L,espresso delivers without doubt the most consistent quality in service , food, coffee wine, ambiance, and music , and has done forever. It is an icon in Ballarat and revered far and wide
Anyone in hospitality appreciates how hard it is to deliver this consistency for such a long time
It's fabulous and I never tire of visiting this place
Great little spot in Ballarat- perfect place to watch time go by. Fresh tasting food - linguine prawns were great brunch. Nice wine selection and very friendly staff.
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L’espresso has been a key feature on Ballarats Sturt Street for as long as I can remember. It’s a quaint little space that’s very cleverly laid out with the entrances leading to separate sides of the cafe that are divided by shelves filled with vinyl records, CD’s newspapers and magazines. The age of the building shows in the ornamental roof, moody green wall paint and the 70’s look wooden tables, chairs and front counter, but the creative decision to have low lighting really plays into the retro feel of the cafe in a very clever way. It feels warm, and cozy, and, and even on a random Monday morning.. the place was PACKED! Everyone was chatting away, even if they didn’t arrive or dine together, which tells me that this place is filled to the brim with locals (which is always a great sign) but not only were they locals, every single person in the cafe, besides my sister and I, seemed to be regulars! And THAT is a very good sign, a cafe with an army of regulars is always, without a doubt, no questions asked, serving great food. The atmosphere can be as warm and cozy as can be, but if the foods not up to scratch, people won’t come back, and I can safely say that L’espresso does not have this problem! Read on via the link below
Living in Ballarat for 5 years, this was always the local favourite for food and coffee. Not a typical brunch place (which is great and nothing super innovative and fancy) but just solid good food and coffee. Brunch is overdone, I prefer going to a place that does a good shakshuka to good eggs benedicts. I remember having this amazing black squid ink pasta years ago that has stayed in my mind since then. I was back there last week and it's still the same quality!
Fantastic cafe that I’ve had the pleasure to eat and drink at twice now.
Love the quirky side of them selling CD’s and vinyl records also.
Definitely work trying this place, in the beautiful area that is Ballarat.
Definitely the best place to have breakfast or just to have a coffee. The almond croissant was delicious. The pancakes were fluffy and the bacon was crispy and zero-greasy.
3.5
We had breakfast and the cosy quirky L’Espresso cafe today in Ballarat. This little cafe was cluttered with tables and also sold vinyl records so my interest there was more than just the food. Food wise there was a good selection on their menu and we would both have normally jumped in the pancakes or French toast but feeling savoury today so had bacon and eggs on super thick bread while Kellie had salmon and feta on toast. Coffee was Vittoria, so old school but I surprisingly enjoyed the blend and we had no issue with separation of almond milk like we’ve sometimes experienced with this brand. Really quick turn around which was
Good with only 1 hour parking out front.
I love L’espresso, it’s been around for years and has kept its authentic cool. Great coffee, dinner and an interesting music collection. I’m not sure if they still serve the pistachio ice cream, but it was a crowd favorite growing up.
This seems to be an institution amongst the locals and it's not hard to work out why! It has the feel of a prohibition speak easy bar and a touch of the cozy Italian and French cafes. The food is great and the staff very friendly. And they don't mind splitting bills.
My boyfriend and I came up to Ballarat for a weekend getaway. We came across this cosy cafe and we absolutely loved it. Food was great, coffee was great and the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. Will definitely come back here if we’re ever up in Ballarat again!!
Eat. Sleep. Create. Repeat.
+4
Coffee with lovely aroma. Breakfast Florentine Egg simple and has the needed favour and cream with porch egg done just right. French toast has home made raspberry source. Resturant is set in a old record store and the owner display a range of music record selections that would possibly be interested to the music fans.
We came here to visit from Geelong.
Setting was unique;
The way to go to the toilet was to walk through the kitchen, that way I got to see the kitchen, which was very clean, I was happy as I am a chef myself, I am very fussy with cleanliness:)
Quinoa dish was great, the freshness, taste balance, texture, amount....just right.
My friend had confit duck, presentation was very good.
Soy latte was average;
It would be better to see more smile on service people (whole time there was only one girl serve with smile on her face, which was a bit disappointing)
Great place, worth recommend.
What a find!!! This cafe is just brilliant. A warm inviting atmosphere on a cold Ballarat day. The coffee is no less than perfect and you won't be able to stop at just one. Devine cakes and pastry made freshly on premises. The savoury menu is extremely well thought out, complex while fresh. Sardines with potato rosti for me. Polite, friendly and attentive staff. Music themed for added interest.
As always L'Espresso is terrific. Friendly helpful staff, excellent coffee and a mushroom bruschetta to die for. It's my Ballarat go to and it has never disappointed.
I’ve visited here after reading the positive reviews. Great to see that they are adhering to their Covid plan. I wanted a takeaway cafe and was served outside. Inside was reserved for people who were eating or having a sit down coffee. The food that was being served looks delicious. They had savoury and sweet takeaway meals at the window as well as our side in containers. Coffee was good.
We have had many visits over the years and always very good. Great coffee! Very good food. The only problem is that they are often so busy that I can't get in to check out the music. Oh well. Picky, I know. Sorry.
Simple, classic cafe in Ballarat
Ham, cheese, tomato and pesto toastie: The toastie was nice and warm, the fillings were average but the bread for toastie has got to be the crispiest bread I have had till this date, which made me go in for more bites
Coffee: If your like your coffee strong, this is the place for you
Vibe/environment: The fresh pastries at the front to the vinyl records and CDs transports you to the simple times. The aesthetic may not be for the younger generation, but you can see the place has history
Service: I was serviced well but nothing more than that.
Pretty top food. I had some chilli prawn pasta which was amazing. Such good clean food. Really taste and really fresh. I also had an apple cake and a coffee with was also really great. Worth travelling to Ballarat for! Amazing service staff as well. Super friendly!
ABSOLUTE GEM IN CENTRAL BALLARAT
We went out hunting for breakfast early on a Sunday morning and found L'espresso open from 8 am :)
It's Italian themed and is very cozy inside (it was 6 degrees the early spring morning we ate there!) and would be equally delightful at the al fresco tables in the warmer weather. Menu is very expansive with great options for vegetarian and vegan customers. Coffee is about the best I've had outside my usual haunts in Melbourne! Staff were really bubbly and attentive.
People with mobility issues will be fine as its all on one level floor.
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