Review Second Empire Cafe - Hawthorn

Absolutely loved my experience at Second Empire Cafe! Great good, amazing service and lovely ambiance. Just love that this is walking distance from my house. Best Açai bowl l have ever had and the waffles were up there too. Can’t wait to come back again soon. Thanks for everything guys 😊💗☕️

I saw a sign on the front window advertising "$3 coffee with any food purchase", thought that wasn't a bad price for coffee, only to find when I got inside, the price of my food purchase, a chocolate croissant was $6.50! Worked out the total was $9 for a coffee & croissant.!!!! Big whoop. Saved $0.50c.The coffee was okay. The ambiance was boring at best. There were not many diners. Maybe my review was deemed harsh, but I had just been next door to the council fines office to pay a parking fine I received on my first day at a new job. It made me feel quite upset, as the fine was unnecessarily harsh, & very expensive, & then I was faced with an expensive drink and croissant.

I feel like I ate somewhere else from the other reviews. I had lunch here and it was ordinary to say the least. It was a Friday lunch and 3 other people in the cafe and after eating half my lunch I thought that’s why. I eat vegan food a lot and it can be done so well with so much flavour so I’m happy to see that option on the menu however there was no flavour in this meal. A cold bowl of rice tofu and raw vegetables. There was nothing sweet on the menu to have with your coffee except some banana bread in the display case with some ready made sandwiches/focaccias. Even the raisin toast looked uninviting. The information describing this cafe says it pays homage to the town hall’s history but nothing in that menu reflects the space. The room itself is lovely but I feel that is more due to the beautiful building. Really disappointed!

Service wasn't fantastic, but it had only just opened so could be expected. Breakfast was very nice and the coffee was great.

Food OK, but the space is great. Usually very quite and lots of room. Perfect for getting the laptop out and working.

It's got a good feel to it.

Quite a nice cafe. Works well as an addition to the arts centre

Clean and tidy venue, excellent coffee