Best meal and service that I have had in a long time.
The staff, who were trying table service for the first time today, were friendly, enthusiastic and genuine. It was packed with customers, but the owner and server still made the time to chat and have a laugh with us and ensure that we had everything that we needed.
Even though it was busy, and it was the first day of table service our order was delivered correctly and in a prompt and timely manner.
The food was INCREDIBLE! Beautifully presented and even more importantly absouletly delicious.
Cant recommend this place enough!
Thank you for making our lunch and day out so incredible.
A lovely place to pop in & have a nice meal. The menu is really nice & the children's menu was pretty good also. Was greeted at the door with a friendly hello. The service is great. Well worth your time checking it out. Will definitely be going back �
Love calling in after training beautiful coffee, lovely staff & food and atmosphere! Over last few weeks been chatting with staff including Sarah who is a delight! Thanks guys x
I have been a few times but it was my daughters first experience and she loved it. The staff were super friendly and checked on us several times. Food was awesome and service super quick.
Definately recommend to check this place out!
Delicious breakfast and great atmosphere. Loved the music! Bonus free pancakes for our daughter and colouring in sheets and pencils waiting for her at our table! Highly recommend. �
Some of the best food we've eaten! The chickpea and chorizo soup was incredible and my husband thought the burger was sensational! Nice touch doing free pancakes for the kids too. We'll be back! �
The Pickers Union never disapoints! Awesome food, great coffee, friendly staff, and good vibes! Plus they cater for all types of dietary requirements. Great times!
Fabulous meal. We had the morrocan lamb pasta. A+ for flavour, meal size, presentation and speed of service. We sat outside in the puppy friendly area. Loki enjoyed his complementary bowl of water and much appreciated the outdoor heater being turned on for us 😊👍👍
Nice pit stop before Geelong proper. Nothing pretentious, just excellent coffee and good food. Yummy selection of gluten free and vegan cakes. I'm good!
Best coffee in Geelong! The food is always amazing and the service is second to none. If I have friends visiting from out of town I always bring them to Pickers. You definitely can't go passed this awesome place if you are a coffee lover, seriously amazing ��
Such and awesome place. Food was amazing. The staff were very friendly and cool. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
Great service from friendly and helpful staff as soon as you walk through the door. The menu is simple however the food is not. A very talented kitchen putting out really scrumptious dishes.
Out to Geelong we go! So worth the drive to arrive at this absolutely beautiful cafe. I loved this cafe from the moment I walked in. Warm and friendly staff with a great winter warmer menu. Mac and chesse on the menu you had me. Everything was absolutely beautifully presented and tasted delicious. Fresh home made drinks a winner. I would drive back to Geelong to try this place again. Make sure you check out the neighbouring Antique markets they are just great **Disclaimer: although the restaurant has generously invited me to their restaurant this review is still based on my genuine opinion.
The place looks nice comfortable. The coffee is great. I ordered the chicken buns. Taste ok. Just the buns isn't that hot or maybe the weather is too cold. Anyway nice place. Love the style.
As we entered this bright cheerful eclectic space with the music pumping, we thought what a great vibe to start our Easter Sunday.
We ordered a couple of lattes as we pondered the menu, my strong almond latte was smooth and creamy with no trace of bitterness.
We ordered the smashed avo with bacon and poached egg and the black lava bowl.
The black lava smoothly bowl was delicious and refreshing, the fresh fruit was a lovely tart inclusion and the muesli adding an awesome sweet crunch. I enjoyed each mouthful having different tastes and textures, a very satisfying bowl.
The smashed avo is one of the most flavoursome ones I have ever had, from the awesome citrus punch in the avo, to the harrisa oil adding a subtle kick of heat. I enjoyed the inclusion of the seedy grainy bread too bringing in that crunchy element.
Now I’m looking forward to checking out the antique store next door to walk off breakfast!
Thanks Sev and the team for inviting us in.
Heading up to geelong for a meeting I needed sonewhere to brunch first. After hearing good reviews I deicded to go try out this place. Let's just say if you haven't been yet I'd definitely recommend a road trip. There banana bread is to die for, pair it with a sneaky boozy shake for a perfect combination. Or try their black Forrest waffles and smother it in chocolate sauce like I did.
Dropped in for a coffee and lunch after surf 🏄♂️ lunch was yum and the coffee was the hit !!! We ordered the lamb burger and Buddha bowl. Good enough taste and presentation (marked a star down for value ratio, bit on the pricey side for the offering).
Awesome little cafe neatly tucked away in an industrial area. I often drove the extra 10 minutes just for a coffee here. Top rating as the coffee is always consistently good, and the service is always on point, the cleanliness and the general vibe of the place is very welcoming and relaxed. Certainly drop in for a coffee and a bite before spending all your loose change at the vintage market next door!
It has been a while since I've last gone on a road trip, so when I received an invite from The Pickers Union, I jumped at the chance.
With a menu that offers a unique twist on brunch classics, I was spoilt for choice on what to order. The boozy iced chocolate was definitely on the top of my list. Spiked with Kahlua and Baileys, this creamy and rich iced chocolate hit the spot! My partner ordered the cold brew and a housemade pink grapefruit soda, and enjoyed both tremendously. Both fruity and refreshing, but each in its own special way.
Since I was indulging in such a naughty drink, I went with the charcoal lava bowl to balance it out. Topped with strawberries, banana, almond granola and coconut, the toppings added a multitude of textures and flavours to the velvety smooth smoothie. Very filling too!
The clever idea of using garlic bread took the simple and humble egg benny to another level of yum. The robust and punchy flavours of the garlic helped intensify the rich savoriness of the bacon and hollandaise sauce, resulting in a very dreamy dish.
To end our meal, we shared a jam doughnut muffin, which we were told attracted quite the cult following - people driving from Melbourne just for the doughnuts, and also a mention in Broadsheet. We definitely could see why this was the case. Moist and crumbly in texture, a crusty outside layer, and a generous serve of sweet and tart strawberry jam within.
It was definitely worth the 1 hour drive, as I not only got to enjoy an amazing lunch, but also spent a carefree afternoon browsing the Geelong Vintage Market that the cafe opens onto. Thank you so much for the invite!
We were invited to Picker’s Union so decided to take advantage of the last week of summer and head down to Torquay for the day and pitstop into Geelong for lunch. We were super impressed with the interior but the outside was equally cool with those hanging chairs I’m always too scared to sit in.
The inside actually connects into the vintage market via a side door so we took the opportunity to check that out afterwards too. Food wise there were many things to tempt, loaded banana bread, donut muffins and Black Forest waffles to name a few, but we stayed on the health path today (with great difficulty) selecting the Buddha salad with honey salmon, the black lava bowl and the smashed avocado.
The smoothie bowl was coloured with activated charcoal which is something I quite enjoy (although you do need to do a quick check to ensure your teeth aren’t black!) and was rather pretty to look at. The flavour was spot on so they should consider offering smoothies as drinks too. As it stands they have boozy shakes and a whole host of other options.
I was able to take the salmon from my partners buddha bowl and pair it with my avo which was very yummy. As far as smashed avo dishes go this one was thoroughly enjoyable. The addition of the romesco sauce on the plate gave it a little kick and really elevated and differentiated it from the typical offering this classic dish generally is. Definitely worth checking out, even if you aren’t local we all love a good road trip
Awesome place for brunch with a friend. Gets super busy on the weekend but they are always accommodating. Had the eggs Benedict, was made well and not drowned in hollandaise like you find sometimes. Also had some slices/cakes to follow it up and all tasted beautiful. Definitely one of the great brekky spots in Geelong!
Great atmosphere at The Pickers Union and the food & coffee is even better! The staff are friendly and the service is spot on! I love the decor, it really makes you fell like you're in Palm Springs. Would definitely recommend them!
Love the food and service here. Next to a vintage market, the cafe has a retro look and staff was very friendly and warm. My salmon salad was delicious as well as the Mushroom burger we had. My baby had a great time too!
The *best* coffee in Geelong. These guys beat the Coffee Cartel at their own game with the Coffee Cartel's own beans. The food is pricey, and the menu changes often but it has been good to great most times we've been there.
Update 2018: The last few times we have been, the coffee hasn't been quite as good - different baristas than when I initially wrote this review.
Had a brekky roll from here on Sunday and the place was packed which speaks volumes of the customer service and quality of the food and coffee .... highly recommended
Great food, friendly service! If you’re going from Melbourne to Geelong it’s a cute stop over! The market is a cool place to look around after you eat. Would definitely eat here again
This cute little gem of a cafe was the best find when we ventured down to Geelong for the day.
They serve up a beautiful breakfast/ brunch and we went with the eggs benny and avocado toast!
The avocado toast was one of the best I've had as I loved the addition of sweet potato! I'll be having all my avocado toasts with sweet potato from now on 😉
Love how fresh the food was, and they these guys know what there doing when it comes to portion size- the perfect balance leaving you wanting more!
It has such a relaxed, calm ambience and beautiful people who were just filled with happiness. Thanks for the great food and positive vibes guys!
Nic And Zoe Eat Stuff
+3.5
We came here on Sunday past after previously coming here around 6 months ago. Between then and now it's obvious the establishment is going a much more modern and trendy theme which personally resonates with us quite well. First of all to quickly knit pick before food is touched on, please don't make patrons get their own glasses, water and menu's, bring it out when you take the orders.
To start off coffee was great, lots of complexity but unfortunately my (Nic) order for two coffees (yes snob I know) was interpreted as one coffee, but it was great either way.
My eggs Benedict was delicious and would happily order again.
Zoe's beef brisket burger we ordered from the menu was upon arrival a chicken burger which according to management should have been advised when we ordered as the beef brisket wasn't very popular. Grey chicken, soggy crumbing, sinewy, boring mayo and slaw and a really soggy bun. In my opinion as we love chicken burgers, get rid of it or adjust it accordingly and match what everyone else does with their chicken burgers would be our harsh but needed criticism.
Despite this, I can not fault management in picking up our queues of dissatisfaction and advising me that I was to not pay for the chicken burger as he knew a) it wasn't we ordered and it wasn't up to scratch. I can only show how much that means by saying that despite this unfortunate dining, we will be back. Had the situation be handled differently, I wouldn't be back. Many upon many applause to a manager (owner potentially) who holds themselves to a standard.
Hidden in a less well known part of Geelong and away from the centre of the Geelong CBD is The Pickers Union. It was slightly hard for us to find but it was worth the trip. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and I particularly liked the warm and cosy setup they have.
The coffee was smooth and the blend strong. I went for The 3 Mush-kateers which was Thyme Roasted Mushrooms, duxelle, puree, Bulgarian fetta and fried eggs served on sourdough. It was delicious. Hubby went for poached free range eggs with chorizo. Both was filling and delicious. Yes, they are slightly a bit pricier than most places, but they do coffee well and the food is worth the visit.
Great little cafe next to the vintage market. Peanut butter hot choc is so satisfying. Very health conscious restaurateur and great use of activated charcoal.
This place is just getting better and better. They have a solid instagram presence - everything they do and post looks fantastic - but the beauty is that they follow through and deliver sensational service, coffee and food, all within a really wonderfully (and recently) renovated space right within the vintage market. Worth making a morning or afternoon of it. Take your mates, colleagues, kids or grandma. Suits them all!
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, if you are driving to Geelong this place is a stop over for a good fix of coffee and bite to eat.
3.5/5 Food - good selection on the menu, allot of healthy options, something for everyone. Only thing I personally think could be better was the seasoning. Portion sizes were okay.
3.5/5 Coffee - Nice Coffee, tasted good. We had couple, caffè Latte. They were good but comparing to other good places they could be more creamier and stronger.
5/5 Service - Friendly, welcoming, attentative - excellent. Accommodating to babies and kids. It was busy but didn't have to wait long for orders to come out.
5/5 Atmosphere - Great Fitout, funky feel and vibe to the place. Seating inside and out, heaps of carpark and easy to find.
Suitable for families (baby/kids friendly), couples, singles or takeaway. The owner seems nice and takes pride /custodial you will know who he is as his voice is quite adamant (keeping his staff inline on the go) . Good to see a place like this out in North Geelong. 100% recommend this place if you are in area
I was on the brink of starvation and in the distance was my saviour the pickers Union. Awesome staff, great food, good times. Highly recommended.
Good food. Nice coffee. Enjoyed the single origin cafe latte.
The venue has had a recent upgrade and extension. It is LIGHT and comfortable.
Service was IMPECCABLE. NICE place to catch up with friends.
(This cafés is located within a number of second hand shops - can be fun to rummage through).
Positives: able to book, pre order and split the bill. Menu was varied and everyone was happy with their food. I had the porridge which was filling but the syrup that was mixed throughout it was almost bitter.
Negative: coffees took forever and all of our orders came to the table quite staggered even though we had pre ordered.
Approx $20 for soy cap and porridge.
The new renovations look awesome. The hand cut chips looked amazing so we'll be back to try them next time!
Great food, and very friendly staff. The fried chicken burger is worth a try, it's not too greasy. Will definitely visit again in the future.
Great vibe, love the simple yet unique interior. The staff are very friendly. I ordered the smashed avo, which was delicious! I will definitely be back!
Found this lovely cafe amongst warehouse next to industrial port of Geelong. Big portion serves of food with friendly staff. Will become my regulars when I visit Geelong
Solid breakfast - great coffee. Smashed avocado always excellent. Staff ok. Shop is a bit dirty - but your eating in a car park. Tends to be inconsistent. But worth a look.
I've been meaning to try here for ages and finally made it! I wasn't disappointed. . They were so happy and friendly. The food was all great, muffins and cakes to die for! Had a single origin coffee and it was just spot on. Will be back
YUM. Coffee fantastic. Food great. Waffles with cookie dough ice cream, marshmallows, bacon & salted caramel was sooooo delicious. Would visit again, and again, and again..
Love stopping in here on the way down to Apollo Bay, check out the vintage warehouses and eat lunch. (also by this time the kids are really getting over being in the car) The coffee is always spot on, love it! It can get busy sometimes. And i always get a jam muffin donut thingy.
As expected, quite busy on a sunday morning but staff were super friendly and made the wait worth it. Food came out quickly and serving sizes are generous. Customer service is top notch and would highly recommed the peppermint waffles!
Pickers is one of my all time Favourites ! I always get the same , poached eggs on sour dough with tomato & Bacon added. If your after a place to go for Breakfast I recommend this place 100% also try their Ice Coffee ! It's fantastic
The cafe is strategically located among the vintage shops. Ordered poached eggs with mushrooms, chorizo and goats cheese. It's a good experience over all, and the ambiance. It's one of the places to go whenever you visit Geelong. Highly recommended.
I've seen their dessert creations on my Instagram feed and On the way to scout a location we stumbled upon this place amongst all the vintage markets and there is also a graffiti powerhouse across the road.After checking out the stores we needed a feed so we choose the 🍴Warm spring vegetable plate• caramelized sweet potatoes, asparagus, baby kale, creamy tahini dressing, toasted almonds & Zaatar spice ❤️👌🏻✔️ light and tasty with good quality ingredients.They also had a Freak shake on the menu so of course I had to order the chocolate super shake which was very decadent and tasty but lacked excitement .They also stock butterbing cookies for that trip home.If your in the geelong area and want good food friendly staff check this place out and afterwards get lost Amongst all the vintage goods from yesteryear #glutenfree #vegan #salad #youcanmakefriendswithsalad #geelong #healthy #eatclean #cleaneating #delicious #brunch #lunch #brunchinmelbourne #veggies #foodstagram #foodblogger
Had brunch earlier today. I ordered wagyu burger. It has mac n cheese croquette in it. It tastes awesome. I love the crisp of the bread. The place is not big but it has cute interior design. Totally love it 😊👍
Loved this place. The coffee is cartel( I think) and always great. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is warm. The food was all good- a burger with Mac and cheese! It can get quite busy tho so we had to wait for a table for 20 mins in the market next door.
Really disappointed today. We ordered the chicken and coleslaw focaccia, it was reheated in the microwave which everyone knows is never a good idea. I look across to another table and theirs was toasted which is usually what I get without asking. Feels like they just wanted to get the food served, not thinking about quality.
The fruit toast was barely toasted. Coffee was lukewarm. Picker's is somewhere we come to when we're in the area so needless to say we are disappointed with the service & quality of food.
UPDATE - 5 Feb 2017
They have redeemed themselves. We were back for another spot of shopping and decided to give The Pickers Union another go and boy did they deliver. Food was DELICIOUS! Quality ingredients and did I say, YUM! Keep it up guys.
Had the smashed avo here this morning. Hubby had the big breky (can't remember the name). Both very tasty! The chilli ricotta was delicious! This cafe definitely worth a visit if you are in Geelong area! 😃
Great cosy cafe with prompt service and excellent coffee. Everyone should make a stop at the cafe if they're visiting the vintage market. I will be back to try their brunch menus!
Really good atmosphere. Design of shop is cool, staff is nice and friendly. Menu is simple but feel passion for every single dish. Cold drip has complex flavor. Love this place.
Brilliant cafe! It's linked to the Vintage Market, next door. Both the market and cafe have made my day. The food is exemplary, and coffee also extremely good. I had the bacon and egg roll. I eat these all the time, so I am fairly discerning. It's the best I've had in a while. My friend had a baked spud with coleslaw, bacon and jalapeños. I had major food envy. I don't give many 5 star ratings, but this one deserves it. Happiness all round ❤️
Friendly staff, they made me feel special. Huge & filling beaky of mushroom & poach egg on toast. Great coffee before a wander through the vintage market next door
Great Service, Friendly staff. Bonus that is it right next to a huge Vintage Market. Just thought I would post an updated Menu for those who like to prepare.
Truly great coffee, breakfast menu and all the sweet baked goodies. Place is a bit small and can get hot in there, but outdoor tables available. Service is good and overall best cafe in this part of the town.
Great coffee in industrial areas seems to be a thing in our region. Take Pickers Union Geelong as an example. Located at 3 Mackey Street, it’s set to a backdrop of North Geelong’s usual hi-vis vests, trucks moving stock in and out of Geelong Port and surrounding factories, and the (now beautiful) old Geelong Power Station. Yet from inside you’d barely know it.
Great service even when they are flat out and the place looks great! The food is a bit pricey but it has never disappointed. Right next door to the best vintage market in Geelong.
Fresh and Fabulous. How civilised; a cafe with excellent coffee, fresh well made food and staff with charming, vibrant personalities clearly committed to service. Would that there was more of them! I could have stayed all day and I certainly felt that if I wanted to I could have with a few more coffees and a good book, there would have been no pressure on me to leave. I hope The Pickers Union has a long life, Geelong is all the better for it. However, it would be cool if a Pickers Union 'clone' would open on the other side of town on the way to the Bellarine where I now live.
A hidden gem. After being invited to coffee here with a friend, I've become a regular and brought friends and family. Inside is warm and cozy on those cold days, outside is generally protected from most weather, if it's too cold there are heaters and rugs.
Food is good! The small kitchen area limits range, but I have enjoyed cakes, slices, laksa & baked beans.
Lilly's barista skills are great, the single origin coffee is my regular cup now with flavours varying with the origin. Of course they have a standard blend which beats other Geelong coffee shops.
Not open Mondays. Hey all love this place, & just thought I would share that they are closed Mondays. as I rocked up eager for coffee & muffin with 2 friends only to be shattered when told they were closed :-(
What a gorgeous experience I had at The Pickers Union this morning! Beautiful coffee and the food is decadent and delicous! This is topped off by the cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. I will definitely be back!
Great place! One of my favourites in Geelong, great coffee and food
Good coffee...and they use bonsoy (if you're after soy in your coffee)
Amazing Coffee!!. Amazing coffee, i had a soy latte, and i could drink it like water, so delicious :)
cosy vintage feel, yummy cakes, slices
Best Coffee in VICTORIA!. We go here whenever we're in Geelong! Best coffee you'll get in Victoria, let alone Geelong.
Great staff, atmosphere and food. Deserves all the praise it gets on here! Give it a go and you won't be disappointed!!
Excellent coffee, excellent food, excellent service! We have only been here for the second time but just as impressed as the first. I was fussy w my soy latte and they insisted on making another one even though I was just after a small jug of soy milk. Staff are so friendly. I think this place is going to become one of our regulars! We love it!
This place kills it. Awesome coffee with the help of Cartel Roasters. Great food, very quick and helpful staff. We even had to make changes to the menu to suit food allergies and they had no issues at all. Highly recommended!
Better Every Time. My first visit when they had just opened was average, but happily the two/three times I have been back were excellent.
Usually very busy now, too - but the staff are still friendly, and the food great.
Great Coffee!. My new favourite cafe in Geelong. Friendly staff and fantastic coffee. Added bonus is that the vintage market is next door.
Loved this place. Peanut butter hot chocolate was so delicious, owners were so friendly and welcoming. Simple food done very well. We will be back
This is by far one of my favourite places in Geelong right now. Always have a great experience up here, and it's good to get away from the busy weekend cafes.
Staff are always friendly and up for a chat and the food/coffee is always top quality - Cartel beans are a massive win.
Highly Recommend.
Go there now!. What a cute cafe! Love the interior work, mixing in the vintage vibe from the Geelong Market. GREAT coffee! I live 35 minutes away and will choose to go to Geelong just to grab a delicious Pickers Union coffee, some smashed avocado with feta on toast, and will definitely not feel too guilty about having some cheesecake or a cookie to end my time there. The service is also amazing, such friendly and warm owners! Best.
Love Pickers Union. Best coffee in Geelong by a longshot. Great homemade food, the Maple syrup baked beans on sourdough toast are to die for. Really friendly people. Quirky interior decorating....very clever. Was there on day one and is now our favourite cafe.
Had the best soy latte I have ever had at this very cute cafe. Attached to antique market on Melb rd coming into Geelong. What a hidden treat. Had a muffin too and together it was heaven. Interesting timber collages around the serving area add real charm. We're coming back just for the coffee. Wow!
Sate roti. You have to try the Sate roti!
This place makes the best coffee I've ever had. The staff are super friendly and the food is excellent!
Really loved this place, awesome vibe, great service, the coffee was amazing and the satay roti wrap was the best I've ever had, it's now my new local.
I would recommend you pick the Pickers Union next time you're looking for some yum in your tum.
A relaxed environment with the availability to order from the table on your phone, providing a distanced and convenient dining experience.
Service was prompt, and the food was delightful. Even the more simple dishes were above my expectations, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal. With a small menu they are still able to provide a good variety if dishes.
If you give Pickers Union a visit they will not disappoint.
Last stop for our Geelong trip.Brunch at @thepickersunion
🍴NY Eggs Benedict
🍴Corn & Zucchini Fritters
🍴Fried Chicken Burger with fried onion rings & fries
☕ Matcha Latte
☕ Turmeric Latte
☕ Flat White
Very nice cafe. Friendly staff. Food was delicious. Really enjoyed the corn fritters. Very flavoursome.
Yet another awesome experience at pickers… couldn’t find many options for veg in their menu. They offered mushrooms bao bun.
The word is amazing .. it was unreal.. kuddos to the chef.
Would like to mention the Indian gal( will get her name next time) who jumps right in and always serve the best chai latte. Thanks pickers for amazing service
Nice place :) would love for more vegan options but the bao was nice and so was the matcha latte
Best coffee ☕
Great food 🍴
Friendly Staff 👨🍳👩🍳
Awesome vibe and decoration!
My cousin brought me here when i went over...
This place has seriously good coffee.
And the barister can make nice art on your coffee.. 😊 this will make your day! 😄
Have been wanting to try their brunch.
We already fell in love with their coffee since the lockdown period.
Loving the passion of the creative barista 😉
That’s a swan on 오빠’s latte and seahorse of my flat white.
The food is lacking in colour from our point of view (visually) but the balance of the flavour is already good nonetheless.
We’ll be back for more coffee for sure!
#bulgogi_n_rendang
Great place for lunch. Kids meals, swings for them to sit on while waiting. The homemade soda was delicious and so were the meals. Definitely will go again.
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