Lovely place, great food at a decent price, and the staff are lovely too. :)
Highly recommend the Arabesque.
Breakfast perfection :) such a wonderfully interesting and original menu that completely delivers! Food was beyond amazing and everyone was lovely! Can't recommend this place enough! :)
Faultless. You’d be hard pushed to find this quality Or deliciousness in the city, let alone a little cafe in the sleepy hills. I don’t know how they do it- but they do it sooooo well!
Can’t recommend The General more.
Fantastic attention to detail in the food and presentation and wonderful seasonal menu ... Using local produce....We love this place and my boyfriend is s regular for Sunday breakfast .... Sadly I live too far away to make it my "regular" spot but it is my special spot when I can get there
The menu is constantly changing to match seasons and staff are always so welcoming and friendly, particularly with kids (toddler)
Have been visiting The General for years and have never been disappointed. Love the way they change up the menu every month and their service is always great too. I suggested they offer Lactose Free milk a few months back and now it’s on the menu! Great work folks!
Very busy little spot in the Dandenongs, with very fresh healthy food, and great very hot lattes!
One of our favourite local places to eat for fresh, delicious food that is always consistent and has plenty of vegan options. Also enhances the experience to have friendly and attentive staff. They take dietary requirements seriously so we always feel confident with our order coming out just as requested. We are so grateful that they continue to put more and more vegan options on the menu. Thank you!!!
Great food, great staff, manager very friendly happy places makes happy food. Love it. We will be back
Amazing food, coffee and staff happy and service fantastic � � we will be back �
I love it here, yum food and coffee and excellent staff!
This cafe is in my top 5 of all time. Great seasonal food, excellent coffee & my favourite is the fabulous service & staff. Been back again & again
Marcus Enrico Abbonizio
+5
This place is the bomb for yummy vegan food in the hills!!!
First time I have visited this establishment and all I can say, is wow!
Coffee was excellent and so was my badboy toasted sandwich. Bacon was cooked to perfection. My complements to the chef.
This geez knows his shit....
Keep up the good work I will be back again soon!�
Great coffee, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Defs worth the trip
One of my absolute favourite cafes. Food is always fresh and cooked perfectly and coffee is fantastic. Can’t fault a thing!
Fresh food cooked with pride, warm atmosphere and always a delight
Great food and decor of the restaurant. Friendly service and awesome food options.
Great food - love the homemade approach to condiments etc and MAN that sag aloo potatoes dish is TO DIE FOR :-)
Fantastic food and and awesome staff. The arabesque is amazing!
I have been going since day one, love the menu, love the staff
Our regular (ahem, *cough* ) DAILY coffee stop and weekend breakfast addiction. Love the general, fab food. Super staff and the food is simply divine. 5 stars!!!! Addicted!
Amazing! Love the general, I love locally so go quite often and k have never had a bad meal. The staff are fantastic and I love the changing menu.
Delicious food that makes my stomach do a happy dance - love everything about this lovely cafe �
Fantastic place to eat. Best coffee around not just the hills but Melbourne! Friendly, professional and super quick staff. Relaxing but vibrant atmosphere.
Fabulous! Fresh seasonal food...Friendly staff....Love The General.
Had breakfast with my gal "bride to be". Lots to talk about, over breakfast if perfect poached eggs on sourdough, numerous lattes, raucous laughter and not once felt we overstayed our 2.5 hour visit on a busy Saturday morning �
Yum yum... keep that charred broccoli on.. but pleaseeee change the waffles monthly..
Lovely staff. Fresh, REAL food! Best cafe in the area!
Great service and food. Catered for allergies.
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Hubby and I were down south on hols recently, and headed to Emerald for lunch one sunny day. We popped in to The General for a quick meal before heading further afield. Service was pleasant and prompt, and happily we didn’t have to order at the counter. (You know what I’m talking about, Brisbane!) I went for Chicken Adobo a go go, with added avocado. Hey, that rhymes! There were strips of tender, spicy roast chicken, with anchovy crumb, capsicum, fresh, crunchy fennel, olives and mayo. I enjoyed this healthy and tasty dish, especially with the added smashed avocado. I reckon that I was doing my body some good, so I felt virtuous and satisfied while eating it. Hubby had the ham and cheese baguette #1. There was smoked ham, Maffra cheese, zucchini pickle and spinach. He loved the tangy, soft, sourdough baguette, with the crispy crust, and enjoyed the ham and cheese filling. He had ordered ginger beer but ended up with ginger kombucha. The waitress offered to replace it, but hubby was very happy with this serendipitous mistake. He loved the kombucha, which he said was very adult and not too sweet – a bonus. I stuck to plain water (see? I was being healthy). The atmosphere is convivial, service pleasant, and we liked the seating with a long wooden bench running down the café. They use local and seasonal foods, as evidenced by the poster on the wall showing this month’s harvest. And they support the local community by providing wall space for artwork and written pieces, and by hosting a new artist and writer each month. I love this place, and just wish I lived closer!
Delicious breakfast in the hills. Coffees were perfect, Arabesque eggs absolutely perfect, husband loved the Fire in the Hole eggs. Little bub has his first ever cocoa pops that are house made with no refined sugar. Service was wonderful and friendly and meals came out very quick.
Couldn’t ask for anything more.
Fresh and tasty!! Really great flavour and all the ingredients were just so fresh. Eggs were poached well. Staff were friendly. Wonderful place for brunch
Awesome friendly customer service. Tummy time was delicious with fresh ingredients. Avocado sauce and feta cheese were tasty. Will come back
I caught up with my mate Adam here. It was kinda a central meeting place for us because we don’t live close. I’m glad we came here but if I’m honest with everyone it was actually closer to his house. I’m not complaining but just saying life isn’t always gonna be fair. Coffee 8.5/10
My friend and I stopped at Emerald on our puffing billy trip. We found this fantastic cafe. Food is very nice and ice coffee is fantastic. Not very far from the puffing billy station. Do recommend you to try!
I went there for a family brunch a few weeks ago. I chose this place based on the glowing reviews and I must say this place lives up to its hype. We ordered the Belgian waffles, burger with crisps, croissant and drinks to share among us. The waffles were light and fluffy, the additional chocolate ganache might be a dream for those with a serious sweet tooth, it was a little much for me. Everything else was perfect.
We live about half an hour's drive from this place, but we're willing to make the trip again!
Love this little gem up in the scenic surrounds of Emerald. Stopped here for brunch and noone was disappointed. Everyone has to try this amazing little cafe. Has such a warm and friendly atmosphere and the kitchen is always buzzing! Will definitely be back again!
Consistency and excellence every time. Great seasonal menu and super friendly staff. It’s the go to place for great coffee in the hills. Grab some pantry staples from the shelf while you’re there, the beetroot relish and hot hot sauce are incredible.
What can I say but excellent food, great staff. Please make more dishes for us standard non spicy eaters. EG : No chili , No peppers/pepper and no pickles. The menu changes with the seasons because of availability of fresh produce so sometimes i`m not so thrilled with the menu but they will try to accommodate me and my standard Aussie tastes. The wife loves everything here lol.
My partner introduced The General to me on our second date - we have now been together for just shy of a year, and this intimate and warm cafe has been a place of bliss and contentment. We both share a liking of visiting new cafes and places for breakfast, but The General possesses the comfort and gaiety of home. The staff are all well known to us, and it always puts a smile on our faces having friendly chats and enjoying a meal there. I have never been disappointed with the food I’ve been served - and through a particularly wearisome week, it never fails to cheer me up spending an afternoon here. (Toby, our little pup also loves a quick visit here just as much).
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to start your day - you’ve come to the right place! Staff here have an unusual relaxed yet chic approach to customer service. The coffee is consistently brilliant and eggs on sourdough are my favourite. I highly recommend for lunch too!
Went here for breakfast early on a Sunday morning and it was absolutely beautiful. The staff were lovely and welcoming with a huge smile and nice greetings. I ordered the corn toast with poached eggs, bacon, smashed avo, corn and hot habenero sauce. As ghe name on the menu "fire in the hole" suggested it was incredibly spicy with the habenero sauce which I could only use a tiny bit. It was all perfect with all the flavours fusing together to have a perfect taste combination that made no taste overpower any of the others with just enough hotness. My partner got the waffles with coconut and strawberries and blueberries and said it had a lovely summer feel and were the freshest most tasty waffles she had ever had. The price was not over the top. We also purchased some a lemon tart and brownie to take home which were both lovely. Cant recommend this place enough and we will definitely be coming back. It well and truly deserves to be ranked among the best restaurants in melbourne!
Nice and warm this small place is busy with locals and tourists alike. A nice outdoor seating area is complementing the capacity of the General Food Store. Service is friendly as you would expect in Emerald. The cappuccino was well prepared, although the presentation could have been better and the coffee beans lacked the depth you may find at the top establishments in Melbourne CBD. Ordered a Tummy Time (smashed avocado, poached eggs, hot smoked salmon, Persian feta and dukkah) and Arabesque (poached eggs, grilled halloumi, beetroot relish on toasted sourdough). Presentation of both dishes was great, produce on the plate was fresh. Amazing combo, eggs poached to perfection. Personally I would have preferred a slice of sourdough to be on each plate, as I am not a fan of having poached eggs without bread. Apart from that, I would make it my local if I was living around the corner! Thumbs up!
Went here after doing the thousand steps. Wasn't even that hungry but have wanted to check it out for a while. Great food, nice coffee and friendly service. Lemon tart to finish was legit too.
Seriously phenomenal food and definitely worth the drive! The cajun chicken burger was easily one of the best burgers I've had... ever... To say that is a big deal! Will definitely be back next time we're in the area.
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Had high expectations of The General Food Store after reading all the reviews of people traveling from Melbourne Inner suburbs just to try it. Luckily for me I work nearby so decided to drop on last week on my lunch break.
The cafe had a lovely vibe and environment and the service was friendly and efficient. I ordered a coffee and the Arabesque. The coffee I was disappointed in, I felt it just lacked that depth and flavor, and froth for a cappuccino. 6/10
The Arabesque sounded average to me, but after reading so many reviews about it I decided to give it a go. And I was impressed! Although there were no exotic ingredients in the dish, all the flavors like all the other reviews said went really well together. I enjoyed every bite of it and wiped the plate clean. The unfortunate thing was I did not get a good photo, as the haloumi on the dish fell literally seconds after she placed the plate down!
Overall I really liked the food there and would definitely be back to try all their other delicious sounding menu items. However would probably give coffee a miss next time.
My partner saw the uber high Zomato rating and took it upon himself to chose the breakfast location which I hardly ever let him do, but I was feeling generous and up for a road trip so off we went. I liked the witty way in which the menu was written but it didn't offer up a lot of variety (although the space is quite small so understandable). I went for the granola which was rhubarb and pistachio with coconut yoghurt. My partner opted for the beef burger with blue cheese and tomato jam which was a greedy choice given we had stopped at a donut van en route from Melbourne! Both enjoyable but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Maybe the only decent spot to eat in Emerald?
Hands down the BEST BRUNCH EVER!
After a visit to 1000 Steps, we ventured towards Emerald, and came across this gem of a place.
Started with an extra hot soy latte, which was superb!
Followed by the Arabesque, with a side of field mushrooms. Indeed a generous serving which I struggled to finish, but had to!
Considering we could barely walk out, we purchased some treats to take away...Thank god we did!
The quality of produce is visible upon presentation, let alone taste.
In conclusion, food was amazing, Service was 10/10, and I will definitely make the trip from the Northern suburbs to Emerald, just to eat at The General Food Store. 😊
Food and Service: I accidentally stumbled upon a gem in the gorgeous surroundings of Emerald. Was throughly satisfied with the food. Service was incredible. Don't you feel blessed when your coffee or food is served with a big smile.
Look and Feel: Located in Emerald, the place is tiny with decent seating options. No fuss, no over the top stuff done with the interiors.
Special note: Do keep some space for desserts and try the small cakes. They were delicious.
Having to put ur name down for a table is always an excellent indicator of a place. Busy and bustling, the General Food store has an extremely cozy atmosphere. Ordered the Tennesse Tucker, The Brazillian and another mushroom dish which was special of the day. Dishes were beautifully presented! The pulled beef in the Tennesse was scrumptious. The coleslaw was quite bitter however. Was not a fan of the Brazilian dish however that is not reflective of the dish itself rather personal preference! Didnt think too much of the coffee beans used.
Perfect menu and perfect little place. I loved the food there and the service was impeccable. There was not one thing in the menu that I did not want to try. Its worth driving all the way to emerald.
Been here quite a few times, service and food is consistently good and very reasonably priced - you can build a decent breakfast from scratch for under $20. Seasonal food and good coffee.
The General Food Store out in Emerald is one of the best hidden gems in Victoria 😍. We had the Arabesque, You're My Boy Blue and the Juan and Only. All meals were on point👌, however being somewhat of a burger specialist this burger just fell short for me😞, but still not bad considering burgers are not their specialty😅. Staff were nice and overall great atmosphere out here in part of the world 😚. We loved the food, simple but at the same time sophisticated and surprisingly tasty 😍
Amazing brunch at The General Food Store. Lives up to its reputation on Zomato. We got Arabesca which has amazing grilled cheese and beetroot salad. And if you are a fan of blue cheese, the beef burger with blue cheese nicely contained in an onion was delicious with the beef patty done just right. Worth the ride from Melbourne city
Great day in Emerald spent at this great cafe. I had the Arabesque which was delicious. The coffee is fantastic and a small lemon tart was perfect ending. Friendly staff.
How could you not love this place! Situated up in the hills with seasonal and local produce, this little cafe is a hidden gem. They cater for every type of food; meat lovers, vego's and vegans. The cafe delivers not only scrumptious tasting food but eye catching and well presented food. The friendly staff always have a smile on their face whether you're popping in for a coffee after your Sunday morning walk or catching up for breaky, brunch or lunch with friends and family, this place is a must visit! Oh and you must try the arabesque, it's amazing!!
Quaint little cafe that sells quality food and good coffee. The staff are very friendly and attentive too. Looks like the place was a local hangout as many people just popped in to say hi and grab a coffee.
Food was good, very fresh. Staff were friendly and excellent service even though they were busy.
Recommend the "Fire in the hole" & "Arabesque"
Bad Boy. Satisfying, tender and so filling. Loved the parsnip chips inside.
Vegan chocolate cake is delicious in every way.
Hot chocolate. A bit too perfect. Only complaint is that I didn't order a litre of it.
I love you and have loved you for many years. A touch more expensive than I remember. But perfection is almost always guaranteed.
Agree with other reviewers that it's quite noisy inside. Far more so than I remember 4-6 years ago. But. Please don't change 😘
Thanks Dougie for continuing the business to the standard it is. You don't know me but I can't forget your name. Much respect.
Heard reviews about this quaint little cafe along my trip to the Yarra. Could not get a place in any of the vineyards due to the festive seasons. Called this cafe and the service staff was excellent. They reserved a table for us and off we went to try out the food. Food was nice, simple but tasty. Ingredients seems to be of a good quality. Unpretentious and very homely. The only thing is it can get pretty packed and you may need to wait a little while to be served. Lincoln was yummy. Loved how it was cooked but I feel that the portions might be a little too small...kudos. My mate felt that the coffee pretty nice as well. I think they were using Proud Mary espresso.
Everything we had was delicious. We did a quick trip from Melbourne (3 of us) and sought this place out because of its reviews. We weren't disappointed, except maybe that they were out of baguettes. It was the end of the Xmas public holiday long weekend. The baguette menu options could still be provided as awesome sour dough sandwiches. We succumbed to a selection of post lunch cakes, one being a mini lemon tart that was worth the drive. All in all, we loaded so many calories that we hightailed it out of there to go and do "The 1000 Steps" nearby. Maybe twice.
Favourite place to eat in the hills. It's always outstanding quality. If I lived in Emerald I think I would be there every day. Addicted to the General Food Store.
We enjoyed Sunday brunch at The General Food Store. Arrived at about 12.45 pm and had a choice of table either inside or out back under cover. The latter is a pleasant outdoor area but I found the bench seats a little uncomfortable so we chose an indoor table. The staff were very prompt and friendly. It's only a small cafe but the menu still provided sufficient choice and if none of the standard dishes appeal, you can build your own. We ordered the Arabesque and AbraHam Lincoln brunch dishes and both were excellent - interesting combinations of ingredients and very tasty. We finished off with coffees. A quaint and friendly cafe with great food.
The biggest gem In Emerald, excuse the pun! It's no mistake that this is one of the highest rated places in all of Melbourne as the food is sensational! Fresh, healthy and cooked to perfection! We were all blown away by the quality! A tad on the pricier side but it's all organic and sourced locally! I'd suggest calling 20 minutes prior to arriving to secure you spot as the place is very quaint and the demand is high!
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The only cafe in the entire Dandenong Ranges that can rival the elite inner-city cafes. Their food is fresh, simple, often local and organic without been too pompous and boasts a menu that changes with the season. The chocolate brownies are the best I've ever had, so good in fact that I can no longer buy brownies from anywhere else as it brings on extreme feelings of withdrawal for TGFS brownies.
The cafe is small with a similar vibe to something you'd find in South Yarra and I can understand how some don't like that. But that cosy setting and organic vibes are what sets this place apart from any other in the area. You can smell the coffee beans roasting and the bacon popping, it's hypnotic.
It really is a local gem and deserves its praise. They support their local artists and have a small shelf of organic foods, jams, sauces and bread that you just can't buy from any store.
This cafe is worth driving across the state to visit. Don't bother with the bakery, don't bother with the chippy, plant yourself right here.
Best cafe in Emerald. You have to try the choc brownie - it's to die for. Go there regularly and never disappointed. Service and staff are great.
Fresh food cooked nicely. Nothing too fancy or special about this place but it's a decent place to go to for a casual brunch. Would recommend trying The Arabesque. Coffees were good. Staff were friendly and the place was not packed on a Tuesday morning. The main let down were the waffles which were average or perhaps even slightly below. If I had to choose on whether to come back based on this experience alone I probably wouldn't. However since they change their menus quite often and my last experience prior to this was a lot better(probably a year back), i would come back in a couple of months.
Edit: 22 November 2016. We have gone back to try out the new waffles with slow cooked berry compote and it was undeniably delicious. We also decided to order the brick lane this time and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. It's nice to see that management takes into consideration customer feedback seriously. Overall a good place with genuine customer service.
Just came in for a coffee based on its Zomato rating. Coffee was superb, and the food looked great but I'd just eaten so didn't partake (this time). Service was friendly and prompt. Here's the delighter though: I was really enjoying the music they were playing and thought I'd just Shazam it to see who the artist was. For whatever reason, that didn't work so I asked the staff. The barista not only told me who it was but suggested a couple of other artists that I might like if I liked that song and wrote them down for me. I now have a sensational Pandora station based on these three artists and have called the station General Food Store in their honour. Great experience in every sense.
Lovely place. Very impressed with the quality food prepared and cooked in this tiny kitchen. Staff were very friendly. Great coffee and very relaxed atmosphere. Definitely coming back.
Great "little" cafe. Can get up close and personal with others lol. Along with Zest nearby, the best coffee in town. Food is always fresh and tasty, with quirky offerings. Outdoors space is available. Staff always friendly.
Out of world breakfast/brunch options,sinful!! Being a brekky fanatic and poached eggs being my favourite I tried Arabseque. A dish that has plenty of rich flavours like dukkah and grilled Haullomi perfect combo ! My husband had Seoul food, "devilishly yum" as he said.
Limited seatings,refreshing music played in the background,overlooking the busy street of Emerald this place is a winner!! If you coming from CBD the drive is scenic,connects you to Mother Nature !!
This is my all time favourite cafe to eat at. Ever. I love coming here and having the menu changing monthly based on the seasonal produce available. The coffee could be a little warmer and creamier. Great staff. And just one more smal thing. Ive been in the last 2-3 months and the menus still the same.. change it up. I love the variety. Dont be scared.
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This place doesn't sound like much from its name but it's incredibly understated, with excellent food and phenomenal service making the drive up to Emerald totally worth it. We drove up to this beautiful location on a sunny Saturday morning, for an early breakfast. We were the first people in the store and were greeted with coffee immediately. The coffee was excellent and the beans freshly roasted, so good that we bought a packet of beans to take home. I saw the comments below and was worried that it would take a while for my food to come out- however it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, quite a reasonable time frame. They have a seasonal menu that changes according to what local produce they can source, really highlighting the community feel. We got;
The Mexican- this was a delicious jus of beans and beef with dukkah and poached eggs. This was phenomenal, the jus so tasty that it made you keep coming back for more. The beef was cooked to perfection and would just melt in your mouth. Definitely worth the risk!
The farro – This dish was comprised of farro, roasted vegetables, roasted kale, mushrooms and poached eggs. Another excellent dish, very light with the goodness of buttery roasted vegetables.
Although both dishes were quite different they were both tantalising and we would definitely come back up here for another delicious feed. Great job guys!
Lovely cafe in Emerald. Staff were really friendly. Small and simple menu, but lots of good options and obviously a well thought through menu with fresh and tasty ingredients. My dish was delicious - beetroot pesto and halloumi were highlights. Coffee was really good. Cafe is small, so could be hard to get a table and a bit squishy once you're seated.
Eat And Be Merry Crew
+4.5
Kiddo had wanted to walk the Wishing Well trail at Emerald Lake Park, no doubt to cast a wish for unlimited wishes. Which explained for why we were ravenously trawling main street Emerald one Sunday morn for post hike sustenance. A big of Google reconnaissance prior, I had my sights set on The General Food Store as they appeared to offer healthy lunch options with seasonal and local produce in mind. In the lovely court yard filled with propagating succulents at the back, we joined a communal table and enjoyed our meal.
Just enjoyed an exceptional morning tea in a most friendly cosy atmosphere. Love the seasonal produce, such an enjoyable way to celebrate winter,
Fabulous attention to detail !!! Awesome coffee !!
Tiny little cafe with an OK atmosphere, good food and decent service. Unfortunately only one beer (sample pale ale) to choose from from. Not a bad little place if you're eating in Emerald.
A lovey place!! Just visit emerald by puffing bully and walk around this town. The stuff is kindly and friendly.
I decided to take my wife to this quaint little cafe in Emerald for a B'day breakfast and it was fantastic.
We were greeted warmly at the front door and quickly seated,I would suggest booking a table which they allow 20 min before your arrival.
My wife orderered salmon rushdie which were Salmon cakes with a nice fresh salad covered in a mustard dressing alongside 2 poached eggs all presented nicely( very nice as I sampled some)
I had the begium waffles with lemon curd and poached apple on the side covered in crumble.
The cofees were also very nice and the service was second to none.
We will be back...
DAMMIT JANET I LOVE FOOD
+4
This cosy cafe has a teeny-tiny kitchen so it was understandable as to why it took some time for our food to come out. The menu is small and changes monthly as they use seasonal ingredients that are mainly sourced from local and greater Victorian food regions. Note that this place doesn’t take bookings but if you call up 20 minutes before you arrive, they will reserve a table for you.
Really great brunch place out away from the mindless traffic and huge crowds of the city. Fantastic friendly service and exquisite food. Def gotta try the haloumi, beetroot and poached egg breaky. U won't be disappointed. Will be coming back again!
Delightful again
We have been to the GFS a few times now and it has been consistently good. Quality seasonal produce paired with friendly service.
Despite always being busy the staff maintain a friendly and hospitable attitude, the food has always been cooked well and the produce is noticeably flavoursome and fresh.
Great coffee and cakes as well!
I feel satisfied and content after leaving, refreshing in the Dandenongs where decent food is surprisingly hard to find.
Thanks again, we will be back.
Big Eyes For A Big Tummy
+4.5
Salmon Rushdie with the dill salad as a gluten free option was delicious and refreshing, just the right size portion. The pork dish for my partner was a little disappointing as he found the meat a little too dry. As per other reviews, coffee was one of the best I've had, so smooth without any bitterness. Service was friendly and welcoming. Very small place - we were lucky we didn't have to wait for a table, arriving 12pm on a Sunday!
Our hands down favourite cafe, I remember the first time we went and I experienced their bfast menu. You can tell the cafe is a labour of love and I wish them the greatest success.
I forget how much I love this place! cute shop with great food and new items every 2 months, made with local produce. Served by different waiters each time I go and haven't had a bad one yet. One time in about the dozen I've been here my food was a little slow, we were offered free coffee's off the bat. They do food, sweets and coffee amazingly well at The General, and when things go awry they still smash it and do the utmost to make sure you have a good visit. Also the peanut butter they sell off the shelf is top!
It's a nice little local cafe. The menu changes regularly based on in season ingredients. The Lord Stark salad was very delicious!! We loved the service and the food! It was Easter Sunday and they put a 15% surcharge on the bill - just thought it was a bit too much...
The must eat in emerald, a cute little cafe serve awesome food . Friendly & beautiful waitress, and every customer seems willing to wait for the table even it was packed . Great coffee, simple dishes are so exquisite that all the fresh ingredients are used . Great store !
One of my favourite brunch places of all time. It is out of the way and far to get to, but really worth it. Delicious dishes with fresh local ingredients and lovely creamy coffee. Never disappointed with the General Store. Cute and cosy layout. Coffees here are awesome. Never bitter and super creamy. 8.5/10
This cafe is definitely one of the better cafes in Emerald. It's very popular so getting a table for brunch on the weekend can be a bit tricky, and usually involves a wait! But totally worth it!
Brekkie's are all good!!! And fantastic coffee!!! We love it!
We took this on a suggestion from zomato. Haven't ventured up to emerald for breaky before and it was good to find something delicious to eat. I was a bit disappointed in the selection, as I don't eat pork I found there were not many non pork options. It was good service and reasonably priced. The coffee was really really well done and I savoured every drop in my mug. I had the arabesque which had a very scrumptious Beetroot relish which I found out after you can purchase from the store. My friend had the lamb burger de constructed and it turned out to be a lovely breakfast all up.
This Cafe has to be one of my all time favourites. They use fresh produce that is in season to make the meals which results in a changing and fresh menu every so often. My partner and I drive up to 40 minutes because of the flavour and quality of product plus the coffee! Highly recommend! I would suggest calling ahead due to the seating and or be willing to stroll nearby while you wait for a table.
came here with family, the food and coffee here was excellent, as well as the service.
we especially love the corn bread, which is made occasionally.
this is a must visit place every time we visit emerald area.
The General Food Store has been my favorite breakfast place over the past few years but the addition of "Fire in the hole" to their menu has knocked it out of the park for me.
Service is quick, friendly and efficient, the food's fresh and always cooked to perfection. The only thing that would make this store better would be if they'd serve freshly squeezed juices.
I still gave them a perfect score though.
Keep up the good work fellas!
Melbourne Foodie Lover
+4
Great food for healthy eating, coffee is really good too will definitely be back to this little gem in the hills, maybe next time I'll go adventurous and try things I've never tried before
Good food good coffee. Unfortunately forgot to take a picture and ate all the food as soon as it came out but I did take a picture of the menu..
Been to this place so many times and still can't get enough. I like the gluten free option on the menu. The Arabesque is something I'll recommend. Coffee is by Market Lane and you guys are definitely dominating the neighbourhood. Lots of love put into this place. Nice.
Since the general store has opened we LOVE coning here, the food is just so good, local, honest and delicious! We booked one of Dougies seasonal dinners a few months before. Beforehand I had to start an elimination diet- very very stern- so I emailed him that I had to cancel, it would be too hard. Dougie instantly grabbed the challenge and cooked me ( after a few emails to and fro) an amazing meal all within my - i thought boring- diet. Turns out it can be pretty exciting! Thank you Dougie and staff, you are awesome.
Little cafe with simple healthy breakfast and good coffee. Very friendly service with attentive and efficient staffs. It is a bit small and hence if you come in a group, maybe you want to call upfront to reserve the tables. It has an outdoor courtyard as well.
It happened to be a busy day, and it took quite a while for before we were served our food. Food was generally okay, but worthy of special mention were the poached eggs. They were perfect, and the highlight of the meal.
DaniB @eatmystreet.net
+4.5
The sun was shining, the breeze was fresh, the scent of Spring was in the air. I knew that a drive through those hills would inspire me. The General Food Store has had a make over of sorts. A few things that I love. Their monthly newsletter on the wall with announcement of local events, seasonal produce etc.
Why not begin your drive to the Dandenongs with brunch. One of the my favourite places to eat, love coming up to Emerald on a nice sunny day for brunch. The service is exellent and the food is even better.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Grave
+5
The Emerald General Food Store gets highly talked up around here, and it's very easy to see why. This quaint little cafe on the main strip consistently churns out brilliant coffee, with beans roasted by Proud Mary, and cleverly integrate seasonal produce into wonderful dishes that feature on an ever changing menu.
This time around, I ordered something simple; beans, feta, egg bacon, cornbread and coriander. But here it's more substance over style, instead of the flair you might get from other places, the Emerald General offers quality dishes which let the natural produce shine.
Combine all this with youthful, helpful staff who are happy to accommodate your desire to get a better seat (this place is only small) and we have a sure fire winner backed here. Arguably the best cafe in the Dandenongs.
Since then we’ve learned a few things. The staff might be young but they can serve. The cafe might be small and popular, but we normally get straight in as we get there at more unusual times (really early, or just coming up to midday is a good time). Lastly, but most importantly, the food is always beautiful.
This place is consistently amazing. The best coffee ever and Arabesque should never ever find its way off the menu. A credit to Dougie and his staff. We are soooo lucky to have you in our town
This is a destination shop. Great use of coffee supreme. The cakes are homemade and full of flavour.
Divine :). Absolutely delectable food. Would recommend to anyone. Staff were friendly and helpful and clearly loving their job.
Definitely a must go place when in the area....or a trip to make when in need of a beautiful breakfast...a very quaint little cafe :)
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Back to breakfast for part 5 of our pre-Easter Yarra Valley trip – this time we head to The General Food Store , an unassuming little cafe in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it group of shops in Emerald , a small town 44km south-east of Melbourne in the Dandenong Ranges . It’s a great example of the kind of place you can find if you do your research. As the blurb on their website will tell you, The General Food Store has been open since 2011 and is the creation of chef Paul Douglas and his graphic designer wife Belinda, and features a menu that uses seasonal ingredients, mainly sourced from Victorian food regions. Starting with coffee, of course, from Melbourne roaster Coffee Supreme . This was very nice indeed, and a good start to the day. My cappuccino came with lots of chocolate (unlike some places I could mention ). They have a new menu every month – here’s the April one. As you can see there’s a sense of humour at play here to go with the interesting menu items. The General Food Store is open from 7:30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 4pm on Sunday.
Great coffee! Nice modern decor.
Our waitperson confidently and politely added “I hope the drive was worth it” as we pulled up a bench at this cute Emerald jewel. We did too. It was a wet and cold Sunday morning and the main reason we were up was the World Cup match between Netherlands and Costa Rica which went through to a riveting penalty shoot out; won by the former. To be fair, the drive is not really that far, and we had been wanting to try The General Food Store for more than a few months.
I chose the ‘Persian Princess – fresh waffles, pistachio ice cream, strawberry and pomegranate sauce, fresh strawberries, rose syrup ($16.00)’
Hospitality going in right direction. Upon entering the place was busy, staff made u feel welcome not in the way..service was prompt and friendly with attention to details and customers. Food is creative, precise and seasonal. Was served on funky dinnerware without the fuss of microherbs Or multiple oils. Chef should be complemented on a small yet diverse menu. Kid friendly and will be back
Just Lovely. Been meaning to try this place for months and so glad we did. Friendly and prompt service, great coffee and a delicious breakfast! Definitely coming back here again especially as we are only in Upwey. Highly recommend it :-)
This is what a good cafe is all about!!!. I'm lucky to be local'ish to this absolutely lovely cafe.
Have brunched, lunched and just simply coffee'd here many times and it has always been a pleasure! If your in Emerald...just go! And if theres a waiting period...just wait! You won't be disappointed!
Love, love, love this place!. The staff are always super friendly and the food is top notch. I will come here again and again.
The Mighty Quinn. Delicious Quinoa salad
Lovely brunch. Tasty fresh food and excellent service..coffee was horrible. But we will return
We stopped in here for lunch after a morning at Puffing Billy, and were really pleased that our experience met the high expectations that were set by such high Urbanspoon ratings. We were promptly seated outside and a booster seat was quickly arranged for our toddler. The iced tea was divine on such a warm day and we were well pleased with our food choices (Fire in the Hole, Beefed Up and Waffle On). Although it is a 30+ minute drive from our place - and a similar drive time would take us to any inner city suburb, we would certainly consider another drive out to Emerald for another meal here.
There are no words, hands down best breakfast I've had outside of Melbourne. Fresh and wholesome. Diverse in tast, colour and texture. Wowee.
Ill Give U The Truth Ppl
+4.5
You just have to go. But g.... You just have to go.
But go early on the weekends otherwise you might experience a little wait.
Fantastic coffee, great food and friendly staff.
Perfect. Can't fault this place, excellent food, nice people, great service, I would eat here all the time. The lemon tart was unbelievable. So nice to have somewhere of this quality so close to home.
Awesome great service. Devine food what a hidden treasure. Will be back again and again..
Just went there for coffee - delish. I had a soy latter and it was done to perfection. Staff were seriously lovely, welcoming, informative etc. I'm looking forward to going back for brekky. Funky, comfortable decor, nice vibe.
Delicious and Accommodating!. I ordered the arabesque which is ridiculously delicious!!! The halloumi cheese was so good that I had to keep stabbing my husbands hand to stop him stealing it off my plate! Being pregnant i'm not supposed to eat soft poached eggs but I can't stand hard poached eggs so I asked if it was possible to not have them soft but not quite hard.....such a fussy request but they were happy to oblige and they came out perfectly! My new fave cafe!
Gold mine. Really delicious food, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Everything you could want from the Hills and about time something like this was in Emerald. My only wish was that it opened 6yrs ago when I still lived there. Brilliant!
Just the right amount of Proclomation. The waitress where very friendly and welcoming! The menu was a little proclamation but the results where great. Cafés take note, good ingredients+tried and true cooking techniques = winning food. My coffee was great!
We enjoyed a perfect Sunday brunch at the cozy cafe. Service was friendly, food was amazing- real taste, real ingredients. Latte was very nice- freshly brewed taste. Topped it off with a melt-in-your-mouth lemon yogurt cake. Delish! Appreciated the eco-friendly efforts they employ. Would like for them to be a bit bigger- definitely cosy, with LOTS of patrons in and out for take away coffees.
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A place in the Dandenongs I will happily return to!. I saw this Cafe on Postcards and I was excited to see a cafe that looked promising in the hills - this is after years of disappointment as both a resident of the area and now a frequent returning guest, & never being able to find anywhere half decent to eat! I dined here last Friday lunch with my family and my partner, they don't take bookings, but we were happy when we arrived they had a table for us outside in the courtyard. The menu was very enticing with lots of options for both late breakfast and lunch, my waffles were beautifully done and I appreciated the different toppings especially the pistachio ice cream! Everyone else at our table enjoyed their meals too, the dishes have great flavor combinations and look fresh, colourful and are good sized portions. The prices are very reasonable and the coffee was perfectly made. The service was very attentive and friendly and topped off the fantastic experience here. I highly recommend The General Food Store 10/10!
Best cafe ever! Delicious food, great coffee, charming staff.
Wailing music. Had Sunday lunch all good but for the music. Will probably find somewhere where the music is more suited to eating and chatting,without having to shout across the table. trying to chat to the friendly couple on the next table was almost impossible. when we asked if the style of music could be changed the friendly waiter said that when the chef has heard the next track they would.. Big improvement but not much. This would have been a real nice place and possibly made some new friends but for the Music of Charles Bradley wailing in everyone's ears. Used shazam to find that one out. Chances are we won't make the effort to return.
A teeny tiny spot - we had to wait to get a table - but it was well worth it. The food is delicious! Organic wholefood with a community feel. Love the decor
I have travelled around Australia been to lots of cafes but this place cannot be beaten! I've been numerous times and have never been disappointed! Each dish is cleverly crafted with taste and fresh ingredients in mind. Menu changes regularly for optimal use of seasonal produce too.
The only down side is its so good it's often hard to get a table for lunch!
Excellent quality and interesting food with great service
Must Visit!!. What a wonderful find. This little cafe is fantastic. The staff are quite young, totally professional but very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They have some items on their menu that are either vegan or easily adaptable. The food was delicious and the ingredients are quite obviously fresh and good quality. Will definitely visit again!
Nice little hippy place! Gets quite busy, they have a short menu but whats on offer will not disappoint! Definitely go again!!
Wow! Worth the drive up to Emerald. Great food, earthy atmosphere and very good service. We will be back. It's small, but the table turnover is pretty good. Love the pre-loved crockery, showcase filled with rustic homemade goodies and the sweet music playing loud enough to hear, but soft enough to have a conversation. A must try beautifully tucked away in Emerald.
Really like this place. Been there quiet a few times now, definitely our favourite place to take breakfast or lunch on a weekend. Service is excellent, coffee is lovely, food is excellent and love the fact it's small so we don't wait long once having a table. Thank you all for providing a fantastic place.
Perfect place for breakfast after some walking in the Dandenongs. Great coffee (I had three....), awesome food (try the Arabesque!) and really great service. Really glad we found this place.
Yum, Yum!! Great food, grea.... Yum, Yum!!
Great food, great service,
heaps of veggie options which keeps my veganesque hubby happy
Chic Melbourne cafe meets country cool. This place is tiny with a small range of great menu items that take full advantage of the country location and seasonal produce. From the poster on listing out all the produce currently in harvest to the miniature herb garden fixed to the fence on the teensy rear courtyard, and the fresh local free range egg this place is serious about fresh local food. The small menu features dishes with quirky names plated and prepared with loving expertise. The coffee is rich, full bodied and creamy and a beautiful scenic drive through the hills to enjoy a delicious lunch at 'The General' does not suck, unlike AFL football now they've ruined it with appalling umpiring, idiotic video referrals and no bumping
Really is the place to go in Emerald. We had a fantastic lunch at The General Food Store. The staff were lovely, attentive and very efficient. Our meals were both delicious, with a really good combination of flavours and ingredients.
A great selection selection of cakes including not one but THREE dairy free cakes for the baroness to choose from. Very impressed.
Great coffee! Small cafe and always busy.
Yummm went here this morning for breakki with the family. Delicious meals all round and good coffee too. Our party of 6 were well attended to, considering we took up half the seating! Didn't have to wait too long for anything and miss one year old even had half serves of toast and juice, and her own little booster seat. Will definitely come back here.
It's just fantastic. By far my favourite cafe in the hills, pretty close to my favourite cafe ever. Great food, great atmosphere. Get there early or you won't get in.
I'll be there for the coffee and the Simple Simon any day.
Amazing coffee, lovely staff, the best food by far in the area. Travel out of my way to grab a coffee before work it's that great. The interesting and sometimes quirky menu is updated regularly with locally sourced ingredients dependent on the season. My friends and I come here regularly for a catch up and have never been disappointed!
Victorian Dinner Critics
+4.5
Had breakfast here with my partner as we are looking at moving to the area. Small quaint cafe friendly staff the menu is changing and seasonal which is nice but found a little over priced and too way out would have loved the granola bit not with sheep yogurt!! Ordered the mushrooms on toast was a basic meal lacked some flavour and the poached eggs still had stringy bits and a strong vinegar taste to them, and was a hefty $18. Be nice to see some basic items like porridge or muesli but at those prices won't be back. Coffee was nice and the cakes looked great.
This place can do no wrong!. Stop reading and get there to eat! Unreal coffee and short sharp menu where everything exceeds expectations. My only wish is to hire the chef to cook for me at home everyday! But then I would miss the gorgeous atmosphere. Service is polite and delightful. Just magic!
Great coffee and food, the atmosphere was indie, I also respect that the waiters don't eat meat.
Excellent Food. We have now tried the General Food Store multiple times, and feel it has some of the highest quality food that puts it on a par with anything in the city. Doug and staff mix it up with new menu items, and for an Australian spot, even the spicy pulled pork sandwich was a darn good attempt at a classic American sandwich. The salads are special, the breakfast options all high class, and the service has been very good every visit.
The only issue is that this newly opened venue could already use double the space they have, as word is definitely getting around, and we have found them packed a few times already.
Do not hesitate to try this high class option out!!!! 9.8 out of 10!
Lovely place for brunch/lunch....good coffee too :) Definitely recommend.
Great service, food and coffee. Gluten free granola was to die for and I'm never usually someone who has muesli or granola when I go to cafes. Well worth the drive.
BRILLIANT in every way. My local cafe- lucky me!
Solid breakfast and great coffee. Will trek back again!
Such a great place, I have been here numerous times, the staff are lovely, and the hot chocolates are scrumptious (especially with the homemade marshmallows). Would highly recommend.
The best breakfast I've ever had in Melbourne!. I and my partner both said it has to be the best breakfast we have ever had in a very long time! Actually, we can barely recall when was last time we're so satisfied with our breakfast hunting experiences. I had scrambled eggs on sour dough bread, the scramble eggs were made beautifully - fluffy and creamy. He had "Perfect Pair" which is waffle, pear with coffee mascarpone and pistachio on the side. The coffee mascarpone has just the right level of sweetness. The waffles were fluffy and the pear was poached to perfection. It was just divine!
And the waiters were also very friendly and helpful. We basically loved everything we have experienced today! Oh did I mention we're also pleasantly surprised by how much we paid for our great meal the great service?
Definitely worth coming back!
On par with the best!. Having moved to Emerald about 9 months ago, I checked out all the breakfast and lunch venues in the area and this little cosy place wins my vote hands down. Amazing coffee (Coffee Supreme), thankyou, the town was in need of this! The fresh seasonal breakfasts, with the menu changing often enough to keep you interested. I particuarly enjoyed the morrel mushrooms and poached eggs a couple of months ago. As a chef I do tend to critique places I visit but here I feel I don't have to, I don't need to. The service is always with a smile and friendly, and have always felt welcomIe. The food is cooked as I feel it should be, with love. Thats what makes the difference. These guys take pride in what they do and it shows. Thankyou. I will see you Sunday morning!
We went out of our way to visit this place & it was well worth it. Great food, coffee & service - you can't go wrong!
The best breakfasts EVER!!!. Drop everyting and go there NOW! Actually, don't, we don't want it to get too crowded. There is nothing you can find fault with here. The range of flavours, presentation, local produce and staff are perfect. Tiny place but always manage to find a seat. Just work your way through the menu. Smashed avo on sourdough yum. Welsh rare-bit, makes you weep, divine! Eccles cakes like Mum used to make (well better really)!
Fantastic food and the best coffee. Happy to cater for special diets :-)
Great place. We went to the general store for breakfast on the recommendation from urbanspoon reviews. We were not disappointment. The coffee and food was great. Friendly staff. We will come back....
Amazing Experience. This little Cafe has it all. As a coffee connoisseur, the coffee here is the best I have ever tasted! Just this alone should be enough to keep you coming back! The food is stunning and versatile. The menu changes regularly with new exciting additions! The meals are all seasonal, and are beautiful. However, one of the regular meals, the scrambled eggs is my favourite. I have never had eggs as perfect as at the General.
Add to this some of the best cakes and muffins fresh everyday, and a lovely relaxing place to read a book or the paper, makes an unbeatable combination.
July Seasonal Dinner. I would just like to say that we had the most amazing dinner , every dish was so delicious , from the Roasted quail , to the heavenly dessert , the poached tamarillo, walnut tart caramel vanilla ice cream was to die for how lucky we were to experience such fine cooking
Loved it. This place is totally amazing. Baguette #12 was the perfect sandwich!
A great place. It's no wonder the shop is full of locals - this restaurant is what eating out is all about. Having breakfast there was a real escape: relaxing and friendly, with a scrumptious breakfast menu like no other. Run by talented foodies who know and serve good food from fresh produce. Highly recommend it.
Lovely place with great food and the most polite service! Highly recommended!
Fabulous. Great coffee, Great breakfast!
The most delicious gluten free bread I have ever had. Usually GF bread is a flat disc and tastes like cardboard -I had to double check with staff to make sure it wasn't regular bread! YUM!
Just tried "The General Food Store" in emerald A perfect winter brekkie. A brilliant menu with a twist on your breakfast favorites. Friendly staff and brilliant coffee, all on a warm upbeat but relaxed environment Will be back for sure
Great smooth coffee blend, genuine staff, and the best ever house-made gluten-free bread and fresh brownies too.. The kind of brownie that melts in your mouth. Fresh, local and seasonal ingred. used.. Will visit again!
Fresh taste, good flavour!. Fresh ingredients, good blend of flavours and texture. Well worthwhile making the excursion east based on a recommendation. Most enjoyable!
Great food and Great Staff. The General Food Store is now our local. The menu has some changes on a monthly basis, along with the seasons. The food is always well presented as well as tastes great. Staff are always friendly and courteous.
Jodie-ann Richardson
+4.5
What a credit to you Dougie!!. Had an incredible time at your cafe Dougie... exquisite food... stunning atmosphere and wonderful staff. The food came so quickly and every single mouthful was divine!! The chai latte was to die for and am now munching my way through the most amazing muffin ever!! We will definitely be back... Cwwwwwasssssaaaant!!! xxx
Just get there it's awesome. You'll see
Amazing!!!. This little cafe feels like it should be on trend Brunswick street. The food was well cooked and presented. Chai and cakes were to die for! I love this place, and so pleased to have such a gem so close to home!
What a gem emerald really has! Beautiful food! Fresh produce from Victoria and seasonal only! Four of us went for breakfast today and loved it all! Great club sandwich with smoked chicken and bacon with a well balanced mustard mayo! Pork neck, braised borlotti beans, watercress and a fried egg super yummy! Fresh waffles, right, fresh waffles with poached orange, mascarpone and pistachio perfectly executed! Great coffe and friendly service! Excellent!!
Quality, quirky food. This is a great little cafe. Menu is small but food always has that little extra something special reflecting the quality of the chef who accesses seasonal local produce. Coffee best in Emerald and service friendly and helpful.
Awesome!. Well priced, awesome food and super friendly staff. my new favourite local!
The place to go in Emerald. Love this place. Friendly staff, delicious food and great prices. Loved the waffles and "pork and friends".
The General Food Store stands out as being bright and cheery, with a lively buzz as you step through the doors, greeted by a young, upbeat and smiley crew....My warm winter salad was just perfect, with Jerusalem artichoke, lentils, olives and walnuts. Earthy and just lovely, it felt so clean and refreshing at the same time. I couldn't get over how fresh and crunchy the walnuts were, just divine...It looks like the menu at the General Food Store changes quite frequently, focussing on what's in season, so despite other potential breakfast options, I look forward to revisiting the General Food Store again with it's cheery service, simply but beautifully thought through food and very reasonable prices.
Really great food and service here. Well worth the drive out here. My partner commented on how happy I was with my food. The taste was pretty amazing. Coffee is perfect.
This is the second time I’ve been here. The second time was much better. Yummy food, the cornbread is to die for.
My only concern with this place is the pricing. It’s a little expensive for what you get.
My plate had halloumi, cornbread and an egg and was around $22-25. It’s just a little on the pricey side.
Lovely staff :)
Paul bent over backwards to make sure we had the best breakfast ever. Our first after lock down and it was so nice to have such great service with a friendly smile. At least I assume he was smiling under his mask 😷. Amazing breakfast bacon and egg brioche bun. My scrambled eggs were buttery and superb. Will definitely go again.
Such a cute little place. Very friendly staff, quick service and a gorgeous menu full of local ingredients. Delicious food and coffee. We will definitely return!
This place is great! Went there for brunch on the weekend and it wasn't too packed. The food was delicious and the vibe of the place was super cute.
Yummy!! Coffee was incredible and Granny’s Granola was awesome! The staff bent over backwards and were incredibly welcoming and very friendly. Thanks guys.
Look, my review isn't going to tell you something the 400+ other reviews haven't already told you, so I'll be brief: Everything you read is true. The food is great and the staff is really friendly and welcoming.
My only addition is that it's also an incredibly cozy place. Sitting in the window on a cold day, after a nice walk in the surrounding area, it's like you're in your own living room.
Coffee was great, service was super friendly and quick, decor is great, really nice vibe and the food was 12/10. The gluten free bread was the best I’ve had. Menu is well laid out and really accessible for different dietary requirements. So stoked, thank you.
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