I had the Halena, amazonian smoothies and an ice latte. Would really recommend getting their smoothie range if you're in the area!
The fritters were amazing and packed with flavour. Good quantity. 5/5. Coffee was balanced and good. 5/5. The croissant was dense and not moist. 2/5. Nice ambience.
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Focus cafe has been around for about 3+years and it's the first time I visited this cafe when I found it through Zomato Gold. There is current offer of 10% discount off total bill.
The customer service and food quality was really good! What a great find.
🔆LOCATION🔆
Focus cafe is situated along Whitehorse Road on the busier strip of the shopping precinct near Balwyn Road corner. The cafe is opposite to the Balwyn Library and McDonald's.
The cafe is very spacious. From the exterior it doesnt look like much, but there are 3 separate sections including a large outdoor back area which can seat up to 40 customers.
I actually hadn't noticed there was an outdoor area until I saw the waiter keep carrying food and opening a side door. So I wandered over to have a look and I decided to change my seat and move outside as it was such a nice day.
🔆SERVICE🔆
Customer service here are very warm and genuine. The atmosphere is very relaxed and I enjoyed the outdoor vibe.
Their menu changes twice a year - summer and winter menu's!
🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
Matcha Green Tea Shake, $7.00
Fritters, $17.50
(pumpkin and feta fritters with grilled Alsace bacon, crushed avocado, sweet corn relish, cucumber yoghurt and a poached egg)
🔆VERDICT🔆
I had read previous reviews and was excited to try their pancakes but only thing that I could see on the menu that remotely related to pancakes was the french toast. I was told that the menu had changed already. I was a little disappointed but finally decided to try their fritters.
I have never tried pumpkin and feta fritters before. I've seen in cafe menu's mainly corn fritters. I changed the poached egg to a sunny side up fried egg instead. The egg was cooked perfectly! The food presentation on the plate was very colourful.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that pumpkin fritters was actually fried - I though the feta was mixed in with the pumpkin but it was actually sprinkled on top of the pumpkin fritter. I didnt mind the pumpkin fritters fried but it was a little too oily. The bacon and crushed avocado were delicious and completed well. I really liked the sweet corn relish, it was light and tasty, and cucumber yoghurt was a good dipping sauce for the fitters and helped balance the heaviness of the batter with the freshness of the yoghurt.
The matcha green tea shake was very tasty! matcha flavour was light yet distinct, yum!
I am interested to return to try the Soft Shell Crab Taco's.
Coffee is top notch here. Pour over coffee (you dont find many of these being served around Melb) is awesome. Floral and fruity, half body. Bob (the owner) is friendly and knowledgeable on lots of coffee varieties. A great place to visit and catch up.
I have heard so much about Focus around the traps and was looking forward to trying their offerings. Service was lovely and friendly. We had:
Cappuccino - this was made well. The coffee was strong and robust. The froth was creamy and delicious.
Matcha green tea milkshake - in a word...yummy! The matcha flavour was prominent and the drink was not too sweet.
Cannot wait to return to try their food soon!
Came for a family lunch. The food was absolutely delicious. Kids had the mini burgers, which were a substantial serve. I had the chicken soft roll which was very tasty and came with a side of chips.
Focus has become such a local favourite for me, lovely food with heaps of options, tasty coffee and cute and comfortable fit out. The courtyard out the back is so nice in warm weather, and perfect place to bring your pup!
Really great service from this cute cafe!! The ambience is cute as also got good vibes from it!! The beetroot salad and salmon bagel are a good go to!!
Taste 4/5
Melbourne Lifestyle Blog
+4
Focus Melbourne, has been dishing up creative brunches and very good coffee, so that it is now a popular haunt for many Balwyn locals. With relaxed share tables, cushioned benches and double and single tables, it can be a good spot for a group brunch, coffee meeting or to
WOWSERS @focusmelbourne you were amazing 👏🏼👏🏼Definitely a cafe which will have you “focused” on the good! The team we’re so welcoming and friendly, the decor is beautiful, and the food is delicious. 💕
We tried 2 dishes from the new menu: the Macadamia Pancakes 🥞 and the Soul Bowl 🙌🏼
The Soul Bowl had some really great and unique flavours. Crispy tofu, avocado, salmon, wakame seaweed, black sticky rice and Kim Chi. Such a fresh and tasty dish! Definitely satisfying for the body and soul!
Our main ‘Focus’ (hehe) were the Macadamia pancakes! So fluffy and delish 🤤 The pineapple marscarpone was lovely, and the golden sugared angel hair - wow!
The medjool dates and berries were just the cherry on top!😉 Thank you for having us Focus!
What a fun breakfast adventure 😍 xx
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
Love the service and décor here at Focus!
The coffee is absolutely delicious too. I tried the Poke bowl - so fresh, tasty and amazing.
Would love to try some more vegan options on the menu next time :)
Niveditha Vathsangam (Niv)
+4
Good coffee that holds its strength. Interesting fusion of Asian and continental cuisines. Loved the flavours in Kimchi Scramble. Quick service and very friendly staff. They also have a nice shady courtyard which I imagine would be great on a warm day.
Per its name sake - this cafe shows incredible focus on delivering great coffee.
It’s owner used to operate the Oak Room Cafe in Ashburton - where the coffee was a standout - Focus Melbourne is certainly a great follow up act.
If you want great selection of high quality single origin coffee and a barista with the skill and the nuance to treat it with the care and respect that it deserves - then this is the place for you!
The only area that makes it fall of short of 5 stars is the food. It’s not bad - but it isn’t great either.
Still love this place for what it is - 4/5 stars!
Great outdoor area! Friendly staff! The food was really tasty & they have a very different menu so good if you want to try something different!
4.5 stars ⭐️
I was invited to Focus and I was so pleasantly surprised at how inventive and interesting these dishes were!
The Yorkshire Benedict and Macadamia Hotcakes were highlights for me, each had great flavour and unique twists that made them memorable in a crowded Melbourne brunch scene. I will definitely be returning for that Benedict!! As a fan of not-to-sweet desserts I really loved the Hotcakes which had some really interesting, almost Mediterranean flavours woven throughout. The beef brisket ciabatta was a stand out in flavour, and the açai smoothie bowl had such a unique presentation and was light and refreshing.
Overall Focus is an excellent cafe with an expansive menu that surely will have something for everyone. Recommend for anyone after something a bit different to the regular brunch formula, paired with excellent coffee!
We came by here today for brunch. While it was a busy day because of New Year’s, the service was great and accomodating. We didn’t have to wait too long for the food. The Yorkshire Benedict with pork belly was the best, with crispy skin on the outside of the pork being the highlight. The soft shell crab bao had curry flavour and was interesting. The chicken and avocado sandwich was average. Overall we enjoyed our experience.
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I was excited to be invited in to try the menu at Focus Melbourne as some of the images on IG really stood out. We sat in the back courtyard of this humming cafe on a giant share table and perused the menu. It contained a lot of interesting dishes that were far from your usual.
Drinks wise I chose the white juice blend (more green) but with apple and coconut flavours it was highly refreshing.
I couldn’t say no to the Yorkshire Benedict with crispy crackling pork belly, poached eggs and hollandaise over a Yorkshire puddings with a spoon or two of gravy... truely delicious.
Others at the table ordered fried chicken waffles in maple syrup, açai super bowl, and the spirit salad which surprised me by its presentation served with salmon.
The beef brisket ciabatta was ugly delicious and for me was my favourite dishes. The flavour in the brisket and filling was incredible and the dish had a hidden yolk of joy under a green rocket cover.
Grand finale was the macadamia pancakes which had interesting textural ingredients that waiting staff weren’t able to explain to me. There were greens and oranges elements of an almost vermicelli texture but sweetly flavoured. A wonderful way to finish our great meal.
Hats off to Focus Melbourne for putting together such a great tasting menu. I could fault anything I tried.
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We were invited to Focus today for a blogging event and I thoroughly enjoyed the food. There were an array of interesting and delicious dishes on offer and I was hard pressed to pick my preferred. I began with a pink juice which was predominantly watermelon based and quite refreshing.
Food wise I chose the chicken and waffles which is a favourite dish of mine that I always tend to order whenever it’s available on a menu. This version did not disappoint and I would definitely recommend it. I also tried the beef brisket sandwich and while not as visually appealing this one stole dish of the day for me.
Or so I thought until dessert came along, the macadamia pancakes with pineapple mascarpone were extremely impressive. I’d even go so far as to say they were some of the best pancakes I’ve had in some time.
The intriguing combination of interesting ingredients and delicate balance of flavours made this stand out in the sea of sickly sweet hotcakes abound on the brunch scene. A must order and an all around delectable afternoon
Focus Melbourne is a cute cafe with a cute courtyard out the back, perfect for brunch with your furry friend. It was a hot day when I went so I started with an iced coffee which was giant and refreshing.
We then tried the big breakfast which was certainly big and packed full of great breaky items. Poached eggs on toast, bacon, fresh avocado, sausage, mushrooms, roast tomato and hummus. We also tried the banana bread which was toasted and delicious and served with peanut butter and a pineapple jam. The pineapple jam went so beautifully with it!
I then had the pork belly eggs Benedict which is served with broccolini and in a Yorkshire pudding. This was definitely their standout dish! The pork was cooked to perfection and the dish just worked so well. Rich but great for a hearty brunch!
Thanks for having us!
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Located on the busy Whitehorse Road is Focus, a cute little cafe with an amazing and unique menu. I came here with a couple of foodie friends and we ordered a variety of both sweet and savoury dishes.
What really intrigued me on this menu was the Yorkshire Benedict - eggs benedict on a giant Yorkshire pudding, with crispy pork belly, tomato chilli chutney and broccolini. This was my first time trying Yorkshire pudding and it was delicious! It’s like a mix between a pastry and a pancake, and it’s crispy on the outside and so soft and light inside. The pork belly was a little bit hard, but the eggs were poached to perfection.
To end off on a sweet note, the Macadamia Pancakes are a must. They are the thickest and fluffiest pancakes ever and it comes with a nice array of fruit and a delicious pineapple mascarpone. I wish there was more mascarpone as we ran out of it before the pancakes were finished! The Nutella & Peanut Butter Brioche Toast is also a show-stopper - loaded with toasted marshmallows, buckwheat crunch, and popping candy for that extra surprise! They definitely don’t skimp on the toppings, and there’s plenty of Nutella and PB - it’s so big and I would recommend sharing this one!
The staff were lovely throughout our visit and service was pretty quick. I’d definitely recommend checking this cafe out if you’re in the area!
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Real rating 4.25 ⭐️
We had visited Focus twice this year and both experiences were pretty amazing with different menus! Here’s what we had!
First visit (old menu):
Smashed avocado - coming with Persian feta, beetroot relish, dukkah, poached eggs and flat bread, this was a pretty yummy dish with the right amount of avo and beetroot relish!
Beef cheek benedict - served with rosemary potato hash, spiced red cabbage, apple slaw and hollandaise, this was actually one of my favorites! The beef cheek was so juicy and tender and it melted in my mouth together with the other elements! It was like a dream come true!
Matcha pancakes - topped with red bean, matcha and coconut ice cream, fresh berries, roasted seeds and coconut flakes, this was my sweet delight! The best part about this was the red bean which I rarely see being used in cafes! This was such an excellent complement to the matcha ice cream and pancakes hence making it my favorite of the day!
Second visit:
Soul bowl - served with smoked salmon, sticky black rice, sliced avocado, deep fried tofu and kimchi, this was actually quite the meal! The smoked salmon and deep fried tofu were pretty delicious however we felt there was too much sticky rice which filled us up too quickly.
Eggs benny - brococolini, crispy pork belly and poached eggs served on top of a sriracha bread, this was pretty simple but yet super delicious! The pork belly was so juicy and soft and went so well with the other elements!
Hotcakes - served with angel hair, sticky date, strawberries and cream, this was my fave dish of the day! The hotcakes were so damn fluffy and went really well with the sticky date and cream! It was moist and each bite kept me wanting to go back for more!
We were pretty happy with both visits and can’t wait to try Focus again!
Focus is a centrally located Balwyn cafe. Take advantage of their sunny courtyard on warmer days, and take your pick from delicious dishes on their Asian inspired brunch menu.
With a distinctly Asian influence across most of the menu items, Focus offers up a tasty and creative brunch option that’s bound to excite your tastebuds.
With consistent execution across the board and great coffee to pair, Focus is definitely worth a visit if you are looking to spice up your weekend breakky.
Lovely atmosphere to this cafe and a beautiful interior design with really friendly staff! My portion of the smashed avocado was too small though and didn't satisfy and satiate me (although it was very delicious). The crunchy grilled flatbread was a great twist and addition to your average smashed avo! My friends also enjoyed their Matcha waffles Buttermilk waffle (which was served in massive servings!)
Would love to come again and eat my way through the rest of their menu!
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4.5
We came into focus to try their new menu and really loved all the food presented to us.
We tried the signature Yorkshire benedict, the acai bowl and also the crispy salmon with sweet potatoes croquettes . The salmon croquettes had Thai influence and was very sweet and flavourful, I personally really enjoyed this dish as I love sweet with my savoury , the salmon was cooked nicely and the sweet potato was smooth on the inside and crunchy on the outside
The Yorkshire benedict was my favourite dish of the day, it was so unique and executed beautifully. We were told the chef takes a lot of pride in his Yorkshire puddings every morning and you could definitely taste the love . The pork belly was tender and paired with broccolini and hollandaise it was actually quite a large breakfast dish !
The acai bowl which has now been altered to a vegan and gluten free version according to my partner was very good. I could not eat it as it had a lot of banana which is my enemy
Thanks so much for having us !
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Round 2: UPDATE ~
We came back to check out their new menu as was impressed to see that they maintained their asian flavours while creating the new items.
Acari Bowl: The Acai Bowl which isn't like your standard melted smoothie, instead it was scooped like ice cream in a bed of granola.
Soul Bowl: The Soul bowl, with cured salmon, wakame, fried tofu and black sticky rice. We loved the black sticky rice and the salmon was super fresh.
Yorkshire Benny: one of the most unique benedicts I've had in Melbourne.The Pork belly was tasty however it was not crispy which was a bit disappointing. The sauce at the bottom was delicious and the Yorkshire was so light and fluffy.
My first brunch in Balwyn as i was impressed! This large and spacious cafe with a relaxing courtyard is off the busy Whitehorse Road. The menu is heavily asian inspired whilst maintaining some of the brunch favourites.
What we ate...
Pineapple Fried Rice: This may be the only brunch spot in Melbourne who as introduced fried rice! This tasty fried rice is filled with prawns and chicken and served in a PINEAPPLE! This was one of my favourite and most satisfying dish.
Citrus Cured salmon with sweet corn, zucchini and jalapeños fritters: As usual i love my fritters! These fritters were tasty and had a perfect balance of flavour with the citrus cured salmon (generous amount of salmon).
Pancakes: Although we let the matcha ice cream melt, the pancakes were super fluffy and delicious. With a range of fruits and some curd, the pancakes were well balanced.
We loved the relaxing courtyard shaded by umbrellas and enjoyed the food.
Focus Melbourne is located on Whitehorse Road in Balwyn. With plenty of seating inside it opens up to a sunny courtyard out the back.
We were excited to try their spring menu, lots of interesting options with an Asian spin. We ordered the matcha pancakes, salmon poke bowl & a side of sweet potato wedges.
The salmon poke bowl was one of the best I’ve tried & the perfect dish for a warm spring day. I loved the freshness of this dish, all the flavours worked really well together & I really enjoyed how healthy it was too.
My friend ordered the matcha pancakes & we were both surprised at how light & fluffy they were. Served with plenty of fruit, they were delicious & not too heavy.
I love sweet potato wedges, they were the perfect addition to our lunch spread.
We sat out in the courtyard & enjoyed a bit of sunshine with our meals. I will definitely be going back to try more of the menu, thanks so much for having us.
Such a cute cafe with a beautiful courtyard and really friendly staff. A great range of menu options including lots of healthy choices. Highly recommend the poke bowls!
Loved my meal at Focus Melbourne!!! The staff were so friendly and the food was so tasty! I had the Buddha Bowl which was so tasty! My partner had the soft shell crab burger and he loved it also! Overall great experience 😀😀
Rating 4.5
What a lovely cafe in Balwyn, it’s very cosy with fresh flowers on each of the tables and I believe a courtyard will be opening up very soon...exciting!
What’s fantastic about Focus Melbourne is the food and drinks. I think I’ll always remember how very impressed I was with my super cute matcha latte. Sometimes creative lattes present well but they lack in flavour. This one was perfect!
Hotcakes with the matcha ice cream were divine, the popcorn and fresh berries were the perfect combination. I didn’t leave a thing on the plate.
Thank you Focus Melbourne for having me. I can’t wait to return again soon.
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I was invited to visit Focus Melbourne in Balwyn this week and was delighted to visit with a friend for a brunch date mid-week – ah, the delights of being a teacher on school holidays ☺ We ordered two coffees and two of the sweeter dishes to try and were blown away by how beautiful the presentation was!
I ordered the hot cakes with matcha ice cream, popcorn and fresh berries. It was the perfect size and was able to finish the whole thing – which is a rarity when ordering hot cakes in Melbourne. The flavours were perfect and I loved being able to finish the dish.
My friend ordered the acai bowl with granola, fresh fruit and plain yoghurt. The acai came served in three perfect scoops that were smooth and round. The presentation was 100% on point. The flavours were also delicious – the acai had a bit of a vanilla after taste, which I much preferred to the bitter, citrus taste that most acai has these days.
The table next to us ordered the salmon poke bowl and it looked outstanding! I will definitely need to come back and suss that dish out.
The service at Focus is outstanding and the owners, Ken & Karen are so lovely. They are super attentive and make sure that you enjoy your visit. Thanks for having us, team ☺
It would be hard to sum up Focus in one sentence. You would need an entire day alone to describe the coffee menu. Its packed with the most exclusive offerings from Ninety Plus, care of Reformatory.
Food wise, expect a fusion of flavours. They have an Asian inspired menu, and some really delicious healthy eats like the salmon poke bowl.
MeiLine Leung Pah Hang
+4
A cosy little café tucked within the side strip of Balwyn's main street. We were greeted and sat very promptly. I had a mocha and their fried chicken with buttermilk waffle - served with maple syrup, coriander, sesame, a hot mint salad and parmesan.
Coffee was great, Ken is very passionate and sure knows his products. The fried chicken was tasty as well as crispy and the vegetables fresh. The waffles were fluffy and not too sweet. My fiancé had a Thai inspired omelette with green papaya and minced pork. He also tried their 90+ Panama Gesha Perci and Juliette with his fav being the more natural Perci.
Average spend: $30/person
I had a nice piccolo latte here. The service was really nice and polite.
My piccolo had a great crema, and I enjoyed the coffee flavour too. It’s a casual vibe in this place but w so many staff looking for things to do I didn’t stay too long.
Overall if you like a solid coffee then this is your place.
Had lunch here and it was actually quite good. Warm vegetable salad was enjoyable and they catered our group of 10 very well. Their coffee should be good too based on the nice aroma when I walked in.
Absolutely delicious espresso served and presented with care.
Highly recommended for lovers of black coffee. One of the best I've tried in Melbourne.
Focus is a middle-budget shopfront cafe along a large shopping strip in Balwyn. The interior décor features an off-white colour scheme, complemented by a black ceiling and black trimmings, suspended lighting, and a faux slate floor. Along one wall are some interesting photos of street art, and the table settings are smart, with black laminated table tops coupled with upholstered black chairs, as well as several benches with stools, including some offering street views through the large glass façade. The menu comprised fairly standard fare, and included some vegetarian selections. I opted for the "Miss vegetarian ", which was basically a falafel burger, with eggplant, lettuce and tomato, nicely presented in a burger bun. The coffee wasn't bad, perhaps a trifle cooler than desirable. The service was courteous and attentive, with water and a menu promptly provided, and the ambience was reasonable, though the commercial radio was a touch too loud. A pleasant enough café.
Ventured into Focus Melbourne as another cafe that we wanted to go.was closed today. I had the Gangnam chicken waffle which taste absolutely delish! The chicken was crispy and the amount of maple syrup was just right. It wasn't over drizzled which usually make the dish too sweet. What I love most was the slightly pickled salad. It was refreshing every mouthful. I'm keen to try other items in the menu next time!
Friendly staff, atmosphere comfortable ... had order ice mocha and cheese burger , burger taste normal still can improve .Overall was not bad . Keep it up 😋
It is great place to spend time with friends and family. Friendly staff and great food. The chicken waffle is one of the signature dishes. Yummy 😋
Great addition to the area. Probably the best coffee in Balwyn. Lots of items on the menu to choose from. I like how they do "a little bit less" (half serves of some
of their brekky items)
Followthefoodmelbourne
+4
Been grabbing my morning coffee here recently and really enjoying it. Their almond lattes are some of the best I’ve had and the cold drip is great for a hot day. I haven’t eaten there in a while but their menu looked very extensive and the interior is very welcoming.
17/7/18: big breakfast.
Updated 25th June '18 with a picture of the wagyu burger with chips.
Been here a couple of times and have been quite impressed overall. If you are looking for a comfortable, modern cafe with plenty of space and natural light coming in there are few better. The coffee here is some of the best in the area. And to be totally frank, would be a lot more popular if not due to a nearby competitor. However I still recommend this place so you can decide for yourself.
Got a Soft Shell Crab burger and a latte from here via UberEATS. Presentation was fantastic, the burger looked incredible, even sitting in its little cardboard box, and I have to say it was the nicest soft shell crab burger I've ever had. Served with a side of tasty chips and a little cup of kimchi, it was honestly a perfect meal.
I also ordered a coffee from here - I usually don't order coffee on UberEATS because it's typically not great, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Though their 'large' is more what I would describe as a 'medium', the coffee is great quality, and it arrived hot. If you're ever out of coffee in an emergency, you can totally get one delivered from here.
I'll be ordering from this place again for sure.
I had a golden latte and fried chicken with waffles. The latte is a bit weak, I couldn't taste much spices, on the other hand it's not overly sweet like other cafes. I love the fried chicken and the waffle, such a great combination of savoury and sweet. The chicken is crispy on the outside and moist inside, waffle is soft but not soggy, slightly crisp too. The shaved parmesan on top is a nice addition to the combination of flavours. Portion size is just right. I highly recommend this dish. I would love to go back to try their coffee and other dishes
Coffee & banana bread were delicious!!! Full bodied coffee just the way I like it & served with a pretty pattern on top with the crème still in tact. Service was friendly & helpful! 'Focus Melbourne' were focused on their customers! Thanks for a great experience!
very nice. Strongly recommended.
Food is decent.
Matcha latte tastes nice.
I think this is another mustgo in balwyn-camberwell area.
Have a try here and you wont be disappointed.
NB：they regretfully dont take amex…
Can't say anything about the food, but thee guy behind the coffee machine is a wizard. Has some excellent ninty plus coffee on offering and I have to admit, I'm disappointed in myself for not finding this place sooner as it's been around for a while. If you're in Balwyn, do yourself a favor and grab a coffee, either filter or espresso, you'll be glad you did it!
Very busy and cosy. The food portions were smaller than I expected but nothing too bad, the food was very tasty and service was slightly slow. ❤️
They have very nice coffee & good food selection. Beautiful presentation of every dish. Will definitely be a place to visit on weekends. Love this place, very friendly staff!
Very friendly staff and lovely food. Highly recommend if you love fusion food. interioe design can have some imorovement to showoff its individuality.
Service and environment is good and nice there.
Coffee is Ok, but the burger and chips are a little bit under my expectation because it's a bit oily.
Awesome service, couldn't fault that part. Coffee was way too bitter. If you like that in a coffee it certainly looks well made but I can't stand bitter coffee. Maybe they change blends so might try again another time. Lovely looking cafe.
I'm usually a fiend for avocado toasts when it comes down to breakfasts in Melbourne. I'm SO glad that I decided to ignore my usual craving this morning to try the House Cured Pork Jowl with the potato rösti poached eggs and puff pastry. AMAZING!!
I absolutely loved my visit to Focus Melbourne.
Well it is certainly less popular than Mr Hendricks up the street, Focus serves pretty damn good brunch options - and I left completely in love with the pork jowl. If only Focus would share its recipe for the sumptous jowl. The chicken on waffles was certainly a delightful choice as well, and I really liked it. Do yourself a favour though - whatever you order for brunch, add the pork jowl as a side. Trust me.
Decided to try this small cafe after driving past many times. Ordered the Gangnam waffles which was overall not bad and quite tasty; in particular the fried piece of chicken which was moist and tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. The open steak sandwich also tasted great with the tender steak accompanied by the crispy onion rings and fresh rocket salad. Kids menu mini wagyu beef sliders were also a treat as well as the crispy fries to accompany it.
Overall, I would recommend giving this place a try!
I had the matcha green tea waffles which were incredible! They weren't too sweet as well which was great. Really good coffee and service as well. Randomly found the cafe as the one my friends and I planned to go to was closed but so glad we found this place, will definitely be back!
Not much I can say about this cafe. It was okay with out being spectacular and with so many coffee shops around it needed to have something special to draw me back again. The coffee was just okay. The food was average. The good thing I have to say is I received great service. Very friendly staff.
I like focus Melbourne. Family feel. Interesting menu. I dream of the pumpkin bread avocado dish. Yum. $9.80 for breakfast. Incredible. Yes the coffee eisteddfod good too. A little different to my style but very drinkable.
Great coffee as always. Short black was well balanced and nice. Long black was great, love the after taste of it. It definitely a favourite place for all coffee lover. A must try cafe!
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Run by the team behind Workshop Brothers, you can rest assured that the coffee is of high standards. Our skinny lattes did not disappoint - strong, well-balanced and velvety smooth milk. The food, however, were less impressive - tried the Gangnam chicken waffles which the waitress recommended and the pork jowl benedict with potato rosti and puff pastry. Both delicious-looking and cholesterol-inducing dishes that somehow does not make a huge impact in taste and flavour. Not to say that they weren't tasty, they just weren't very memorable. At the moment, a couple of sexy looking doughnuts and cookie-doughnut hybrid are on offer on weekends - we tried the matcha cookie-doughnut and loved it! Perfect balance of sweetness and tartness from the raspberries and blueberries sandwiched between a soft matcha cookie and crumbly and moist baked matcha doughnut. As with their other cafes, service was warm and hospitable except for when one staff tried to clear my partner's plate when he was still chewing his food and food was still on his plate. Awkward.
Pleasant cafe at the end of the Balwyn Shopping District. Ordered a Chai Latte with a small serving avocado smash. The smash was done just right! A decent avocado serving lathered onto a perfectly toasted half slice with feta sprinkled on the top. I definitely should've ordered a full plate it was so good! The cafe wasn't as busy as you'd be hoping for at midday so we got good seating and staff were lovely!
Very friendly staff, nice layout and the food came out pretty fast. I had the red juice which was lovely. My beau had the small Waygu sliders and chips which he said was good. For a local cafe I would come again.
Been to many cafes, and had never heard of this cafe in Balwyn. Came with high expectations and was pleasantly surprised.
Wagyu burger was super juicy. Burger was constructed the proper way too and not a monstrosity like many other places that serve burgers. You put the salad beneath the meat to keep the bottom bun dry, many places haven't gotten that rate.
Coffee was above average and enjoyed.
Price is good and so is the the decor, very open and bright. Great service and very personalised attention from the owners. Feels very friendly
Would come back again
Great new edition to Balwyn. Always great coffee thanks to their expertise and the food is always delicious. Service is always good with nice friendly staff
Great consistent coffee. I have tried most of the
dishes on the menu throughout my many visits and every single one of them is delicious. Awesome work by everyone there 🙂!
I'm always on the lookout for new cafes with great coffee. Focus Melbourne has great coffee! I hope all you Balwyn locals are on board! Will be back to try the food as it looks mighty delicious! 😀👍☕
Decent new cafe in the area - I recommend giving it a shot! The menu is a bit small but has nice options. I would like to see some lighter menu options even in winter. Love the idea of half serves that are offered on some options. One complaint is that I think the menu is overpriced. $3 for one poached egg?
Avocado on toast was nice, the salsa was refreshing but I think that the toast was a bit dense and not tasted enough as it was barely warm. The avocado could've done with some more seasoning.
Melbourniancritic (The Melbourne Experience)
+4.5
We can't get enough of Focus Melbourne in Balwyn. Not only do they serve Ninety Plus Coffee by Monk Bodhi Dharma but they also have the most delicious Matcha Waffles & our absolute favourite the Gangnam Style Chicken & Waffles - Photo credit: tsanga98
Saw high rating on Beanhunter and tried different single origin coffee. A little bit sour for me, but good aroma. But won't try again as it cost more than standard coffee. Had matcha waffle, very generous on topping, with sprinkle of nuts and dried fruits, vanilla ice cream and isomalt decoration. The sweetness is just right, really like it and will try again.
The value here is amazing - reasonably sized portions and the coffee was good. Service was below standard. We had to get up and grab the menu ourselves. Waited a while for the coffee to come. In short, food was great, service was not. Perhaps it was a busy day? Would come again though.
Ended up here rather than waiting for Mr Hendricks and very glad we did. We were a bit worried at first due to how empty it was compared to other cafes but we were pleasantly surprised!
We had the BCLA, eggs, and av, and all were fresh and tasty. Prices were reasonable compared to the upper market cafes that are so popular at the moment, and service was welcoming and friendly.
Keen to try the lunch menu, will definitely be back.
We were actually going to go back to Mr Hendricks again and we passed this place on the way, and not wanting to wait for 30mins, we decided to give this place a go.
Happy that we did as this place has friendly staff, service and great food.
The soft shell crab and fried chicken burgers come with diamond cut chips, like you would find at Schnitz and is an excellent side. The homemade aioli found in the burgers added a nice tang and the bun was soft but did not break apart.
The simple BCLA and smashed avocado are pretty standard, but the rocket, apple and feta salad was a nice change too.
Place is quieter than others and we will come back and try the waffles and other dishes.
I ordered the ‘Matcha Green Tea waffle topped with roasted nuts, seasonal fruits and coconut ice-cream ($16.80)’. The combination of fresh and dried fruits and the crunch from the seeds went perfectly with the creamy ice-cream and the slightly bitter green tea waffle. Gorgeously presented too!
Newest cafe in Balwyn. Quickly only dropped by for a takeaway latte but I definitely liked what I saw. Place was full but staff seemed quite on top of things. While waiting for my my coffee's the food that past by me looked fantastic. Will be looking forward to trying the menu on my next visit.
My takeaway coffee was perfect!
I have only been for coffee but hope to try food soon. Coffee was exceptional. The filter coffee had exceptional flavour and I kept wanting more! Soy milk doesn't "creact" with the beans which was awesome to see, perfect temperature and good notes. Keep coming for coffee- best in balwyn.
Had to pay a visit to this place in Melbourne's affluent East to taste their coffee as it was rated numero uno on Beanhunter.
Well, was I surprised. It was magnificent - on par and event better than the Hipster North.
Next, I will try their menu. But for the coffee it's worth a visit alone.
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A stand out cafe on a strip of shops with lots of choice. The coffee bar here is exceptional.
Food ordered:
Stopped by for a quick coffee before grocery shopping and maybe a sneaky plate of chips. After sifting through reviews of cafes in the area, this place made it to the top. Being new to Balwyn I am in need of a new coffee spot. I ordered a double espresso to sip down. A Tanzanian single, it was beautiful. The singles list here is one of the best I've seen, extensive and full of unique coffees to try. This place does coffee well, if you need sugar or some sort of syrup concoction mixed with your coffee, you are better off elsewhere, the coffee here is too good to violate with such things. The chips were great, even had a sprinkle of shaved Parmesan which is always a good idea.
Ambience:
They would have scored 5 if the aircon was turned ON and there was NO minimum for eftpos. Those 2 things for me have become part of the standard for quality service in cafes in Melbourne with so many variables, you might as well lock in the easy ones. The staff were friendly and greeted me, nothing unusual or spectacular.
Regardless of the nuances above, I will be returning to taste many more coffees and hopefully for a meal at some point!
If you're a big fan of coffee, then you must come here! Food is delicious and everything is reasonably priced. Staff are always friendly and always helpful!
Focus Melbourne is my favourite cafe in the eastern suburbs.
The coffee is amazing, Ken is a fantastic barista and his experience is obvious.
The food is fantastic. A slight Asian flare, great specials and large portions. The price is fair for the area, less than most local cafes.
Lots of GF options, their GF toast is thick and delicious.
Worth a try.
Walked past this place and decide to try brunch here. The coffee was great and we had the buttermilk waffle and Spanish tortillas. The tortillas a bit different than what I expected but it was ok. The waffle, since I'm a massive sweet tooth, I could use more syrup. The staff were friendly and the food didn't take long to come. Will come back and try different stuff. Saw waffle and fried chicken on the special board might give that a try next time.
Staff were friendly and attentive. Nice coffee. Some breakfast comes in the choice of regular and small which is perfect!
They change their lunch special on a regular basis. Waffle with friend chicken was interesting!
The potato rosti with puff pastry, jamon, and egg with hollandaise is to die for. Great service, great location, great coffee. Thanks. ....
Very nice, clean decor.
Perfect iced lattes and the food was delicious.
The stafff were lovely and attentive.
The have a really nice strong coffee blend, its become our new lunch spot.
Was recommended to come by a friend and absolutely loved it! Ordered wagyu burger with kimchi, which was lovely and filling. Cappuccino was great too. The staff provided quite friendly service so thumbs up to them. Hopefully they can keep their standard up!
A delightful entry into the suburban artisan cafe lineup, especially on the 'away from the city' side of Whitehorse Road. Nestled amongst the Balwyn Shopping Centre's grocey precinct this eatery offers decent cafe, friendly service, a refreshing menu - all packaged into a neat, brightly-lit space.
One of the best features about suburban cafes is their down-to-earth hospitality which seems to lack in the more hipster region which is perhaps contributed to patrons' busier lifestyle. As mentioned before the staff albeit busy running around will always have time to stop by and make sure everything is ok. It is definitely kid-friendly and pram accessible. Thanks to Mojomomo for discovering this.
Pretty surprised by the average reviews of the cafe but its new and trying to establish itself so I put it down to that! Coffee fantastic, service relatively fast and attentive I was really impressed. Ordered the poached eggs on potato rosti, delicious! I will be returning!
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Focus is a fresh addition to the Balwyn cafe scene with a loose Korean fusion flavour...it is work in progress but giving out all the right vibes for me. For the sake of proper review, I've come here 3 times in 3 consecutive days. Talk abt dedication. 😊
Ambience: spacious, well lit, clean design. This place is designed for comfort and neutrality. Would love to see them develop a bit more of their own character over time.
Menu is thoughtful & interesting. Gangnam chicken waffle is a winner with juicy fried chicken packed with savory flavors to go with the sweet waffle. Waffle was a bit soaked but overall great creation. Over the 3 days, I've also tried the actual waffle w mascarpone, pork jowl breakie and both the lamb and kimchi angus burgers. Waffle is fantastic (goji berry is a nice touch). pork jowl is good but nothing to really shout about. Kimchi burger...average. It's too safe and lack the strong kimchi punch. if we are brave enough to put Korean element in, it shld be a full blast. Lamb burger with tzaziki sauce...I like it. But the fries is a disappointment. A cafe shld better fries...double cooked...herb infused...something.
Coffee is great...fantastic blend with a nice berry sweet finish to it. A bit hipster but I like it.
Ps. Absolutely love the service here. Both the boss & the rest of the team are awesome.
Overall...I like this cafe. This place have great potential and a great team. I'm looking forward for it to develop further...refined menu, food and design with a strong character and style.
The perfect coffee!!! Great food and atmosphere and not just your average menu! Some new things to try!! And a specials menu too! Nice clean modern on trend interior. Definitely worth the stop!!! Though they need to add more avo to the smash for the price.
The food here is so good and the staff are really friendly. I eat a gluten free diet and they were so accommodating. This place is open 7 days, 7am till 5pm.
Great find in Balwyn! Stumbled upon Focus whilst looking for a brunch spot on NYE. Cafe was busy with a clean and tidy modern interior and the staff were friendly and efficient. I had the avocado smash with poached eggs added - the basic brunch dish was very well done and presented with great flavours in the salsa and feta cheese. The coffee was very well made too!
The menu was a bit limited, but if you're focussing on doing a few things well and succeeding, nothing to complain about!
We are a big fan of this relatively new family run Balwyn cafe. The owners/staff are always friendly and kind, the food of a high standard (with reasonable prices) and the coffee is good.
The cafe is roomy with funky decor.
We will definitely be back.
Wandered into this fantastic new establishment today for some pre-camping Brunch, anticipating canned foods in the NYE leadup. Price you pay for the #liveoutsidelyf aye?
Cute cafe and bustling already, great corn frittatas and salmon! :') Saw too late that they were also serving something called "Gangnam chicken waffles" which I have now developed a chronic desire for.
Will attack that upon returning from the hills.
Happy New Year everyone! Stay crazemazing!
Good to see a decent cafe pop up in this shopping strip. Offers excellent value for money- the food is unpretentious and the serving sizes are good. Most importantly, their good coffee is very good The staff are very helpful and friendly and happy to accommodate requests. I imagine this cafe will do very here, definitely worth a visit.
The spicy lamb salad & fried chicken burger were surprisingly good. A delicious filling meal. Average coffee though.
My partner and I go here regularly, absolutely love their lamb salad and smoothies. Great coffee too ❤ the outside seats are nice as well
Very nice ambience, good meals, good service, good wifi. Coffee is great too
The food and coffee is great. I like the all day breakfast. Service is friendly and attentive. Meals are fresh and prepared thoughtfully with good size portion. Will come back to try more.
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