Had a morning start here before going to the zoo. Coffee was very good and the pastry items items tasted great. We liked the slice of butter that accompanied it. Also liked pantry items with unique never seen before items.
Beautiful little cafe in Healesville. Amazing coffee had the pancetta baked eggs their best seller dish and it was amazing highly recommend this place!
Coffee good enough that my family is willing to make the 40 minute trip either way for it. A small, cosy space, good music choices, and a decent selection of meals.
Service was bit slow but it was very busy when we visited. Coffee was great and flavoursome. We had the pulled pork burger and baked beans. Both were delicious and full of flavour. Only thing is chips didn't come with burger. Will be back!
This cafe is not for the low carb health enthusiasts. This is where you go for an authentic Italian coffee and pastry with friendly service and some Italian groceries if you so desire....I would also say it is best for single or 2 person visits as it is small and narrow and not a good layout for groups. It looks like it is a popular spot for locals to come and get a takeaway coffee and some beautiful sourdough bread also. We enjoyed croissants and an apple danish with some coffees and we enjoyed everything.
What a find!!!! On a day trip with family from Italy and stopped off for lunch. Excellent food! High quality Italian ingredients and outstanding coffee. Service was amazing!! The owner and staff so welcoming. We will be back soon! 👍👍
Amazing coffee, service and atmosphere in this small cafe, but they really make it work. The place has such a relaxed feel, the coffee was delicious and food was very good. All staff were excellent!! Best cafe in the strip! :)
Bloody wonderful; great food great coffee and great service. Been 4 times and always fantastic. Should be 4 stars. Bought raw unrefined sugar not available elsewhere.
I don't know why this place's overall rating is 3.4.
It is definitely above 4 for me. Tasty food, friendly people and jazz music. While other shops are closed, this place stays open. The only reason its got 4.5 from me is that Essenza is slightly pricy.
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Essenza is fondly referred to by me as the 'skinny cafe', due to the compact area in which this cafe has made its home.
The coffees at this location are made with organic milk, so my regular skinny latte is sadly not an option. However, the organic milk lattes are just as delicious and thankfully not too creamy. I have never had the opportunity to taste their breakfasts as every time I've dined at Essenza it has been late in the afternoon. I do however enjoy their made to order sandwiches on sourdough bread. A favourite go-to of mine is the Pollo Sandwich comprised of roast chicken breast, corn aioli, aged cheddar and rocket.
I am still a little undecided as to whether or not the small space works in Essenza's favour. On every occasion I have visited I have felt sorry for the waiting staff that consistently find themselves squashed against the side wall to allow customers to move freely about the room or to enter to place a coffee order at the back counter. Waiting staff are squished with a smile however, never letting on their sense of claustrophobia. Lined along the right hand wall you will also find a vast array of coffee beans, oils, marinades and home-made jams that are ready for purchase.
Yum! Had a fabulous 'brunch board', fruit toast and a chocolate croissant between 2 for lunch on a Sunday. It was very busy but the staff managed well and the prices were reasonable.
Worth the visit. Fabulous service. We had the most exquisite chocolate mousse cake and cheese cake. Totally Devine. The coffee was really good too. Would most certainly come back.
You'd be forgiven for walking past this place and completely missing it..... It's tiny. The guy behind the counter saw us deliberating about whether we should go in or not and he waved us in. We are glad we did. We were only after coffee and something sweet. Coffee was great and I had a lemon and polenta cake, he had a Danish pastry. Lots of really interesting produce stacked on shelves on the wall. Would love to come back to try their breakfast. Oh as for being tiny, it's great. Reminds me of the small bar/cafes in Italy.
Absolutely fabulous food! Loved all the food we ordered! Service was excellent even though it's a busy Valentine day. Coffee was delicious too! Will definitely come back again. Thank you very much!
Melbourne Foodie Lover
+3.5
Great little place to eat, squishy at times, but what can u do when u have to work with limited space, coffee was okay but a slight bit bitter service was okay needs slight improvement but overall not a bad place
This funky little cafe is a hidden gem in the heart of Healesville. We had the breaky brioche, chicken panini and fresh out of the oven pastries. All the food was freshly prepared and flavorsome. The pastries were flaky and buttery- just the way they should be! All washed down with a quality coffee and attentive and unobtrusive service. Worth a visit when you are next in Healesville!
Perfect morning stop. Great fresh food and excellent coffee. Hard to find but once inside a little bit of Europe and the marble tables.
Best coffee and pastries in town and good service. We had a chocolate croissant and muffin fresh out of the oven and it was well worth the calories! It looks dark from the outside but it's lovely inside.
Muffin pot.. Omg arrived as the muffins had just come out of the oven. With out doubt the best muffin I have ever eaten and the coffee was just right.
I have not stopped thinking of the muffin....
Found this place really good. Excellent service , food, coffee and atmosphere. A drive back to Healesville just to come here would be worth it.
Really good. My croissant and latte was fabulous that I had to have a second latte. Really smooth not bitter and not strong. Simply perfect. Well done to the young Man on the espresso machine.
BRILLIANT. We drove out from the city for the day and found this cafe. Brilliant Food and coffee. Service smart and confinent. Very very busy considering time of the day. Will highly recommend to our friends.
Was here Saturday morning and the place was pumping. Such a tiny place and all food and drinks delivered with no fuss. The coffee is fantastic. The food simple Italian style cafe fare. Enjoyed our stay.
Awesome coffee! Friendly service. Been to Essenza a few times now, always had friendly service, good food and perfect coffee! Would recommend and at a reasonable price!
Yum porchetta :))) loving the place, cosy and good food!
Fabulous day out in healesville and this cafe was packed to the rafters on Monday holiday while others seemed quiet. They told us a table wouldn't be long and we managed to get in after a small wait. The food and coffee was insane. Fresh delicious and exactly what we wanted. The coffee was just perfect and we wanted to stay all day in this place. The vibe is great and omg was it busy. We counted like 7 staff in this small place. Well done people we really enjoyed ourself and the wine too :)
Fantastic burger. Service professional.
Coffee is outstanding. One negative it got very warm inside.
Lunch on Monday was beautiful. Our table of four had a selection from the menu. Everything delicious and was a pleasure after a weekend of trying most places in Healesville. This place has got it right. We will definitely return to this cafe.
The ultimate little cafe. We drive from Melbourne and lilydale to experience this little gem. The coffee is that good. It's worth the trip.
Very nice Cafe. Great coffee, not too strong and very smooth drinking. I Likle the fact its not your normal chocolately syrupy dark rich blah blah etc etc kinda of coffee.... My Cappucino and crossiant was exceptional. I will try lunch next time i head this way. Nice!
Very quick review. Great coffee great food and great service. A must when travelling in this part of the world. The staff are very approachable, professional and family orientated. A lovely place. The hot chocolate was to die for....the coffee was better ;)
Simply to die for. We had the seeded brioche with pulled pork and the pancetta & egg brioche simply divine. The coffee was exceptional and the guys and girls gave us the best service. Definitely returning to this little gem. By the way it's tiny but full of style . They have a restaurant to maybe will try this too based on the service and food here. Great job to those involved. We will be back.
Essenza is literally the size of a shipping container, and is located in what was a lane way, but don't be put off by that. The menu packs plenty of punch, with polite & attentive service. Overall, Essenza comes highly recommended and is a discerning brekky or lunch option for those who prefer the path less travelled.
What a find. Stumbled across this little 'hole in the wall' of a cafe/resturant and what a find it was. The coffee is just superb, ranking with the best anywhere. Then the wonderful small antipasto platter (quite large enough for a light lunch for two) was full of tasty treats. Would go out of my way to come back.
A most enjoyable lunch. Friendly staff and great light-spirited ambience. Hamburger, pollo panini and jam croissant was very tasty. Coffee was nice too with the latte being hot as I like it. Can't wait to come back.
Sunday lunch. Service was friendly and efficient. Sat outside, but they checked on us a couple of times. Had Angus hamburger, which was tasty and sizeable bother had baked eggs which were said to be really good. Possibly go back if in the area again.
Great coffee! Had the brunch board and it was delish. Quick & friendly service.
Brilliant. Best coffee in Healesville, hands down. Lovely staff and delicious cakes. We go there every time we're in town.
THANK YOU. To all our loyal customers and tourist that have enjoyed 2 huge successful years we thankyou for loving what we do. Essenza Yarra Valley has been recommeded and reviewed by the "Age Good food Guide for two years running". Our passion has paid off and we love that we have reached so many customers in such a short time. On behalf of the Company we thankyou for your contiuned support of the Valleys most unique espresso wine bar.
We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Season Greetings from all at Essenza & Kafe Kulcha Australia. Stay tunned for something exciting in 2014.
I like the narrow. Good coffee. Yarra Valley ridiculously beautiful on route today
Love the coffee..great italian atmosphere. Brings out the wanker in me.
Where do I start. If you blink you'll miss it. So glad we've found this cafe. Fantastic single origin coffee. Delicious panini and friendly staff. Highly reccomend it
Thank you!. My idea of a perfect cafe - tiny place, excellent and generous food, local produce on sale, perfect coffee - who'da thought something like this existed in Healesville?
Superb!! but not kid friendly at all.. Great coffee it speaks for itself, no need for fancy smancy coffee art...delicious brunch board, amazing croissants...best I've ever had. Eating outside is wonderful inside very tight and cramped, not something I'm into having kids but a great getaway without them..recommend to many, olive tapenade...pesto to die for
Surprise Breakfast Find!. We stayed at Healesville Hotel for the evening and Urban Spooned to find the closest breakfast and this was a real find! The home made baked beans were sensational. For a small eatery they provided excellent service and quick turn around in the kitchen. Would come back to Healesville just for their breakfast.
Yummiest baked eggs & porridge. So quirky in its presentation - what a find in this cute little town, love it!
Amazing what you can achieve in a small space! lovely food, best coffee i've had in Healesville.
Quirky little cafe, friendly staff, delicious food all so fresh and well presented.
Well done Essenza. We got a table after a small wait and it was definitely worth it. The offering is small but I guess it's due to the cafes size. This place is excellent. Simple food and high quality products. Everything our table ordered looked great and tasted amazing. The coffee is the best we have tried. Love the fact they use organic milk it makes a huge difference. The service is fast and refined and staff look happy which is a nice change from other cages we visit. Well done to this little cafe we left full, content and felt very welcomed.
Cute but no cigar. Cute little cafe that i almost completely missed. It's a bit claustrophobic in there with such a tiny space and i couldnt see all that many food items for sale. For someone who prefers to opt for skinny milk so the taste of the coffee is more predominant i was disappointed to find they only use an apparent 'organic full cream milk - i prefer to be able to chose the coffee i want rather than have someone else decide how i should drink it... on the plus side good on'm for using Yarra Valley roasted coffee beans. If you are the arty type who has a keen interested in consuming organic foods then this is prob the place for you... for those who like a bit of space and variety perhaps this is not a great choice for you.
Tucked away in the middle of the town, this charming cafe is a gem! Narrow yet cosy interior, where 1950's jazz music helps set the scene. A delish antipasto platter was shared between the two of us. An array of jams, chocolates, oils and syrups are also sold. Excellent and friendly service. Will definitely return!
Great coffee, great food, tiny place but great for brunch
D-D-Deeeelicious! We took a spontaneous drive to Healsville & gave our tastebuds the ride of their life! Best baked eggs we've ever had & the continental board more than satisfied my pregnant belly. And the coffee... Perfection! Can't wait to go back again & again to sample it all. Do yourself a favour and check it out!
Fabulous service, coffee and food. Essenza was a great find - thanks to the signage on the footpath pointing us in the right direction. We were cheerfully welcomed by staff as soon as we entered and we loved the rustic look of the place with all the baked goods on "reach out and touch" display. Although it did not have the appearance of being child friendly, our two girls were warmly welcomed and well catered for. Essenza's coffee options are limited (eg. no decaf or skinny milk) but they were flexible within the boundaries of their menu. Lots of local produce is also available to buy to take home. This was the perfect place for us to have morning tea on a cold, wintery day. Thankyou.
Coffee was great along with the muffin. Will be back.
Love it!. Love the panini for lunch - I go regularly and the quality and service is always excellent. Just wish they would offer coffees in a mug - I feel a bit of a pig when I order my second cup:)
Cool Setup. Went here for breakfast on a recommendation and was not let down. Such a cool little place with great use of space.
Coffee was good and food was really enjoyable. Good use of local produce shows and was enjoyed by us all. Baked eggs were well cooked and seasoned, granola was so fresh and loved the sweetness of the honey and blueberries.
Friendly atmosphere worth a visit.
Great little eatery!. We went here for mother's day and ordered the spiced hot chocolates (with real orange rind) and paninis. All together, good value for money. The paninis were filled well and flavoursome. would recommend for brunch/lunch. Very friendly and attentive wait staff. I would go here again.
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