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Vertue Coffee Roasters is nestled in a hidden lane way behind a gas station in Carlton. It's one of the most beautiful brunch cafes I've ever visited in Melbourne. It's often packed with locals but high ceiling and natural light give off that warm vibrant vibes. Not to mention, I really like its industrial rustic interior :) I usually get 'Truffle Mushroom Toastie' here because it's probably the most cost efficient dish they have haha. I can't remember the exact price but I paid under $15 together with a cup of latte. It came with a side of curly fries which was a huge plus! Toastie itself was pretty good although I doubt they used real truffle - but it did have that truffle-like scent. Definitely worth a visit!
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Vertue Coffee Roasters is a wonderful hidden gem café in Carlton! The food is delicious.
🔆LOCATION🔆
Vertue café is situated on a super hidden alley off Elgin Street, next to Shell petrol station (Coles Express) on the corner of Lygon & Elgin.
As you walk through the alley next to the petrol station, walk to the end and turn right. You will then see a small laneway with outdoor seating with partial cover from colour umbrella’s. As soon as you enter inside its a little dark but you can smell the lovely fresh roasted coffee aroma which is inviting if you’re a coffee lover. When you walk further inside, you see large coffee roaster in the centre and two separate sections of seating to the left and right with nice natural lighting.
🔆SERVICE🔆
The staff here are friendly and service is very prompt. Ordering and delivery of drinks and meals are quite efficient. The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable.
🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
Chai Panna Cotta, $17.00
(Wattleseed vegan granola, stewed rhubarb, seasonal fruit, Granny Smith apple compote, cinnamon crisp)
🔆VERDICT🔆
The Chai Panna Cotta was absolutely amazing! Even before the dish was placed on the table I could smell the lovely chai aroma. The panna cotta was perfect, with good wobble and nice consistency. The delicious roasted vegan granola tasted soo good with the fresh fruit and apple compote. The cinnamon crisp was a lovely sweet flavour, a great combination of flavours! Yum!
Alisha (LifeUnleashed)
+5
A Hidden Escape from the Busy Melbourne CBD
We visited Vertue Coffee for breakfast on a Tuesday. It was a challenge to find the cafe as it really is hidden, but it was such an experience when we did find it.
Walking in was really great, I loved the whole vibe.
We enjoyed the Pea Smash, a fantastic vegan option filled with vibrant greeny goodness.
We smashed into the delicious take of Eggs Benny... this dish was something else. Mac N Cheese croquettes... Ham hock.... and poached eggs! The absolute dream and it was so mouth-wateringly delicious. Highly recommended!!
We finished our meal with the gloriously perfect Panna Cotta that had a crunchy granola base and fresh fruits to top.
Overall, a fantastic visit. The staff were wonderful, the food was very tasty and we’ll be sure to return. When we’re near the area again.
Coffee was good while the food wasn’t.
Coffee at the corner with great options. Loved their decor. Must visit place for a cafe explorer
Melbourne Lifestyle Blog
+4
Overall M loves this place. She admits she probably won't order the harissa eggs next time. This is. a big statement for M who had me going to the same restaurant, for the same. udon noodle soup, for two years, before I finally snapped. The harissa eggs were not such a dish for her –. nice to try but only once with so many other vego options on the menu. She loved
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
WOW! We had a great experience at Vertue Coffee.
Loved the décor and layout, so bright and light and beautiful.
The coffee is amazing too. I tried a Cold Brew - top notch.
My lunch dish was divine!! I tried the Super Greens with added tofu. There was coconut tzatziki and pumpkin hummus with loads of greens. The flavours were great and it was so filling!
You gotta visit this place if you're in Carlton!
Follow the sign and it will lead you to coffee. I absolutely loved my visit to this cafe the presentation was amazing and the upstairs seating definitely makes it more relaxed and private. Coming downstairs afterwards the place was full which is a great sight. My only negative is signage isn't grest as you need to know about this place otherwise you won't stumble upon it.
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If you’re after a peak Melbourne experience then Vertue is a great place to visit. The cafe is in a beautifully converted warehouse in a semi-hidden location (follow the cute signs), they roast and sell their own fantastic coffee (their filtered was the best I’ve had!) and serve really interesting dishes with super unique flavours.
We had the Chai Pannacotta ($16) with wattleseed vegan granola, stewed rhubarb, Granny Smith apple compote and cinnamon crisps. I loved the strong flavour of the chai in the pannacotta and would definitely recommend this dish to chai fans. And the super interesting Caramel Corn French Toast ($21) with espresso soaked brioche topped with sweet corn ice cream, salted caramel, balsamic reduction and popcorn. This dish had a lot of great flavours but something about it all together didn’t hit the mark for me (and I usually love savoury desserts!).
Overall Vertue is a great cafe and I love that they’re trying new things that are quite unique in the crowded Melb cafe scene. And their coffee is seriously good so I would definitely return to try more of their menu!
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On a sunny day, who wouldn’t want to spend it brunching at Vertue Coffee in Carlton. With the smell of coffee and amazing food I was put in a good mood immediately.
I went for the ‘Pea Smash’ with minted smashed peas, sourdough grain toast, hummus, toasted pepita and dukkah. I loved he sourdough as it was perfectly crunchy on the ended and soft in the middle. It worked so well with the smashed peas and runny poached egg. I seriously did not want this dish to end.
My friend went for the ‘Inca Salad’ which was made up of Organic quinoa, pickled cauliflower & avocado, cashew cheese, shredded kale, sweet corn, baby carrot and toasted pepita. The perfect summer dish.
The last dish was the ‘Fennel Salmon’. A perfectly crispy skin salmon with fennel seeds, pumpkin & fennel puree, curried potato pakora and pickled onion. The balance of flavours between the tartness of the pickled onion and the richness of the salmon made this dish to remember.
Tucked away down an alley in Carlton, this place is undoubtably a Melbourne hotspot that cannot be missed
Jessica Brisbane Foodie
+5
Great coffee and breakfast options. Have been here twice and the food has been really taste. The service is friendly and they have great cocktails. I tried the gin coffee cocktail and it was interesting and refreshing.
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
+4
We have been here many times and still like to come back. The cafe has a big coffee roaster in the middle of the cafe which is pretty cool. Today we had some drinks and 2 dishes: mushroom and grilled salmon. The food was delicious. The pink pear juice was refreshing too.
Was invited here by a friend and everything we tried was exceptional. The umami mushrooms was exactly how it's named, full of savoury goodness 🤤. The harrisa scramble with added fried chicken was recommended by the waitress and it and it was delish although it wasn't hot at all. I loved the addition of Vietnamese mint to add some freshness to the dish. Finally the chai panna cotta. The chai flavour was bold and the panna had a perfect smooth consistency. I find sometimes a panna cotta dish with granola can be a tad dry but the apple compote and stewed rhubarb was the perfect addition to counter that.
Overall I had an amazing brekkie here and would recommend.
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This has to be one of the best brunch spots in Melbourne. I visited recently and had the most amazing experience The cafe is hidden away, tucked nicely down a little alley. The cafe is beautiful inside with a great ambiance.
The menu is outstanding for both food and coffee, my friend and I were so happy with the selection. Our coffees were perfect, my friend had the filtered and I had a double ristretto skinny latte. My latte was full bodied and smooth, the strength was spot on.
My friend and I shared the Chai Panacotta, Harissa Scrambled with Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Umami Mushroom with avocado with cashew cheese, all dishes were flawless. The panacotta had a nice jiggle and the taste of chia was very prominent, the fruits and compote in this dish excellent. The harissa scrambled was just divine, the spice of the harissa perfect and the fried chicken was the perfect addition. This dish had so many flavours going on, it was amazing. Lastly, the umami mushroom which was vibrant and so appealing to the eyes and tastebuds! There were so many mushies and they were so yum, I loved the cornbread as you don't see this on menu's and it was a nice change to your standard breads. The avocado with cashew cheese was tasty, very original.
A definite visit if you are thinking of coming, I really loved my visit here. Thank you for the invite we had such a fab time.
Standard back alley Melbourne brunch place 😂
LOVED:
🔸The pork belly dish, succulent meat with crispy skin
🔸The pork belly dish also had super soft meat but crispy skin
🔸Fresh and crunchy apple salad with my prawn toast
🔸Decadent espresso french toast, tasty and super pretty
🔸The large serving of toast and scrambled eggs
TIPS/FEEDBACK
🔹Don't be afraid to walk through the servo to find this brunch place in the back alley, it's there, I promise 😂
One of my favorite brunch spots in Carlton. The food here has always been of quality. I ordered both the Mac n Cheese and french toast. I would definitely recommend the Mac n Cheese over the french toast. Was slightly disappointed that they didn’t have their hot cakes available from the last time I was here, and the table I was seated at next to the walls was quite dusty which was a bit of a turnoff but other than that it was a good experience.
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😱Lizzie’s first impression: I came back here after many years and nothing has changed - still so lively on the weekend and the best spot to have brunch. This time - the food was even better. I love the interior of this place - they even have a coffee roaster in there! How impressive.
🍩Lizzie enjoyed: Loved everything on their menu - to the point where I was struggling to decide between a few items. Alas, I came down to three, the waffles, the salmon and the fritters.
Everything was so colourful - the dishes were so aesthetically pleasing.
First up was the Return of the Mac (and not just because I love the song hah), I love mac and cheese croquette and this one was extra large and crunchy. There was a beetroot bernaise which made it even better with the Hamhock.
Next up we had the Fennal Salmon dish - now I understand why people order this in the restaurants because I don't think I can ever make this at home. It was simple delicious and impeccable. The crispiness of the salmon skin with the pumpkin and fennel puree matched well when a lemon was squeezed over it. I was left in awe and will always remember this dish to be a highlight!
The dessert we had was the caramel corn french toast - think cruncy caramel popcorn with salted caramel and a deliciously well cooked french toast. Exactly what I want from a sweet brunch dish.
🍅Lizzie did not enjoy: N/A
🥇Lizzie rates overall: I loved coming back here and I will be time and time again because of its consistency of quality of food and of staff. What a perfect start to the weekend!
Came here for a weekday brunch. We both ordered the umami mushroom (halloumi added). Very good meal and service was quick too.
I visited at lunchtime and the cafe was half empty probably because of Grand Finals. The service was very fast and friendly, and I loved my dish (return of the Mac)! I loved the presentation and the taste. I think I will return to try the other dishes!
Please note that there is a 10% weekend surcharge.
Vertue is the definition of a hidden gem.
Tucked away behind a petrol station, you'd expect it to be a small spot. That's why I was stunned to walk into a contemporary styled, cavernous space. Gorgeous flowers and greenery clung to the walls and despite being inside, the natural lighting was incredible.
The food was next level. We had the Caramel Corn French Toast, the favours were amazing, I really enjoyed the sweet corn ice cream most of all. We also had the Tiramisu Waffles which were the most lovely flavour, special mention to the uniquely wonderful mandarin curd!
Precious Anand ( The Indie Foodie)
+5
Now this is the epitome of a 'hipster cafe'- hidden away in a questionable looking back alley next to a petrol station one would think to themselves, "where the hell am i being taken?" but worry not, a few more steps and you will be greeted with one of the most picturesque cafes in the melbourne area! One step in and you're immersed in a spectacular architectural space filled to the ceiling with amazing artwork, brick walls and beautiful hanging plants that make the space feel so open and welcoming.
We were greeted kindly by our waiter and taken to our seat where we were given an interesting, extensive menu. The menu featured dishes such as the caramel corn french toast, which is an amazingly sweet french toast topped with caramel popcorn and amazing balsamic reduction with a side of popcorn ice cream. Also featured on the menu is the return of the mac which is a crazy twist on your classic eggs benny. Slow braised ham hock, beetroot puree, beetroot bernaise and a poached egg are sat atop two mac and cheese croquettes. This is one pretty instagrammable dish filling your feed with a splash of pink! Not to mention, it is absolutely delicious!!
I would one hundred percent recommend everyone to visit this amazing cafe, it is a true Melbourne experience!
Went on a sunny Saturday so we sat outside enjoying the beautiful day. I came here a few years ago and havent been back since, very happy that friends chose this place. I had the panda cotta and it was light and refreshing on a warm day like this. Friend's waffle seems average, they didnt enjoy their dish quite as I did. Also need to mention my panna cotta was soooo pretty, like wow I have to take a photo pretty lol. Service was very quick and friendly!
The interior design is really nice ~~ the salmon is nice too ~~however the waiting time is bit long~~long black is bit different, choose carefully
Service, food, coffee, atmosphere - all on point. Been there twice not and had great experiences both times. Most items on the menu are interesting and flavorful. One of my fave brunch places now.
I popped into Vertue Roastery in Carlton the other day and was shocked that such a huge venue existed nestled in a little lane way behind a petrol station.
We ordered the caramel corn French toast, tiramisu waffles and the chilli scrambled eggs. I was skeptical about en caramel corn French toast but it was absolutely mind blowing. The flavour combination was just perfect. The chilli scrambled eggs were also great with a rich flavour. I felt the waffles and the tiramisu didn’t blend as well as I’d hoped but they were still tasty!
Easily the best coffee I’ve tasted in Melbourne.
Pretty cool vibes. A bit of a hidden cafe further from city centre. Who doesn’t love a hidden cafe. Food was decent. Great coffee. Staff were friendly enough.
4.5. Really enjoyed our breakfast this morning, we had the harissa scrambled eggs and the smashed peas on sourdough. Loved the flavours of both dishes and nice to have some items on the menu that are a bit different from the norm . Coffee was good too. They just need to make the place a bit more cosy in winter, starting with turning off the ceiling fans. Also don’t like the weekend surcharge, wouldn’t be surprised that it catches some customers off guard.
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Tucked away on Raffa Place in Carlton is this amazing brunch spot and is known to many for their amazing coffee. Their coffee beans are roasted on site each week, you know they take their coffee seriously.
It was a nice fit out as there were tables outside for sunny days and nice graffiti drawings along the wall as you walk into the roastery area.The cafe was filled with natural light and there were lovely greeneris around the seating area which made it look like a hanging garden.
There was a good selection on the menu and wine and cocktail section for those who would like a boozy brunch. They use Monarch hot chocolate and you know you can't go wrong.
We decided on the Super Greens, Inca Salad, Umami Mushroom and Chai Panna Cotta. The Umami mushroom was definitely the highlight for me as it had a good mix of mushrooms with a truffle foam. The porcini powder gave it the extra flavour and tasted amazing.
The chai panna Cotta was something different and it had just the right balance with crunchy textures and fresh fruits to keep the dish fresh. They have a whole young coconut which was fresh and is perfect after the meal.
The presentation of each dish was spot on and we absolutely loved it. Love how they focus on true customer experience in making sure their customers have an enjoyable meal.
Vertue Coffee Roasters is definitely one of Carlton's best establishments for excellent coffee.
Admittedly, it was slightly difficult to find as it is tucked in a corner of a petrol station.
The space was very bright and cosy.
Staff were super friendly!
The coffees and chai latte are the best.
The food was a bit of a hit or miss.
The chicken burger is excellent- large portions, yummy chicken and super crispy fries.
The waffles was good but not as crispy and the batter was slightly more thick for my liking.
The pork belly dish was very pretty but portion too tiny.
The return of the mac was way too salty, yet lacking flavour.
The pricing is also slightly higher than usual.
I am keen to come back for their drinks and burger!
Timothy Rohith Bharath
+4
Excellent place for brunch. Had the tamarind prawn toast with the apple coconut salad and a sunny side up egg. The curly fries also were really good. Really enjoyed the food and I highly recommend it. The staff were very very nice and this place is a must visit.
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We were kindly invited to brunch at Vertue Coffwe Roasters. We arrived at 2pm on a Saturday and there was a line out the door. I really like the interior of the cafe with the plant walls and high ceilings.
The staff were very friendly and explained the menu to us.
We ordered the umami mushrooms, the super greens and the chai panna cotta.
The umami mushrooms came with house made corn bread, poached eggs, mushrooms, kale, beetroot and truffle foam. It was delicious and very umami. I loved that they served it with corn bread instead of the usual toast. The egg was poached beautifully with a runny yolk.
The super greens was brocollini, kale, braised & roasted cauliflower, black rice, pumpkin puree and coconut tzatziki. It was fresh with multiple layers of textures and flavours.
The chai panna cotta was not only stunning to look at but also had multiple layers of flavours and textures. The panna cotta was perfectly jiggly. The dish was also perfectly balanced.
All the dishes were delicious and presented beautifully, I could not fault a thing. I highly recommend this cafe!
Thank you Vertue Coffee Roasters for your generosity!
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This place is seriously a hidden gem in Carlton. It is pretty hard to find if you haven't previously Google imaged this place, but once you find it - you will not regret it!
We started off with some drinks:
1. Single Origin Coffee - Brazil Sao Silvestre PB with peanut, fruit mince, melon, vanilla and dried raspberry taste. Sounded amazing but this was my friend's drink so I didn't taste it, therefore can't comment on it. He said that it was a fruity berry taste and did not require milk or sugar. Normally if the coffee is bad he has to add sugar or milk.
2. Bounty Monarch Hot Chocolate - It says milk chocolate and coconut milk but it tasted a bit bitter like it was dark chocolate. It was very rich with chocolate and wasn't too sweet.
Food we ordered:
1. Tiramisu Waffles with tiramisu, mandarin curd, chocolate soil and strawberry coulis with Buttermilk Fried Chicken (wow what!) - Everything tasted amazing in this dish! Loved the crunchy waffles and the tiramisu was just perfectly soaked with espresso and mascapone layers. The buttermilk fried chicken was just so tender and nice. It really matched with the waffles bringing a balance of sweet and savoury.
2. Return of the Mac - These are house made mac & cheese croquettes, with slow braised ham hock, beetroot puree, poached egg and beetroot bearnaise. Their version of eggs Benedict. The poached egg was cooked perfectly with the yolk flow. The croquettes were really crunchy and creamy. It reminded me of hash browns. First time i've had mac and cheese in a croquette.
3. Caramel corn french toast - Espresso soaked brioche french toast, sweet corn ice cream, salted caramel, balsamic reduction and popcorn. This dish looked so amazing and it was a huge french toast portion. Looked like a work of art! It was also nice and bitter but not as sweet. Great for those who do not like it too sweet.
This place changes its menu every 3-4 months so even though I have been here about a year or two ago, the menu now is totally different to when I first came and so I'll need to keep coming back to try their new inventions!
Thank you Vertue Coffee Roasters for the invite and great breakfast.
Will come back for:
+ Umami Mushroom
+ Tiramisu Waffle
This cafe is “hidden” behind a tiny lane just beside the Shell petrol station. As far as the food goes, it’s pretty impressive. Dishes looked great, but more importantly tasted balanced and delicious. I particularly liked the umami Mushroom, which was delightfully textural, satisfyingly velvety and certainly packed with umami flavour. We also shared the fennel salmon which was another good dish (the salmon was perfectly cooked). The tiramisu waffle was a great way to round off the brunch (not too sweet) with a crunchy waffle, and loads of curds, tiramisu and coulis to delight the taste buds. Was it worth getting a little lost to find this place, then 15 minutes in a queue and another 15 minutes for food? Probably. But make sure you are not in a rush or hurry. The place was busy on a Saturday morning and to be expected. I will certainly be back.
I can only speak for the sweet dishes, but they were really tasty! The French toast (my dish) was great and so soft. The popcorn was a strange addition, but really added a great texture. I tried my friends' chai pudding which had a strong chai flavour (although the compote was tasted a little strange) and the waffles which were super delicious and a must try for any sweet tooth. Curly fries are also tasty. At first, it seemed sketchy because it was so hidden, but actually interior is nice and service is friendly :). Great for brunch.
Great service, amazing menu, delicious coffee, and a Melbourne industrial vibe atmosphere. A place to definitely return to! I chose the tamarind prawn toast with young coconut apple slaw. Such great textures and flavours. Felt like I was eating a fresh take on Pad Thai. I tried my son’s dish of tiramisu waffles with a side of fried chicken and everything was cooked perfectly with incredible flavour. Super attentive, friendly and quick service made it a pleasure to dine here.
If you go behind bp, you'll find this little gem. The guy who served our table was super friendly to the point that we really enjoyed the chat. The food looked exactly how they've been advertised so there was no disappointment in that visual department. It felt like we waited for longer than what you'd normally expect elsewhere. It wasn't long enough for us to ask the waiter for an eta or to the point of hangriness, but long enough for the question to pop in my mind a couple of times. The food (pork belly) tasted great, but I wasn't wowed by the flavours. Perhaps I need to come back and try something else and hopefully not have to wait as long to have to wonder when the food was coming.
We heard a lot about this place so today we decided to give it a go..
Pretty much hidden away in the alleyway so if you are unfamiliar with the area you may be in for a bit of treasure hunt..
Well 'treasure hunt' is most appropriate reference for this place as we were not at all disappointed.. Not even a single ounce..
Food was great and service was immaculate..
Brad was serving us.. He is an absolute delight. Gem of a guy..
I give this place a 5 Star rating with no gun pointed to my head..
A nice little place, fun to discover, hidden next to a shell station. Took us some time to get seated. I ordered the fried chicken burger. The bun was beautiful. Being a fried chicken burger it was not oily -great!! Delicious. Loved the curly fries. A bit expensive, but tummy filling.
The strong coffee bean aroma welcome you as you step in. Great coffee and good food. Love the ambience and great service. This will be my regular go to coffee place. Recommended to coffee lovers.
4/5 service
3/5 value
4/5 food
Ordered:
- Umami Mushroom
- Returns of the Mac
- Salmon Fusion
- Crispy Pork Belly (must try)
The pork belly is so good, the skin is crispy and the inside is juicy, peas a bit too much although blend well together with all the components. I get the crispy, mushy and flavorful taste in a bite. Next time if i want pork belly, will get it from here and maybe try the pastry stuff, by the cashier.
The price a bit high for all the food and not all of them good. Service is pretty good even though food is a bit long until come. The waiter come and go a few time so its easy to call them when needed. We ate on the second floor. The place is also cute and instagramable so are the food.
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French kiss ($20)
Fried chicken burger ($22)
Big boss ($23)
Overall ⭐️ 4.5/5 ⭐️
🍴Pretty & cosy cafe hidden away near the shell station that has great service, comfortable ambience, and yummy food. Our favourite was the #frenchkiss which was a fluffy brioche French toast that had a nice crisp outer layer to provide some texture. The accompanying charcoal ice cream had an almost shaved ice texture and the mix of ginger crumble and walnut praline with strawberry coulis was highly delicious and enjoyable. We could find no fault in it and would definitely return for it. The big boss was a generous portion suitable for those who like variety and with big appetites. It came with two poached eggs, spicy chorizo, grilled halloumi, lots of tomato and beans, and a creamy tzataki. The burger was also a bit portion and came with curly fries but personally, it paled compared to the other dishes. The flavours were more common and the fried chicken could have been crispier. #vertuecoffee also roasts their own coffee and the large cappuccino ($5.50) was HUGE, making it really worth it (and probably good for sharing among 2). It was a bit acidic initially when served but after cooling down, it revealed a nice nutty aroma that was enjoyable.
📍@vertuecoffee, 8 Raffa Place Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
They do amazing coffees , try cold brew ! Food is awesome too, I tried a couple dishes , nothing to complain yet . Funky set up , relaxing staffs . Highly recommended
Tucked away in an alleyway, once you enter, it’s a delightful cafe. Only had takeaway coffees. The long black was acidic and the latte was great. If you like acidic coffee, this place is for you!🤗
📝: Hidden away in the small corner of the gas station, Vertue Coffee Roasters bustles with brunchers from morning till afternoon. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a selection of delicious meals in the industrial stylish brick room, brightly lit by natural light.
❤️: It’s a sweettooth Sunday! Buttermilk waffles, textures of raspberry, chocolate soil, mascarpone, and our childhood favorite—popping candy. Satiate your sugar cravings with this colorful plate. If you’re up for it, there’s also an option to add buttermilk fried chicken.
House made crispy mac n’ cheese croquettes, slow cooked ham hock so soft it melts in your mouth, splashed with beetroot puree, and finished off with a too of perfectly cooked poach egg drizzled with beetroot béarnaise.
Little warehouse style cafe hidden in a small laneway. Have a few not so common menu items which are worth exploring. Flavour wise are nice but not wow. Good vibe.
Been here a few times however never reviewed so having been there recently - it’s time.
Had the Umami mushroom with added avocado & cashew cream. This was incredible and so satisfying. Just UMAMI BOMB! The mushrooms were SUPER juicy, Truffle foam was unique, lots of flavor and the corn bread was something different than just the norm (although nothing wrong with normal bread!!).
Also ordered the Harissa scramble (no picture apologies) which was a really big serving (wonder how many eggs they used!!! Haha) and the chilli/harissa spices complimented the eggs so well. Sauce was really spicy too actually which was surprising for a bunch place like this! Added the fried chicken because it was too tempting not too.
Presentation AND food 10/10. Hard to find these places!!!
Also- try the dark mocha and thank me later :) just good quality food and drinks overall.
We had the Big boss and Waffle on, it was by far the best combination of sweet and savoury topped off with great coffee. The Waffle on had sparkling bits in it whilst the Big Boss has a mild spice on its sausage. Overall it’s a 5/5
Tried this cafe on Sunday 21st April and I just love it. The interior is rustic and the whole open cafe concept with natural light is mesmerising. I ordered Harrisa Scrambled eggs and chicken burgers and boy! The quantity and quality of the food is just amazing. A must visit if you're in Carlton or nearby.
I have a penchant for quaint, boutique cafes. So whenever I travel to a new place, I am always looking out for good cafes in the neighbourhood. So after my Indonesia trip, I landed in Australia - Melbourne to be precise - and got coffee huntin. Vertue was a blessed discovery!
The aroma of coffee beans welcomes you as you step in the place! I had their flat white, along with some chai latte too, as I wanted to ses how Australia treats theie chai. Both the beverages were brewed to perfection.
My Key Three Pointers
* This is a secret hideaway, that you should find
* Coffee roasted fresh on premises.
* Coffee is a big part, but the food also speaks volumes
Behind a petrol station tucked away on a lane , the hidden building is a cafe you will be happy to discover. Beautiful old building, that has been jazzed up perfectly and still pays homage to the old. The coffee is taken seriously and you will find beautiful machinery in the center roasting coffee. You can also purchase your own brew to take home. The menu is also interesting and I don’t usually opt for a sweet desert but the brioche French toast was something I was drawn to. It was delicious. The crispy chicken burger also hit the spot for husband and overall we left extremely satisfied.
Went here with three other friends. Was good! Mine was pea smash, it’s vegan. I added mushrooms on the side. Holy moly IT IS SO SALTY BRO !!! Why the chef put so much salt in it!!!! ☹️☹️☹️even my friends agreed, so salty....
They had chia pudding, burger, pork belly. Were all nice, except the mushrooms...gosh....
😍 LOVED
Atmosphere
Presentation
Friendly services
Food was delicious
😖 DISLIKED
It was a little difficult to find
I loved everything about this place! The presentation of all of their food looked amazing. I would definitely recommend the French toast. There was also plenty of customisable options also.
Definitively one of my favourite brunch spots.
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Umami mushroom seemed like a popular choice for Vertue restaurant goers on instagram. As such... it was a must have for me!
Ordered:
🍄 Umami Mushroom (v) (gf): new season mushroom, house baked corn bread, kale, poached egg, truffle foam, beetroot, porcini powder ($21.00)
Review:
Vertue's Umami mushroom dish was absolutely unreal.
My favourite element of the dish was the truffle foam - incredibly umami (think of that soy sauce taste) so it was a perfect accompaniment to the mushrooms.
Corn bread was also a great alternative to your usual thick sourdough at brunch places. It adds another subtle flavour to the dish, without overwhelming the earthy mushrooms.
Kale was yum. It gives a different flavour and cuts through the chunky mushrooms. There is definitely some potential for the kale to be fried though!
Unlike typical brunch place dishes which may overwhelm you with all its additions, Vertue made mushrooms its centre and added elements to it. This is much appreciated and noticed!
The service is touch and go. They did check up how well the food was (which is awesome!) but as we were sitting outside and it was packed, we were at the mercy of the waiter's memory.
Overall, Vertue is a great place if you could beat the rush. Would highly recommend the Umami Mushroom dish as well!
This cafe is very difficult to find, the little lane is next to the petrol station. For such difficult to find cafe, there are a lot customer. The environment is bit noisy to me, but the main course is excellent. They are beautiful presented, and taste delicious. But the desert, Portuguese tart is so so. The pastries is not crispy and too sweet for me.
It’s a cool hidden place, but worth finding. We will certainly go back to try all the dishes. They all look amazing. We tried the waffles and big boss. A lovely mix of flavors.
Probably one of my favourite brunch places with great coffee and food! Location was close to my uni as well so it was easy to drop by for brunch and head to class afterwards
Ace #vegan options. The Inca salad was simply exquisite. Coffee was pretty good too. Downside: Had to wait for quite some
time for table. Perhaps this downside (for us) is a sign of how popular this place really is 😉 Definitely recommend!
Joanne | Melbournecitay
+4
Fantastic food and where to find it - right here at vertue! Its not located along the Main Street - you have to turn a corner and look for the “coffee here” sign. Love the natural light in this building - really gives out good vibes. I enjoyed my crispy pork belly and my Friend has the umami mushroom. The corn bread was so yummy. Everything was quite perfect - I thought the coffee would have been as good as the famous ones in the city but it was slightly lukewarm. Would def come back and bring everyone - giving the coffee a second chance!
What a hidden gem! Hiding away down a little alley way & then opens into spacious glory.
The staff were brilliant & the food was amazing. Gluten free friendly options. High chairs available. Diverse menu with both savoury & sweet options, and then tops it off with scrummy pastry options at the register. Recommend & we will be back!
Brilliant coffee and food. Friendly staff. Great ambience. We came on a Sunday morning, waited in line for around 15 min for a table. Service wasn't particularly quick, not extremely slow (didn't look at the time). The unami mushroom was good.
Great cafe is located in hidden place.
It's hard to find even if I used google map, so I was happy to find here finally. Just got a takeaway coffee, but the inside the store is elegant and spacious, so will have some food at the table next time!
Pretty decent place to grab some lunch and a cup of coffee. Really groovy setup that’s got a nice cozy feel inside and it’s down an alleyway that’s hidden from the rest of the city which is cool.
I’ve been here a couple times and I think it’s a good place to eat out, but I’d definitely recommend coming with a group of friends rather than on your own.
Great coffee! The indoor area can get a bit loud. Outdoor seating looked nicer, would recommend booking that on a nice day :)
Food was really good, it took a while to come but was worth the wait! We got the Harissa Scramble and Tofu Scramble. Highly recommend both.
Location can be a bit weird, it feels like you’re walking down a weird unassuming alley. It’s right behind the petrol pump, just follow the coffee signs.
Second time coming here! We (4 of us) ordered one meal and one drink for each person. The food was great and aligned with our expectations, we were amazed by the presentation of each dish, looked like paintings!
Though it was lunch time, it wasn’t too busy. But because they were understaffed, we had to wait a bit to get our orders in. Staff there were very friendly, we definitely had a great time!
Nice semi hidden spot in Carlton. Great coffee and brunch options. Easy to get to by tram so you don't have to deal with street parking.
Loved the music, atmosphere and food at Vertue! It took us awhile to find the cafe as the entrance is not super obvious. It was also not too busy on a weekday late lunch, and our food came relatively quickly. We had the umami mushrooms on cornbread and harissa scrambled eggs on sourdough with a mac & cheese croquette on the side. Both were really good and portions are substantial for 2 dishes to be shared amongst 3!
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