![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Omg, the things you find in Melbourne when you go looking. I’ve been keen to try The Bell Jar for a while. Every time I’ve looked at the reviews it’s sounded interesting and well worth checking out. In my mind I was going out for a Melbourne style brunch which we’re all familiar with. Instead, I got an unexpectedly wonderful taste of French cuisine.
My head’s still spinning from this experience. After we sat down the server/manager recommended the beef bourguignon, one of the listed specials for the day. I’ve had this dish a number of times including in France and most recently at France Soir in Toorak Road. It’s a favourite of mine. I love a nicely constructed beef stew, basically. The server basically asked me to trust him while also informing me that the chef was French as he appeared to be himself too.
To cut to the chase, the dish was absolutely superb. Easily the best beef bourguignon I have had anywhere. The meat was in roughly cut chunks and so beautifully tender but without any danger of being over cooked. The red wine sauce was luscious as well and with some equally well cooked carrot and potato, the dish was utterly wonderful. The perfect dish for a cool Melbourne day. Just so delicious and so hearty and that I carefully mopped up all the sauce with the bread provided.
We were very kindly given a complimentary taste of the stewed fruit they serve here. That was superb as well. And, our coffees to finish were fantastic too.
This is one of my highlights of the year coming to The Bell Jar. You don’t come here for the decor which is impressively lowbrow inside. You come here for the food, and what I was lucky enough to have here today was completely superb.
Good food, good coffee and most important the service is great! Coffee flavour is beyond better than what I had on ordinary franchise coffee shop.
Very, very cute cafe tucked away off Alexander Parade that I love! Popped in on a sunny day so sat out the back. Not very busy mid week for lunch so we had the outdoor area to ourselves. Ordered a soy chai and the smashed avocado. Firstly, the soy chai was really good. It was real chai tea served in a teapot with hot soy milk. It tasted great! The smashed avocado was pretty run of the mill though. Small feta chunks were blotted over the avocado so you had to mix it in. Good flavours but nothing special. Menu looks good and staff were absolutely lovely so will definitely be back sometime soon!
So fortunate to have this gem around the corner as my daily go-to. Fantastic meals, great service and awesome, consistant coffee. Superb on every level
A very tiny cafe with a hard to see name that you barely recognise as a cafe!
It had popped up on broadsheet or somewhere so we gave it a try. Unfortunately I have two negatives, we were at the communal table which was no problem at all but the fixed seats were just so uncomfortable. And service was really slow. We got given water glasses straight away but it took half hour, even after asking before we got a water jug. But that's all. The coffee and hot chocolate came in JARS, (lose my mind over this stuff!) and breakfast was really yummy!
I dig this joint big time.
Obviously.
facebook dot com /theurbannihilist
My first visit! Fantastic! The smoked ocean trout croissant with scrambled eggs was so fresh, so tasty and so well priced. My wife had the granola in a jar and I was jealous about that as well. Service was great! Was busy on a Sunday morning with most tables inside and in the courtyard all taken. Worth waiting if you have to!
The Bell Jar is one of those cafe’s that known to those in the know… Other than that it’s not very well known… Sounds cryptic? Sure! The front is non descriptive, it’s at the opposite end of Smith Street to all the brunch action and it’s kinda tucked away…
The Bell Jar appears aptly named... One can't help but feel cocooned and safe once between it's walls. No matter the outside weather, the cafe exists in a comfortable bubble which extends even to the back courtyard.
The staff remember my coffee order each time without fail, though sometimes I don't come in for months and probably have never been in more than twice in any one week.
Coffee is reliable, well made and quick; food and table service less so (I believe this lies mainly in the fact that the place is so tiny you could never justify having more than three staff members on), but any shortcomings are overwhelmingly made up for in consistency and atmosphere.
You can attempt a crossword over a solo lunch undisturbed just as easily as you can smoke a few cigarettes and engage in a genuinely nice conversation with a stranger, or seldom seen friend.
It feels like everyone at that cafe is connected by a web of loveliness and I LOVE IT.
I'm not sure if the name of this place is a Sylvia Plath reference or not. I'm pretty sure there's not a dead woman in their oven because the pancake thingies I had were bloomin' divine. Doesn't get a lot of sunlight so come here for a post bust-up melancholy hug. Staff were great. BLOODY $1 BISCUITS! couldn't make em for that.
This cafe is the epitome of cosiness and the staff are really friendly and welcoming. The coffee is always delicious and the right temperature, im yet to try their range of winter warming brunch options but they all look very tasty. During springtime the small courtyard out the back brings the romantic scent of blossum to your morning. thanks guys, keep it up.
This Diner Is Anonymous
+5
This place really can't be faulted. It's away from the crowds of Smith Street; a tiny, unassuming cafe to the north of Alexandra Parade that certainly holds its own. Having just moved to the area and keen to check out my new hood, I stumbled across this nugget and was immediately keen to try it out. Service was attentive and the menu looked divine; I just couldn't go past the spiced pumpkin with avo and poached dukkah eggs on sourdough. The coffee, in my opinion, is some of the best in Melbourne. Light, creamy and absolutely delicious. It's worth going there for the caffeine iteself. The meal didn't disappoint, and was absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back, and often, to check out the rest of the menu.
I relatively liked the rustic look of the place. What i liked even better was that the place seemed to attract plenty of dog owners taking their pooches out on a Sunday morning. What we really noticed, upon paying our bill, was that the barista had pretty damn excellent latté art skills. His hands have so much control; it was such interesting thing to watch.
The World Loves Melbourne
+4.5
The Bell Jar offers one of Melbourne's best breakfasts. Corn cakes are amazing with poached eggs, relish with kick, bacon, etc. I loved it – although the relish has some real bite.
Delicious coffee. Hot, strong, perfect coffee (and pretty tasty croissants too). Staff are lovely, no one is rushed - and on a weekend morning this is a major perk.
My new favourite breakfast place. I absolutely love this cute little cafe. The waitress (who was wearing a t-shirt with a world map at the time) was absolutely lovely and I couldn't have asked for better service. I ordered the poached eggs with pan fried haloumi, avocado, kasundi, pistachio dukkah & lemon which was delicious. It was quick to come out and tasted very nice. I expected it to be in an annoying busy part of Smith street but it was actually tucked away in a nice quiet place which was a lovely location for a Sunday morning.
Top notch!. This little place is a nice, cosy cafe with very lovely staff and tasty food. The handsome young cafe owner is like an extra teaspoon of sugar in my morning coffee ;)
Always friendly. Excellent coffee, staff and the place has a really nice vibe. A nice touch to remember my name and order every time too!
Lovely cafe. Great cafe, service was lovely, fast and welcoming. Coffee was good, could have been slightly hotter in temperature but overall a good coffee. Food was lovely, the pancakes were delicious , the meals with eggs also looked great,however the poached eggs were slightly over cooked, but no major issue. Great cafe, in an easy to access location. will be back
Beautifully presented quaint little local brunch hangout. Quick service by people who appeared to want to work there. Food was lovely, only complaint was coffee slightly burnt. Lovely little local.
Perfect coffee, perfect muffins. Can't recommend this place enough if you are in the area or passing through. They really take care of the way they produce everything.
Coffee is fantastic, and so is the food.
Open on the public holiday. Cold water,lovely hot strong coffee and the kid loves ice chocolate In a jar.
Love the chipotle sauce. Poached eggs w pan fried haloumi, avocado, kasundi, pistachio dukkah & lemon - are amazing! The chipotle sauce with is considerably spicy (just the way I love it, not half-hearted and limp, but with a determined kick to it) and the haloumi is meaty and flavoursome. Really quaint and offbeat atmosphere with good service; will be back.
Great Little Cafe. The coffee and food are both perfect! Love the Bell Jar!
I love everything about The Bell Jar. The coffee and food are both excellent - the corn cakes are a particular favourite. The staff are so wonderful and friendly, not a lick of pretense in sight. I highly recommend The Bell Jar.
Spectacular Food. I came here a couple of weeks ago with my partner and we had some of the best beans with Meredith feta that I ahve had since I arrived in Melbourne. Highly recommended. I will definitely be going back for more.
This small place makes the best coffee for miles around. It is also a great little community hub very friendly and has good light and hearty meals.
Love this place! Visit The Bell Jar for their corn cakes every time I'm in Melbourne. And the coffee is superb. 10/10
Love. I always feel welcome when I go there for brekki. There are heaps of great veggie options and they're always cool to change things up for ya. Very friendly.
Really delicious, light roast coffee, very well prepared (black or white) and the best haloumi dish this side of Greece.
Thanks Bell Jar
I don't care that this place looks like it was thrown together hastily one afternoon by a couple of non conformist bearded blokes. The coffee is great and the fresh baked muffins are a treat.
Love it! Even my husband who hates most breakfast out loves it.
Lemon rosemary & thyme mushrooms with Feta - winner!
Hubby had the pesto scramble - yum!
Coffee is amazing.
Lovely friendly staff - definitely returning here again.
HUGE FAN !. I love The Bell Jar. From the very first visit I've loved it and I dont think Ive gone more than 2 weeks between visits since then!
The staff are awesome, very friendly and professional. They always go out of their way to make us customers happy. In summer they bring out big chunks of ice for our drinks and in winter they bring out the coffees extra fast to keep us warm.
The rocket/ goats cheese/ mushroom brekkie is insane (I usually add a poached egg, best $2 i generally spend of a saturday morning). The avocado haloumi relish veggie brekkie is pretty damn delish (for someone who has eaten both of these dishes 50 times, i should be able to remember more ingredients than that, apologies).
Plus there is a cute black and white cat that hangs out in their yard sometimes, win!
The chipotle sauce is to die for!!! I would buy bottles of it if they sold it - hint hint!
Local Delight!. Love this local cafe! Good coffee and cant believe the standard of food that comes from such a small kitchen! So tasty!
Best coffee in the neighbourhood. Breakfast good but hit and miss sometimes.
More coffee please!. Quaint cafe.. a possible new favourite. I can't wait to come back.
Sweetest place in the area. We went to the Belljar when it first opened and have been going back when we can - we don't live that closeby so we have to make a special trip. But its always worth it! The fitout is gorgeous - love the Fowlers jar light fittings and rustic wood bar. The staff are friendly and welcoming, the coffee is great (5 Senses, yum) and the food has always been consistently good. Highly recommend it!
Ah-maxing. This place is one of my faves. Great coffee, excellent mushrooms with goats cheese, full of flavour.
Best coffee in Melbourne. Daily addict never been disappointed. Every time I take my first sip I do a mental air punch Thank you
Casual cosy cafe. Great food and awesome gluten free bread from fatto e mano.
Marcus Andrew Edmonds
+4.5
Sold ! i will be back !. Really cute place...food was super tasty. Coffee was silky & rich...Unpretentious, helpful, cheerful staff...really impressed with this lil joint.
Will def go back
Yum!. Went there last monday and had a yumi muesli and fantastic coffee.THX hips.
Northern Food Review
+4.5
Had the Bircher this morning... Was great. Coffee some of the best I've had. Defs comming back... Whose cat hangs around there as well??
Love love love it.... Best coffee and great affordable food... Only suggestion is staff can be a little vague when the boss is not around.... But otherwise I highly recommend!!!
Hot & Cold. The Bell Jar is a little far from the city but oh so worth it. The spicy corncakes were delicious, beware of the chipotle sauce though, I accidently dipped my whole mouthful in it and nearly burnt my tongue off. My brunch partner scoffed her creamy porridge with strawberries and rhubarb scattered with almonds. Coffee was amazing. However it is quite cold as it is very open so make sure to be wrapped up.
Still good. I've been coming to Bell Jar since they opened a couple of years ago, and unlike a lot of other places that pass their used by pretty quickly in this area, they are still doing a great job.
Sometimes when a chef leaves, a barista moves on or other staff change, places struggle, but Bell Jar has roled with the punches.
The coffee is always good, the menu is reliable and the specials are interesting.
Nice one guys!
Great space and coffee. Finally made it here after walking passed it for ever. The space is fantastic and menu great. My bacon and egg sandwich was a little overdone, but pretty good, but the coffee is brilliant. the downside was the service, our waitress was pretty vague and we had to keep asking for things, sugar, salt and pepper, water glasses, several times, before often giving up and going and borrowing stuff from other tables!! They staff though are nice and well worth a revisit.
Love this place, and still don't know how they serve so many people with such a small, open kitchen. Been here twice and will be back again for sure. Friendly staff and great food-particularly generous serves. Love the spicy corn fritters!!!
A little shining gem. had the ricotta hotcakes with marscapone cream and berry coulis and it was flawless. the owners and staff are wonderful people and the cafe and resident friendly cats make this place my favourite cafe i have come across
Fantastic! Would happily eat there every day.
Yes Please!. Brilliant coffee and their porridge has unleased a porridge fetish monster in me. Do it.
Cats, coffee and corn cakes.. I went here on a grey Melbourne day. My first impressions were all good. The understated, cool typically Melbourne-style interior, the cat purring its way from table leg to table leg, sassy staff that instantly aknowledge you, and the smell of good quality coffee.
I ate the spicy corn fritters which rocked my socks and my long black was bitter, sweet, smooth and creamy. A big tick for fresh, quality produce.
I'll definitely be back Bell Jar!
Criticism: it was freeeeeeeeeeeeezing inside and I was pretty sure there was no heating in there whatsoever. Everyone was sitting inside with scarves and jumpers on.
Best Cafe around!. Im lucky enough to call the Bell Jar my 'local'.
Easily the best coffee I have had, brewed by some of the nicest / bubbliest characters around.
The food is simple and delightful. The toasted sandwich menu is awesome! I suggest you try to Jerk Chicken, or Braised Pork Belly toasties.
Highly reccommend!!
Cute as a button. I was so excited to discover The Bell Jar. It is that treasured little gem in an unexpected corner of town, where the food, coffee and staff gel together to make this adorable space the perfect place to unwind in. Whether I come with children, a big group or on my own I am always made to feel welcome. They are especially warm towards children, which is always such a relief when you are a mother. I had a birthday lunch there out the back room around the amazing long wooden table (that was once a door) and everyone was suitably impressed with the range of food. I am a self confessed coffee snob and i put their coffee up there with the best of them. There is not a bad word i could say about this place.... it is definately worth checking out.
Cosy little cafe with super friendly staff and heaps more room than i realised! Consistently good coffee and the food here is pretty seriously excellent too. Definitely a local worth trying out
Cute little place with a small courtyard.
Coffee's nice and the service was quick.
Menu's simple and it all looked pretty good.
Food was fresh and delicious.
cool environment. friendly staff and great food. you can sit outside and watch the world go by you or inside . but you will enjoy the food regardless
Simon Pender (SiTheDogBlogger)
+4
A pleasant spot for breakfast for me and my doggies. Very good coffee. Nice muffins. Very laid back. Lovely courtyard out the back. Two tables out the front for dog people. I go for the toasted cheese, ham and mustard sandwich.
Lovely little place with an interesting menu and lots of creative and tasty brunch options. I found the service to be fantastic, and although the fitout is basic, the friendly staff and artwork on the walls transform it into a warm and inviting space. Love it!
Delightful little local with cute decor, good coffee and friendly humans.
Sameer Cooshna (zigiprimo)
+5
Lovely place, good coffee: the key thing that makes this place a gem, the coffee standard keeps the same flow! The menu is simple, yet delicious ☺ friendly staff and a great location on the 86 tram line.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes