Martha Ray's

Let’s ray on that sunshine ☀️

I have been through Brunswick street quite a few times, but honestly, it’s always when I’m heading to or from somewhere and usually I don’t have the opportunity to stop by the cafes and venues (busy lives 👋). But I had not only heard but actually noticed Martha Ray’s a few times by now. Why?

I think that when you walk by or enter a venue, the whole set up and decoration tells a lot about the ethos and personality of the owners. And here the beautiful blue chilled happy vibes always made me smile when I would pass by. It seemed like a little boutique hidden and made me so curious, that I decided to pay them a visit last week for some much needed coffee.

And I was so impressed by the simplicity, authenticity and beauty of this place that I decided to properly visit this ray of sunshine and just ray in there for a while trying their one single page menu. Yes, I am one to go bold and try new and different things, but also love how bare and simple, meals can be. What is good should be repeated 🥰

We arrived at the place and there weren’t many people inside (actually just one!) and it was lunch time so I actually found it quite strange but very grateful so we could have a better private experience 😂 one of the staff miners received us and told us to sit whoever we wanted and we soon picked a place close to the window as it was a beautiful and warm sunny day. The funny thing about having a single page menu is that it’s obviously easier to choose so shortly after we had made our choices and this is what we had:

- Porridge - it is their only sweet meal of the menu and in my opinion it is wonderfully conceived. Like I said, sometimes simplicity wins and although I have to be honest and say that I wished there were more sweet options (as I am a sweet tooth person), the single item is beautifully achieved! Made with organic rolled oats blended in almond milk, the consistency is not runny, but actually quite thick and dense (not in a bad way). It comes with sultanas in the middle that are perfectly there to give that extra natural sweetness to the meal and comes topped with seasonal fruits and earl grey figs that were amazing! Amazing! What’s even better is that is comes with pistachios and a drizzle of organic maple syrup. Now, if you have ever read my reviews, I actually suggested to a place I visited to add pistachios to the porridge they had as I felt that could be that extra thing that would make the meal amazing. And here this had it all: that perfect balance of sweet taste, great consistency and the right toppings to enhance the flavours. It was so good that one of the people that came with me already went there again to have a bowl just for her!

- Sweet & Spicy - it is a vegan meal with a homemade sweet potato fritter, green ball peppers and ginger and a very interesting combo as it seems like spaghetti but all packed together and with a slight taste of spiciness to it. It’s not dense but at the same time I think it can be quite filling for some. It’s different than most fritters for sure and I think I have tried a mix that was so simple as this one. Personally I like it better when there is corn or peas inside as well but it was an interesting option too. It comes with some smashed avocado of top as well as some roasted veggies that were incredible in quality. Maybe a slight more dressing than what I would have wished but still acceptable. The sesame seeds in a circular shape around the meal were very well thought in terms of decoration and I really loved that special touch. Even more the mushrooms were one two but truly admirable and well cooked 👌 it was a good meal and I think many people would certainly like it!

- Martha Ray’s Reuben - due to the dairy content I didn’t have this meal, but my friends did as obviously we had to try their signature dish. Size wise it is impressive and I would definitely recommend it as it has nothing to do with your average sandwich at a cafe! It seems like a 4 stack! It comes with house corned beef, multiple layers of Swiss cheese, sautéed cabbage and a house Russian dressing. All in an amazing rye bread and with a very mouth drooling look. At the top there’s a classic pickle too 👌

- Thai Pork Rice Bowl - it is quite of a funny bowl with Thai black rice and pulled pork belly little pieces, as well as cucumber, coriander, chilly slices and dried onion pieces. Actually I wasn’t excepting it to be spicy as I must have skipped reading the chilly part, so I wasn’t that much of a fan of the final spicy taste just because my tolerance is minimal 😂 but from an objective point I have to say it was not that spicy and the rice was just at that ideal cooked point and very flavoursome. I wish it was slightly bigger as I fell like the portion is quite small but I would specifically like to have maybe a bit more protein to the meal as the pork stripes are quite minimal. There is also a fried egg on top of the whole meal that as quite good too, not oily or greasy and balancing very well on top of the little pile 👌😂

- Acai Mixed Berry Smoothie - I was quite surprised with this one for a more negative side. As a massive acai lover and consumer I have to say I found this blend not that enjoyable and not sweet at all. They use a blend of acai with berries, banana and almond milk but I think that this may require a bit more work ad I didn’t find the blend quite enjoyable. Maybe more ripe bananas and definitely less almond milk. I had found that it had way too many chia seeds and the consistency turned out quite gelatinous and I would have personally have it with less or none. A special touch with some flowers or extra toppings on top would have been good too 😊

- Chai Almond Latte - my friend had this drink and found it quite enjoyable and wholesome. It came wi a beautiful S shape and with a good amount of foam and nicely blended 👌 one things these guys can definitely do is coffee and this was obviously not behind! 👏

It is a simple yet packed with surprises place and it was lovely to meet Mari, the person behind this place.
All that I can say as a final note is: let’s be smart and leave those rays of direct sunlight and get that food shine over you 🤩

Lovely atmosphere, a gorgeous cafe to sit in to enjoy your coffee or meal. Coffee was great, I had a flat white and an espresso. And the chicken sandwich was delicious. Friendly staff and good service.

I've been here about three times. I've ordered the chicken sandwich twice and the Reuben once. I didn't have the best experience the first time. The sandwich was made in a different bread than what the menu said, and the waitress took forever to take my order (despite the place being almost empty) and wasn't at all friendly. After that, I came back and the two following times were great. Good service and the food was delicious! Also, the coffee is really good (I've tried the long black only) as well as their hot chocolate. Another plus it's that it doesn't get too busy, which is unusual for the area.

I dont live anywhere nearby, but i always make the effort to come here for the amazing coffee and pork belly sandwich when im this side of town.

awesome food, awesome service, a great place to meet friends, or grab a coffee.  Recommend 'The Classic' for a breakfast/brunch snack, has a small menu, but the food is really nice.

Great sandwiches and friendly place. Good milkshake too (but I would like a bit bigger!). The sandwiches are pretty damn good - I had the Reuben ($10 on a Tuesday) and my wife had a meatball sandwich which looked (and tasted) awesome. I would say the Reuben was more of an interpretation-of-a-Reuben than an authentic New York reuben, but either way was tasty.

Super friendly staff, tasty smothies and Asian fusion pork belly sandwiches. Tip: for spicy lovers, ask them for fresh chilli

Good food, good coffee, decent priced, only went once but can say I would go back again.

By far one of the best porridge I’ve ever had With fresh blueberries figs melonstrawberries raspberries crumbed pistachios So Delicious!!!!!