Review Embassy Taxi Cafe - Melbourne

OK Anzac Day, visiting friends near North Melbourne train station, desperate for coffee but cant see anything open til spot good old Embassy cabs 24 hour cafe!! Yay. Thank you, flat white and soy latte delicious. Also in a blast from the past noticed their food menu had ham steak and pineapple!!

Best thing going for this place is that they are open 24 hours, which is good for people who work all hours. They have an all day breakfast menu, which is what I ordered from. Unfortunately the food was mediocre at best for the price, I try to find the best things about the places I review but I have to be honest as well. Good place to go as a last resort when everything else is either too far or closed.

This place has been around for years, a Melbourne institution. Open 24 hours so good for late night feed. Food is very basic burgers and chips. Unfortunately the place has not adapted with the times, prices have gone up. Cash only in this day and age...they must be struggling.

Great food especiallyfor a 24 hour diner, very friendly service, food was hot quick and tasty. Cash only but there is an ATM with a $2.90 service fee.

Basic but great foods. Everything was just right. Definitely visiting again, maybe often:) --- Third visit. Still too good! Everything is just right!!!

Always a great steak sandwich at the Embassy in Spencer Street Melbourne, anytime day or night. They serve coffee, breakfast, hamburgers, grills and salads. You can even try their “Open Burger with the lot”. Although on my last visit after ordering my regular steak sandwich I asked if they could please refill my drink bottle and I was told “no they couldn’t do that and if I wanted to have it refilled I would have to use the toilet”. I mentioned that doesn’t seem to be OH&S, but was then told the taps in the toilets are the same as here (*behind the counter). This 24/7 venue is cash only (no eftpos) although there is an ATM out the left of the front door which will charge you for the privilege of cash withdrawals.

I had some fish and chips, was basic but really nice. Customer service was outstanding too! Will definitely be going back!

This place has been here longer than I have been alive. If its 2am and you are sick of all the kebab stands. One of the few food alternatives at that time of the morning

No frills 24hr place serving meals for when you’re hungry and everywhere else is closed. I got the steak sandwich with bacon and eggs, it was really satisfying. Service was decent and polite.

Great burger place! I ordered the burger with the lot and chips. The burger tastes so good with kind of charcoal/smoke smell. The bun is full of texture and flavor, while the patty and other fillings are just as good and juicy as well. I will highly recommend this place!

When you walk into here don't expect modern flashy decor, just good old fashioned fish and chip style burgers that remind me of Andrews burgers. Now whilst not as good as them they are still a fantastic option to try. The lot with a single patty is the go to here

NO EFTPOS but a very handy ATM out the front that charges 2.90 per transaction!<br/><br/>Food isnt too bad but couldn't over power the flavour of just getting screwed for not having cash<br/><br/><br/>

Great old fashioned style tasty burgers along with yummy chips , potato cakes and even good steamed dim sims and milk shakes. Not at all fine dining but great fresh tasty food . I was pleasantly surprised that’s for sure!!! <br/>Would recommend if that’s what your looking for too!

Came here because it was open 24/7. My friends and I ordered drinks but some were not too happy with theirs. The milkshake was not flavoursome enough and was too milky.

The steak is not prime quality cut as there have been customers who have returned them due to toughness of the meet. The quality of the hamburgers is dependant on who is cooking on the grill. There are no vegetarian options on the menu. Toilet facilities are disgusting for a 24/7 establishment. The airconditioning is non existant on hot days at it is like a sauna. There is no provision for vegetarians. Coffee is of the cheapest quality and of a non known brand. There is NO EFTPOS FACILITY apart from ATM outside which slugs a fee of $2.80 to withdraw cash. Give it a miss as there are better and cheaper places around offering a better variety of food.

'Best.burgers.in.Melbourrrne.' Uttered some munter one night to me as I was leaving.. with a burger.. ah yeah thanks for the heads up genius. The burgers hark back to when fish and chip shops were your only option for a burger- you will not be served your burger on a stupid wooden board with a tiny imitation chip fryer full of fries, and you wont queue for half an hour, which is why it is great. Unless you're a taxi driver who bathes in ciggie butts and enjoys sniffing b.o then you grab your burger/ steak sanga/ bacon and egg sandwich and a dozen potato cakes and get the hell out of there.. once home I like to add my own iceburg lettuce and mayo, because their lettuce is shit. There's guilt that comes with eating from embassy (I like to go under the cover of darkness in the wee hours), but it is an exquisite, honest and greasy guilt to be relished for those in the know..

Absolutely love this place, cheap and cheerful and open 24/7, great for late night stop in for a quick burger and chips or early breakfast with a bacon and egg sandwich.<br/><br/>Relaxed, comfortable and definitely come as you are. Embassy rocks.

How good is this place?! Open 24/7 for the last 342 years, with pretty much the same menu and faces behind the counter from way back when. The steak sandwich is the hero here, no sourdough, grain fed wagyu, vine ripened tomatoes, imported Edam and house made chutney palaver here! You get an honest steak loaded between two slices of supermarket white toast stuffed with the goods, tomatoes, fried onions, lettuce, bacon, egg, processed cheese and sauce. Sit down at the table with a cuppa, grab your sandwich in both hands and view the 3am shenanigans of the clientele. Lots of other things on the menu, even a mixed grill (a taste of Australia in the '50s.) Long may the Embassy Taxi Cafe reign.

Always a favourite stop when near the city! The dims Sims and burgers are second to done! I personally love thier Bacon and egg sandwiches! My father on law has been heading here for years traveling over from deer park!

Great burgers and at a great price! Can still feel healthy after eating them! Oh yeah, and add in a few steamed dim sims! Also can make any burger you want! No annoying set menu!

After hearing all the hype from my work colleagues l visited this place last Wednesday night, 8/8/2016 after work. I ordered 2 Steak Sandwichs to take away and would have to say i was very dissappointed at the quality of the meat. Neither my housemate nor l could eat them. It was tough and was clearly not Scotch Fillet. I should know coming from a family of Butchers. It was clearly second grade Blade or Round steak as Scotch Fillet cut does not have any fat or nerve running through it. I would not be coming here again and would advise the management to get a new Butcher. I am making this comment as there is a sign on the door as you walk in asking you to comment about them on this site and so l have done so.

Embassy cafe was my hot spot for a late night burger back before the days when Melbourne was burger crazy, and have lost count at all the times I used to go past on the way home after a night out. I have been going for over 10 years and the quality has stayed the same since my first visit. The burgers are freshly toasted and go well together with a few steamed dim sims.

Best greaseball burger you can find. Every time I eat one of these burgers, I feel my heart struggling to pump the fat around my body. I don't want to encourage obesity or spread heart disease but I strongly recommend each and every person on earth to eat here at least once.

I haven't been here for a while but I'm guessing a place like this rarely changes. It used to be a particular late night favourite of ours after a night out. It's nothing fancy but always delivers. It can get seedy there, especially at 2am, which can be part of the fun unless they start to bother you. Don't expect friendly service. This isn't a problem for me. Late at night, I'm sure the owners have seen their share of trouble, so they are no-nonsense. I probably wouldn't go here for a burger during the day, so it's big appeal is that it never sleeps.

Best steak sandwich before or after the footy at Etihad! Old school hamburgers are the best! Still got it after all these years! Walking distance to Etihad and festival hall!

Cheap, easy, greasy food. What more could you possibly want. I absolutely love coming here with my dad after s night out or just for fun. The people who own the joint are so nice and the food is delicious, what you would expect from a place like this, great toasties and burgers and the pricing is great, it reminds you of your childhood coming here as the food is what you used to have, the han and cheese toastie is a must, the plastic cheese makes it! 10/10 would most definitely recommend!

Food is okay. Not too bad. Is tasty. Is best cafe after friday and Saturday drink. A little pricy for me.. The service was so-so. Everything is okay. Not bad.

If you're looking for a gourmet burger then broaden your search. ETC certainly serves up a good burger, but certainly not a memorable one. Having said that, the prices aren't memorable either which is a good thing. So in summary if you're looking for a hearty 'no nonsense' burger late one night ETC is your man :)

Love this place. One of Melbourne's best burgers. Get a hamburger with cheese and bacon, wow! None of this brioche new age crap, but good quality old fashioned hamburgers cooked well. Some of the best chips in town too, nice and crunchy on the outside, soft and mushy on the inside. Great place especially in the middle of the night when nothing else is open but crappy Maccas.

Disgusting coffee, no vegeterian options on menu. Hamburgers are dry and tasteless. Overall dissatified with my experience at this place. Give it a miss.

Huge burgers! Love getting the deluxe burger with the lot including cheese. The tomatoes are a bit soft and the bacon is a bit too salty for my liking but it's still good for me. Toasted sandwiches weren't that good though and the lamb souvlaki was pretty average as well. More of a go to burger joint

You get drunk, you and your mates stumble to Embassy. You can't remember it very well but when you burp you know you ate a burger and steamed dimmies with soy sauce. It is what it is. +1 for not changing and the massage chairs.

The absolutely best thing about Embassy Cafe is that no matter what time, day or night, you go to this place, they never fail to deliver consistently fresh, delicious food! Serve crispy yummy chips every time and their burgers are fantastic! As are their coffees! An institution for Melbournians I think!

Inconsistent. I've been a big fan of this place for years. The last several times I've been here though I've been disappointed. I think the short order cook must have changed and the burgers are often dry. I want it to be old style delicious but I think I'll stay away for a while

Not Value formoney. Had not been to this place for a couple of years due to work commitments interstate and overseas and was back to Melbourne and suggested to colleagues we should to come here for lunch on Thursday 30/05/15. What a major disappointment after having given the place such a good rap. The renovations look good but the hamburgers left a lot to be desired. Unlike the old days when you got a nice juicy burger cooked to perfection. The meat patty was tasteless and dry, seemed to be more fat than meat in the mince. And the coffee was not good just to say the least!!! The prices have increased and the quality gone down. There was nothing really on the menu that came close to healthy.Management should really seriously take a look at keeping up with other eateries and include some healthy choices and even some vegetarian alternatives. After discussing the menu over lunch and seeing the surrounding worksites, maybe even the inclusion of some fast foods such as Pies, Pasties, Hot Dogs etc wouldn't go astray. I remember coming here late at night after going clubbing and there wasn't a seat available, after chatting with our driver he told us that those days are long gone and apart from a few loyal regulars the place has basically lost all its patronage late at night and from what l saw, the day as well. Such a shame though, this place could still have great potential with the right changes.

Good honest fish and chip shop style burger. Welcoming diner-style haunt that is an institution in the area. nothing gourmet here...just good honest delicious food. double beef burger was salty and delicious. staff were as sweet as sugar. love its simplicity

Is it worth the hype?<br/><br/>Sadly no. Although I have been told that this place has a tendency of being inconsistent, perhaps it was just their ‘off day’. Actually now that I think about it, the cashier did mix up my milkshake order and gave me a strawberry instead of chocolate. But as I said, shit happens. No biggie.<br/><br/>

it’s open 24 hours and so frequented by cab drivers that Urbanspoon calls it “Embassy Taxi Cafe”

Established in 1962 and open 24 hours a day, Embassy Cafe is a haven for cabbies, clubbers and shift workers. The decor is modest; with plastic chairs, lino floor and fluro lighting. You'll even find cigarettes for sale behind the counter... A flashback t

Critical Observation.. This place has not changed its menu for years and is lagging behind on what the customers actually want. The prices go up and the quality down. Some of the staff are rude and ignorant and have no people skills. On two occasions l have witnessed one particular night staff member coughing over food when taking to tables, this is also another turn off. Also you get watered down vinegar, blended chicken salt (basically salt added to it that it is white). Also staff handle money or have a cigarette then handle food without washing hands. The male toilets are sub standard and dirty. Although the renovations look good, the patronage has gone down. Sime of the regular niggt patrons can be quite entertaining when listening to their conversations and observations. Management really need to re-assess the staffing situation and maybe consider changes to both staff and menu if they want to increase business and keep up with the times.

Retired Taxi Driver. As a retired Taxi driver who has been to this cafe every night since 1972. I still go there and yes the food has not changed only the staff some good some bad and the prices goes up every year. A great place to go, meet friends or when the early morning munchies attack

"No Dogs Allowed" signs even in outdoor area?. Was looking for somewhere for us to have lunch today.<br/><br/>Even though I didn't have my dog with me I figured any place with two prominent "No Dogs Allowed" signs outside their outdoor area can't be too friendly.<br/><br/>We kept walking.

Best burgers. Best burgers in Melbourne. highly recommend checking it out !!!

Not bad. Everything a 24hr cafe should be. The new seating area out the front in clean and inviting with a TV and fountains. Feels cosy. And staff are all very nice. Not cheap, but worth it for the fact they are always open.

Have been eating burgers there for many years and will be returning for many more. Great feed

WHAT A GREAT BURGER !!!!!!!!.  Great burger, not oily, fresh, tasty, clean & fast !! The boys have been flippin burgers for years, love the mixed grill when your hungry, nice cold coke..................happy days !!

Burger Ad Chips. This hamburger isn't anything fancy like the trendy ones at so many American-style joints around town. But it's juicy, freshly cooked and they served it to me at 4-freaking-30 a.m. How good is that?!? Chips were decent too. Thank goodness this place exists.<br/><br/><br/>-----29 Apr, 2014-----<br/><br/>Burger and chips for brekky, FTW!. Ever since I first read about this joint on Urbanspoon, I've been wanting to try it to feel the vibe of a 24-hour diner. The notion of having a hamburger and hot chips with my morning coffee seems sort of naughty. I work a lot of shifts at hospitals where I go on duty at 0700, so I'm getting to know the wee-hours coffee spots all over the Melbourne area. I reckoned Embassy is one of the cornerstones of that market niche. So one morning when I had advance notice of some work on the psycho ward at the hospital in Epping, I set the alarm for 4 a.m. instead of my usual 0500 and rode up Spencer on my pushbike so I could have a big feed before I caught a train.<br/><br/>There weren't as many derro characters here as I expected. Maybe that was because it was 5:15 on a Tuesday when I rocked up. Not prime drunk and disorderly time? Embassy seems to draw a lot of regulars; truckies, cab drivers, some who appeared to be average folks from the neighbourhood. Lots of first-name-basis chatter between the staff and back-and-forth amongst the punters. It struck me as a friendly, down-home place. It's bright and clean inside, too, not dark and sinister.<br/><br/>So I had my burger for brekky, big thrill. I'm not going to hold it to high standards. I did not go for gourmet food. It was a large thin patty, slice of cheese on top, shredded lettuce mixed with fried onions. Like what you'd get in 1964. The chips were good -- hot and crisp. My flat white was strong, exactly what I wanted at that hour, not over-espressed or bitter. The combo cost me $16, a trifle pricey for what it was, but I'm happy to have tried Embassy. The waitress said they don't have any limits to what they make at any hour -- full menu available, day and night. I would have no hesitation hitting this place again when I'm on the wind-down phase of a partying night out.

Fast and extremely friendly service, cheap food and massive servings!

The "Taxi Hamburger". I started as a trainee at ABC Radio (corner of William St and Lonsdale St; now Law Courts) in the early 80s and "Taxi Hamburger" was our regular haunt. Late shift; early shift; overnight shift; other fast food joints came and went: this hasn't changed much in thirty years and I'm glad. If you changed the recipe it wouldn't be a "Taxi Hamburger"; and that's why we keep coming back.<br/>Favourite burger? Plain with tomato and onion, no butter on the bun (they're juicy enough!).

Late night love.

Yepp. That is all!. This place is not a burger joint, it is an institution! Love these burgers, double bacon triple cheese, enough said!<br/><br/>Just a tip: Before or after a game of footy or soccer at Etihad Stadium, this place is a must

Extremely pricely, bad staff. Food is ok. Extremely pricey though. Probably better options elsewhere to be honest if you head towards closer into the city and you can find just as good and cheaper options. Staff isn't particularly nice either. Very rude and stingy. Tried to get some tissues and they said I grabbed too much.<br/><br/>For the price they charge? Seriously.

Hit or Miss. Another Fish and Chip shop style burger joint. <br/>Great value but can be a little hit or miss depending on who's driving the grill, the thinness of the patty's means they can dry out if cooked too long and they don't toast the rolls which can get soggy if you don't scarf the burger down as soon as you get it but a good option if you need to soak up any excess alcohol. <br/>You'd better like the smell of steamed dimmies too as you can smell em all the way out in the street.

Great Value. CLASSIC BURGERS. Everyone should make burgers this good. Can it get any better?? Does it need to be?? Oh and open 24 hours a day means to me always FRESH

Best Burgers in Town!!!!!!. Honestly these are the best burgers in Melbourne. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Top Burger! Awesome chips...... Top Burger!<br/>Awesome chips...<br/>Regards<br/>Tom Larson

What a let down. I was so excited to try this after reading the reviews. Salty and dry patty and barely cooked chips. Average.

More people should know about this place, because the burgers are that amazing!

Reminiscent. It has the same flavour texture and ingredients as a fish and chip shop burger that was standard in the 80's and 90's - maybe earlier, but I'm not old enough to know. I wasn't a massive fan of them back then (always preferred homemade), but now I love it. They are simple cheap ($7.50 with the lot) and delicious.<br/>Go and try it because I reckon the skyline of apartments is encroaching on this part of Melbourne. Then you will only have memories and regrets. Mainly regrets probably.

Im a regular and i love Embassy.......even better than mums cooking.....the steamed dimmies and burgers are like being in heaven! i love u Embassy

Good stuff. Part of this place's charm is that, except for a flashy TV on one wall and some new-ish Coke fridges, you really could be back in another decade. I doubt much has changed here and I LOVED that almost every other patron here was a taxi driver. The burger was terrific, the chips a little less so. The dim sims are scarcely orthodox, but who the hell cares when they're so tasty? One of those spots you're happy to find, and happier to visit again.

Old style burgers. I use to come here 18 years ago after a night out in the city when king st was a club strip not a strip club, then I starting coming back 10 years ago when I starting dating boy from that side town now I'm back again not only does it bring back wonderful memories it's still a great burger (for what they are, nothing more nothing less). The lady owner if your lucky enough to be served by her is always lovely and helpful. Im guilty of having Maccas late after a big night out and forgetting how a real burger and chips taste like, thanks for that. Ps. don't forget to pick up a box of water for $8 lol.

Again great burgers !!! Gr.... Again great burgers !!! <br/>Great service <br/>McDonalds could learn a thing or two about good food from here

Great burgers. We often find ourselves hungry at like 9pm -10 pm and its too late to go to a restaurant so we go to Embassy ( my partner Vic calls it Ma's ) we always have burger and chips and always love it. I tell everyone they are the best hamburgers in Melbourne as i truly believe they are...

Awesome takeaway. Don't stuff around after a few beers, just go there and have steamed dim sims with real soy sauce (strong), great burgers, in fact some of the best takeaway burgers in Melbourne (not hipster burgers but old fashioned ones)...

Great Burger. I was a regular at Embassy in my younger years, almost weekly in fact. Now I try to make it back every month or so.<br/><br/>The burger her is a ripper. Plain and simple, yet tasty and loaded with everything you want.<br/><br/>My only complaint is that its hit and miss with cheese when you order a burger with the lot... some times you get it, some times you don't.<br/><br/>The shop itself is old, and probably in need of a refurb, but the burgers are a tried and true recipe, constantly bringing back the customers.<br/><br/>They also always have steamed dimmies ready if you cant wait for a burger/sandwhich or meal.

No matter what time or what day of the year, the burgers are consitently good, really good. Probably Melbournes best burgers. My favourite is the burger with the lot, my, only complaint is that they cut the burger in half, if you like your burger in tact, you have to tell them in your best Greek accent "NO CUT!" With regards to decor & dress code, the decor is the original fit out from the 1950's, with the only sign of modernization the fluros & signage. The dress code at 3 am on a saturday is part of the spectacle that adds to the whole experience.

MeGusta. Just ate there , the burger was AMAZING.

Burger Mission. What the Embassy Taxi Café lacks in interior decoration, it certainly compensates for with its unique atmosphere and sense of nostalgia. Where else can you share a burger with a bunch of cabbies & captivating limo drivers? Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this old school diner has been doing its thing since the early 60's.<br/><br/>I headed to 'Embassy' principally to try one of their burgers with the lot, which comprise egg, bacon, tomato & onion. It's a nice burger that holds together particularly well, and is thus easy to handle. The egg & bacon components had been fried until crisp, and while the beef pattie was fine, it could have been a little more substantial. Served with a side of chips, the burger meal set me back a total of $11.<br/><br/>Maybe not the finest burger I've ever experienced, but still very enjoyable just the same.

Institution!!

Better than Andrew's- hands down!. Great tasting, non greasy burger!

The ultimate late night food stop. Amazing chips, great burgers.

Damn good burgers!

Best burgers in Melbourne!

Soulful. We've all been there at one time or another, and the journeys there are as personal as they are varied. From the seedy morning after, to the "I am STARVING!!!"s, to the "Remember that place we used to go to as kids?", everyone at one time or another just craves a tasty, juicy, hearty, no nonsense burger, to provide the desired fix. Not gourmet, not expensive, just a damn good burger to sink into. Thy name is Embassy.

It is this little takeaway place, and the burgers were decent but not spectacular as I was hoping for.

Best hamburgers in Melbourne. Better than Andrew's, better than Danny's.

F---en gold!!!