Review Mad Duck Cafe - Melbourne

My friend and I went for brunch on Wednesday morning around 11am and unfortunately we had a terrible experience. The waitress working was soo rude and really didnt want to be there. She took our order taking 30 minutes for coffee and 45 minutes for food to come out. And it was very quiet. We couldnt even ask the waitress what was going on because she was walking around avoiding our table.. just after everything came out. Food tasting old and yuck. The waitress went to the table behinde us where no one was sitting took her shoes off and starting scratching in between her toes. We were really put off by this did not help with trying to enjoy food and coffee at all :(

I have never experienced such a shocking experience at a cafe. 45 min for coffee to come out and worst breakfast I’ve ever had!!! Tasted horrible and my partner didn’t even get what he asked for! Staff were horrible and didn’t provide any good customer service! I will never be going back!!

Good coffee and good location.

Great service, prompt and helpful. Friendly service staff. Had Eggs Royale and Soy Latte. Food was good and eggs benedict were well cooked. As I was sharing food with a friend, the staff apportioned the food accordingly without us asking! Quiet location near the marina. Tables and chairs a little worn out, but great experience nonetheless.

Mad Duck make the best coffee in Yarra's Edge and every single one of their staff are so friendly! Their food is delicious too, with really generous portions. They really make every customer feel like a local and friend, and service is always accompanied by a smile!

I buy my morning coffee from this shop. The location is quite nice. Coffee is consistently good. Medium coffee is $4.50. They have a small selection of sandwiches.

Great coffee, amazing breakfast and good service! You may see a few aussie celebrities here too.

Very nice place and location…one of the best coffee place..must try…support local..

Decided to visit this cafe as it’s in the neighbourhood and had good recent reviews. However I wish I read further down and saw the reviews about the bad quality and rude service attitude. <br/><br/>When I walked in, the staff simply stood behind the bar and did not even greet us even though making eye contact and made us stand there for a while. Then the owner/manager came and sat us down.<br/><br/>We ordered our food and apparently it was their most popular dishes. Their “most popular” dishes were something you could make at home yourself but could even make better. There was no flavour, no seasoning. Plainly egg scramble with chunks of salmon on toast. It looked very unappealing too.<br/><br/>Unfortunately, won’t be returning as the owner/manager seems to take pride these dishes that simply do not meet the mark for even an average cafe dish. Maybe think about changing chefs?

Nice comfortable spot to get some lunch. Love their pasta, really nice serving and was not expensive.

$16.90 for some cubes of avocado, cubes of feta and a few cherry tomatoes, thrown on top of toast. What a rip off. Save your money and don't eat here.

Great value, simple good quality food, friendly staff, clean restaurant, fantastic view, love coming here on weekends and enjoying breakfast with our friends

This café seems to have changed as it no longer has a (good) lunch  menu. Why has it eliminated those choices? The choices may have have been too extensive, but it still begs the question as to why the menu has been chopped so extensively?What's happened?

Great place to enjoy a peaceful morning with beautiful views, friendly service and great coffee. Food is quite good value as well and Chef Special menu always surprises me. Meat pies and pasta are popular.

Standard run of the mill breakfast cafe offering classic dishes that are from the 90’s, Spruking that you use free range eggs is great but I’m pretty sure 95% of cafes would do this nowadays.

Went to the Mad Duck Cafe for the first time with no expectations. This cafe actually has quite a great menu, lots of options to choose from. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and was surprised it was so quiet. I found the food to be simple but done well. The view of the waterfront was beautiful to look out on.

Did very much enjoy the breakfast at Mad Duck cafe. By looks it was nothing special but it was a tasty spinach cheese omelette. Staff was friendly. It felt like it was a common breakfast spot fot locals.

Great news! <br/>Mad Duck has new owners thank goodness <br/><br/>They are lovely, the place is always busy now ,great coffee good food and friendly service<br/><br/>Great to be back to my local cafe

Best restaurant in the docklands area for breakfast. Reasonably priced and great tasting food. Each time I have eaten here, the food has always been consistently good.

Had breakfast this morning at Mad Duck Cafe and ordered their Feta and Avocado Toast (fresh avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta & a touch of coriander mixed with our very own lemon dressing served on organic sour-dough toast) including 2 poached eggs for $17.90. I found the quantity more than sufficient for a light breakfast and it was served within 15 minutes of ordering (something completely different to add to my usual egg based breakfasts), I really enjoyed the avocado & feta cubes contrasting flavour combination. Service provision was good but I specifically asked for firm eggs and I was served runny eggs (the waitress just didn't listen). The background music was at a suitable level.<br/><br/>The Juror's Verdict: Food 3.5-4/5, Service Provision 2.5/5, Will I return: Maybe<br/><br/>Phill Jury (food critic & writer)

Unbeatable coffee and food with beautiful view in that area, my favourite place to go for coffee and brunch after shopping in south wharf DFO or just after a relaxing walk in the waterfront. It has great outdoor seating and pet friendly as well. Definitely will go regularly.

Came with my mum, and we absolutely loved it. Service was great, too frequent in fact, the fisherman's platter was more than enough for 2. And the atmosphere was brilliant for a brunch place. Would come again. Would bring mum again.

Went to this venue this morning for coffee and a muffin. The food is great and the coffee was fantastic. Looking forward to coming back. The staff were very friendly too!

The reply from the manager is really rude and insulting saying that "if you cannot afford 9.9 for pumpkin soup then the cafe is not for you!"<br/><br/>Your ignorance cannot make your business go very far!<br/><br/><br/>Visited several times for takeaway cafe, it is nice. But you will be charged for transaction fee if you use card payment.<br/><br/>For the food, the pumpkin soup is nice, but a little bit pricey. Chicken risotto is really flavorless. Mad duck big breakfast is just too much in portion. Not that recommend for food, but staffs are really nice!

I have been a regular at this place for a very long time but I must agree with the last review that I also like this place but I have also noticed that the man who is also an owner had been very very rude for the last couple of months. He thinks he is doing the customers a favour by them going to his cafe . Without the proper customer service he will not see them back again. Young man you have lost my family and friends who supported your business for the last 2 years. Don't be so rude and as the previous review wrote if you don't like people your in the wrong business.<br/>

It's a funny contradiction I actually like this place, it's my local cafe that I take my son to every weekend. But this morning I walked out, the very nasty little man that runs the door quite simply should not be in hospitality, I have thought this for some time, but this morning it really hit home. <br/><br/>My friend if you don't like people you are in the wrong business, you have lost my business, my family and my friends, we all live in the area and love real hospitality. <br/><br/>I very rarely post negative reviews, but your attitude and approach to customer service was quite simply rude and arrogant.<br/><br/>Thanks Nick Burgess <br/><br/>

One of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. After spotting The Mad Duck on a morning walk around South Wharf we decided to come back and order breakfast. Fast and Friendly service while still feeling relaxed. I had the Avocado and Feta on toast with a poached egg and my husband had Eggs Bene. Both were fresh and flavourful. Can't wait to head back to Melbourne and visit again.

My babes and I went to service my car at Subaru Docklands on Lorimer Street. After we dropped off the car, we started to get hungry and I was surprised to find out that the upstairs cafe near the showroom had been removed. After walking amongst the surrounding apartments of South Wharf, we ended up at a cafe that seemed very popular with locals called the Mad Duck Cafe.<br/>We were seated a few minutes before the breakfast menu ended at 11 AM so I ordered the Scrambled Eggs With Salmon & Dill sprinkled with black pepper and my babes ordered the Breakfast Burger and a Hash Brown. Our food was served within 10 minutes and, although the presentation wasn't the best, we were hoping that the effort was present in the flavours.<br/>I was surprised at how fragrant the dill was which complemented the flavoursome salmon and cracked black pepper of my breakfast. The buttered toasted sourdough beneath the scrambled eggs was a little tough to chew but it was good enough to leave me satisfied.<br/>My babes burger looked very plain, as it was a fried egg, caramelised onion and bacon in a lightly toasted sesame seed burger bun, but I liked how simple it was. The egg was perfectly fried with a runny yolk but I would've preferred the bacon to be a little more crispy. Although my babes Hash Brown looked like it came from a packet, it was cooked really well. It was crunchy without it being oily and actually was quite enjoyable.<br/>My babes and I didn't have the most delicious breakfast at the Mad Duck Cafe but it was enjoyable and did its job in satiating our hunger. We enjoyed the short walk back to Subaru in the sunshine and we would return here the next time we serviced my car.

I gave this place a 5 because I can't fault it. The location is great, service was friendly, our orders were taken quickly without being rushed and they also came out relatively quickly. The food was nice and they offered cracked pepper, which you don’t really see at a café. Taking AMEX was a bonus.

Had a great Father's Day brunch today, service was friendly, food was delish. Good size portions and good consistency with all the meals.  In a bit of an odd location, not easy to find, but was still very busy.  Ideal summer location.

Enjoyable enough, but nothing special enough to bring me back. I had the avocado on toast. It was okay, but I've had many better avocado dishes. I think it was just that everything on the toast was really cold and needed a bit more flavour. Ingredients were fresh tasting. Coffee was good. Service was good.

Class act!. This has become a local favorite for us and never ceases to be awesome! The food here is consistent every time and the attention to customer service is phenomenal and the staff always very friendly! Love each and every visit! Excellent work guys - keep it up!

Food is good. But "Organic"? I don't think so.. I had the frittata lunch special. It was lovely. Coffee was good. Service was lovely and friendly. But "organic" croissant really? LOL. Common guys, it's a standard cafe menu, a good tasty menu, but let's not jump on the "organic" band wagon just because it's popular. You serve nourishing tasty meals and the service is wonderful. Let's just leave it as that and not be pretentious :) x

Best cafe on the river, ben going 2+ times a week for over 2 years. Fantastic. They offer big variety of food, cakes, tarts, including organic & other healthy dishes.<br/>Good staff (often travellers on work visas, with good hospitality experience), who try to learn all customers' names from day 1.<br/>Service is efficient & all orders delivered strictly in the order taken.<br/>Complementary chilled water, replenished automatically when bottle's empty.<br/>Wise to book if wanting lunch on a sunny day!<br/>We hate it whenever they're closed (private functions, some public holidays), as no cafe nearby compares.

Amazing!. Great food, coffee, staff, atmosphere and location! Nothing like lunch on the pier at the Mad Duck!

Great atmosphere !. Had brunch with my husband, where there was great service and friendly staff. Made brunch very delightful with delicious Food.

Great breakfast. Excellent café. Great food and service! Definitely worth stopping in.... well done guys!!!

Couldn't ask for a better cafe to be my local. Great coffee & great service with a real friendly neighbourhood customer service feel... Love how they open on public holidays also. Keep up the great work guys :-)

Big thumbs up :). Had the most wonderful brunch here with my friends. Coffee and food was delicious. Service was great, and efficient! It is so rare these days to walk away and feel really pleased with a meal, AND the service and the dining experience on a whole. Thank you to the staff, I will definitely return whenever in the area!

Eggs Benedict. Big plate makes meal look small. Hollandaise was okay, tasted a bit of a curry flavor? English waitress was fantastic.

A must visit. The qualit.... A must visit. <br/><br/>The quality of the food at this cafe is of very high standard and what's more the staff are efficient, attentive and considerate. Today one of the staff came over to close our window shade because he thought it was too sunny. They were also very careful to ensure we enjoyed our meals and the coffee was made just right, with care. I understand they use some organic ingredients too. Great location too, overlooking the waterfront but I was too busy reading the free paper :) will go back

Lovely coffee and brekky. Enjoy the coffee and muesli from this nice cafe. Friendly staff also.

Starting to visit here on a weekly basis and can't fault both breakfast and lunch meals. Service is always friendly and prices are reasonable. Tried the beef burger yesterday and this is definitely a must have!

So lucky this is my local. The food is always fresh and delicious, I come here at least once a week. <br/>Tell me your secrets, as avocados are seasonal however whenever I come here they're perfect.. Nearly frustrating how they get them so good every time. Same with the poached eggs. <br/>Sizes of the meals wont disappoint, no matter the appetite. <br/>Coffee is good, can depend on who makes it however I think they know whos got it down pat. <br/>Service is great, friendly, the boys really know how to run the show with great example for their staff. <br/>See you in the morning guys!

Fiona. Absolutely love this cafe. They make the best coffee in Melbourne, the food is always fresh and delicious and the staff and service are excellent! The perfect place to sit on the marina on a sunny day and take in Melbourne - coffee in the morning & wine in the afternoon - what more could you want??

Breakfast here was traditional, fresh and tasty, and great value. Will be back.

Excellent!. Lovely cafe, live just in the next tower along so go here because location is perfect, the staff are friendly and the coffee is nice. best place to go on a sunny winters day :)

Lost my business. I arranged to meet my 5 friends early this morning at Mad Duck before taking our boat out. I didn't have any coin to pay for the parking $8.00 and my friends were still 30 minutes away so I asked if it would be alright If I ordered breakfast and they gave me the money I required. I was told rudely by the guy at the counter that they don't do 'cash outs'. I could have explained I was meeting a further 5 people for breakfast or i'm sure my friends would have had the money to repay them however the reception I received left me with no intention to stay. Busier and better cafe's are a short stroll under the bridge towards the city. I'll make sure I have $8.00 tomorrow but will give Mad Duck Cafe a miss from now on.

Went there today for a team lunch. Really enjoyed my beef salad. The staff were friendly and accommodating even offering the breakfast menu for lunch and split the bill.

Excellent. Great friendly staff and the food is excellent, love the beef salad with mustard sauce! Will be back!

Friendly service, good food great views. My wife & I often ride our bikes to this great little cafe for lunch. The views are great looking at the city & the boats. The staff are always friendly and the food simple but flavoursome. It is a great place to eat breakfast or lunch on a sunny day and is well protected from the south winds unlike new quay. It is dog friendly and is open Sunday. only criticalsm is they could do with some more table and chairs outside as you often have to wait for a table and i think they could definitely fit more in without it being to squashed.

Not Impressed. I've been going to Mad Duck foe a while now - Consistency - I don't think they know how to spell it - One day OK - a couple of days later bad news. I've given up and won't be back. Sorry guys but with the prices ( on the up side for the quality of what's provided) I'm moving on.

TOAST & AVACADO..LOVE IT!. This is my favourite dish by far - fresh avacado / fetta / cherry tomatoes on toast. add smoked salmon 10/10

Visit the cafe often since I live and work very close by. The location is second to none and the owners are smiley/welcoming, but the coffee is often disappointing and the food varies from great to poor. Badly needs consistency. Home made pies on a good day are very nice indeed.

Best coffee in the area and very friendly staff.

By far the best food ever!! Always different, always fresh, always damn delicious!! Good work guys

Mad Duck Cafe. At the western end of the River Esplanade (near Spencer St), is a little cafe with friendly service, excellent, reasonably priced food, lovely views of the city skyline and an all round pleasant place to have lunch. With the marina on its doorstep, it's a place worth checking out. I had the brie & mushroom arancini - <br/>Fried crumbed rice balls with brie and mushroom with traditional Napoli sauce served with salad.

Great day. I organised Mothers day at the mad duck cafe for my mother and grandmother, who both have very traditional tastes. Mad duck had a fantastic menu for breakfast and lunch, and their meals were some of the best quality I have ever had at very reasonable prices, considering that their rent must be quiet high for that area. The view of the boats moored in the docklands was wonderful to see as we sat comfortably at our table. Service wasnt over the top, along with not making us wait for any of our requests. They even gave my nana a white rose and complimentary chocolates for all. I will be definately going back there and recommending all my friends to do the same. Thanks Mad Duck for a wonderful day. Cheers.

Coffee break / lunch 26032012. Found ourselves in the area..went in for a quick bite. I had the coffee and a florentine GREAT!... my wife had the salmon patties with salad also quite nice...if in the area again, a place to revisit... great staff, couldn't do enough for us...

Love the Duck!. The best cafe south of the river! great food and service

Java 2.9(scale1-5) friendly

Top place - love the relaxed atmosphere, excellent coffee, great menu, friendly service - travel from Sydney a fair bit and this is one of my favorite Melbourne places to meet, eat or just read the paper

My fave place in Docklands. Love this cafe, both under the previous owners and now the new owners. Warm, friendlym, delicious and Adelle's coffee making skills are tops. The best view too. :)

Under new ownership, but it took 1.5hrs to get breakfast. I also ordered the pancakes, & got just one pancake that was burnt. Not going back in a hurry!

Very up and down on all accounts, food, service, quality. Generally good but could use a little attention to detail.

Consistency???. Of my three visits to this cafe I have consistently encountered coffee that is too milky or burnt, an overpriced menu, staff who look as though they'd rather be doing anything else in the world than dealing with you, and food that takes too long to arrive. Man, what a grumpy guts! But really, given the amount of money we tend to part with at cafes these days I think a certain level of expectation isn't unreasonable. Plus, it's a competitive industry, right? So if they want to impress new customers so that they become regulars, it's worth getting these things right!

Fantastic Breakfast! Eggs are cooked to Perfection!

Fantastic coffee and the breaky menu is amazing 5 star

Delicious new breakfast menu. I really enjoyed the pancakes. Very good coffee.