Bella Tataruga
Yet the beef arepa was delicious, and so was the cheese. I left very full. Prices are prolly expensive, and serving size for the arepa has dropped, judging from other reviews. Dropped a star for rude service from male barista who was adamant that I shouldn't order as "it would take a long time to come, at least 40 mins" and yet food came after normal waiting time.
Roo Merlotti
OMG. Why did it take me 6 years to come back. Delicious, the beef was incredibly flavoured now that let you ladle as much chimichurri and salsa as you like. I just added an egg. The Hot chocolate with cheese was delish and generous and tried the Pollo as well and that was magnificent as well. As someone who doesn't normally stand in lines it was well worth it.
Lants
The vegan frijole arepa was amazing. New favourite breakfast place.
Mitsuhiro Kato
Just got a takeaway coffee.
It was good, but some food looked yummy, so will try some food next time!
Macarena Erbs
Excellent food! The hot choc delicious and the arepas with black beans yummy 😊😊.
Rob Ayala
Food was good, prices are Melbourne reasonably, coffee was also good.
They do close at 3pm Saturday and it does get very busy so arrive early.
Emily K
Liked the beef empanadas but they were smaller than I expected so if you want a meal, make sure to order 3. Cheese arepa was larger but needed more variety of flavour so I'd go for a filled one next time. Note if you're getting takeaway the sides are not included like dine in so make sure to take a container and fill with sauces.
Steph Irwin
Finally went for a sit down brunch. Super authentic Colombian/South American arepas and coffees. Probably the best arepas I’ve had in the city. Staff is really friendly and service is quick. They’re happy to explain menu items and won’t judge you on your terrible Spanish pronunciation!
Will definitely go back for a takeaway coffee and pastry….. like, tomorrow.
Mimi Looked
I love This place. Feels like you are in Colombia and the Food was great. I recommend the eggs vegetarian option and I have to come Back to try their coffee�
Paul Shaw
My wife and I popped in for a quick bite and we wete very pleased that we did. The service was quick, staff friendly and the food delicious.
Virginia Holloway
I love this place! Staff are gorgeous and friendly, food amazing (so much choice for coeliac vegos!) and delicious passion fruit cocktails
Jota Jota
From a Colombian point of view - Buenisimo, Bonito y Barato!
Claire Ocaña Mengin
One of my favourite places to stop by every time I'm in Melbourne. The menu is light, creative and a real treat to your tastebuds.
Damian Iver Doig
Just had breakfast here and the food was sensational. Great vibe, energy and friendly. Loved it!!!!
Santiago García
The only Colombian restaurant with personality in Melbourne
Diane Everton
This is one of the best finds in Melbourne. Took adult daughters and 2 years later took husband and we all loved it. My favourite is the chai tea
Rebecca Tang White
The food is very yummy and coffee is good. Love this place
Heather A Robertson
Friday night Arepas Days. Yummy food, friendly staff, fast service.
Jorge Cubides Jimenez
Omg I love it this place.
Lina Segura
I love Sonido! The food is scrumptious, the place is amazing and th people lovely
Karen Banner
Great food...wanted to try the whole menu! Fancy opening one in brisbane?
Gina Gregory
Es rica la comida y el lugar es muy chevere. La unica cosa es que deberian agregarle un poco mas de fruta a los jugos ya que son muy aguados.
Jorge A Leiva
Awesome vintage latino atmosphere, delicious arepas, the best chorizo and the friendliest staff. The Pacho Galan cocktail is great
Bojan Malić
Awesome food & atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
Inga Suarosky
Este es el lugar donde los latinos y en especial los colombianos reconfortamos el alma con el son y el sabor.
April May
Lovely little cafe serving traditional South American arepas made the traditional way form maize - gluten free! Service was friendly and they happily answered all our questions. The arepa's were tasty and something quite different to get to try out and about.
Ines Fernandes
Mexican breakfast and tasty coffee? Si senior! 🤠<br/><br/>Working very close to the place makes me a frequent visitor. From breakfast to lunch or even just a coffee, all doctors know that a trip to sonido is worth it.<br/><br/>The coffee is beautifully presented and the quality is superb. I’ve tried their soy lattes, almond lattes and even oatmilk lattes (either coffee and chai) and they have the distinctive aspect of not using powdered cinnamon but a cinnamon stick instead. Iced coffee is delicious here too!<br/><br/>Their breakfast tortillas can be served with chicken, pork, salmon or beans and I must say that both vegan or non vegan options are delicious. They are served with a side of guacamole and spicy sauce. The only downside would be that serving is quite small.<br/><br/>This cute little place is definitely a great place to hang around and the decoration is impressive too with flowery patterns, wide wooden seats and even the cutest cutlery and props.<br/><br/>It’s the perfect work break!
Beini
Sonido! specialises in Colombian cuisine, something that I don’t have too much experience nor knowledge with. The small cafe is vibrant and colourful, offering a glimpse into the tenacious Latino culture.
Jess
Really delicious Colombian food. I always get the cheese arepas with a side of morcilla and beans. Also recommend the chicken side.<br/>The coffee is from wood and co.
Quince And Cheese
Reasonably priced, adorably decorated, and true to tradition. This cute little cafe is everything I want in a Latin restaurant. They've got all the favourites I've come to miss since living in Oz- guava paste, dulce de leche, empanadas, and of course soft, cornmeal arepas. The arepa de choclo (sweet corn and grilled cheese) perfectly straddles the line between a sweet and savoury breakfast for those who love both. I topped mine with a fried egg, highly recommend. Be warned though, they're smaller than the plain arepas, so get two if you're hungry.
Steven Joshua-James
Beautiful and inspirational food! A wonderfully refreshing menu nestled within the overwhelmingly bland Melbourne breakfast landscape. This place makes you want to quit your job, travel to exotic locations, and start your very own niche cuisine cafe!
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
We have walked pass this little cafe many times and finally we had time to visit them. Love love love their interior design - yellow and turquoise colours - and all the funky decoration. <br/><br/>We tried 2 dishes - smoked salmon arepa and ropa vieja arepa. They both are light and yummy. We love their homemade corn arepa, which made from whole corn not corn flour. <br/><br/>We also had chai tea which comes with honey. It was very delicious too.
BKL
This is my happy place/go to before work/hands down best coffee on Gertrude. <br/>Cute and vibey with fresh food from Colombia and friendly af stuff I come here at least three times a week to start my day off right. <br/>Arepas are a god send and paired with beans and guac and scram it’s sublime 🧡🧡💚💚
Little Picky Very Hungry
This is the first time I have tried Colombian style brunch 🇨🇴. I was in love with this place from the moment I walked in, all these antique Colombian decor made me feel like I was in Colombia ✈️<br/>.<br/>We both had the ROPA VIEJA AREPA ($14) it was a pleasant surprise!! 😋 The arepa is quite similar to Pita bread but is made from corn flour 🌽 Apparently, it is a type of Colombia and Venezuela cuisine that eaten daily in Central and South America 🇻🇪. Ropa Vieja, from the Spanish term for ‘old clothes’. It is a classic Caribbean dish consisting of shredded beef with vegetables. The beef was flavourful and tender. Arepa was crunchy on the outside with a soft centre. The portion size was good, much generous then I expected (I am quite full actually).<br/>.<br/>For the drinks, their TRADITIONAL COLOMBIAN HOT CHOCOLATE ($5)🍫with CHEESE🧀 ($2), is like a traditional delicacy in Colombia. It was extremely tasty, very different than the one I usually drink. Added the cheese to the top (although it didn’t melt) which gave the delectable drink a chewy, sweet and salty sensation. I love how they served it in a traditional olleta (mug) and molinillo (stirring stick). I am never drinking my hot chocolate without cheese again 😂 such an interesting combo! CHAI LATTE 🇮🇳with cinnamon stick was good too!<br/>.<br/>Staff were friendly and helpful, would definitely come back for more ♡
Espy Eats
3.5<br/>Sonido was the perfect welcoming warm cafe to call into and grab a take away coffee today. Located on Gertrude quite close to St Vincent’s hospital there was a fair share of hospital staff sitting inside (some who thought they were quite a lot more important than me and my space too I might add) I loved the eclectic interior which was South American style decorated. The coffee was good and strong and hot so I was able to walk and drive some way and it was still warm enough to keep on drinking.
April
The waiters were very friendly. Portion of the food was pretty big considering what i was expecting and comparing the arepas i had in colombia! Pls choose the chorizo arepa and order some extra guac ... you're welcome! ;) .. i will definitely come back here!
Hello. Imnikki
1.5<br/><br/>The lack of customer service was what let the place down. My partner and I arrived first, and was told that there will be a wait for a table for 6 and we could wait outside as 2 tables were finishing up. Fair enough. We were happy to wait as we were still waiting for Timinmelbourne and his gang to arrive.<br/><br/>Fast forward to more than an hour later. We all were in attendance and we had even finished our coffees, and we were still being told the same thing by the same waitress. Both tables had finished eating a long time ago and were just sitting and chatting.<br/><br/>It would have been much more helpful and considerate if she let us know that the tables weren't ready to leave when she realised that they were interested in lingering longer, which we would have happily understood and left instead of sitting there thinking she was getting a table ready for us.<br/><br/>While the coffees and hot chocolate were good, we were all left with a bitter taste in our mouth with the way the situation was handled.
Timinmelbourne
Some cafes don’t take reservations and I get that. Today a group of us including Hello. Imnikki , Lauren Davies and our respective partners tried to get a seat inside for brunch.<br/><br/>We waited patiently outside for about 30-45 mins and whilst we were offered a drink the waitress constantly reassured us that there were 2 tables inside that were going to be available soon. <br/><br/>After about 45 mins the same waitress told us that their policy was to let people linger at their table. What?? Sadly the waitress wouldn’t let the people who appeared to have finished their meal know that someone was waiting for their table. <br/><br/>Whilst I had a coffee which was ok, we left after almost an hour. <br/><br/>The next cafe we went to down the street was completely different w amazing service and whilst we had to wait for a table which was fine, the wait staff were attentive and extremely helpful. <br/><br/>It was really disappointing so I personally won’t go back to Sonido. It was a really poor customer experience for me.
TheWhiteSherpa
The positive: good food, traditional, with fresh ingredients and rich of flavours. The negative: staff is unfriendly and really doing not much to make you feel welcome. All the rest is ok but nothing standing out: decor, coffee, menu...nothing wrong with it, just didn’t do it for me. Sorry.
Mrs Mark
This place really hit my Columbian food spot. We had the pulled beef and arepa with eggs. Both delicious. Definitely want to go back and try other things on the menu
Sar
Love the food here- definitely somethign a little different to most cafes. My favourite are the sweetcorn cheese arepas as a starter or the chorizo. Not huge serving sizes though :(
Ross Crisp
The staff don't always smile, and they look like it's just a job, but the overall vibe is good and the food and coffee is very good. I recommend the grilled chicken & salad or the grilled chorizo & salad.
Jf
Amazing arepas and coffee. I love coming here for brunch. The chorizo and old clothes beef are both really good options, and the arepas are served with guacamole and picadillo.<br/><br/>I find that it can be very busy at lunchtime on weekends, so there's a short wait of about 10-20 minutes for a table - it's definitely worth the wait!
Melbourne Epicure
Really nice place. I love the venue itself. Very Fitzroy. The arepas were very nice (though I normally prefer the Venezuelan ones which are thicker and "stuffed" rather than "topped" with the good bits). The toppings were quite flavorsome. Nice selection of hot sauces available to add to your liking. Very friendly and relaxed service. Recommended.
Ery CØntreras
La arepa con chorizo sabe igual que en Colombia , el sabor de la arepa con ropa vieja es delicioso y fresco ,lo único malo es que el lugar es muy pequeño y que cierran muy temprano tanto de lunes a viernes como los fines de semana....si me preguntas.... súper recomiendo el lugar la atención es muy buena y la comida ni se diga
Viv
Good coffees and good vibes! Tried their hot chocolate this time and it tasted a bit different from the normal chocolates you can have at other cafes. Highly recommend! Enjoy maximalism! :)
Speccy
The food here is a good steady reliable in the area, esp. when you need a meat fix. My go to is the Old clothes (generous serve of slow cooked pulled beef sitting on an arepa). I also get a side of beans to fill me up & coz they are delicious & the feta compliments it all so beautifully. Staff are great. Love the ambiance & the seven seeds coffee is a winner & their herbal teas are made with fresh ingredients
ZzzPpl
Have been here a million times haha. Good coffee, hot chocolate, love Tansmania salmon<br/>The decoration is lovely and unique<br/>It's a little bit crowded if you come at lunch time
Megan
Best arapas in town, never fail to satisfy us. The beef pulled was tender and juicy, and just love their sides... the service was quick and friendly. The room decoration is pretty authentic
Andy
Top marks for traditional Columbian flavour and style! This cafe is a must experience as we felt we were in a hustling and bustling cafe in Bogota! The decor was interesting as are the menus, tables and vintage plates. All elements work brilliantly and the vinyl records playing background music was a nice touch! Beautiful food and the traditional Columbian Corona hot chocolate is a must!!
Dr S
Sonido serves authentic Colombian breakfast<br/>You get freshly made arepas with your choice of scrambled eggs, chorizo or beans. Served with a side of salsa and guacamole. Our can try their hot chocolate which comes with con quesow of a piece of mozzarella cheese. <br/><br/>Try some empanadas too <br/><br/>I had the sweet corn arepa which is dessert like sweet. <br/>The scrambled eggs were fluffy and fresh herb flavoured.<br/> The fat black chorizo was scrumptious and went well with the empanad. <br/>The beef empanada had large pieces of well flavoured minced beef. <br/>The hot chocolate was way too sweet but was served with a nice wooden spoon. The cheese didn't melt at all. :( <br/><br/>No split bills
Jianierrrrrr
As soon as I walked in Sonido!, these interesting decoration attracted me. Love the rusty and exotic atmosphere here. The service was fine.<br/>I tired their signature #hot chocolate# served in a mug and with stirring stick. You can choose to add cheese into your hot chocolate! What a weird combination... Anyway, the amount of the hot chocolate could fill two regular coffee mug, tasted pretty average and sweet.<br/>#chorizo arepa#-char grilled chorizo sausage served with one piece of sweet corn flatbread, guac&pica sauce. It would be enough as a light lunch meal for me, but if you are hungry, suggest you add extra flatbread. The sausage was nice, the flatbread had crispy skin but sticky and mushy texture. I quite enjoyed that dish. <br/><br/>
Dimzib
The atmosphere to this place is very cozy and rustic. The coffee here is good but not fantastic, and the arepas and Portuguese tarts are of good quality and value; it is certainly appropriate for a South American food fix. The only downfall of this place is its staff. On several occasions now, they have given off a restless and impatient vibe. They are evidently unwelcoming and do not look enthused in the slightest.
Tina Salameh
lulo juice with milk is great! the chicken, ropa vieja, and arepa choclo are our favourite things on the menu. Been here almost 10 times now and most times have been fantastic. Would recommend :) Wish they had corn though!<br/><br/>Usually we would order a passionfruit and a lulo juice but they've been inconsistent in flavours the last few times so we don't order it anymore.. service could be a little warmer. Still the best Colombian in town, 2 yrs on.
Aaron O
Quaint little cafe that serves up great food at a good price. Ordered the spinach and the beef empanada and they are huge! lucky i was starving. Also tried the cheesey arepa which was so moreish and the tasty guanabana juice. Lastly got the portugese tart takeaway - which was yum!. Everything was fresh and delicious. Service was good and they were literally full capacity.
Nev
Been coming here almost every morning for the past month. Great, consistent coffee. Seven seeds are great anyway, but i really appreciate how the heat is just right for my flat white each time.<br/>Lovely shop. Some staff is friendly, another not so... <br/>I think they have the best banana bread in Melbourne (have it toasted!).<br/>Hope to try their breakfast one day =)
Puta Madre
These Colombians have been in australia too long and now they have become just like australians with their mediocre customer service. They have lost the warm amicable Latin American style of customer treatment that exists in their country of origin. No greetings, no smiles, very cold, mechanical, robotic treatment from them and their employees. Somebody please tell the woman that seems to be the manager that a smile does not cost a $100 !! We will never return and will tell everybody of our unpleasant experience there.
Littlemissyh
First taste of arepas (and Colombian food) and was pleasantly surprised. Reminds me of a tortilla but more crumbly, and has a tad more flavour. I would highly recommend the pollo (chicken) areppa - very tender and well seasoned. Went incredibly well with the guac & salsa and lime. The portions aren't huge, it's a rather light meal which doesn't make you feel very heavy after. Coffee here is pretty good as well and service was quite decent when we went. Would definitely go back when I'm around Fitzroy!
Jenny Castillo
As a colombian I had high expectations about the arepas and I have to say that they were really good! I had the black bean and feta arepa and it was just delicious. I'm definitely going back :) Karen Rodríguez
Hanh Hong Le
I've recently moved a few shops down the road from you and omg you make me broke. From the delicious food to the coffee and chai drinks, you have me robbed. I think there was a week where i was in there at least 4 times, and never have a been dissapointed. Your staff are super lovely and the food never has let me down. BUT I wish I could have more on my plate ahahaha, but for the price i think that its extremely reasonable. Really happy with my neighbouring food joint, thanks guys!
Trevor Johnston
I'm a big fan of arepas, so when we stumbled across Sonido I was pretty excited. The place has a great feel to it, and the staff were nice enough. My morcilla sausage (a blood sausage - far superior to black pudding - worth a go if you haven't tired it before) and arepa were really good, but my partners chicken arepa was amazing - the chicken had a beautiful charcoal grilled flavour with a tasty marinade. A table next to ours had cheese arepas that looked amazing, topped with mozzarella - something I'll be back for.
Grady Hopkins
Not an ideal Australian breakfast menu but then again who wants eat bacon and eggs on toast every morning in one of the most multicultural cities in Australia.<br/><br/>This little Cafe I had researched for lunch, I fell upon incidentally while looking for another I intended to visit that morning for breakfast. After seeing the snug, cultural and lively feel to this South American styled Cafe I couldn't resist. Service was great, lovely mannered staff and helpful with requests. The Colombian hot chocolate was absolutely to die for and complemented the hot Black Bean and Fetta Arepa which was one of many desirable options on the menu. I guessed the meal would be small by the sound of it and so I added chorizo which was a great choice, however it was deceivingly filling and would satisfy a smaller human than I even without the normal accompaniments (Guacamole and Picadillo).
Matt P
Perfect-sized smaller breakfasts full of colour and taste set to a backing of Latin music and paraphernalia, with perfect coffee and divine hot chocolate to boot, this place is a must check. The eggs are cooked perfectly, the black beans delicious and even the banana bread is outstanding. And if you need more taste, there's the hot sauces on each table. The service is friendly but there's no high chairs, for the parents amongst you. Sonido is unassuming from the outside but quite captivating once inside.
LisaO
Amazing food but unfortunately terribly rude staff. The lady working behind the counter interjected my otherwise pleasant conversation with the waiter and yelled at us in an appalling manner which was quite unnecessary. If you like amazing scrambles eggs with a side of bad attitude then this is the place for you. I think I'd prefer mediocre eggs served with a smile elsewhere. wont be going back.
Kwanzai
The food was absolutely beautiful but unfortunately the manager behind the bar was so appallingly rude when we went to pay we will never be coming back. Apparently they don't split bills on the weekend. Week days are fine, somehow. And even though they were by no means busy on this day, she refused to allow our waiter to split the bill- after he'd already agreed to. She caused such a scene yelling at us. Ruined the entire brunch experience. It's a shame because we all work across the road at the hospital but will not consider returning. Good luck maintaining a customer base with that sour attitude!
Rohan Flack
This is one of those rare establishments that gives you the feeling that everything is prepared with love and from the heart. The arepas are so delightfully simple, yet they are wholesome and flavourful. I can wholeheartedly recommend the chicken, beans, and (if you're a bit more open-minded) the black pudding arepas. All toppings are simply served on a grilled white core tortilla, with guacamole and picadillo. The coffee here is consistently excellent as well. It's the one place my mother will always request we go to for breakfast when my parents are in town; I can think of no better endorsement. Keep up the great work guys 👍🏻
Nico
Gluten free oh my goodness. <br/>I'm always a bit weary of trying a bread option that is "gluten free" when I'm out unless I know I'll be home for the rest of the day and ready for sickness. <br/>Listen, I took a punt. It paid off. <br/>Cheese arepas amazing. Cheeeeeesy!!!! Yeep! <br/>Gluten free actually was and it was delicious! Coffee was spot on...
Feed Me
A Colombian rumba all dressed up like a Fitzroy op-shop. <br/><br/>My wife just had a baby down the road at St.Vinnies, so I just popped in for a break from the fake scrambled eggs and frozen waffles the hospital serves. I'm glad I did!<br/><br/>Food ordered:<br/>Grilled chicken with arepa. The chicken was delicious! A nice juicy thigh chargrilled and smothered in lemon juice. Smothered it in Guac and pico, the perfect combo matched with a soft, thick arepa. <br/><br/>Also ordered a takeaway coffee and smoothie for the wife. The coffee is by Seven Seeds I believe, always a well rounded coffee with or without milk. This time my milk was a bit hotter than I usually desire, but the busy rush of coffee orders may have been the culprit for the barista. The smoothie was good, not too sweet, but a little bland. <br/><br/>The price for the meal was good, but still seemed just a bit expensive. I understand some ingredients are quite hard to import and incur greater cost, yet I always find it's funny to pay top dollar for what is just everyday food for so many others! <br/><br/>Ambience:<br/>It's a busy place with both locals and tourists. The staff were helpful but not overly caring. The incoming patrons seemed to be driving the focus, but I would recommend just a touch more personality. <br/><br/>There's lots of Colombian memorabilia on the walls and music in the background. Nostalgic for any Colombians living abroad I'm sure and it did feel genuine. <br/><br/>Well, I'm in the area for a few more days and will stop by again.
Schnitzel Von Krumm
Cute little cafe. Lovely coffee, love the Seven Seeds beans and reasonably priced for the area ($3.80 for milk coffees). Would really prefer to see metal teaspoons though.
VodkaO_ZS
The location and decoration are perfect. Once you go near to the store, you feel like be in North America already. But the famous hot chocolate with cheese is really weird... It is not bad, but makes no sense. The chocolate and the cheese do not enrich each other's flavor in any way... This more like chew a salty gum and drink chocolate in the same time. BTW, the chocolate itself tastes more like milo anyway, lower than average. The arepases are great, we try the beef one and the chicken one, beef is juicy and chicken tastes really fresh with lemon.
Emi Sui
Unique and cute interior. I love the relaxed and exotic atmosphere. I have not tried the food yet. Next time. Coffee was good. Staff are very friendly as well.
Morgan
The deco make you feel like you are in Latin America and the staffs are so nice. The ambience is cozy and quiet.<br/>The corn bread tastes so good…you would like to have next bite after your first bite. I usually do not like bread but I wanted to eat more for this.<br/>The coffee beans from seven seeds, which would be quality assurance. When it was hot, it tasted so acidy. when it cold down, it tasted like nutty and cocoa. First time, I like cool latte, it taste greater than its warm...
Jess Cornelius
The fresh sweetcorn arepas are delicious. Not huge serves overall but high quality. Cute decor , and a nice place to have breakfast but can get squishy
Charizard
Had their Ropa Vieja Arepa (with chorizo) and Pollo Arepa. It was my first time having Arepa and I totally loved it! It was slightly charred and the texture was great. For the Ropa Vieja Arepa, the beef was tender and flavourful, even though we were a little disappointed with the chorizo. As for the Pollo Arepa, it was absolutely delish! The chicken was succulent and exuded a tantalising charred aroma. The different spices/herbs made the chicken flavoursome, and to top it off, a squeeze of lime gave it a very complete flavour. Moreover, the slight spiciness of the salsa made it tangy and appetising, while the guacamole was equally great. Last but not least, we had Aguapanela for drinks which was refreshing!
Snacker
Fantastic little cafe: arepas with eggs = best breakfast on Gertrude Street! Hot chocolate, raspberry choc brownies and Portuguese tarts also highly recommended.
JZY
很有文化感的南美café，坐落在小清晰Gertrude St.周围有好多设计师小店、画廊和饭店等。吃过几次都觉得不错，喜欢墨西哥重口味的朋友一定会爱上。但这次来只喝了杯热巧克力，准确的说应该是『芝士热巧克力』，香料浓郁的哥伦比亚热可可里泡着一块不小的芝士，咸咸软软的，边喝边嚼，两种看似不搭边的东西居然神奇的互补了。<br/><br/>Great food and interesting hot chocolate, worth trying.
Mel
Sonido's arepas are absolutely incredible. Having never tried arepas before my Sonido experience, I expected the same flavour of a Lebanese flat bread but I was wrong. Arepas have an indescribable flavour of corn that isn't heavy on the stomach and pairs perfectly with the toppings. I do have one criticism: the price of the extra sides are a little expensive for the small size you get. Though do try the desserts! The Portuguese tarts are crisp, fresh and light! :)
All Mountain Pass
Wow my god. This place was great. <br/>My mocha was the best cup of coffee I've had in a while. <br/>My friend and I shared the Pollo Arepa and the Chorizo Arepa, Arepas De queso. The chicken and chorizo dishes were delicious especially that spicy tangy a also that's served on the side. Personally I wasnt crazy about the Arepas De Queso was a bit to subtle for my tastes (even with the butter and salt that was recommended to be added on). <br/>Definitely will be heading back there sooner rather then later.
Joey
Love the sausage wrap. Great combination of flavour, sausage was juice, serve with abit of lemon to cut through the oiliness.<br/>Coffee was good too and love the deco of this petit cafe!
Julia Ye
Loving this place . What an amazing discovery ! The very first Colombian restaurant I know in Melbourne and is an amazing one !<br/>Decor is tropic , colourful and joyful ! Tick! <br/>Service is warm and friendly , tick ! <br/>Food is beautifully presented and taste great ! Tick! <br/>And the green hot sauce !it's So good that I had to buy a bottle and take it home !!! <br/>Highly recommended for those who are searching for something alternative and unique. Just added to my lunch collection , yum
Mari Frances Rachelle Julian
If you are looking for a heat adventure they have a variety of chilli sauces that can blow your head off, partnered with their home-style cooking. Very casual, and will have to wait for big groups as they dont have a lot of space. The blood sausage is very indulging. yummy.
Marcia Elisa Garces Conde
Excellent, delicious food & nice environment, they have a great collection of latin music and you can choose what to listen.... Friendly staff. Love their juices!!
Delightfullytasty
Sonido is a South American restaurant on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, easily accessible by tram 86/96 and a short walk from the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum. I was going to an event at the REB and stumbled across this restaurant closeby, and was really impressed and happy with my experience here.
Z A.
The most awesome little place. The atmosphere is so relaxed with old South American music playing in the background and adorable decor. The staff are very friendly and the food is amazing. The chorizo is AMAZING! It's probably best to come before 12:30 so you can be sure to get a table
Frosina Pavlovic
It felt like I was at my favourite Colombian grandmothers place for the day. Every piece of this place felt authentic. I tried the amazingly delicious Arepas for the first time and boy was I impressed. I chose the chicken, it was so fresh and tender with every mouth full tasting better than the last. A little piece of South America right here in Fitzroy. I'll be going back again (every lunch break)
C
Bring on the Latin American vibe!<br/><br/>Great little cafe run by a very friendly South American couple. Fit out is done really well, with lots of funky and authentic paraphernalia. Some interesting seating choices on the pavement of Gertrude Street which may not be to everyone's liking, but it suits me!<br/><br/>The arepas are where the money is at - try the beef arepa with a side of beans for a filling meal. Coffee is excellent. Some good little sweet options as well. They also offer some alcoholic drinks now, again following the theme of the restaurant. <br/><br/>This is a great place for something that is more than a little bit different. Highly recommended.
Chris. R.
had lunch here today, sooo delicious was their arepas. will definitely be coming back! the decor was sooo fitzroy and wasn't tacky, very latin. the tunes playing well suited, service was great and of course the food was great too. good job guys.
Jennifer Makovec Knight
Just tried the chicken Arepa, price is really good and the food is delicious!! Highly recommend! Cheap, fresh and so tasty! The service was fast and efficient. Could not say a bad word about this place.
Clemencia Liliana
Nice coozy restaurant, their fruit juices are delicious!!!!!!! If you are Colombian you will love it!!!!! If your not Colombian try it!!! You will like it!!!!
Julieth
I never write a review unless I have something nice to say but the 5-6 times I've been here I've noticed the staff have so much attitude and they look so unhappy. Today our waitress just threw the plates on the table and walked away, they don't smile at all. Where's your hospitality? I work myself in hospitality and I know sometimes you just can't be bothered but you still need to make your customers feel comfortable and welcome. I will not be coming back.
Turkey Mess
Turquía no cabe duda de que no es un lío! Molibdeno Santo! <br/><br/>Woh there sally, lets stop for a moment and talk about taste! My oh my I ordered beef and beef did I get! It was worth the many times I walked away from here because there were people inside and, unlike Sonido, Turkey Mess doesn't like people. Well made, fragrant coffee was an additional delight! Hard to find this in Melbourne, it seems no one really cares about coffee in Melbourne, glad to know somebody is taking the initiative. This place must be the first in the city to get a proper espresso machine!<br/><br/>Turkey Mess? More like Turkey success!
I. D.
Had breakfast at Sonido! Very nice little Colombian café. Staff was friendly. I really like the look of the place. It was fairly busy the whole time we were there. The coffee was good. Also had a Colombian hot chocolate, which was great. Apparently they serve it with cheese in it, but I was too mich of a pussy to try that ;) Breakfast are corn tortilla's with topping( we had beans and beef) which were fine, but definitly could be better. Might go back to try the hot choc with cheese!
Chris Johnson
Lovely place and awesome coffee but staffs are bit cold. Very interesting food but average. However it is still one of my favorite coffee shops.
Lynda
Great coffee and delicious brekky. Awesome little cafe conveniently located close to St Vincent's hospital - would love to come back for some more food.
Chloe Dimond
Staff member was a turn off but great hot chocolate.. My friend and I came here after we saw they had been listed on a website with one of the best hot chocolates in Melbourne. My friend decided to get a juice instead- we didn't understand the flavours of juices available on the menu so once we asked a waiter (red facial hair) he said "can't you read, look at the menu." After a few seconds of silence he said "I'm being sarcastic." He held a straight face the whole time while we had a conversation- an absolute tosser! We wanted to leave straight after he said the rude response but we stayed and I had a great hot chocolate. <br/><br/>Despite the shocking staff member, the hot chocolate was one of the best I've had. Service can make a huge difference and unfortunately it has turned myself and my friend away from returning to this place again.
Facebook User
Pretty average, nothing special. I had breakfast here with my partner today and the service was below average. The waiters seemed to be uninterested. I'm from Colombia therefore I was excited with the prospect of some traditional South American food, only to find rather flavourless food.
Eat.more
November 25, 2014 eatingdiaries A fairly quiet birthday fortnight, juggled with exams and work events. My 'study leave' consisted of a short stop at Pana Chocolate for cake, with iced lattes and the big breakfast at Touchwood on a beautiful sunny Melbourne day. Pre Les Miserables treat at Gelateria Primavera with this pandan coconut gelati. Can't resist the short walk here from work for a naughty mid week treat! Treated myself to a hazelnut eclair with tea at Becasse post exam. The eclair itself was a bit too dried out and cold, though it was nice to settle into a table here and while away the afternoon. The Latin festival on Johnston St made me crave the authentic hot chocolate at Sonido! for its rich flavour and generous servings. We were full, but you can't really go past the Old Clothes beef arepa - the slow cooked beef full of flavour with guacamole and salsa on the side. Certainly went too far slathering mine with the chilli sauces on the side. Brunch with the work girls at the new-ish Blood Orange food store, with this beau
Lobster
So I’ve been meaning to slouch over to Fitzroy to have breakfast at Sonido! for a few weeks now. I tried last Sunday, only got there at 8am to discover that they don’t open until 10am Sundays, so gave it up and went elsewhere. This week I am better prepared. I’ve even had a look at the Sonido! menu online HERE , looked up Arepas and Empanada’s in wikipedia, and mentally prepared myself for the old clothes beef. I’ve also researched (briefly) the foods of Columbia and Venezuela – not that I learned so much considering my devoted googling, but it was news to me that Panama and Columbia share a border, which is always a nice thing to know. And what a cute place? Sonido isn’t very big but is very Fitzroy – in a good way. Mis-matched furniture, South American curiosities and football jumpers pinned to walls, flakey paint but somehow seeming warmly and comfortably grungy. Also, by the time we arrived (half an hour after Sonido! opened this morning) the room is filled with a truly delectable
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
I came pretty early in the day so there weren’t many dine-in customers, though there were a lot of people coming in for takeaway coffee. I ordered a Ropa Vieja arepa, which was “Old Clothes” beef served with guacamole and picadillo
Vivi S
This is such a cool dates place. I would love to come here with my sweetheart. Definitely a favourite place, so far!
Madeline Snow
Sonido! was probably the most pleasant surprise I’ve encountered all week. Not because I suspected it to be bad, but because I tend to find myself in a cafe-routine (rut) thus assume every other place must be rubbish (especially after visiting Breakfast Thieves last week). And especially if Avocado Smash isn’t on the menu. South American cuisine would probably not be my first choice for a Friday morning brunch with my brunch bestie Chloe, but she had been here before and tends to have far superior cafe taste to me. So come 9.30am, I was bleary eyed and feasting on some South American noms served by a sweet, Spanish speaking fellow. I was content. My first thought upon entering was ‘wow, this place is colourful and the barista has an incredible beard’. Followed by, ‘What does this menu say? I hope I don’t eat something meaty’. The aforementioned Spanish speaking fellow was incredibly patient with our order, while we deciphered the list of South American fruits we wanted in our smoothie
Alan Ng
The food is simple but satisfying. Scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes and other herbs, served on arepas – a circular flat bread common in some South American cuisines. Cooked just the way you’d want the eggs to be, not too much or too little herbs, it’s a modest package but it’s all tasty – an excellent start to the day. The iced coffee (I never saw the sense of drinking hot coffee on a hot day) is mightily strong, the concentrated caffeine and ice punching your senses awake.
LKH
Walking into Sonido! reminded me of the accommodation we stayed in in Cuba, where it’s commonplace to lodge at a family home for a small fee per night. You eat with them, cook with them and sleep in their house, a truly great way to travel. Sonido! feels just like a welcoming, colourful South American lounge room. Although it isn’t strictly Venezuelan, the menu at Sonido! is predominantly made up of areapas. In fact, if it’s not arepas or
NYC
...focus on two types of food: arepas (dough with filling on top) and empanadas (stuffed bread or pastry). The traditional Colombian hot chocolate is recommended, it is very sweet and has a strong scent of chocolate, with less of the milky fla
Constant Diner
We ordered a jug of olletota con queso for two ($8.50 for the hot choco + $2 for the cheese). This is a traditional Colombian hot chocolate that you pour over slices of cheese. The cheese didn't really melt or mix with the chocolate so we ended up drinking hot chocolate with solid bits of cheese which was a bit odd, but not unpleasant. The chocolate itself was excellent and perfect for a cold winter's morning
Let Me Feed You
I ate the Ropa Vieja-Arepa, 'Old Clothes'; an arepa topped with shredded beef stewed with a secret Cuban recipe ('don't tell Fidel we're cooking this!' jokes the menu). It was absolutely delicious, and did indeed look like old washed clothes. The arepas have a lovely charred taste, and the flavoursome beef was brightened by the tangy salsa and guacamole.
Facebook User
Best breaky in ages... great atmosphere.. Mmmm
Cathapermal Ashley
Food was excellent...had the slow cooked beef shredded looking tapas and it was yummy. A little pricey but definitely worth it. Gertrude street never cease to amaze me ;)
Dannykatz
My favourite cafe!. I got urban spoon just so I could write these guys a review. Easily my favourite cafe for the following reasons: 1) great coffee - its smooth, and the right combination of being milky but also strong. 2) fantastic food - the traditional south american food is unique as far as cafes go, there are only a few dishes to choose from but they are all really great. simple and tasty, the kind of food I like. the custard tarts are great too. 3) great atmosphere - the rustic and familiar furniture and decorations give it a familiar and homely feeling, and the south american music playing on the record player really adds to the feeling that you are eating in a slice of Colombia in the middle of Melbourne. 4) service is good, they aren't the most outgoing staff but still very friendly! definitely my favourite cafe, i always look forward to eating there and I always come out content and relaxed.
This Diner Is Anonymous
Hangover cure. I turned up here on a Friday at lunch with a cracking hangover, and left 30 minutes later after a beef arepas feeling all sparkly and new. The service is pretty average but once you get used to their aloof attitudes it's not so bad. Maybe it's a cultural thing? The coffee is always great.
EatMeetDrink
Hmmmmmm. I don't know if it's their personality or attitude but I sense they think they're pretty, pretty cool.. <br/><br/>NEWS FLASH = YOU GUYS WORK IN A CAFE!
Slam
So grumpy!. How do you say Cheer Up in Spanish?
SimeyBoo
Bean arepa was good, black pudding one very tasty.. I had the chorizo one and was pretty average. On whole really let down by an exceedingly grumpy waitress! Attitude
Mandarine_girl
Yummy!. Looking forward to my next visit!
Nikiik
Delicious :). We stopped here after going to the museum, and it was lovely. Everyone at our table got either the 'old clothes' beef or chorizo arepas (both $12 each). I got hte chorizo, which was very tasty, but not as good as the beef! Try it out; sonido's has a great atmosphere.
Belinda
Mouthwateringly delicious, unique yet authentic! Amazing value and everything delivered perfectly. The staff are efficient and friendly. I walked away feeling so satisfied and cannot wait to return.
Annieleo1
What a groovy little place!!! So much to look at while sipping on your coffee.. Felt like I was in Brazil while I was there.. Food was delicious and the kids loved the hot chocolate and all the memorabilia... Fascinating little place.. Will definitely be going back..
Nick Ford
Delicious!. Had the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) arepa, washed down with an iced aguapanela. Absolutely superb! Others around the table had the Frijoles con Feta (black bean and feta) arepa and Arepas de Queso (cheese arepas), and were full of compliments about their meals. Decent South American cuisine in a beautiful café - top marks all around! Definitely worth a return visit!
J0yy173
I asked 2 Columbian colleagues separately to recommend a place with good Columbian fares and they instantly recommended Sonido! That's good enough endorsement for me.<br/><br/>Ropa Vieja means old clothes. The flavoursome pulled beef on thin corn bread arepa topped with avacado tore apart as old clothes do. It also has a remarkable familiar, comfortable feeling that's hard to describe. What's in a name but the powerful invocation of so many senses and even memories.<br/><br/>Morcilla is a black pudding sausage, so perfectly balanced with the arepa and avocado that all the textures and flavours harmonised.<br/><br/>This place is also famous for the hot chocolate served in a tradional mug and wooden stirring stick. Also don't forget the sugar cane drink called Agua Panella. On a cold day you'll feel the hot but not too sweet liquid warm your insides.<br/><br/>Helpful and efficient service in a cosy setting that feels authentic and homely. This is not the first nor the last visit, where the quality has been consistent over the years.
Susan_scott1
Fitzroy Foodie. Based on the reviews I was quite excited to try this place but the service really let them down. The main guy was aloof and unhelpful and the waitress didn't crack a smile the whole time. the food was ok but I would never go there again as there are so many alternatives in the area, I don't expect attitude!
Foodlover
Flat burnt coffee in scalded milk served in a very small size for "large". Shame they can't make coffee as Supreme beans are the best going around.
Naomi Pickard
Such a nice cafe/ restaurant. The hot chocolate is the best :) I want to go back for lunch next time.
Foodhunterxxx
Don't go if that rain or going to rain. Been seated outside while under 10 degree at night and the seat wasn't so cool for dinner bench was high and table was low - good for coffee but not dinner. Had a girl seated in children chair. That was alright at the first place as we not that particular. It happen to start raining for this Friday night. Ordered the food but how can we eat in the rain???? Yes we can sing in the rain but not eat. Have the small baby umbrella with us so 60's. it was nice that we told them we just can't have it and we leaving and they tried to make us pay for it as they started making food. Was so disappointing as this is in my wish list but I am not going back!!
Niiiiiiisa
>>>>>>>>. The Arepa con queso with a side of beans is next level, coffee is super good. Love this place
Bernardao
Lovely environment, great coffee and superb good. A must go!
JohnL
Not bad but not fantastic either, once you get past the ersatz Latino frisson of wannabe hipster chic an average offering, poor coffee considering the South American hype.Too much fashion and not enough substance.
Wonderfull
Thumbs up. I had the chorizo arepa which was a bad choice... not for any fault of the chef but I think that a whole chorizo sausage is too much for one person! I definitely food envied my friends who ordered more sensible things like the bean arepa. Coffees are good. Staff are friendly. The cola 'does not taste like coke' and I mean it really doesn't. If you want something different this place is great!
Outandabout
Cannot fault this place. Gorgeous look, great atmosphere and really good food. The bean and feta arepas was delicious, filling and well priced. The chai was great and served with a cinnamon stick is a lovely idea. The Portuguese tarts were served warm as they should be. One of the best cafes around.
Lauren Lee
Come for drinks & atmosphere. But not the food. Fitzroy's Cruzao (unfortunately now closed) did arepas and South American tapas better. There are also a few South American catering companies that do superior food at street festivals, the Johnston St Fiesta for example.<br/><br/>South Americans and those who have travelled to Colombia may not be impressed. The arepas are quite good, but the toppings just okay. If I'm hungry I may order a few arepas just with butter as a snack with coffee. The empanadas are overpriced for what they are. Bland fillings and made of pastry, rather than cornmeal like in Colombia.<br/><br/>That said, it's still one of my favourite cafes in Melbourne. Staff are lovely, and the decor is fun. They even have a record player with an impressive collection of retro Latin pop and salsa. Lots of design and South American coffee table books scattered around to read. I'm the sort of person who loves getting lost in the paper or a book for hours over several cups of coffee, so a big plus for me.<br/><br/>Their coffee is fantastic, definitely up there amongst the best in Melbourne. It's intense and high acid, which is what I prefer.<br/><br/>If you're not into coffee, order a Colombian hot chocolate. White cheese melted into hot chocolate sounds weird, but trust me, it's a match made in heaven. Just like sea salt and caramel. My Colombian friends would typically have this as a winter evening supper with a warm, buttery arepa.<br/><br/>Also try the agua panela, which is a warm cane sugar drink with cinnamon and cloves. The special way of processing leaves all the cold-busting nutrients in, and it tastes delicious.<br/><br/>In summer, my number one pick is a guanabana (South American tropical fruit) smoothie. Delicious.
Robyn
Amazing food, great coffee and super nice staff who love their food, you can tell by the taste. <br/><br/>Decor is cute and authentic. Wish we were here longer from visiting but we'll be back be t time we're in town.
Bean There Done That
We had coffee. J (latte): More bitter than what I would have liked. Wish I got sugar.<br/>A (latte): YAY good latte with sugz. Dumb chairs.
Brunching Around
Yummy arepa, so fresh and flavoursome! I had the black bean arepa. The hot chocolate with cheese was weird, but then I kind of expected that.
BamBam
Great place. Beautiful atmosphere, delicious breakfast. Loved it
PuMan
Went for dinner and liked it. Good atmosphere and friendly staff<br/>Food is simple but good<br/>Cocktails could be better<br/>Paid $35 pp including drinks
GemmaL
Love Sonido! The food is always amazing, and never fails to satisfy. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's definitely worth it!! A must try!
TristanG
Great coffee and atmosphere, the Cuban beef corn fritter (forgotten its proper name) was tasty but nothing special, especially for $13. Loved the home made guacamole and salsa, and the selection of habanero sauces. I would come back, just to try more things and for the coffee.
Dane
Good drinks, Great Arepas!. We visited Sonido during a lazy afternoon in the Melbourne Summer sun. I had a dark rum cocktail and a delicious black bean arepa. Match made in heaven. Go check it out, cool people, chilled vibe in the best street in Melbourne!
Truffle Shuffle
Arepas are really good as well as the coffee and the icey lime drink (cannot recall its correct name) definitely worth a try.
Caztanza
Cute place, but won't be coming back for the food. The chorizo was tough & way too salty. I had to wash it down with their super tangy lime juice. I'm not a fan of their Arepa bread, but I've never had Arepa bread so I don't know if it's meant to taste that way.
Jarrad
I'll be back. Super cool little place with tasty food and tastier coffee. A must for the roaming hipster.
La Negra
Not the empanadas I wished for. Ok- here it is. I am south american and I went there because i heard they had empanadas and the reviews in here. This is all I tried, so I can't comment about the other dishes but some of the breakies did look really good.<br/><br/>To start I felt that $7.5 for an empanada was a bit expensive, but you pay for this things when you are far from home. We got 2 empanadas, one with beef & one with spinach and feta. <br/><br/>Beef- didn't have enough filling, pastry was very dry and thick, flavours very bland. The spinash and feta one...well... it was made out of filo pastry-never seen one like it and to be honest i am very sure it was one of those pre-done doughs -which I don't have any problem with, but at least make sure your flavours are spot on-specially when the day before I had the same thing but called "triangle" for $3.00 and it was delicious.<br/><br/>I was very disappointing about the empanadas BUT like I said- the place was full of people and their breakies did look great- i just wouldn't other the empanadas again. Very lovely staff tho!
Ange Ella
Sonido! You are exciting.... What I love about melbourne the most is that there is such a diverse array of cultures to experience without leaving town. Sonido with all it's South American ways really transports you to feeling that you are somewhere largely more exotic than the top end of Gertrude St. With it's amazing range of freshly squeezed juices offering South American fruits I've never heard of and a syrupy sugar cane elixir which was hot and soothing for my cold, it really has gone beyond it's fit out to bring some authenticity to you. Speaking of authentic, the food is absolutely, fantastically, delicious. Fresh arepa's come off the grill and get topped with house black beans and fetta, or chorizo sausage. Salad and guacamole come along for the ride too with an awesome range of hot sauces to choose from on the table. <br/>They are using supreme coffee and on the day we visited had a lovely single origin on offer called the diamonte I think. I had an espresso and my partner a double. he would probably have ordered a single like me if he had been aware it was double the cost making a three sip coffee $6! A bit steep don't you think?<br/>All in all a great cafe. The music is wonderful and you have to try this dessert, it's a simple combination of a little spanish caramel on a slice of creamy, mozzarallesque cheese, AMAZING!
Earl
My wife and I love our trips to Melbourne from<br/>Perth<br/>What's great little find superb coffee <br/>Thanks sonido<br/>Come visit us in Perth blinco street cafe
Julie Tucker
Sonido. Como me gusta ! Scores high on the killer coffee<br/>scale with old school salsa to complete the latin <br/>Immersion experience !
Food Fan
Yum!!!. I've never had anything like this for breakfast before. I had the chorizo arepa which was a bit difficult to cut and eat but still sooo good. My boyfriend had the beef arepa which was just as good (I would have rather got the beef one). Definitely one of my favourite breakfast places in Melbourne.
AliC
Visit here regularly as its close to work. Cool vibe. Consistently GREAT coffee. Delicious fresh food. Beef arepa can't be beaten! 'lemonade' is icy, tart & refreshing! They also make the best affogato's I've ever tasted!
Rebecca
The black beans are a must!
Louie
Took my kids here today. In the menu was both hot chocolate and iced coffe with ice cream. My son asked for an iced chocolate. Waitress came back to tell us that they were unable to make that for us. So they have milk, they have cocoa, they have ice cream, but because it's not on the menu they can't make an iced chocolate...for a child.
Rocio Rodriguez-Martin
The yummiest Colombian lunch ever!. Tried Sonido! for the first time after reading a review on the Age - and I wasn't disappointed...I love this place!<br/>The flavours are definitely there and so is the service - so I'm definitely coming back (as often as possible)!!<br/>I tried the beans - but I have to go back to try the ropa vieja...can't wait!!
STCNZ
Yum!. Went yesterday for lunch, love the fact that there are only a few items to choose from. I went for the black beans with feta, hubby had the shredded meat, and son had a empanadas. Needed to be spicier for me, but there were a choice of sauces on the table to add. Coffee was smooth and nice also have a hot chocolate, vert sweet but yummy<br/>Will go back again for sure
Carolina Fonseca
Great!. Went here for a casual lunch on my birthday with my partner. I am Brazilian so was excited to try it out. We had the arepa with chorizo and the ropa vieja (beef stew arepa), while sipping Guaranas. Both were very tasty, and reasonably priced at $11.50. The chorizo was really nicely spiced, and the beef stew tasted homemade. The highlight was definitely the arequipe con queso (sweet caramel with cheese) and the bocadillo con queso (guava sweet with cheese). Totally authentic and super yummy!! A bit overpriced at $4 each (for a small portion), but totally worth it for the nostalgia and taste of home. The place has a great atmosphere and decor, but is tiny!! We were lucky to get a table, as soon as we sat down, we saw many people have to be turned away. Should invest in becoming a licensed venue though!!
Carlos69
Ok... but poor service.. Cutesy, I suppose but really let down by the service. Morose waiters bordering on the rude. The guy that served us seemed almost put out that he had to serve customers. The utterly graceless and permeptory way he shifted the people on the adjoining table to make way for more suggests that return custom may not be a priority. The woman at the counter was the shining exception.<br/><br/>To be honest, the food isn't that spectacular either.We ordered arepas with black beans, and with the chorizo. The black beans were quite good but the chorizo gave the impression that it had died of natural causes or had been fashioned from wood. <br/><br/>Alas, you see a bit of this in Latin American restaurants here. Some wealthy, half bright student thinks they can run a restaurant and what you get is a fairly warmed over, pale reflection of the restaurants you find in South America. Judging by the continuing success of some local establishments, both here and in Sydney, Australians seem content to settle for this. It's a pity, these places really aren't worthy ambassadors for the great culinary traditions you find in South America.<br/><br/>4/10
James
If I had a columbian mother this is the food she would cook! Had the bean and feta and it was super tasty. Service friendly and laid back. Definitly my new fitzroy fave!
Rod Redkin
Too good, just don't tell anyone... This place is totally awesome. No pretensions. Simple tasty food, great single origin coffees, great tunes, design, staff. Me enchanter!! Nuff said!
ECMelb
Nice place. Nice little cafe, good service, nice atmosphere. Coffee good, pastries nice and filling.
Mateo
This place has all that i want in a cafe. Super friendly staff, delicious food, cool tunes.
Ko Ala
Muy bien. Great food. Liked the atmosphere. Waitress was super friendly. Didn't have to wait long for our food. <br/>And I'm still dreaming about the Empanada de Carne!
Hip Replacement
Great place for brunch if you're feeling less than fabulous. Ropa vieja sparked up with chili sauce and a side of chorizo, superb! Good coffee, good service, portuguese tart the icing on the cake.
Anna Pitt
Excellent custard apple smoothie (with milk)!
The New Guy
Outside the square. Been here a couple of times now and love it. It's maybe a bit try-hard on the exotic décor and some of the furniture is borderline for sitability, but it's great fun to be there (Great Latin American music playing, from a big box of vinyls). <br/><br/>The staff, working in the open kitchen, look like they've been dragged through a bush backwards, but didn't mind, as they beaver away with speedy nonchalance.<br/><br/>The menu is relatively limited, as is the space in the kitchen.<br/><br/>The Arepa (flat, round cornmeal bread) are delish. I've had the egg & chorizo and the cheese, but the beans and beef come recommended too. I'm not accustomed to eating salad at breakfast, but the whole experience is so out of the Anglo breakfast square, it's fantastic!<br/><br/>The coffee is rich. <br/><br/>It's a tiny place and very popular. Also great vf$.
Mochii
Simple South American food. Went for lunch, lovely place but quite small so nt recommended for large groups. We had the Chorizo Arepa $11.50, Arepa Con Huevo (Scrambled Eggs) $11.50, Empanada de Carne (Beef & Olive) $7.50, Arequipe Con Queso (Caramel & Cheese Duo) $4, and Portugese Egg Tart $4. Enjoyed both the Arepas, the Scrambled eggs was a simple dish, Chorizo was juicy although tough to cut. However, did find the Empanada quite dry and lacking filling. The Caramel & Cheese Duo was an interesting salty and sweet combination worth trying, the egg tart however didn't quite hit the spot, was quite mushy and pastry was soggy. Overall, taste wise was pretty good, although portions are on the smaller side.
Sweetb
Cute joint - delicious food. Cute little joint which reminded me of when I was in Spain. The chilled out atmosphere, and having breakfast looking out the window was a very relaxing Sunday morning. Food was great, loved it! Would go back again
Ilovefood
Breakfast, a little bit different :). I love this little south american cafe! The arepas were de-lic-ious - especially the cheese one. Thinking about it now, I might have to go back again this weekend. The coffees were pretty good too. It's a small spot, so best to go with a very small group. Yum!!
Irina Korzh
:) South American bliss. Sonido! I am so grateful that I have found you. The place really does remind me of South America. The breakfasts are unique. There is not much choice (vegetarian and vegan options available) but do not let this scare you off. The cheapest, the most unique breakfast in Fitzroy. I always get the Bean Arepa. Try the hot chocolate and a Guarana soft drink!
Sputnik1
Gertrude St gem. A welcome addition to the Nicholson St end of Gertrude Street. Love this little place. The spinach and cheese empanada and raspberry brownie are to die for. The coffee is superb and the staff are welcoming. The tunes are a great finisher. So glad I work close to this gem...
Eatoutmonk
Colombian adventure. Honestly I've never tried Colombian food even while I was still in US. Damn!! Arepas is pretty tasty crisp but too bad it doesn't come with seafood hehe =) and I need more n more meat with plenty of Jalapeno n Habanero like Tacos n Tortillas. That would make a Mexican, wouldn't it? =P but they do Nice Tunez in Bandido's way
Shirley Wag
Muchos fantastico. Great little cafe. Arepas were v tasty and good value. Looks & feels fantastic. Great tunes. genuine Colombians (fresh from Bogota). Single origin colombian was made well. stayer!
Eamon Mitchell
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, very quick service, tasty food. Looking forward to a time when Sonido has a liquor licence. I'd prefer a few more meat options on the menu but otherwise a great little place.
Melbourniangirl
The food menu is simple with a mix of areapa’s (corn pancakes) and empanadas. We couldn’t decide so split a frijoles con feta arepas and a cheese and spinach empanada with a side of salad.
Katherine Chiu
The interior was lovely and funky and very homely. A few students came and went from the place just ordering coffees. Here everything was going at a slow but steady pace. I didn't mind the wait as rushing it spoils the fun, mood and kills the food.<br/>They mainly have arepas and empanadas and they claim to have good chocolate. But I didn't get to try this as I wanted a coffee. They mainly cater for omminvores but there are some vegetarian dishes for Here's the veg to try.
Addy
Time for some Columbian food! This was my first time trying Latin American style food so I was pretty excited to see how Sonido! does it and was pretty thrilled to find out from my Columbian friends that they're actually very authentic with the food that they serve. Olletica, $4.50 I was pretty curious to try out what Columbian hot chocolate would taste like. It was pretty sweet, and had a little bit of sugarcane taste to it. But due to personal preference, I didn't like it that much because it was too sweet. They also have a version with cheese added to it, which apparently is how the Columbians do it. If you're game for it, do try it out :) Sugarcane tea OWT had the sugarcane tea, which came with a side of lime. We always have sugarcane drinks in Malaysia, but this definitely taste milder, unlike the typical ones we're used to. Sweet and sour at the same time, it was pretty soothing especially if you're suffering from a cold or sore throat. Empanada De Carne, $7.50 I got myself the b
Sweet And Sour Fork
Closer to home, and a little more photogenic, was the Pollo Arepa ($12) – a selection of marinated chicken thighs. Aside from being smoky and tender, the fillets were marinated in an exotic blend of cane sugar, lime juice, and hot paprika. It was a joyful combination of honeyed spice, the fatty, seared edges of the chicken bringing to mind the sizzling of meat on hot coals.
Natarsha
Slowly but surely, the authentic flavours of Colombian cuisine are making their way into Melbourne cafe's. Sonido invites lovers of great coffee and exotic delights to dine in their bright, colourful & festive world . Sonido is the creative concept of design students Santiago Villamizar and Carolina Talero. The duo have successfully transformed the modest Fitzroy space into a celebration of culture, diversity and ethnicity. With Cruzao Bar just down the road, the friendly fire between the two Venezuelan kitchens is heating up. Sonido's traditional corn meal pocket (arepa) is smaller and thinner in size but carries a strong flavour. The smoky fresco cheese, fres
Helen | Grab Your Fork
It was the lure of hot chocolate and cheese that brought us to Sonido. Hot chocolate and cheese? Say it isn't so! We'd stumbled along Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne, early on a Sunday morning, taking in the eclectic mix of boutique clothing shops, vintage stores, art galleries and quirky cafes. Sonido was tucked away at the far end, barely noticeable but for an assortment of pint-sized chairs and tables on the foothpath, as though a kindergarten class was just about to start. Sonido Decor inside Sonido You know a cafe is cool when there's knitting going on. The cafe is packed with coffee sipping patrons, some of them knittings, others casually whiling away the hours of a lazy weekend. The decor is a cheerful mix of South American records, vintage signs and posters and all the good stuff you find in op shops. Arepas de queso $8.50 Cheese arepas We order at the counter and take a seat outside. It doesn't take long for our food to arrive, served on mismatched crockery straight from
Xjuzjuzjuzx
The fresco cheese shone through everything, and was complimented by the piquant salsa. It was so magical, I can’t wait until I feel like that again.
Blake Hutchison
We've been talking about The Workers Club end of Gertrude Street for some time now - old favourites like Radio, fancy friends like Cutler & Co. and the cool young things at Saint Cloud are now joined by Sonido , an equally fantastic new-comer. Past the do
Bearheadsoup
Sonido is a South American breakfast and lunch place that opened in Gertrude Street Fitzroy last year. I went once, closed on Mondays, I went again, they only take cash not cards. Finally got there, actually I have been twice now. It is a cosy homey place, with great South American music playing and easygoing gentle service. The food, according to the menu is typical of Colombia and Venezuela. Frijoles con feta - arepa $11.50 with salad $2.50 For my first visit, I tried the Frijoles con feta - arepa with some salad. The arepa, a firmish disc of corn bread was unfilled, and topped with frijoles (black beans). The beans were cooked in a little tomato and topped with some feta. A small dish of guacamole and a dish of picadillo (a fresh tomato salsa) came with the meal. It was a light and tasty lunch, the beans weren't mushy. I felt pretty healthy after my yummy food. My next visit and I ordered the Arepas de queso, bread filled with melty cheese, the ultimate in comfort food. Sonido serve
Eat And Be Merry Crew
As has been pointed out many times by many people, there is a dearth of good South and Central American style places to eat around Melbourne. It's a bit of a shame really, as after watching a number of travel and cooking shows on TV the street food in particular looks really good and tasty. One of the few places with an authentic kind of feel, at least to this gringo, is Sonido on Gertrude Street. First thing about Sonido that I have to say is that I love the feel of the place. It's very casually cool with mismatched chairs, open kitchen area and collection of assorted 'stuff' around the place. It's kind of cluttered without feeling hemmed in and the low level background music is some of the best around. It works well together to create a walk in and chill out atmosphere. The food is mainly empanada and arepa, real street/snack style food. Empanadas always remind me of pasties, pastry covered meat or vegetable dishes that can be eaten sitting down or on the go. Sonido offers three diff
Emily And Saskia
On my morning walk to work I have been watching with interest the development of a new cafe on Gertrude St. Thanks to Where's the beef (those organised food-hounds), I found out that Sonido was finally open and organised breakfast there post-haste! Sonido
Andrew Turner
As we got closer we realised it was busy inside with people sat at all the smaller and larger shared tables, which we were offered the option of perching on the end of. We opted to go out side and selected the bench and coffee table rather than the kiddie sized table!
Gourmet Chick
An easy walk from the hospital Nina and Patrick work at Sonido becomes a Peruvian restaurant for Jimmy and his girlfriend of the time, Tammy (it’s hard to keep up). In real life Sonido is a little slice of Colombia. Sonido serves up arepas every day. They’re like a more puffy, thick version of a taco and come with a serving of guacamole and salsa. My pick is the beef ($12) thanks to the generous serving of slow cooked meat. <br/>
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