We came here twice on our weekend in Dromana - Friday night dinner and Sunday brekky. Absolutely loved it both times - innovative menu featuring local peninsula produce and wines, and friendly professional service. Delicious! We will be back for sure.
The food, ambience and set-up is amazing. Being a Melbournian Coffee Snob, we were super impressed with the delicious flavours, certainly the best cafe in Dromana
Food was absolutely amazing. The chef was fantastic and even walked around to talk to guests and suggest choices. Highly, HIGHLY recommended!!!
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Above average quality of food. We had the squid ink linguini, the lamb sausage ragout, Gippsland rump steak, trevally with clams and the treacle cake with butterscotch & whipped cream.
Our favourites of the night were the lamb sausage ragout; which was rich in flavour and very hearty. As well as the Trevally with clams. The fish was well cooked and was perfumed brilliantly with the herbs and was accompanied with jamon and clams in a very flavourful sauce.
The Treacle cake dessert was indulgent and delishous; attempting to try and share this dessert may put a strain on your relationship
The squid ink linguini while tasty, lacked the intensity of flavour when compared to the lamb sausage ragout.
The Gippsland steak was tasty but ours was cooked more towards medium-well as to our normally preferred mid-rare. It was a strange thing for me to reflect back and find myself preferring fish over steak. But that has more to do with the quality of the fish dish rather than any shortcomings of the steak.
We'll definitely be back to sample the tasting menu
This place is amazing! I can’t wait to go back again, it’s hard to choose anywhere else on the Peninsula for us these days. We love letting the chef go fo it and surprise us with the meals they are most excited about that day. They are so passionate about the local produce they use and we regularly end up getting things that aren’t on the menu. Wine knowledge is phenomenal also, and always great service. It’s unfortunate the odd low rating can change the average so much, I can’t believe those people ate at the same restaurant. But this place rocks for us, we can’t get enough!
Found this place by fluke. Amazing breakfast with a Spanish influence. Hidden little gem opposite the beach. I’ll defiantly be back next time I’m in the area.
Monkey Business catered for our post wedding party end of November. They were fantastic. We had 40+ people arriving all afternoon and they just worked the crowd. There was a constant stream of absolutely delicious food on offer, in addition to a grazing table. Every time I turned around someone was approaching me with a mouth full of food telling me how amazing it was. They had one girl on the bar who did a sterling job at keeping everyone hydrated, she made the best pimms ever. One chef in my kitchen preparing and plating and keeping everything spotless, and Luc who did the rounds with all the food. The food was outstanding, fresh, beautiful presentation and ever so tasty. The passion they had for their food and service was also evident, nothing was too much trouble and there was such a pride as they mixed with my guests and happy to explain and chat about what was on offer. They were also very reasonably priced for all the food they provided. Highly recommend.
Been here about 5 months ago. Really impressed with the food and service here. The dish is well represented and tastes so good. Will definitely come back again.
This restaurant is a true gem. The quality of food, it's presentation and the attentive service are truly first class or beyond. We celebrated my partners birthday here on the weekend today and wow did it exceed expectations. We chose to have the 5 course meal with the chef picking each dish. As dish after dish came out we were presented with a little piece of heaven. This place is a find I recommend to all food lovers, connoiseurs and everyone who wants an interesting and great meal. Amazingly reasonably priced for such quality. Hats off to the chef/s and wait staff. Superb!
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4.5
We love Monkey Business. We’ve been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner - overall about half a dozen times - and loved it each time. For our latest visit we went with international visitors and absolutely loved the experience. The food was outstanding, particularly the fish which is beautifully presented with broth and broad beans. Such a pretty dish and utterly delicious, especially with sides of potatoes and salads. The starters were terrific too, especially the anchovies. The wine list offers tremendous quality too and great variety. Service was lovely throughout too. Dromana has a dearth if good quality mid priced restaurants. It’s either cheapie quick meals or expensive winery meals. Monkey Business is easily the place that best fills the gap. And, it’s a place that really works to maintain a high level of quality and it keeps improving too. Our international visitors loved it here. A very picky hipster I know is pretty clear about it. Monkey Business is our place of choice. Highly recommended.
A year ago
Good place that could become very, very good in time. It’s certainly the most interesting place I’ve discovered in this area so far.
First off, it delivered one of the best dishes I’ve had anywhere for the year. Leek, bacon, braised sliver beet, hollandaise and poached eggs with toast on the side. This dish had everything. It looked superb, it had beautiful flavour and a lovely delicate texture. I adored this dish. I found it so strikingly different from the usual brunch standards and I’d happily travel serious distance to have it again.
My companions had the chicken burger. They reported them as good but nowhere near my dish. Theirs looked unexciting on the plate, I’d have to say. They tasted ok apparently.
My great experience continued though. I was coming off an extended fast and needed more than the main. There was a limited choice of cakes and slices on offer. Just two, in fact. I chose superbly again. The banana bread here is the best I’ve had by some distance. Moist with a rich satisfying flavour. It was striking good with the caramalised banana on top.
I finished with an excellent long black. Rich, substantive and well made coffee. A very very good brew.
Now, let’s talk about a few of the odd things here. It’s a really good place but a bit hidden. We had never seen it on the street even when looking for it. The sign is so subtle. There is nothing on the front glass to announce a cafe or even to signal that’s its open when you pick where it is. It’s a bizarrely low key street presence. I couldn’t actually work out it was open until I went up to the front glass and peered in and spotted people at the very rear of the cafe. Crazy. It’d be different in the warmer months as there’d be people outside but not so when it’s cool like today.
It gets stranger. We couldn’t work out where the front door is. It’s up the left hand side of the place right at the end. We tried several other entry spots on the folding doors at the side. But, the front door is at the far end and has nothing to mark it as an entrance. But, the good news is we found it.
It’s a lovely place inside. Contemporary and nicely set out. Sound echoes a bit inside but it’s not too troubling. Strange music choice today though. 80s pop. We thought it needed softer stuff.
Service was generally good throughout.
I’ll be back to this place.
Had lunch here today , hubby and I we both agree this restaurant deserve a 5. A perfect place to enjoy your weekend lunch . Artistic decor , cozy atmosphere , and great food made by people who care . (Oh and we love your taste of music too .)
Had a chicken pâté , ham hock risotto, coffee and tea . All delicious ! A great harmony . Friendly service .
Wow, just wow. They did not put a foot wrong. The service was top notch, even the head chef paid us a visit. The food is simply breathtaking. We ordered the 5 course sampler with no idea what they would present and that was the right choice. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. It is, without a doubt fine dining, so maybe not ideal for kids. It may not be the cheapest choice in town, but is likely to be the best value in town. If back in Dromana, this will be must to revisit.
We're staying at a winery in Red Hill and found this place by looking on Google maps. Photos looked good, so thought we'd try. IT'S INCREDIBLE. The food is simple concept and executed masterfully. Couldn't stop eating. And super friendly and confident service, too. Try the chickpeas.
Found this amazing little cafe on our way home, staff where lovely! And the food was not what we where expecting, it was amazing! Honestly food was one of the best experiences iv had for breakfast in a long time!
Beautiful atmosphere and oh my goodness, it's been so long since we've had some really different and exciting flavours! Cannot recommend highly enough.
Enjoyed it, interesting flavour combinations. Kudos for having a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. Portion size was a bit small though.
I found a Gem like a diamond in the rough. Absolutely 💯 % the place to eat in Dromana overlooking the bay. Get there and tantalise your taste buds.
Great Service with a smile 😊
Great Food made with love and passion. I'm coming back.
Everything about Monkey Business is incredible. From the atmosphere, to the entire staff, the food and the location. I truly cannot fault this restaurant! Always an excellent experience!!!
Clean and crisp "Hamptons" feel. Food was excellent and service good. 👌 Not many customers, seems they open for breakfast and lunch then close and reopen in the evening for dinner.
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