Review South Of Johnston - Collingwood

Love this place and keep Coming back. We came in for breakfast on a Sunday which was super super busy but the staff were so lovely and welcoming and we found a seat. We had the pancakes with bacon which were tasty and the oats porridge which I was very glad it didn’t have stone fruits (due to my dietetics) and they were able to make it with soy milk and with maple syrup so it’s vegan. So delicious too. Hot chocolates were yummy and a great vibe overall.

Fabulous brunch cafe. I took the tram out on a Friday and they were very accommodating. The food was creative and well prepared with lots of interesting options. Coffee was solid and fresh juice was welcome. It has a warm, fancy vibe with generous indoor and outdoor seating which is pleasant as it’s surprisingly quite there. Defiantly recommend to try for a change from Brunswick or Smith street crowds.

We absolutely fell in love with the food here. If you want proper cafe food, look no further. I had the steak sandwich which came with perfectly toasted crunchy bread. It was fantastic.

Say hi to frozen salmon. environment ：good 🌟🌟🌟🌟 service：good 🌟🌟🌟🌟 food：overpriced 🌟🌟 1) The salmon skin is crispy. BUT i can taste it is frozen salmon and not fresh at all. 2) I do understand potato salad is cold. But I cannot understand why some of the cubes are cold while the others are warm. Or for single cube, the half is cold while the other half is warm. 3) the Beans tastes like frozen as well. Hope you guys find a good food supplier

If you manage to secure the couch beside the fire you know you are set for a great day. Melbourne breaky institution with a classic food menu and exciting cocktail list. Amazing outside area for a nice sunny day

Nice selection of seating available. Nice couch area with fireplace looks inviting for a cold winters day. Shaded open courtyard seating feels lovely and cosy. Good was yummy, though, the sourdough was a bit dry. Really accommodating for people with children as they have high chairs and readily cater to alterations to menu items. Coffee was nice and service was friendly and efficient. Will visit again.

Excellent food and very friendly staff. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosy. I had a tuna melt and a batch brew. My friends enjoyed the beans and the bacon and eggs. Everyone loved their food. The toasted capers on the tuna melt was a fantastic touch. The coffee was also excellent. I'll be coming back.

Stumbled upon this place and it was a delight. Great food and atmosphere!

Coffee shop is such a great space with a roaring fire and this fuse between industrial and home. Love it. Waitress with purple hair is great and the food is on that level. Def go for the Fritters - the dish could do with one more poached egg though!

So good we went for breakfast 3 days in a row! Warm, inviting, very friendly staff and excellent food. We are vegan and the options, although limited, were amazing.

I came here for a Wedding function and honestly the food was the best food I'd ever had at a wedding. It was excellent food for a restaurant! The venue is beautiful, the staff were excellent and accommodating, the cocktails were divine... honestly my only complaint is that there isn't the option to give 6 stars.

So accommodating got our dog and amazing food. Great portion size and wonderful wait staff

We are so sorry this morning that our dog -Shiro accidentally knocked your rosemary plant pots during your busy hour. I would like to thank your heartwarming staffs and other kind diners to help cleaning up the mess and reassured us not to worry about the incident. Your food is always wonderful but today you won me with your food and your kindness. Thank you so much South Of Johnston team. xxxx

Love love love this place! The ambience and decor are amazing, the food is delicious (although could offer more vegan options), but most of all the staff and service is exceptional.

This place has a lovely fireplace out the back and also a very cute alfresco area.<br/><br/>Chorizo eggs was yum except the toast gets a bit soggy due to the sauce. But eggs cooked perfectly

We had a fabulous midweek brunch at South of Johnston. There were so many great options on the menu to choose from.<br/><br/>The atmosphere is fantastic at South of Johnston and I had a beautiful pulled pork burger which was extremely filling, juicy and I could have eaten a second one out of greed.<br/>We were a little jealous of the table beside us enjoying the cheap mimosas during their brunch.<br/><br/>The service was friendly and fast considering we were visiting during lunch time. Great lunch time option in Collingwood.

Lovely decor and interior. Always lovely staff. Food is quite good. Large menu with lots of options. Delicious coffee. A hidden gem which can be quite busy!

B is for brunch and B is for BLT. Thanks so much for serving a wonderful meal, it was delicious. Collingwood have so many hidden gems and you’re cafe is definity one of them 😀

Came here for brunch with a couple of girlfriends. Love the little cosy lounge you wait in for a table to open up. We sat in a little corner of this rustic cafe, I loved the blankets they provided on each chair to wrap yourself up in if it gets cold (so soft!)<br/><br/>What I had:<br/>The zucchini and corn fritters with poached egg, a huge mount of avocado and smoked salmon, the dish was surprisingly super filling. The fritters had a light cruch and tasted delicious. The poached eggs was cooked perfectly. The dish was surprisingly super filling and was struggling to even finish 3 of the 4 fritters.<br/><br/>Also tried their chai latte but it was SUPER spicy with quite a lot of grainy sediments at the bottom. Had to request for extra honey - which did make it a lot better.<br/><br/>Cosy place and would definitely come again (:

We have been here a few times now, and quite enjoy it. Staff are always helpful and friendly, and the food is great. We are great fans of the pancakes and mimosas! The fireplace in winter is great as well

Friendly staff and gorgeous food! Ordered the pancakes with poached strawberries and pistachio mascarpone - best pancakes I've had! For my full review head to my blog, Sophie's food diary x

Went here with a friend on a weekday <br/>Absolutely beautiful food and decor <br/>Accessible toilets <br/>Accessible in general <br/>Can’t wait to go again <br/>Recommend highly 😋🌺👍

What a cute little place, not little inside but the courtyard is cute and facing the street. The staff were wonderful. We ordered the corn and zucchini fritters and the crushed peas , both were delicious. Great combination of flavours.

South of Johnston at Collingwood. Definitely a great place to dine in. Nice design with red umbrellas and friendly staff with good service. Food was also tasty here and I ordered the steak sandwich and flat white. Definitely a must try place and they serve alcohol as well.

Chilli scrambled eggs followed by a cherry pie? Could life get any better? Plus everyone who works there is a gem and they seat you by the fireplace if there isn’t a table ready and you can drink a $6 mimosa while you wait. Amaze.

Loved this place! Atmosphere is warm and inviting (literally with a fireplace in the middle). Menu had all the basics with some good twists. All our meals were delicious! Service was attentive and helpful. It was a busy Saturday and we weren’t rushed out. Would recommend.

**3.5 stars** This cafe in Collingwood is busy, busy, busy. I love the waiting area, where the comfy couches are situated right next to a fireplace. The menu is diverse (and a little pricey), the food is above average (but not as tasteful as I had anticipated from reviews) and the coffee is good. The ambience is warm and cosy whilst staff are cheerful and attentive.

Stopped by for a coffee with friends and found this modern yet also cosy cafe. It kind of felt like I was in the updated 2018 version of the cafe from Friends. And that’s a good thing!! 👌 <br/><br/>I was also pleasantly surprised to see that the coffee used is my favorite ‘Coffee Supreme’. It was nice and robust with lots of flavor.<br/><br/>Can’t wait to come back and try the food.

I feel like I always get the seafood linguini but it is soooo good. The salmon nicoise is my other go to. Really enjoyed the turmeric chai and how can you go wrong with chips? We are frequent guests and enjoy it every time.

My favourite brunch spot! Set just off Smith St in a converted warehouse, this place is a winner all-round with consistently great food and coffee. Inside you'll find high ceilings, a cosy internal wood heater and changing art which all combine to create a relaxed and comfortable vibe which suits the area perfectly. Would highly recommend!

4.5/5<br/>Great joint! The chili scrambled eggs were probably the best chili scrambled that I have had, amazing flavor. Swapping salmon for bacon was no dramas which was good (and the bacon was great as well!) nice juice, cool cafe! Try and snag a spot near the open fire!

SoJo, so no. Having been twice before a while back I was excited to come back and experience SoJo again. I was disappointed to find them way off their game. It took so long to get served when we got there (early and before the morning rush) that we almost got up to ask for coffees! <br/><br/>I got the crushed avo and the avo did not look or taste fresh, the tomato salsa was a couple of cherry tomato’s and over all did not leave an impression. <br/><br/>My friend got the pea dish and the peas were well and truely over cooked and the only saving grace of the meal was the goats cheese they ordered as an extra. <br/><br/>I can honestly say I won’t be rushing back.

Nice, friendly place, ideal for one of those fresh winter mornings. Love the decor and the fireplace. Great coffee, amazing breakfast options. Only downside is that service can be slow but who cares if you are enjoying a relaxed weekend...

South of Johnston is a Collingwood cafe that’s all about good food and coffee, and sustainability. The space is located in an old warehouse on Oxford Street and has been transformed into a bit of an urban oasis.

Absolutely excellent, it is one of the bets places for brunch in Collingwood. Word of warning is get there before 9:30 on a Saturday or Sunday if you don't want to wait for a table. Menu has some great options, don't be afraid to share with your mates.

Located on a sleepy street just off of Smith Street - this brunch spot might as well be my new local haunt being just around the corner from work! A chic industrial, homey feel awaits behind the door of South of Johnston with a menu to match. Known to the locals as 'Sojo' - South of Johnston looks industrial enough from the outside but the inside is so warm and inviting that you feel like you're at home on the couch in front of a fire place (which you can literally do here!).

Hubby and I tried this place for breakfast. It didn’t disappoint! The corn and zucchini fritters were delicious. Hubby said the chili scrambled eggs were also good. The coffee was quite bitter though- possibly the Capp was sprinkled with very fine dark choc pieces rather than powder.

The cafe is just sitting off the main street, warm and cozy inside with a front yard that looks super nice on a not too cold day. Coffee was very nice. Food on the other hand was quite average. I ordered the chorizo eggs and they were OK nothing exciting just some eggs on toast with chorizo and some relish. With the price being $22 and portion being small I left without feeling full. Service was quick and friendly.

The staff are so friendly and attentive. It was very busy but they have a great couch section that you can grab a coffee until table is free. <br/>Pancakes were nice and fluffy and the mascarpone and pistachio was delicious. <br/>Large coffee comes in a tall glass - I personally prefer a handle as it’s hot but the coffee was good. Also had a chai. The waitress said it’s their own blend. Again I prefer Prana wet chai where is comes in the pot with leaves and you strain it out but it was still nice. <br/>The atmosphere and staff make it a place to return and make your regular.

My all time favourite. They have the best chilli scrambles in the game, plus do cheap mimosas. <br/>Would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great breakfast or coffee shop.

Definitely one of my favourite brunch spots in Melbourne. Cool decor, chill vibes, great service, food and coffee makes it a great place relax on the weekends! The mimosas for the summer also good for those lazy afternoons!

Word has obviously travelled about how good this place is, as every space is filled with people eating or people waiting to eat. A friendly guy at the door said the wait will be about 10 minutes and suggested I take a seat in the lounge area and peruse the menu. 20 minutes later, I was told my table is ready but whoops, there was no table and I lost my seat in the lounge. Soon after I was seated and they quickly took my order.<br/><br/>The Roasted Mushrooms were amazing! With pumpkin hummus, cashew cheese, crispy kale and dukkah on toast, this was such a taste sensation. The hummus and cashew cheese were so creamy. Every ingredient complemented the others in texture and taste.<br/><br/>I was almost at the end of my meal but the mango lassi had not yet arrived. I made eye contact with the waitress to ask for it be cancelled but she quickly asked somebody to check on the drink. Minutes later it appeared. It was refreshing and delicious.<br/><br/>An airy, modern setting absolutely crammed for Sunday brunch with smiling and friendly staff throughout. I would have rated this place higher but for the couple of little misses in the service. Still, it's a place worth checking out if you don't mind the wait.

Really good place to spend an afternoon. Friendly staff, good food, and reasonably priced coffee. Would definitely recommend even if you’re not in the neighbourhood.

Delicious food, coffee and a gorgeous looking cafe! <br/>It’s always a good sign when it’s too hard to choose something from the menu because everything is jumping out at you.. it’s even better when what you order tastes delicious! Would definitely recommend. <br/>The staff was super friendly as well!

This is a very busy cafe. Customers can sit in the comfortable couches and wait for the table ready. The food is quite delicious and the coffee is strong.

This is clearly where all the cool kids go. Diverse menu, great atmosphere and attentive service. We had the southern style baked beans and the chorizo poached eggs. Both winners.

Been here by accident since this place is just off the main street. we weren’t expecting to find a cafe, but we found such a comfy hidden spot. We sat outside on the ‘backyard’ and it was a sunny afternoon. I had the burger and it was delicious, price wise its on par with the more expensive options. Presentation is on the humble side, giving you a feeling of home cook food.

Gorgeous cafe tucked away in Collingwood. Full of greenery and has some lounges with a wood fired that’d be so nice in winter!! Popped in with some friends and decided on a chai latte and the semolina gnocchi. Chai was the usual but was a tad disappointed with the gnocchi. I think I was expecting the same texture and flavour as potato-based gnocchi but the semolina is quite different. It was...interesting. Still undecided if I liked it. I also found the pumpkin over baked so by the end I found it quite overbearing and couldn’t finish. They have a great menu with so many vegetarian options though so will definitely be back to try some of their other dishes.

Food is excellent, Melbourne casual at its best. Really good selection of beers and wines. We had the steak sandwich, lamb burger and fries. All were great. I particularly like the introduction of the Mimosa. And the coffee is excellent.<br/><br/>We had breakfast on a previous visit. I had pulled pork, she had pancakes. Both were great.<br/><br/>Service was patchy today. Either some of the team are still coming down from last night, or hospitality is not their thing. Smile peeps!

Lots to like here. 3.5 for food, .5 for space and decor, .5 for service. All up, 4.5. Being keen observers of Zomato ratings, our little breakfast club of two had been wanting to visit South of Johnson for a while. We liked the building. We liked the decor. We started with a Bloody Mary. It would be hard to make a better start to the day. The food here is mighty. I had the southern style baked beans, my friend had the chilli scrambled eggs. We loved them. I found mine hard to fault. I loved every element and would order it again in a heartbeat. I had a large coffee to finish. Large is what they mean. It’s huge but still substantive and strong. The service was lovely here. Quiet, efficient, affable and professional. We loved it here. This is a very well run place which I’m eager to return to fast.

Lost half a point cause it took an eternity to pay but everything else was unbelievable. Got a table easy ordered a freshly squeezed OJ which was tremendous then had this scrambled egg thing on a bed of chorizo and a lovely tomato base sauce drizzled with hollandaise and some basil, removed the mushrooms from it as they are filthy but the dish was honestly one of the best I've had... everything went so well together it was superb. Food came out extremely quickly too which I like. Great joint, get along

Had a pleasant Sunday brunch here, it was quite busy but we only had a short wait for a table. I had the roasted mushrooms on toast with pumpkin hummus. It was simple but tasty and a generous portion. The corn fritters looked divine and I got a bit of food envy at some of the other plates nearby. Service could be better and the staff aren't very attentive, but still a satisfying meal.

The food was definitely tasty - the lamb in the burger was perfectly slow cooked and pulled apart beautifully. The tea was lovely with those loose leaves making the perfect French Early Grey. The only let down was that when we ordered a second pot of tea our order was forgotten.

Funky and fun hidden treasure. Immediately welcoming staff and atmosphere. Coffee full bodied and pleasant. Think this might become my new favorite place to meet up with friends. Delicious. Fresh, tasty and generous serves.

The decor is nice and the atmosphere is what you'd want for a relaxed brunch. But since I don't go to brunch for the pictures on the wall and the plants hanging from the ceiling I can't give any more than 2.<br/><br/>Service was attentive, maybe a little too much - 5 people asked if we were ready to order in the span of 3 minutes.<br/><br/>Coffee and juice were alright. Food was absolutely terrible in our opinion. We had the Southern style beans and the Chorizo poached eggs. Everything came out in less than 5 min (chorizo, baked beans, mushrooms) - nothing made on order should take that little time to prepare. The bread wasn't good quality either. Food was incredibly bland, didn't taste fresh, and had zero seasoning. <br/><br/>We walked in expecting to have a tasty brunch but left very unsatisfied. <br/>

Cute place with a fireplace and local art. Nothing really sets it apart from anywhere else. The food was good but not really memorable. Good place to avoid the crowds that other big Collingwood cafes get

SoJo has impressed me each time I have visited. This time I tried the grilled semolina, which was served with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, crispy pancetta and two poached eggs. The food was delicious and the coffee was so great I ended up having two! <br/>Our waitress was lovely - the cherry on top of an outstanding brunch 🍒

What a great spot! Quirky, industrial, warehouse feel yet really well decked out and cosy! The service was exceptional! All day breakfast paired with cocktails! A great way to finish the weekend! The food was sensational! Steak sandwich and the mushroom dish with coffee and a Bloody Mary! Thumbs up for all!

Even in winter very cozy due to the fire place in the middle of the restaurant. <br/>Very friendly staff and delicious food. I had the roasted cauliflower salad and it was absolutely yummy. Friends had pancakes, daily special and smashed about which was great as well.

Ordered the chorizo eggs benedict and was not disappointed. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the chorizo along with the roasted portobello mushrooms were delicious. Service was fast and efficient during the lunch rush.

Food is excellent (chilli scrambled eggs, SO SO GOOD). Coffee is excellent. Service is bubbly and awesome.<br/>What we need to talk about are the couches. Oh my lord, the couches in the back of the café, right next the fireplace? BEST COUCHES EVER. Curl up with a book if you're alone and you could be there for hours (probably get some food and coffee just to be nice).

My favourite café so far! Beautiful aesthetics, lovely outdoor seating (with blankies to block the cold!), friendly service, large (really large!) coffees, dog-friendly and outstanding food. We got the chorizo (scrambled) eggs and corn and zucchini fritters and they were perfect. 🤤Highly reccomend the fritters - it's probably my favourite brunch dish ever! 😍

We were here for our sunday breakfast. It was quite busy at 10.30am. We were greeted by super busy staff but while they were trying to sort out their chaotic organised seating, they managed not to keep people waiting for too long. They were busy, but they made the effort of keeping people in the loop.<br/><br/>After a short wait, we got a table. We ordered avocado smash and baked beans. The serving was general. The bread was nice, but just a bit on the cold side. Poached eggs were done perfectly.<br/><br/>We constantly looked at what other breakfast options the staff had brought out, the pancake certainly looked fluffy, fritters looked good too .... oh! and the grilled semolina is yet to be tired.<br/><br/>Coffee was reasonable. We would certainly return, but perhaps at an earlier time of the day.

Short wait for a table was worth it. Great selection (hard to choose!) nice atmosphere and efficient staff. Recommend the pumpkin omelette and toasted sandwiches in particular

Had a really great French toast here! It came with stewed rhubarb and a generous slather of pistachio mascarpone. I ate that with a Mimosa to accompany it and it was great.

Came with a big group (9) a few months ago and they were very accomodating as we'd pre-booked our lunches. Interesting interior, some slightly eccentric concepts which really added to the character of the space.<br/>The chips with aioli were very tasty, as was the Steak Sandwich. <br/>Friendly staff, would come again.

This is a wonderful cafe hidden behind Smith st. There is a beautiful fireplace to unwind in front of while drinking your coffee. The art that adorns the walls only adds to it's warmth and amazing decor. The coffee is great, the food is very well priced and thought out. And the staff so welcoming and friendly.

The interior design was really great, we'd love the place. It is very modern, stylish and comfortable.<br/>It is hardly to move when you go inside, you just want to enjoy the ambiance and vibe.<br/><br/>We ordered take away coffee in the morning (Mocha and Cappuccino). <br/>The price for the mocha was $4.00 *small<br/>Unfortunately, the mocha was average and not outstanding. It was slightly too milky and did not taste the coffee. The coffee was too weak, thus the milk overcame the coffee.<br/><br/>The cappuccino was better than mocha. The taste was pretty balance and good.<br/><br/>The breakfast and lunch menu looks amazing, we will come back to try them :)<br/><br/>Service : 4.0<br/>Speed : 4.0<br/>Taste : 3.0<br/>Price : 3.0<br/>Single origin : 👍

Delish! Great laid back atmosphere, service, food and of course coffee. I would highly recommend the corn and zucchini fritters if you want something filling and flavorsome. My partner ate the Croque Monsieur and said it was fantastic! Thumbs up!

Updated review. <br/>Went here last weekend with a group of us as my personally recommendation and the food and service was nowhere nearly as good as my first visit unfortunately. <br/><br/>It was a really disappointing experience this time round. Similar menu to my initial visit, but no where nearly as tasty. <br/><br/>The drinks, my coffee and Bloody Mary was also really average. On that basis I've revised my original score. <br/><br/><br/>From the moment we walked in my friend and I were warmly greeted. Although the cafe was packed we managed to be seated immediately, with thanks. <br/><br/>The service overall was just lovely, such nice people. <br/><br/>I ordered a strong skinny latte and a Bloody Mary. <br/>My coffee was excellent, and the Bloody Mary was well whoa SPICY hahaha so much so it took my breath away. But it was good!! Yummm haha<br/><br/>Then I ordered some corn and zucchini fritters w sour cream, crispy bacon cooked perfectly, poached egg, sour cream and smashed avocado. It was perfect. Soooo delicious!!<br/><br/>My friend had a croque madame or toasted bread w ham n cheese and home made hash browns and tomato. OMGosh yummm (but not as good as mine) hahaha<br/><br/>This is my new fav cafe, I'll definitely be back. Is tomorrow too soon? Lol. This place was just perfect!

Came here for a work lunch and despite Collingwood being a vast area for so many up and coming hot spots, this one ticks all the boxes: friendly service, great vibe and selections galore on the menu. Got the poached eggs and chorizo with hollandaise and it hit the spot - the Napoli sauce was the perfect addition to a classic meal. Would advise to book a table in advance to avoid lengthy waits but it's worth it if you decide on the spontaneity to come here :)

Sunday Melbourne brunch is an institution . You expect big things. We got a seat pretty much instantly thanks to our polite male waiter. <br/><br/>The coffee was nice, but not strong enough, maybe just a little too milky... After waiting almost 30 minutes, which seemed like an hour, our dishes came. High expectations- pretty disappointing . I ordered the 'special' the open omelette with smoked salmon and rocket salad- the omelette was dry , and had no flavour or seasoning through it . Despite the serve being generous, the dish was merely a dry omelette made with no love, with smoked salmon and 'RAW' onion and rocket thrown on top. Where was the dill? <br/>Some what tasteless and boring 'special' dish . <br/>The only good thing was the gluten free toast and salmon .<br/>We also ordered the scrambed eggs baked with chorizo and bacon . Very generic and ordinary and carelessly thrown in a heap on the plate . We didn't finish the dishes- they weren't refined or delicate . Presentation was super ordinary . <br/>The oxford larder ( down the street) is another story . That one is brilliant . <br/><br/>Even though the service was fantastic, the food was another story. Daniel KingWon't be eatin' here again....

I love coming here. The atmosphere is friendly, open and active. The staff helpful and good is tasty. It's tucked away off the main drag and imagine is a real fav with locals.

Had Sunday brunch here - sensational venue, atmosphere, food and service! Not sure what more I could say - I'll definitely be back again. A wonderful place!

The smashed avo was incredibly basic and I could have made far better at home. Also menu said there would be a tomato salsa with it but nothing came out. They even mention to mess the bacon up!<br/><br/>The fritters were round and doughy and the menu didn't mention that they would be deep fried, tasted oily and gross. <br/><br/>The décor is amazing however and the coffee was pretty solid

Really love soj! The coffee is great and so is the food. They cater really well for big groups,we often have big tables of 10 for work lunches and everyone's meal is always spot on. Very rarely do I give a 5 star rating but I Have never come across a bad experience here, highly recommend

Arrived to a decent sized queue and put our names on the list. After about 25 minutes we were shown to our communal table. The coffee was decent to start. We opted for the steak sandwich with a half serve of fries and chorizo scrambled eggs. Steak sandwich was a little tasteless and the half serve of fries was huge but cost 80% of a full serve (maths nerd). The chorizo eggs were a large serving and definitely enjoyable but we felt perhaps we didn't order well. Saying this, we enjoyed it and will be back to try other menu items!

A fantastic place and location. A great place for brunch and they didn't disappoint! Have hit this place up a few times and have always been on point. Pricing is well balanced for portions and quality. The staff are super friendly and approachable, when we needed extra bits and pieces.

So this place is quite possibly the only eating hole in Collingwood that doesn't have anything explicitly vegan on their menu. As in, I had to order off menu for a jumble of bits and pieces yanked from other dishes to compose a plate of vegan something. Not a massive deal, but somewhat perplexing given the demographic.<br/><br/>I ended up with two slices of sourdough (that the kitchen toasted in a failed attempt to mask staleness) with roast tomatoes, mushrooms, sautéed spinach and some mashed avocado. Oh, and a small dish of caponata that the waitress bizarrely kept referring to as "empanada". Said waitress also maintained that there is milk in semolina. Insert super sized serve of side-eye here.<br/><br/>There was nothing distinctly bad about this plate of blah. It was precisely that; blah. All the vegetables were disappointingly bland, had to be showered with several hefty grinds of salt and pepper and could have used some lemon/garlic/herbs to elevate the flavours beyond the realm of a lacklustre vegan fry-up. Thankfully I wasn't paying.<br/><br/>I can't say I'm in any hurry to come back here, but next time someone in my office suggests South of Johnston for a work lunch I shall diplomatically remind them that there is no shortage of superior options in close proximity to our Smith Street hovel.

Quirky decor, delicious food and coffee, and a great artsy atmosphere! Even though it gets very busy, the tall ceilings in a warehouse-esque venue made it feel much less crowded. Highly recommend!

The irony is opting for this cafe because others had reviews complaining of small portion sizes. So take that! The most excessively large guiness world record omelette to induce at least twelve separate obsessive guilty thought patterns for the rest of the day.

I was first introduced to South of Johnston through an art class brunch, chosen primarily for the smorgasbord of Australian art splashed on the walls. I was pleased to discover that the food was as lovely (and aesthetically pleasing) as the decor; the flavours of the corn and zucchini fritters melded together harmoniously, were fresh and well balanced.<br/><br/>I later returned to try the pancakes with poached strawberries, and noted that while delicious, they were a tad heavy - the servings don't appear particularly large however the density of the cakes made them incredibly filling. The same could be said for the aforementioned fritters - delicious, but I struggled to finish.<br/><br/>Would recommend, however come (very) hungry!

What can I say but simply amazing. The staff are friendly, the food is to die for and the atmosphere is comfortable for all different crowds.<br/><br/>Any cafe that writes 'Happy Australia Gay' on their writing board message thing instead of 'Happy Australia Day' is going to be a fantastic place.<br/><br/>The fritters were unexpectedly round but it worked! The crisp of the three fritters were light, crunchy and in no way oily even though they are deep fried. They must have changed the oil if the fryer or they have an excellent technique that I hope continues to their other customers orders of the fritters. The smokey sauce paired perfectly and the added egg, avocado and bacon made it feel like a fancy standard breaky. The only critique would have to be that the sour cream that was on the side was a little unnecessary as there were already plenty sauces.<br/><br/>The smashed peas on toast were a light and healthy alternative to smashed avo. Everything blended well together and eating things alone were also amazing. I would suggest that the chef salt the dish before giving it out to customers and the tomatoes and peas needed it.<br/><br/>The chais - WELL. They were so large and well well well worth it! Their homemade brew is strong in flavours and plentiful in servings. Oh and the little yoyo biscuits are tasty!<br/><br/>I'll be back again and again.

Quietly tucked down the street from Proud Mary. Attended to promptly and given a table quite soon after. Coffee was a bit slow, but good! Had the chorizo eggs that kept me happy! Overall great vibe. Also noticed some comfy couches deeper inside that might be nice for a coffee and a chat.

Food is pretty good, but feel like I'm in a homewear retail store, heaps of clashing art and furniture. Lots of dorky things entertaining the middle aged diners around. Bathroom like that of an early 000s night club. Post wash hand lotion smells refreshing though

Bircher serving size was perfect - nice and filling! Asked for extra granola on top which they accommodated! The yoghurt on top was disappointing though - tasted like cheap homebrand yoghurt. We had to wait at the bar for a table for 3 people for 10 mins at 12pm on a Sunday. Interior and layout of this cafe is beautiful. Friendly staff :)

Such a nice place to be!! Love love love the decor! Food was yum and came out relatively quickly. Staff were friendly, but slightly distant. Just fell in love with the feel of the place and coffee was spot on! We have the bircher muesli and the chorizo eggs and both were delicious!

Jan'17 update - after last time I wanted to come back here and try the food. We went for breakfast on a Saturday. I was quite excited because multiple people told us how amazing it was. When we walked in we got ignored by multiple staff for at least 5 minutes. Very bad feeling and think it's unnecessary too. Even if they are busy, it doesn't cost much time to give customers a big hello and smile and tell them you will be right there. Not a good start. We got appointed a table. Ordered a coffee. We didn't look at the menu for a while because there was a big newsstory going on and we picked up a newspaper which we probably read for 10 minutes or so before looking at the menu. Four people came and asked whether we wanted to order and I think we didn't look like we wanted to, but it might be hard to know for them since we weren't looking at the menu. The fifth person that asked, also asked whether someone had told us about the specials, which none if the other ones had. Strange. The coffee still didn't come (although they did try to bring us someone else coffee) so we asked. We never found out what happened, but after asking the same waiter one more tine, the coffee came. The latte had a little too small layer of froth, but was fine other than that. For food we had one special of honey glazed pork and a crushed pea dish. The pork was delicious, could have had a bit more Asian slaw. Forgot to ask no coriander, but it was easy to take that out. The smashed pea dish was a bit blant. It sort of had all the ingredients that were written on the menu, but nothing extra or exciting, and that for $20. <br/><br/>All and all, wouldn't go back since too many other places to try and am not convinced. Maybe it's a bit of a hype?<br/><br/>Dec'16 - Coincidentally came past this cafe and had never seen it or heard of it before. Surprisingly because it's not that far from my home. It was pretty busy on a Friday morning at around 11. Had a Chai which comes in a large glass, lovely, haven't had that for a long time. Had a sunny spot in the frond courtyard. Service was fine, although I felt a little bit that they wantes me to order food and not just a drink. Will definitely come back and try the food!

Solid reliable brunch option! The go to are the corn and zucchini fritters. The kasundi, sour cream and smashed avo on the side are a perfect combination with either bacon or salmon. Best part - it's value for money along with the substantial portion size. <br/><br/>Whilst their flat whites are made using the smaller cups and even then, they could be stronger, the fritters are that good that it's still absolutely worth coming back.<br/><br/>Note - they also have free wifi. Just ask the friendly staff!

Slightly tucked away from the main streets of Collingwood, this cafe sure had plenty of positive first & lasting impressions! <br/><br/>Enter and warmly greeted by the heavenly scented candle in the hallway which opens into the converted warehouse with industrial greenhouse styling and various plants hanging above. Busy but still able to get a table during peak lunch hours, the upbeat quirky staff are quick to take your order starting you off right with refreshments.<br/><br/>Ordered the slow roasted lamb salad plus the mango lassi and was not disappointed. Warm lamb chunks tossed with Moroccan flavoured couscous and fresh rocket, tomatoes, olives and feta. Delicious and generous serving.<br/><br/>Rest of menu looks very appetising and you're spoilt for choice with an all day breakfast menu, plus brunch and heavier lunch offerings...I will sure be back!!

Wow, what a great place this is. Ventured here on a Monday for brunch and was so impressed! The menu is incredible, took a good 15 mins to decide haha. I eventually went for the Grilled Semolina and my girlfriend the BLAT. We also had fries to share because why not! Everything was yummmmmm. Staff and coffee lovely too. Can't wait to be back to try more delicious stuff - wanted to get everything on the menu! Have a drool over the pics 😉

Food was pretty average, service was abysmal, as well as the coffee. Came here after reading the reviews, not really sure how it got it. Wouldn't bother coming here.

In my top favorite cafes in Collingwood! The corn fritters are dream worthy and I always feel like I can fit just one more in. They have really cool staff with a welcoming smile even on really cold and early mornings. The place is really large inside and has a huge communal table for big groups and lots of smaller places if you want to curl up with a newspaper by yourself.<br/><br/>If your in a rush do what I do and get the mushroom and scrambled egg wrap and a take away coffee - so satisfying and tasty! The staff will even rush the toasting of it if your in a massive hurry. The best time to visit is when you can just sit there and relax with your great meal and coffee. Also because it's tucked away a few streets from smith st it's never too overly busy and you don't have to wait for a table!

Pleasant to have found this serene (yet crowded) place for brunch in Collingwood! We ordered steak sandwich & french toast with rhubarbs and pistachio mascarpone. <br/><br/>The pistachio mascarpone made the french toast taste a bit bland while the sour taste of rhubarbs did not manage to salvage its overall dullness. <br/><br/>However, the steak sandwich tasted good! I will come back to try out other savory dishes.

Many moons have past since I last found a cafe I feel impressed by and genuinely inspired to write something about. Thank you SOJ for being as awesome as you are. Cafe hunters looking for inspiration...this is a must. <br/><br/>Let's start with the ambience of this place...linear designers shld really walk away now. Everything about this place is non conforming. You walk through a passage with nice scented candle before you get into the dining hall. 2 outdoor sections; one casual industrial, one casual posh...both positively cool. But the best area is the main...funky mismatched designer furniture everywhere...eclectic in the best sense of the word. I can possibly write a whole article on this cafe design. My favourite choice is the cozy couch area with an adjoining fire place with little smart wooden toys and books for both kids and adult. I love this place. <br/><br/>My experience enters this anxious stage after I put in my order because being a foodie...the nicer the place, the higher my expectations of the coffee and food become...please be good!!! <br/><br/>BAM!!! Awesome Coffee! Awesome Food!!!<br/><br/>My standard double shot latte is made silky smooth...bean has deep dark roast aroma. My first time trying Supreme coffee blend. <br/><br/>I ordered a steak sandwich which is done perfectly. Nicely cooked scotch fillet balance well with the beetroot pickles and caramelised onions. And the Swiss cheese ties everything together. <br/><br/>But the hero dish for the day is definitely Roasted Mushroom dish that my wife ordered. The mushroom is addictive, smoky and flavoursome...don't be fooled by the menu's short description of "with thyme, feta and Beetroot" this is a fantastic dish. Be sure to add bacon and spinach (personal preference)<br/><br/>Food at SOJO reminds me of Proud Mary back when they were great. Food although simple, are perfectly executed. Generous portion too. This is not a place where you find too many fusion new age food like Chez Dre, Industrie Bean, Sir Charles....just all the old time brunch favourites. I would be interested to come back and try French toast, Croque M and smash avo...<br/><br/>Thanks SOJO for a surprisingly awesome brunch experience.

This place has always been a regular spot for us for lunch, great atmosphere, awesome decor and friendly staff. The menu changes seasonally and never disappoints! There's a lovely fire going in winter and also a cosy outdoor area to soak up some sun during summer!

Really good experience for brunch for three of us. Good range of breakfast, brunch and lunch choices. Met up early, I made the only boring choice... one of my companions ordered steak sandwich....9 am...not a raised eyebrow from staff! Great choice for brunch

Atlantic salmon salad and long black. Fantastic. This place has the three E's: Excellent coffee, excellent service, and excellent food. My own first world problem is the parking - but I'll get over it.

I had the BLAT. I am not a bread lover but I had the bread I was amazed by how great it tastes. After finished eating the BLAT, I was still hungry for more. The service staff are so friendly and they make you feel welcome even when they are so busy. The coffee and food is amazing~! Yummy, Nom Nom Nom~!!!😍😍😍

Been here a few times and everytime we find its consistantly good. I love the eclectic interior thats both cosy and intriging.<br/>Coffee is excellent smooth, rich and creamy. <br/>Menu favourites are definately the corn and zucchini fritters and the chorizo eggs with avocado.<br/>Corn and zucchini fritters are crisp and light. Served with smoky bacon, poached egg cooked just right, sour cream, avocado and a rich tomato kasundi.<br/>The chirizo eggs with avacado(extra) are a fantastic mix of spice and full flavour and the hollandaise is a perfect silky velvety smooth complement. <br/>There are also blankets available and with the fireplace its the perfect place for a cosy winter brunch :)<br/>Prices are that little bit more but if you dont go out much its worth it

2018: Went back today after a year or so. Still a nice chilled vibe. Porridge was nicely spiced. The only down side was the bread/ toast which was overcooked and therefore very crunchy and not enjoyable. <br/><br/>Prev visitService was efficient and the cafe was warm and welcoming. Noise levels were acceptable and allowed for conversations to occur (very rare!). Food was also good: poached eggs still had soft centres and mushrooms were cooked well. Coffee lacked body but overall good.

Great brunch at South of Johnston! Avocado and feta are my go to and it definitely didn't disappoint! Interesting soup on the menu with salmon and it was enjoyed well. We ordered chai lattes which were forgotten but then given to us for free which redeemed themselves. Cute seating area out front!

Love coming here for brunch, the corn fritters and the pancakes are always a winner. Much easier to get a table here than other more popular establishments, and just as tasty!

Let me just say this places really does tick all the boxes. I rate this place highly on venue food and the quality of service. <br/>Had ordered the Chorizo eggs and the poached eggs were perfect with the chorizos mixed in a delicious sauce. Greeted by the staff with a smile and small talk really welcomes you. This place is perfect on a winters morning with couches and a fire place inside. Really worth coming and definitely will be coming back.

One of my favorite cafes!!! We went to south of Johnston a few weeks ago. We had to wait a little bit but they had a small area with sofas where people could sit down, go through menu and order coffee while waiting. Our waiter was amazing! He was so friendly and nice. Food was really good too. My fritters tasted sooo good. I honestly think they make the best fritters! My boyfriend ordered pancakes (really yum too) but on the menu it said "real maple syrup" but it came in a plastic bottle? <br/>But really, everything was so good here!!!!

Love this place! You can tell that a lot of money has been put into the business. The interior is absolutely stunning! They really haven't missed anything everything looks beautiful, expensive and luxurious. Food is to die for, coffee is delicious and freshly squeezed orange juice sorts out any hangover! I recommend to everyone and this has become our new regular!

Go here a lot and today was another lovely experience. Food delicious. I had eggs with mushrooms (yum) and excellent hash browns. My boyfriend had the special - home made baked beans, scrambled eggs, chipolatas and avocado. Really yum. Service was exceptionally friendly if a little slow - though it was quite busy. Only had to wait about ten minutes for a table though. Highly recommend.

Big open and well decked out place to enjoy a some food and a coffee. I had the French toast with bacon, unfortunately when my dish arrived the toast was semi warm and there were only 4 tiny pieces of shortcut bacon. Not great considering it cost $20. To be fair my friend had the fritters and was satisfied.