by my god it was delicious. My non-vegan boyfriend ordered the french toast and loved it. I don't agree with the reviewer below about it begin dripped in oil or having weird tastes, when I had some it was excellent! The cacao hot choc was also amazing. If I lived closer would be there everyday.

Very unimpressive. I ordered the french toast and it was dripping in oil. Every bite came an outpouring of oil into my mouth. Left me feeling really sick. The flavours were also strange and nothing I would voluntarily eat. Thankfully they didnt charge me for it.

Lovely team but the takeaway coffees are ridiculously slow. It's quicker for me to walk the extra 200m to their rival than wait for a coffee to be made.

Excellent choice for vegan and vegetarians. Heaps of gluten free and raw options too. I wanted to try everything!

Started with the best coffee I've had in some time, followed by healthiest pancakes I've ever eaten!!!<br/>Northside quinoa pancakes

I ordered a chai latte and a muffin, my latte was horrible. It tasted of sausages and soap. ( really fatty or like oil had gotten in) My muffin was burnt. The guy who served me was in such a daze I thought he was falling asleep. Never again.

8/10 = excellent. Been here twice, both times I was satisfied. Had the Mushroom dish the first time and the African beans the second time. Interesting menu with wholesome ingredients. I enjoyed the fresh OJ the most. However, it does take some time for the food to come out, so be patient.

Being the biggest fan of Monk Bodhi Dharma, after reading the reviews on urbanspoon I was prepared to be disappointed with Admiral Cheng Ho. But all the bad reviews were proven wrong as soon as we got there on a Sunday peak hour brunch time!<br/>Same vibe as Monk with the cute tiny place, cool friendly people greeted and served us and of course the high standard of food! Nothing was disappointing. Love both the Monk and the Admiral! I wish they'd open one in Sydney as I'm moving there and going to miss my all time fav cafe!!!

Admiral Cheng-Ho is a failed experiment that prioritises food trends over good food. "Organic quinoa" was the star ingredient in four of their ten menu items. We ate there on a quiet Friday morning and we're not rewarded for our wait of over an hour for food. My friend ordered a muffin that was so dry he needed a sip of water with each bite. I had a chia seed with raspberry creation that tasted like wheetbix left soggy for several days. Another friend had the mushrooms with polenta and with the ratio of food highly in favour of the polenta. Our waitress was lovely but unfortunately our meal was not. We will not be coming back again.

Different unique menu. A friend recommended this place, so why not.<br/><br/>Tiny Corner shop, interesting menu, def cater to those who want something different.<br/>Variety of coffee to try.<br/>Waited quite a long time for the mushrooms, flavours were good, goat cheese wasn't overpowering. <br/>Seating near the kitchen, you can see back end was all relax, no fuss.<br/>But did expected a bigger portion though.<br/>Order a coffee, but served the wrong drink.But fixed promptly.

Great food, AWESOME service. Went here for brunch a couple weeks ago. the food was really tasty, well presented and very reasonably priced. the real stars here, however, were the coffee and the service, both of which were killer! The single origin etheopian filter coffee is quite possibly the nicest tasting coffee i've ever had, and the staff were some of the most professional, friendly and helpful cafe staff i've come accross in a looooooooong time - hipster vibe without the douche bag self-entitled attitudes!

Disappointing. Went in with my housemate for breakfast yesterday. The staff were really friendly and quickly found us a spot on the communal table. Ordered the quinoa pancakes and mushrooms, both of which were 18.50. Waited for an awful long time for them and both of us were pretty disappointed. My friends pancakes looked delicious but were sickeningly sweet considering they were on the breakfast menu, certainly not a savoury pancake, and for that price they were considerably smaller than they should have been. I was really excited about the mushrooms, but I felt there was an awful lot more bread than mushrooms and the bread just didn't hit the mark for me. Interesting flavours though. I'd like to go back and try again as it does seem like a nice place.

Best food in Johnston St!. Living nearby, Admiral Cheng-Ho has quickly become my go-to breakfast/brunch/lunch haunt. The zucchini fritters with veggies are a clear favourite for me (with the most delicious cashew cream!), with the mushrooms on polenta a close second. The quinoa pancakes are also a stand out (although a little on the small side for my liking).<br/>The best thing on the menu, though, in my opinion, is the hazelnut milk chai- $9 is exxy, but somehow it just tastes so dang good it's worth every penny.<br/>The staff are also so lovely and accommodating. <br/>Cheng-Ho is a little on the pricey side, so prepare your bank account for around about a $50 breakfast for two, but the love that goes into the food here is so worth it. Love it!

Best best best coffee! 2 dishes ordered for late breakfast and both were truly delicious, nutritious and worth every cent. Cannot wait to come back and try your other delights!

I really like the atmosphere and fit-out. The coffee is great -- I had the Bolivia filter and it was just fantastic. Perfectly balanced. The cruelty-free food is creative, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend!

The filter coffees are great and so are the coffees from the espresso machine. Almond milk chai is great too. Lovely staff. Haven't had the food here, but the cafe seems to be pumping it out of the kitchen. Very good coffee!!

Sad that I won't go back. Went with high expectations, really wanted to like the place. And the food was pretty lovely. <br/>But ACH took me to the brink of angry one too many times to secure my repeat custom<br/>1. Walked in, got ignored. They saved that by finally wandering over after about 20 minutes.<br/>2. Looooong wait for food. Asked for an update on food, didn't get an update. Saved that by bringing the food.<br/>3. Brought the wrong food. Final straw.<br/>Would love to have this be my favourite place in the neighbourhood, but I just can't reward that run of screw-ups.

After a couple of visits, I can say I really like this place! The food is really tasty (I have tried the pancakes and the zucchini fritters) and left me feeling good afterwards. The coffee is great, black or white- haven't tried any of their filter coffees yet but I'll be heading back! Also, I've been served by 3 different staff members and all were attentive, friendly and made the place feel easy going! So yep, I like it!

Wow.. Oh my God, this place is amazing. I had avocado on toast, lemongrass and ginger iced tea and the quinoa pancakes. My two brunch companions tried the pancakes and agreed that I won best brunch dish of the day. Chatty and charming staff. Can't wait to go back!

As good as Monk Bodhi. Had the pancakes today and they were delicious. Serves are not large but the flavours are so great!

New abbotsford cafe. Friendly staff, great vego food and awesome coffee. Great little cafe on Johnston St, Abbotsford.

Great coffee. Can't wait to go back and try the hazelnut milk.

Best Coffee in North..... I've been going to Monk Bodhi Dharma for a few years now and It has been my favorite cafe in Melbourne since my first visit. I was excited that they opened up Admiral in the North as it's so close to my work. The coffee is easily some of the best that you will taste in this city, the food is beautifully delicious as well as healthy and filling and the service is friendly, unpretentious and welcoming. The aesthetics of the cafe are also very pleasing. The space is comprised of a bright open plan, with custom fittings, custom furniture with tasteful and interesting art works to boot. The vibe is relaxed and inclusive. What more could you ask for in a cafe? Get over there and see for yourself!<br/><br/><br/>-----15 Jan, 2014-----<br/><br/>Best Coffee in North..... I've been going to Monk Bodhi Dharma for a few years now and It has been my favorite cafe in Melbourne since my first visit. I was excited that they opened up Admiral in the North as it's so close to my work. The coffee is some of the best that you will taste in this city, the food is delicious as well as healthy and filling while the service is unpretentious and welcoming. The aesthetics of the cafe are also very pleasing. The space is comprised of a bright open plan, with custom fittings, custom furniture with tasteful and interesting art works to boot. The vibe is relaxed and inclusive. What more could you ask for in a cafe? Get over there and see for yourself!

The best coffee and amazing food. With 6 different espresso beans to choose from and some amazinlgy creative dishes on the menu, the admiral does not disappoint.<br/>"the admiral" - zucchini fritters with tangy beetroot relish and fresh greens is the stand out dish and the raw "bannoffee pie" was out of this world - so sweet and creamy.<br/>the coffee is superb - the ethiopian nekisse is definitely worth trying out.<br/>the staff are very knowledgable and super friendly and welcoming. the cafe fit out is beautiful too. <br/>the admiral is a welcome addition to abbotsford.

The Admiral is Admirable!. The owner of this Cafe is a genius who is obviously tuned in to the vibe which is long overdue for Abbottsford. From root to branch, the thought that's gone into the fitout, menu construction and selection of coffees is amazing. The place was buzzing with hipsters on Saturday, sipping away on the carefully crafted coffees and tucking into the "clean eating" meals. Can't wait to get back there!!

Great little cafe, beautifully positioned on the corner. Good coffee and lovely staff. <br/><br/>Well done guys and welcome to the area!

Fantastic tasting, well prepared & presented food & drinks!. The Chai Latte is absolutely to die for! I've never had anything so natural & heart warming in a chai before! Highly recommend the Chai Latte with Hazelnut Milk. Also.... the coffee....wow!<br/>The food is really original & so well put together. After my meal instead of feeling heavy like you can after some meals, this all tastes just so hearty & yummy, and afterwards, you just feel really satisfied. Thumbs up from me!

Yum!. Finally a good coffee on Johnson St east of Hoddle!!

I had spied Admiral Cheng Ho several times before, and it was always bustling with plenty of customers at all times of the day, rain, hail or shine. The menu has a wide selection of gluten free and vegan dishes, a generous single origin coffee menu, and fair-trade teas and standard coffees.

...these guys care a lot about flavour combinations and coffee and do a mean vegan brunch. If finesse and skill are two of your brunch criteria then look no further....

Six centuries ago, a towering Muslim eunuch and visionary named Zheng He, commanded the Ming dynasty’s fleet of trading vessels on expeditions as far west as Africa – later Romanised as Admiral Cheng-Ho. The Admiral and his fleet are regarded as being among the wonders of the world. Marwin Shaw, owner of Balaclava’s Monk Bodhi Dharma, himself may be regarded as a kind of visionary, who is unafraid of venturing out into “tough-to-crack” locations and finding treasures. He has defied odds once again, by turning a tired sandwich shop in the duller part of Abbotsford into a bustling café. Mum and I had driven part this place countless times (the first few times we didn't even realise it was a cafe, just assumed from its beat-up exterior that it was an abandoned shopfront), and decided it was time to finally venture inside. For the first time since we've gotten Jack the puppy, we were able to sit inside because we didn't bring Jack with us - a luxury I had taken for granted until now. Eatin

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The menu is entirely vegetarian, no eggs and bacon, but there are also plenty of vegan and gluten free options. From long-time loves like smashed avo to newfound crushes such as a raw, gluten free and vegan banoffee pie with coffee mousse, health nuts and intolerant alike will be well catered for.

Admiral Cheng Ho is a great place for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores too. The food is wholesome and delicious and I think even meat-loving folks will walk out feeling full and satisfied.

I joke (half joke) with my friends that I am 70% vegetarian. So technically, I am 70% cool. Admiral Cheng Ho is the sister cafe of the wildly popular (but such a pain to access if you don't live in the area) Monk Bodhi Dharma. The gravity with which ACH takes coffee is evident in the fact that half the menu is about bean varieties. Umami mushrooms Mushrooms were a highlight. I loved that everything was vegan so even the cheese was made from cashews. Super vego-luxe.

Admiral Cheng-Ho serves up fair trade teas and single estate coffees and is sister to Monk Bodhi Dharma in Balaclava.  

...Cheng’s Granola is a mix of spiced raw granola served with seasonable fruit, house made hazelnut milk and what tasted like sweetened cashew cream. It’s sweet, filling, and delicious. All the while, rather virtuous.

And who knows, maybe the Admiral is leading the charge to bring a little more hip and cool to this sleepy corner of Johnston street…watch this space!

The umami mushrooms packed a flavour punch with slow roasted king oyster, shitake and swiss brown mushrooms topped with goats cheese, thyme and a drizzle of red chilli oil. But the mushrooms were let down by the dry and almost inedible house made pumpkin, spinach and sun dried tomato polenta bread. I love the idea behind Admiral Cheng-Ho but the food failed to impress.