Review Phoenix Park Cafe - Malvern

We hosted our sons first birthday party here and everything was very well organised. Debra was amazing and took care of everything for me. I love the location of the cafe and its especially beautiful in autumn. The food was really good too with lots of options available. I'd highly recommend this place for a lovely lunch (the park is really cool) and definitely for hosting parties. Thanks so much Debra!

This is the 4th time I've been here and unfortunately it seems like the lady behind the counter was having a really tough day again. Each time she's gotten my order wrong, but today she was quite rude about it. She seems to be polite to the white ladies so you might have a good experience as long as you're not brown. I asked for a salad to go (and made sure I said "to go" because I was going home to share it with my little one, I didn't want to make a mess in the cafe). I waited outside with the munchkin running around and when I came in the salad was on a plate on the table. I handed it to the lady and asked her to box it up (I was friendly) and she started ranting about how there were people waiting and how she had better things to do. She touched her mask then touched the salad and dumped it in a box (the box was upside down) and made a big show of closing it. After I said thank you she said very loudly that there were many people waiting and that I was rude. There was one lady waiting for a coffee but as she and the lady behind the counter were having a pleasant chat when I came in it didn't seem like there was a big rush. I waited for a lull in their conversation to inquire about my salad and I'm sure I wasn't rude. My other (white) mom friend has never had such an experience, nor has she had burnt coffee here, so I'm guessing it's something to do with the way I look. It is unfortunate that this place hasn't worked out since it is so close to the playground and library.

Nice cafe near the playground Has indoor and outdoor seating Hot food available and scones an d cakes and of course coffee and drinks. Can hire cafe for kids party's .inside cage has area to rf children to draw. They also do not chips.

Visited this place for a coffee and found a great spot for reading, surrounded by green garden. Lovely place

I ordered a extra strong latte with additional shots, every single shot was burnt and it was un drinkable even when I did the cardinal sin of adding sugar to try detract from the bitter beyond burnt coffee taste. Would not recommend to anyone that likes strong coffee.

Not a true cafe, more a sandwich and coffee place to watch your kids play on the amazing castle adventure playground

Nice park for young kids from 2 years and up to maybe 9 or 10. I like how the whole play ground is enclosed so the young kids can't run out easily (one way in and one way out) and the cafe is just opposite the playground which is handy.

I have only recently discovered Phoenix Park. It is a great place to play with older toddlers and up. Have only tried coffee from the cafe so far. For me, it is ok, but on the wrong side of average. I wouldnt make a special trip to get it, but it is ok for my caffeine fix while visiting the park. I am looking forward to the day I can sit around in the cafe, try the food with friends, while kids play in the playground.

This place has developed a reputation for poor service, which may explain why it was almost deserted on a sunny Sunday morning with the SUPERB playground outside crammed with the offspring of well heeled locals. The service was pleasant, but shambolic, on this occasion. The menu offers nothing which would compete with other local cafés, $8.50 for a rudimentary fruit toast is at the upper end and the coffee just okay. As a former head chef and catering manager with 20 years' experience, the potential for the right person here is HUGE!

<br/><br/>Well, I reckon this place is fine despite some of the negative press it’s received. We came here for a naming day function which had a lot of kids. The location with the play areas is perfect. I can see why a food snob wouldn’t like this place but not someone who just wanted a casual snack with the kids. The food was fine at this function. Good three point sandwiches, mini pizzas, spring rolls, different types of sausage rolls etc. The best things were the battered fish pieces which were really lovely. I had good chats to both the blond headed lady and the young blond man who’ve been discussed in multiple reviews. They were both absolutely lovely. We had a good afternoon here. I would very happily return. It’s a 3.5 for me but given there’s no half marks it has to be rounded up to a 4.

rude service, horrible coffee. I think the milk was sour. <br/>I had been really looking forward to a lovely coffee in the morning sun with my children. When I told the woman I thought the milk was sour, she poured it out but refused to refund or show any gesture of good will. Very disappointing! I won't be returning there!

Tucked away under the Phoenix Park library, and serves great coffee! A welcome treat for parents of young children who need this sort of beverage to keep them recharged enough to deal with the boundless energy of their young kids running around in Phoenix Park nearby.

All these other reviews are stupid. This place is great for a quick coffee and quick meal, it isn't very gourmet but you get what you pay for if I wanted to go to a gourmet cafe I wouldn't be looking in a park anyway. My son and daughter love eating here when we go to the park. All the other reviews are based on the owner being rude which I find stupid too as the lady is lovely so is her daughter. Please give this place a try you will not be disappointed

To be honest you are better off going hungry if this is the only place serving you. The food was terrible drinks were warm and everything was just gruby. There are more options around the area that deserve your $$<br/>

Went & had coffee & milk shake with my little girl & the coffee was the worst i've ever had!  I think they need to try there own product before serving it to people.  Its a very unfriendly place & very negative!  Is a shame as you could build it up to be a fantastic cafe & business!

This cafe has it all. It is perfectly positioned within an arms' reach of the famous phoenix park playground where you can enjoy all of the food that is freshly prepared whilst supervising your young ones. I called the owner 2 weeks in advance to book a party of 10 children and 6 adults and she scheduled me in for my date of choice and I couldn't be happier with how well it was organised. We ordered our coffees, muffins, baby chinos, cookies, pies and focaccias and it was brought out to us in a timely fashion and we all enjoyed it throughly. I particularly liked the coffee at the Phoenix park cafe and I am a harsh coffee critic. I loved the fact that after the food was consumed, the children went and played for hours while we sat comfortably whilst still supervising them and had 2 more coffees each because they were so delicious! The staff there were helpful and kind and asked us about our day which is a nice touch and something that will definitely draw me back. I have had children's parties at other out door events but this was a step up from that and was professionally handled with a lovely welcoming and familiar feel even though I hadn't been before. I would also like to note that the food we ordered was certainly not microwaved or un fresh, it all tasted beautiful and hit the spot for the kids and the adults and guess what, you can even grab a beer! All in all, I will be coming back for the coffee and the freshly made food!!!! Thank you Phoenix park cafe! 10/10 for making a little girl's party go fantastically well!

The service here is appalling. Previous reviews are actually not far from the truth when they say the lady that looks like she may own the business clearly hates people. Does not even make eye contact with you and everything seems to be a bother for her, even asking for a napkin or a drink. The other staff member was very slow. The menu is basic pretty much just canteen food/sandwiches. We ordered chicken nuggets for our son only to be told 10min later they had ran out of chicken nuggets. The place is empty and it is no surprise. The business owner has such a good opportunity here with the excellent location next to one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne and the fact that the next door council room is booked solid every weekend for kids birthday parties. Total wasted opportunity. I would not even give it one star except you have to on zomato.

So sad this place is crap. The playground near it is sooo good. Service is slow and unfriendly. Variety is a joke. Everything is basically bread and cheese or pastries. Has eftpos.

Long wait time for chips and sandwiches, but good coffee and service. Did not speak to the lady mentioned in other reviews but the young man who served us and made coffee was polite and gave great service. Good location next to the park and worth a visit for take away coffee

While I always take negative reviews with a grain of salt, I came to realise that in actual fact these hilariously negative reviews were an UNDERSTATEMENT. This is not a Cafe, it's a canteen at best. The woman that works there doesn't just hate people, she hates life. Orders were mixed up, the wait time for essentially cabinet food was horrendous and most hot food was cold at best. My commendations to the hardest worker in the kitchen: the microwave. First time I have ever seen anyone nuke someone's coffee. I really don't think there's any need to comment on the taste. The kicker here is that we were there for a children's birthday party which numbered 15, and we were blamed for all the mistakes and bad service because, get this, "you ordered too many things and you didn't prepare us for being too busy". Considering we were the only patrons there, the whole affair was just sad. An absolute shame because the kids loved the adjacent playground. Bring your own food and drink, or alternatively, you're actually not that far a drive from quite excellent cafes. Unfortunately zomato doesn't allow negative ratings because this place seriously needs to be blessed.

Bad coffee paired with non-existent customer service. I love Phoenix Park and have spent many happy hours here with the kids. Unfortunately, the service (and the coffee) received in the cafe has been consistently bad. The cafe owner is always rude and doesn't appear to like either adults or children. This cafe has so much potential but fails to deliver. Buy your coffee elsewhere and avoid the cafe at all costs.

Slow, blond older lady arrogant and should not work with children. The park was great. The cafe SHOULD top it off but unfortunately waiting almost an hour for drinks was not worth it. I had no choice but wait for it since it was paid and it didn't look like I was going anywhere while the kids were outside. The blond lady was so rude. She acted as though she hated all the children there. She should not work in a children cafe if she did not like children. Maybe she was the boss. When tea arrived no milk no sugar or honey. Coffe was horrible. Worse service ever experienced so far. Oh do not have your parties here. For the hour I sat watching my children play while I waited for drinks, I noticed she did not serve or clear the party tables. The parents and guest were clearing and one guest even had to mop water off the ground that one child had spilled. I would be embarressed if my invited guess felt they had to clean up after their child. Another parent waited for 10 mins to pay for an ice pole that was prob melted by the time the child opened it. The lady would look at everyone with cold stares.

Great environment. The Phoenix Park Cafe is a family-friendly place to relax with your friends or other family members while the kids are off enjoying the sunshine in the amazingly built playground, or having a great time in the skate park next to it. The cafe's service speed is very good on a pleasant day, and not too bad on a busy weekend. Great place to hold kids' parties. The lady running the cafe is very friendly and loves a chat, and the man, who seems to be the boyfriend, loves kids and loves having friendly conversations with the customers. The boyfriend's kids also enjoy talking to the customers and helping out. Please show your love for the park and please make a good review - I'm sure it would be much appreciated by the owners.

Handy and nice. We were planning a family get-together in Pheonix Park for Saturday but it rained. We were lucky that the cafe was open. We asked the lady to move inside and there was no problem; in fact she and the man kept the drinks and hot food coming. Very handy. We kept a tab and just paid on departure. Great view of the park from inside the bay windows. Crayons, pencils and paper inside for the kids to entertain themselves. Thanks.

Would never go there again - really shouldn't be called a cafe more like a kiosk or canteen - rude service obviously doesn't want to be there - high chairs looked like they hadn't be cleaned in over a year and they should be banned to sell the coffee they make - terrible! Such a shame when the park is fantastic!

I've been here twice now and both times the older blonde lady behind the counter who I'm assuming is the owner is so unpleasant. Both times I've gone in such a bright mood due to the park and surroundings being just fantastic, but on both occasions walked out feeling so dissapointed and gosh what a buzz kill. She's so unpleasant, unenthusiastic, snobbish, and cold. What a shame, it'd be so nice to see a cafe with a family orientated culture of staff. Big big let down!!! Will never step foot in there again!

Hidden Gem. Great cafe for cyclists and kids. Awesome playground. Make this place the end point of a long ride with kids along the bike track. Friendly service.

Cafe seemed to top of what was a great day at a fabulous childrens park. Menu was above what You'd expect from a smallish cafe, service was friendly and food arrived hot and in a fair time. On top coffee was a beautiful organic bean. Have visited 3 times at time of review and similar expirence each occasion.

Mrs. I love this playground but VERY disappointed in the cafe. They could do soooo much with it, but lady is unfriendly and doesnt seem to like children. Pity, because it is such a good venue. Please, can we improve this??

Lovely place. I stumbled across this cafe by accident. I'm just sad I hadn't found it ealier. Looking over a beautiful parkland setting, I enjoyed a very attractively priced latte and toasted sandwich which arrived promptly despite the fact that the kitchen looked to be having a busy period.<br/><br/>The woman serving me even had time for some friendly chit-chat.<br/><br/>All in all, I was most impressed.

I thought Phoenix Park Cafe was wonderful. The children's playground is huge, the park has great facilities and is a great little spot to visit. The cafe is cute, the customer service was lovely, coffee and food of a high standard and they even had a children's party on there while I visited. A very nice find. Would recommend it to anyone.

Unhappy Customers. We went to Rob Roy cafe on 15/07/2011 and we will never return. Bad customer service. The lady who collects money also makes food. Tables are dirty, lady who serves is very unfriendly, very slow service.

Coffee left much to be desired and the customer service even more so. If you can avoid this place on a Sunday I would recommend that you do!