One of the best city cafes to chill out at. The product is always very good.
Best toasted croissant I have had, the cheese was well melted, bacon perfectly cooked and the tomato was a perfect ratio to the other insides. Not only this, the coffee was great! Thank you
The place transports you in time located in a cosy corner in block arcade and attended by soulful, authentic and dedicated staff. I tried the pastry fruits of the forest and I can say its is completely exquisite to my taste. Coffee feels arrogant and strong delivering you sense of capacities to take over the day as you wish served in a nicely classic decorated mug.
In the best Arcade in Australia and world. Traveller for over 40 years great great coffee beautiful surroundings relaxing mine host outstanding
Love the gelato at Barbarella! The best flavours are watermelon & mint and the salted caramel. Coffee is great too, and staff super friendly.
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Part of the group that also includes the Spring Street Grocer and Gelateria Primavera, Barbarella is a café and wine bar, as well as a gelateria. It is tucked into what was once a small laneway off the Block Arcade – the narrow space is reminiscent of cosy European cafés.
Barbarella serves an all-day breakfast menu as well as fresh rolls, paninis and pastries. And gelato.
Installed in the front marble counter are shiny lidded pozzetti, the traditional containers for keeping gelato fresh. The gelato is made by Gelateria Primavera, churned fresh and delivered each day from the gelateria’s Spring Street home. Gelateria Primavera has some of the best gelato in Melbourne, made from high quality ingredients and fresh seasonal fruit, with no additives or preservatives. The only downside is that Barbarella has just eight flavours of gelati and sorbetti.
Just eight flavours? Gelateria Primavera’s constantly changing menu normally has around two dozen. But on scanning Barbarella’s gelato menu we could see that someone has very carefully curated the day’s offerings so that there are options likely to appeal to just about everyone. A couple of traditional flavours, some non-dairy sorbetti, and some more unusual selections.
So if you don’t have the time to trek up to Spring Street, you can grab some outstanding gelato to enjoy in Melbourne’s gorgeous Block Arcade.
Popped in here for a quick bite... friendly staff.. nice cafe tucked away..ordered a chicken panini and avocado, feta, eggs on toast.
The panini was ok but the other dish was better lots of avocado nicely presented.
Didn't realize they served coffee here until today (clearly need new glasses). Lovely ambiance, friendly staff and best cup of coffee I've ever had in Melbourne. Barbarella fits in so well with the Block Arcade.
Great coffee, perfect use of an otherwise empty space, the way the café is set up reminds me of a café I visited in Naples, right down to the 50's style espresso machine. The guys working there are friendly and very attentive too.
What a welcome addition to the CBD! From the team who brought you bond store in Southbank. Offers delicious gelati, fine food and a carefully selected beer and wine list. Coffee is consistently great too. Housed in a beautiful iron structure in what was a unused laneway of the block arcade. Looks like it's been there the whole time! Staff were great, very attentive. Has some nice quiet tables at the rear if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Only suggestion is to perhaps add a low carb salad to the menu, but that's a minor gripe ;-)
Keep up the good work, I'll be back!!
What a wonderful addition to the Block Arcade. I believe the gelati is from the Spring Street store Gelateria Primavera. I can now get my favourite gelati in the heart of the city. I also had the black rice salad for lunch and it was delicious. Coffee is one of the best in the area. So excited that this place is in the middle of our beautiful city. Good luck Barbarella welcome.
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We aim to keep you up to date with what's on in Melbourne. Just opened, Barbarella is a welcome gem to the Melbourne CBD. Situated in the heritage and iconic Block Arcade this new build has respected the history. The design is beautiful and attention to detail is breathtaking. The gelato is from the team at Gelateria Primavera in Spring St, churning Melbourne's best and most authentic Italian gelato daily - using the highest quality ingredients. You will taste the difference. Salted caramel, pistachio, white chocolate & elderberry, mango & passionfruit sorbetti were only some of the flavours on offer when I visited. Open all day Barbarella is also pouring Romcaffe coffee superbly. It will quickly become the coffee hub of the CBD I'm sure. Pastries and breakfast are available along with an all day menu. Three cheese sourdough sandwich; breakfast burger; 5&dime bagels, bircher muesli, black rice salad and shredded pork brioche are some of the highlights. The wine and beer list has been put together with care and creativity. It's a unique Melbourne dining experience and a must visit. Welcome to the city Barbarella. For more of our restaurant reviews visit sub-urban.net
So beautiful. The team behind Gelateria Primavera in Spring St have brought their top rated gelati to the Block Arcade. It's hard to believe they have created this space from nothing. Don't be fooled it's not just a gelato shop. I had the best coffee and bircher muesli for breakfast. The wine and beer list is creative - I must get back there later in the day. The city desperately needed these operators in the CBD. I have found my new daily coffee haunt.
Wow! Just wow! Great set up. Great Gelati. Interesting food and wine. Just like being home in Italy. Will be back tomorrow with friends. .
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