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Such a lovely cafe hidden in Carlton North - if I live nearby, I'd honestly visit every weekend just to relax and unwind. It was a sunny day so it was the perfect weather to sit outside in their beauty cozy courtyard.
We ordered heaps: Mashed Pumpkin ($19.5), Banana Bread French Toast ($18.5), Fledge Benny ($18), Big Fledge ($23), Mushroom Medley ($19.5). Slightly cheaper than most brunch places but most importantly, they do Zomato Gold!
Mashed Pumpkin came out with halloumi, dukka, and poached egg on multigrain. Halloumi was surprisingly good and mashed pumpkin/sweet potatoe kinda tasted like Korean Pumpkin Porridge - familiar taste. It was sufficiently creamy and its presentation was just wonderful.
Highlight? Definitely, Banana Bread French Toast. It lived up to its reputation and satisfied everyone's sweet cravings with berry compote and pistachio praline. The banana bread was moist and creamy at the same time. I usually don't have a crazy sweet tooth but I definitely enjoyed it. Loved cotton on top!
Such a pleasant brunch experience and already looking forward to returning!
As a mushroom lover, this dish was beyOndDdD enjoyable! The mushrooms were juicy, the sourdough was crispy & the feta went so well w the dish. The herbs rly tied the dish together as well and added an extra touch to the overall flavor! Very very yummy overall & i’ll DEFINITELY stop by here again soon to try their mashed pumpkin dish😍
$19.50
Yesterday we visited @fledglingespresso for brunch as it was long overdue, but the wait was worth it.
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We completely enjoyed amazing dishes of our brunch and the perfect sunny afternoon of our lovely Mebourne starting off with some coffee (of course)
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You can view their photo menu on phone through @mr_yum_
We wanted to order everything but finally settled on -
*BIG FLEDGE - it had the assortment of the best - bacon, mushrooms, chorizo,baked beans, avocado, tomato, spinach, eggs & sourdough
* RUBEN SANDWICH - needs no introduction with amazing cheese & ham filling with chips
* BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST - this is one dish which is not only pretty looking but super super delish. Even though we were full, but we still managed to finished it because it was sooo good.
Living locally I have been here a few times, most of their food is great though their muesli acai bowl is really dry with very little acai and yogurt making it so hard to chew and eat.
Also the last time I visited, what I presume was the owner was sitting at table constantly asking to speak business with staff and staring at our table making it a little uncomfortable.
I will return as I love to support local business and every else I’ve ordered in the past is yummy.
Eatingtravellingcouple
+5
A LOVELY CAFE IN A QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD OF CARLTON NORTH.
Came here for a Sunday morning brunch and loved everything that this place has to offer.
We loved how there is 4 different defined area for dining which includes a lovely courtyard with plenty of lush greenery. All areas has a warmth and cosiness to them, never feeling crowded or loud despite other people being there.
We ordered the Mashed Pumpkin and The Banana French Toast and absolutely loved both dishes and no doubt we will order them again upon return. We highly recommend both dishes with both of them tasting so flavorsome with excellent presentation!
Customer service was attentive and kind. They even made recommendations which is always a lovely touch when at a cafe.
We can see why this is place gets rave reviews. Such a great cafe and experience!
Melbournemojoeats FoodBlogger
+5
True to its name in every respect, this little bird is flying high and strong just within a few months of its inception. Now a huge favorite to many local celebrities, covered by @urbanlistmelb and the likes and by foodies from all over Australia .... it's a personal delight to have seen why @fledglingespresso is regarded as one of the strongest in its game.
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Check my post on @barlogespresso for an interesting fact about this place.
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#mojolevel 5/5
Will come back for:
+ Mushroom medley
+ Banana french toast
We came here for brunch on a bright, sunny morning, and chose to sit outside in their tiny and homely little courtyard. We shared a chilli scramble egg which was generously sized and comforting, the mushroom medley which had loads of mushrooms and herbs, pops of feta served on nicely toasted sourdough. This was pretty special and something I would return for. We also shared a sweet take of the French toast. Normally, I frown upon candy floss topped dishes, but this actually works. The textures of pistachio praline, moist banana bread, mascarpone, and fruits was great. Good enough for me to forget about the candy floss on the side. We washed all of this down with a berry smoothie which was tangy and refreshing. Service was friendly and prices fair for what you get. A lovely option for a brunch spot in this part of town.
Not only was their Banana Bread French toast amazing but the atmosphere created by the warm and welcoming staff was what really made this an amazing experience. Also coffee was great!
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Been to Carlton North lately?
Admittedly, it’s one area I have little experience in. You could say, I’m a Fledgling in this area.
That’s not such a bad thing when you find a venue called Fledgling… Birds of a feather definitely do flock together at this Rathdowne Street café.
Owner Conner Cunliffe started young in hospitality, a fellow fledgling as such. He’s now made his mark in Melbourne, and showcases both his creative flair in the kitchen and behind the espresso machine.
The menu goes from one extreme to another. For those with a sweet (indulgent) tooth there’s the Raspberry Pancakes with popping chocolate and Oreos, and Banana Bread French Toast topped with vibrant pink fairy floss. While those of us who tend to hunt for something that’s nutrient rich, there’s the mushroom medley topped with a fried egg. A wholesome option is the Fledge Benny with smoked salmon and jalapenos hollandaise.
Nestle into this Carlton North hotspot, and spoil yourself with a bottomless lunch if you feel the need for a midday escape over the Christmas period.
Banana french toast was AWESOME and is MUST GET!! The waiter was super friendly and helpful in making recommendations and the decor is nice. The place is small however, so not good for big groups/prams etc.
They do not take AMEX despite being listed as an AMEX vender on the shop small promotion and the waiter was reluctant to take our Zomato gold deal because we didn't show him the code before we ordered. At that point, zomato gold was very new so it wasn't communicated clearly that we needed to show the server our code before placing an order. However- we will definitely be back and will show our zomato gold membership! ;)
Absolutely love this place! I have been multiple times in the last few years – I love that the menu doesn’t change often meaning I get to have my favourites multiple times (the pancakes and the benny!) The courtyard is a perfect and cute spot to sit as well especially when its sunny :)
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FLEDGING Espresso is a lovely cafe tucked away in Carlton north. I had the pleasure of visiting to taste their menu the other weekend and I would love to return.
The staff were kind, warm and happy to help out with any concern or question that I had. That made the entire experience all the more enjoyable for me.
I decided to try out the ‘Mashed Pumpkin’ with the most wonderful sweet potato, beetroot yoghurt, poached egg, herbs, chilli, dukkha, pomegranate on multigrain sourdough (usually comes with halloumi 😉) . A nice surprise, it was warm, flavoursome and a good change from the normal smashed avocado.
My sister, who I brought along with me, went for the ‘Banana French Toast’. This consisted of house banana bread, layered and stacked with berry compote, pistachio praline, salted caramel and mascarpone. Definitely a sweet tooth lovers dish. She was thoroughly impressed with thus dish and would definitely try it again.
Overall, a wonderful venue to visit for your weekend brunch. With an array of options they really do cater towards everyones palate.
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My Rating: 4.5
On a cold dreary Sunday morning, my friend and I headed towards Carlton area in search of a café for brunch. In viewing Zomato I came across Fledging Espresso which is on Zomato Gold.
The café is small yet quant which has a nice warmth to it. We were seated prompting (and lucky there was a table available as it was pretty busy).
🔆LOCATION🔆
Fledging Espresso is situated on Rathdowne Street, in a very residential area of Carlton North area, not far from Curtain Square.
Parking is available around the side streets.
Although the café is small, it has a nice atmosphere and if you come here on a sunny day, their courtyard is perfect way to chill and relax!
🔆SERVICE🔆
Staff was friendly and upon being seated, I advised of having Zomato Gold promotion which the waitress was very happy to advise to show upon payment when leaving. Our order was made quite fast which we were happy about as we were hungry. The Matcha Latte that I ordered was super weak and I asked if its possible to make it stronger. The waitress was very happy to take it back and got a new one made for me which was very nice. Overall customer service was fabulous.
🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
We ordered the following:
Mushroom Medley, $19.50
(mushrooms, garlic, herbs, marinated feta, fried egg on sourdough)
Zucchini Fritters, $18.50
(halloumi, zucchini, avocado, house pickled cabbage, chipotle mayo, red chilli)
Long black $4.00
Matcha maiden latte $5.50
Banana bread French toast, $18.50
(banana bread, berry compote, pistachio praline, salted caramel, mascarpone, fruit)
🔆VERDICT🔆
It’s been a while since I had any brunch meal with a fried egg and it’s a really nice change to the poached egg option which a lot of cafes have nowadays. I really enjoyed the Mushroom Medley – there were so much mushrooms in the dish, very generous serving. The garlic and herbs gave it a delicious kick and the marinated feta really rounded it off well.
My matcha latte was very weak in matcha flavour it tasted like hot milk, so I asked if they could make it stronger which they were very kind to do so and it was much much better! Delicious!
My friend who ordered the Zucchini Fritter said that it was very tasty the nice pickled cabbage and red chilli was refreshing and a good zing to the dish.
To end our meal, we ordered the Banana Bread French Toast. It is the first time I ever had anything like this and OMG! It was amazing! I highly recommend everyone to order this! There are two decent portion slices of banana Bread (which looks like French toast) and in between the 2 slices are freshly cut banana and berry compote which gave good texture and flavour when cutting through the banana bread. The plate was beautifully decorated with salted caramel sauce topped with pistachio praline which was delicious. The sweetness of both of these was a good balance with the fresh cut fruits of strawberries and kiwi fruit along with the mascarpone and the pretty pink fairy floss! Amazingly delicious and what so great is that its such a generous size dish and all the ingredients complemented so so well.
An amazing brunch meal topped with great customer service and awesome Zomato Gold deal, totally worth visiting and will definitely return for the yummy Banana Bread French Toast!
Great little spot! The chillie scrambled was amazing would definitely go back again
Perfect portions, very delish, great service, good ambience
We got a bit of everything! The pumpkin mash was super delicious! The French toast was also super yummy with a twist as they used banana bread! Definitely something unique to try
Eatandexploremelbourne
+5
Started our Saturday morning in the courtyard at this lovely cafe. Love that they provide a blanket on each table for when it gets a bit chilly. To drink, we had: a matcha latte and a caramel milkshake. Both of which we enjoyed. There are plenty of food options on the menu, we ended up ordering the raspberry pancakes, mashed pumpkin and banana bread French toast - all of which were so tasty and fulfilling!! The food came out in an appropriate time frame and delivered by the friendly waitress, who later checked up on us (and others around us) to make sure we were satisfied with everything. We had such a great brunch experience and already looking forward to returning!
We visited Fledgling Espresso for a Friday breakfast and it was a sunny day so it was the perfect weather to sit outside in their lovely courtyard. It’s located in Carlton North. It’s a lovely area where its situated and a nice place to park further away for a relaxing walk.
We chose the Zucchini Fritters, the Mashed Pumpkin and the Salmon Bagel. And for drinks we ordered a Cappuccino, Soy Chai Latte and for something refreshing a Berry Smoothie. The Zucchini Fritters were lovely! The Mashed Pumpkin was delicious and great anytime of the day. The Salmon Bagel was yummy too. Nice to have something different than the usual breakfast dishes.
The Berry Smoothie was very refreshing. Nice flavours and mixture of fresh ingredients.
We had a lovely morning devouring our brunch and would definitely visit again. We loved all the dishes.
We thank Fledgling Espress for delicious Friday brunch. All of our opinions are genuine and are based on our experience at the time of our visit.
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Rate: 4.0/5
☆彡 Came here twice for brunch, and both times got instant seating - wasn’t that busy. Small-medium sized cafe with plenty 1-1 seating available. We ordered: granola bowl ($16), chilli scramble ($19.0) and banana bread french toast ($18.5).
☆ The good:
- have ordered granola bowl twice because it’s the perfect amount/dish for those that dont have big appetites: it’s a feel-good breakfast option that also is delicious with the crunchy, golden oats/nuts and quite filling with the yoghurt. Generous in size, ESPECIALLY the peanut butter (which you can ask for without)
- banana bread french toast lives up to its name/reputation as an addictive dish that satisfies sweet (and savoury?) cravings with its salted caramel and pistachio praline - yet, not sickeningly sweet but balanced! Worth it.
- neat, clean interior
☆ Not so good:
- service can sometimes appear a bit unattentive/uninterested/hard to flag down, even when not busy - but hey i guess food quality makes up for it? :(
☆彡 Overall, would return to try rest of the attractive, mouth-watering, photogenic menu - it’s decent priced and away from rush/busy-ness of CBD ~
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Fledgling is a cute and cozy cafe located in Carlton North. Upon arrival, I immediately felt warm and welcomed by the lovely staff. We opted to sit in the courtyard at the back which was such a cute little space - perfect for summer!
Starting with the savouries - I had to try was the Zucchini Fritters after hearing so much about it - and it was amazing! The fritters were the perfect texture, not too doughy and not too mushy, and the flavour combinations just worked so well together. The chipotle mayo was absolutely heavenly. Definitely some of the best fritters you’ll find in Melbourne!
The Mashed Pumpkin was another dish that really exceeded our expectations. The mix of sweet potato and pumpkin works really well, and I love that there was a generous amount of it too. The pomegranate added a nice pop of fruitiness too. Plus halloumi - I mean, need I say more?
Finally, we tried the famous Banana Bread French Toast that everyone’s been raving about lately, and it did not disappoint! What a genius idea, combining banana bread and French toast! I love how moist and moorish the banana bread is, and it pairs perfectly with the berry compote. The mascarpone adds the perfect amount of creaminess and the pistachio praline gives a lovely crunch. There’s also plenty of fresh fruit to cut through the richness of the dish. Absolute perfection!
I had such an awesome experience at Fledgling. I would highly highly recommend visiting this cafe!
Thank you so much for having us.
I was so excited to visit Fledgling Espresso because I have heard great things about the Banana Bread French Toast, and wow, was I impressed. Two thick slices of soft and moist banana bread, cream cheese and fresh fruits - a flavour heaven that's for sure. It wasn't overly sweet, and the hint of warm spices from the banana bread made this a comforting treat.
Also delicious were the smashed pumpkin with halloumi, and the mushroom toast. Both dishes had everything going on for them. The smashed pumpkin with its earthy sweet flavours that paired perfectly with the flavour profile of the beetroot hummus, and the mushroom for the bold savoury umami flavour. Flawless execution, amazing flavours!
Here at Fledgling, I found my absolute favourite type of coffee - Kahlua latte. It was best described by another as a warm hug, and it was immensely satisfying to drink.
Delicious food, excellent coffee, gorgeous vibe - Fledgling Espresso is a must visit. Thank you for the amazing meal!
I tried Fledging Espresso through Zomato Gold and would definitely go back again and again. The service was flawless and the staff were very genuine and helpful. Parking was easy to find on a Sunday afternoon, we were greeted straight away when we entered the cafe, given menus and water as soon as we sat down, staff were ready to take our order as soon as we have them the nod. We were then given our coffee and food followed not long after. Overall the food was delicious and although there was a minor mistake with our order, staff were quick to rectify and made us feel looked after and every staff member asked us how our meals went! Fledging Espresso - if you see this, KEEP IT UP!
Food was super tasty and the cafe is really warm and cosy! Amazing service, thank you!
Nice banana bread French toast but small portion of meal
Had a beautiful lunch at Fledgling, starting with some really nice coffee. I then shared the smashed pumpkin and mushroom toasts with my friend. The first was a great combo of savoury and sweet with generous slices of haloumi and a complementary beetroot hummus. The second was an umami bomb brimming with the salty, briny flavours that I love. For dessert, we also shared the banana bread french toast. I'm not usually super into sweet brunch dishes but this one wasn't overly rich. It featured two hearty slices of banana bread and some cream cheese and fresh fruit. The fairy floss wasn't necessary as the dish is sweet enough but it does add to the look of the plate. Overall, great experience at this cute little cafe.
The chilli scrambled was the best I've had. Big call i know. The banana bread french toast looked really pretty but was very underwhelming. The eggs benedict was lovely and so was the raspberry pancake although it was a little too sweet.
This is one of the popular cafes in Melbourne and when you try out their menu you can see why! This cute cafe is located in a Victorian styled venue, with welcoming seating indoors or a bright courtyard out the back!
We enjoyed a few cocktails to start, and there are a variety that would work for anyone! If your game have the Bloody Mary, that pickle thoughhhhhh!
We had of course the banana bread French toast, now you can’t go past this! I’d even recommend it as a third dish to share. It’s worth it! The Smashed Pumpkin was a good choice and the eggs benny is a classic goody! The surprise dish was the fritters! So full of flavour!
Make sure to add it to your list!
It was really good, usually things that look amazing can be a bit of a let down sometimes when you’re eating them but the banana French toast was incredible, will be back soon!
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sweettooth or nah?
🍌 banana bread french toast
🎃 mashed pumpkin
🍐 porridge
🥑 zucchini fritters
🥕 super salad
🏚: Fledgling Espresso
📍: Carlton North
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📝: We know it’s easy to overhype brekky dishes in this town, but just sit down in the cute courtyard out back, and you’ll truly understand how amazing dishes here at Fledgling are.
❤️: The menu at Fledgling features a range of “classics with a fledgling twist”. Absolutely loved the Zucchini Fritters with halloumi, house picked cabbage, chipotle mayo, and poached egg. One of the best in town!
Also a special mention to the Mashed Pumpkin 🎃 and Sweet Potato 🍠 , yogurt, dukkha, an OOZY egg on multigrain.
Sweettooths, just head straight for the BananaBread French Toast 🍌. House banana bread, berry compote, pistachio praline, salted caramel 🍯, mascarpone, and fresh fruits 🍓.
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This café has such a great vibe! With friendly and quick service, and in addition to the varied menu - Fledgling is a fabulous café!
The smashed pumpkin was the stand out for us. With a generous serve of pumpkin and beetroot hummus, it was heaven. All our eggs were poached to perfection - we loved our visit here!
We will be back for that French Toast...
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
Fledgling Espresso is a beautiful place! Great artwork, plants, and I love the courtyard too.
I've visited a few times and the team is always super friendly. Lately it has been great to see even MORE vegan options on the menu - YAY.
We recently tried the GRANOLA BOWL, SMASHED AVO + SALAD. All super vibrant and presented so nicely!
The salad was fresh, tasty and filling! The perfect healthy lunch really. My fave was the granola bowl, with fresh fruit, acai smoothie and a massive dollop of PB. Tasted SO GOOD.
Coffees here are great too. This time I tried a yummy matcha latte.
Thanks to Connor and the team :)
Fantastic Coffee. The Irish man Adam is such a gent. Would highly recommend 10/10
AMAZING FOOD! Gorgeous presentation and amazing flavours! What a great inner city spot! You wouldn’t even know you’re in bustling Carlton! Photos speak for themselves. Will definitely return.
Came with some friends to try their famous Banana Bread French toast and my god it blew us away. The flavour combination was simply perfect and just melted in your mouth, if you're in the area and need a place to try. HIGHLY RECCOMEND.
Sweet or savoury @fledglingespresso has you covered! With their famous Banana Bread French Toast (what a combo!) or the perfectly seasoned Zucchini Fritters there’s a breakfast for everyone! The eggs benny with jalapeño hollandaise was amazing for anyone ready to spice up their morning ;)
Melanie (ForeverBrunching)
+5
A small, intimate cafe in Carlton North that has everything you could ever desire for a lovely weekend brunch!
Simple interior done nicely, with lovely touches of artwork along the walls. A gorgeous little courtyard out the back which is kept shaded by a beautiful vine/plant roof
DRINKS
Flat White with Almond Milk: Great coffee that isn't too bitter & presented beautifully
Cocktails: I didn’t drink any but they were presented beautifully & enjoyed by the table!
FOOD
Fledge Benny: Perfectly poached eggs that dripped into a rich hollandaise sauce & tasty pulled pork
Granola Bowl: A HUGE spoonful of peanut butter topped with a generous serving of granola, yogurt and fresh fruit. This dish is more filling than you'd think!
Banana Bread French Toast: A delicious sweet treat. The thick, sweet banana bread paired so well with the array of salted caramel & mascarpone. Super generous size!
Chilli Scramble: A classic done so well
Mashed Pumpkin: A vibrant dish that was thoroughly loved. My friend couldn't talk about it highly enough
Zucchini Fritters: A winner amongst the entire table, with great seasoning/flavour
The staff here were awesome, super friendly & welcoming. Great service & food came out in great time!
Such an adorable and cozy cafe!
It was a cold and overcast day when I visited Fledgling so the poached pear porridge on the menu was calling to me. It was to-die-for! The candied walnuts were a lovely touch.
Another stunning dish was the Fledge Benny - the jalapeno hollandiase was genius, I've never had anything like it!
The presentation of both meals was lovely and complemented the modern but homely vibe of the décor perfectly.
Definitely worth the visit :)
Delicious food, we had the banana bread French toast, and smashed pumpkin + halloumi. Highly recommend both dishes. The staff were attentive and very friendly! I’ll be back :-)
The mashed pumpkin was absolutely amazing!! I highly recommend it! The combination of halloumi, beetroot yoghurt, Dunham, herbs and pomegranate was perfect! I totally enjoyed every bite of it. And also the multigrain sourdough was toasted to perfection. 🤤🤤😍😍 I tried the eggs benny w pulled pork as well. It was pretty good as well, but I still preferred the mashed pumpkin! And cappuccino was not bad, but serving was kind of small.. hahaha. Only downside is that this place was kind of far (from uni for me). But it’s so good I’m happy to travel back whenever.. 😍😍🥰
Lovely little cafe with spectacular service!
FOOD & COFFEE: We ordered the ‘Granola Bowl’ and ‘Raspberry Pancakes’ and were lucky enough to get a cappuccino for free 😋 The coffee was amazing and this is my first cappuccino ever and I’d have to say, it definitely impressed me! When you’re tired, a cup of coffee and amazing food is all you need! The ‘Granola Bowl’ was phenomenal and the amount of granola you get is CRAZY!! It was loaded with nuts and that peanut butter dollop is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen 😍 The acai was a small portion tho, I’d have to admit but the load of coyo made it up! The ‘Raspberry Pancakes’ were a beautiful sight to see and it tasted as good as it looks!
SERVICE: Cheeky and pleasant service that leaves you happy to return! Super duper friendly and joyful!
Overall, if you’re looking for a humble cafe that offers good food and friendly service, Fledgeling has got you covered and honestly, Zomato Gold worth it? Absolutely ❤️
Very cozy and friendly place, the food we had very decent and yummy, service was perfect . They have really interesting art print hanging in the wall, definitely need to check them out . It’s kids friendly , they have a changing table for babies/kids.
Napatsawan Siwatkittisuk
+5
Really yummy brunch. The breakfast bowl was a mixture of goodness, the dressing was refreshing and savoury. The eggs benny was simple and tasty. The place has a lovely decor too! :) would love to visit again.
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We were looking for a new lunch spot with courtyard on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon so I picked Fledgling Espresso based on the good reviews and courtyard photos I saw on Zomato. So we were a bit disappointed when we were told the courtyard was closed but alas we were happy to try a new cafe anyway. We were seated right away by the entrance ( still get a bit of sun through the glass window) and was asked if we would like to start with coffee while deciding on our food. As it was late lunch, it wasn't really busy and there are plenty of available tables around. We ordered a piccolo and weak long black, the coffee was quite smooth and light to drink. For our mains, we went for the popular choice - Banana French toast and Mashed Pumpkin to share. The food were very well presented (instagram worthy) and flavours were delicate and well balanced. I usually prefer savoury dish and the poached egg was perfectly cooked and the egg yoke just oozed out when we sliced through it on our toast. Wish they gave us 2 poached eggs instead of one! I ordered a cup of tea at the end of our meal to wash it down and it took awhile to arrive. As I was looking around, they were busy preparing for a lot of UberEats takeaway so that might explain the wait! Overall, we are happy with our experience today and definitely will return one day to try the other dishes on the menu.
Delicious we had the Eggs Beny with smoked salmon perfect portion size and the Mashed pumpkin sweet potato with pan fried halloumi cheese, was a treat.Coffee was on point great service and value will be back for sure
Very cute place, back yard and bathroom were beautiful. The service was great. Loved the menu. The food was delicious as well.
Only criticism was small portions and would have loved more flavours in the food.
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Carlton North has such a cute village vibe, and Fledgling Expresso is the kind of cafe that really suits this atmosphere. What it lacks in size it really makes up for in personality. It is the perfect cosy spot to sit back and enjoy a few coffees, cocktails and fabulous food. Although it's a small venue, there are plenty of touches that help to make you feel welcome... blankets at the outdoor tables and loads of comfy cushions inside that encourage you to stay a while. The fact that the staff are just beautiful, warm and friendly also won't make you want to leave.
Fledgling Espresso prides itself on it's vibrant dishes that highlight fresh, local produce and the menu has plenty of tempting options. I was almost seduced into having a cocktail or two, but since it was a work day I thought I best leave that for a weekend visit. Instead I opted for a delicious smoothie and excellent coffee.
We began with the colourful smashed pumpkin dish, which was just a delight to look at. The colours popped right off of the plate, and really entice the diner. With tastes of beetroot , loads of haloumi and a beautiful poached egg, this was exceptional in both flavour and texture. The sweetness of the pumpkin was fantastic with the salty haloumi, the creamy beetroot and the crispy beetroot and pops of pomegranate. An outstanding dish that left us longing for more.
Fortunately we didn't overindulge because our next dish was epic in taste and proportion. The banana bread at Fledgling Espresso is close to the best I've had in a cafe. Two huge slices of banana bread sandwiched with delectable cream cheese, and surrounded by fresh fruit, berry syrup, caramel sauce and a huge pile of Persian fairy floss on top. Definitely a dish for keen food photographers, but one that delivered on flavour as well as looks. Every morsel was a pleasure to eat... not too sweet, and just the right amount of tang and freshness with the berries.
If you are ever in the neighbourhood, or are simply looking for a cute and friendly part of town to visit, then head to Carlton North. Be sure to put Fledgling Espresso at the top of your list... I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
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Fledgling Espresso is a cute converted-house cafe that feels so homely and welcoming when you walk in. We absolutely loved all the colourful, pretty and more importantly, super delicious food.
We had the Insta-famous Banana Bread French Toast ($19) with in house banana bread topped with berry compote, pistachio praline, salted caramel mascarpone and their signature dollop of Persian fairy floss. Definitely one for the sweet tooth’s although I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t just sweet on sweet - the mascarpone and tart compote do a lot to cut through and make an overall satisfying dish.
Our favourite dish was the Mashed Pumpkin ($19.50) with sweet potato mash, halloumi, beetroot yoghurt, herbs, chilli, dukkah, pomegranate and poached eggs on sourdough. An absolutely delicious, perfectly rounded dish that was also super filling.
We also loved the Bircher ($16) with mixed nuts, apricots, yoghurt, fresh fruit and topped with a gorgeous poached pear. A great lighter option while still being incredibly tasty.
Overall we were super impressed with the high quality food, presentation and inventive brunch dishes at Fledgling and would definitely return!
Sunny courtyard vibes at @fledglingespresso accompanied by a delicious ‘green power smoothie’ - healthy and refreshing! Great for a beaut day ☀️
The ‘mushroom medley’ was delicious - the different kinds of mushrooms were covered in garlic, herbs and oil 🤤 The sourdough was nice and crunchy. Simple dish but so tasty!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We were happy to be invited back to Fledgling to try some new dishes today. I ordered the stunning bircher with poached fruit which tasted as delectable as it looked. It goes to show you can get an Instagram worthy dish that tastes just as good as hotcakes but is a bit more nourishing for you.
Hubby and I then defaulted to our respective go to orders, chilli scramble for him and smashed avo for me (him applauding the coffee all the way). I’ve had the smashed avo each time I’ve come and it’s improved with each visit. A generous side of smoked salmon made this one a real stand out and I loved the classic combination of feta, cherry tomatoes and pesto dotted on the plate. Just yum
Update
We were invited to Fledgling Espresso again and while the panna may be off the menu the banana bread French toast might just be even better. Stepping into the space it was warm and welcoming. It appears deceptively small when you see a relaxed couch seating area with lots of lovely cushions but if you continue on to the middle section there’s more tables and a fireplace and as we continued exploring a little courtyard greeted us outside.
This had some gorgeous greenery providing shade and felt like the perfect lazy Sunday setting. We settled in there and ordered a green smoothie and a turmeric coconut latte. Very yummy.
The aforementioned French toast was everything I’d dreamed and more- a must order. The açai bowl came with a perfect dollop of peanut butter which in my opinion should be a mandatory addition to every smoothie bowl. Really yummy dishes today, would definitely recommend this spot.
Original review
Was excited to dine as a guest of Fledgling as I had seen their panna popping up on Instagram and frankly anything with peanut butter in it is for me. This Reese’s version is decadent yet delightfully light with the perfect wobble. I definitely suggest getting this to share as a third ‘dessert breakfast’ dish.
We went for the beef burger with chips and the avo on toast. A very generous serve of avo was received which always impresses (particularly when there’s another avo shortage). Would definitely head back to try the lemon curd pancakes which greatly appealed too.
A family friendly cafe as evidenced by the change table in the bathrooms this has something for everyone. Despite the social media hype around the pana cotta dish this isn’t one of those pretentious Instagram cafes where you endure long lines and snooty staff.
Headed up by owner Connor who has worked in a number of exceptional Melbourne cafes (Tinker, Penta, MOB) it has the perfect balance of classic brunch fare to keep the locals happy and photogenic innovative deliciousness like the panna which makes it a destination worthy cafe
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We had decided to visit Fledgling Espresso as we had seen how colorful the dishes were! Here’s what we had!
Raspberry pancakes - served with popping chocolates, oreos, raspberry coulis, mascarpone, strawberries and fairy floss, this looked to be a promising dish! The initial tasting was good with all the flavors melting in your mouth but it got a little dry towards the end.
Banana French toast - served with berry compote, pistachio praline, salted caramel, mascarpone, this looked like a winner to me! I can confirm that it was indeed a winner as the banana bread was moist and full of sweetness (suiting my sweet tooth) and the pistachio praline was such a great complement!
Mashed pumpkin - served with sweet potato, halloumi, beetroot yoghurt, poached egg, herbs, chilli, dukkah and pomegranate on multigrain toast, not only was this pretty but also very tasty! The halloumi was fried well and served as a good match to the sweetness of the mashed pumpkin! The sourness of the yoghurt added more balance to these flavors altogether! It was having saltiness, sweetness, sourness and savoriness all at once which was very impressive hence making it my favorite of the day!
Overall, we had a colorful time and would love to try the rest of Fledgling’s menu!
What a treat visiting for brunch! The menu has a lot of diversity and dishes that are unique compared to the standard fare you find at many cafes nowadays.
The Granola Bowl is one of the prettiest I've had, with a very, VERY generous scoop of peanut butter. The ratios were a bit off (would've liked more acai and less yogurt) but the flavours were great when everything is mixed together.
The BLAT was simple but done well, fresh Turkish bread and generous amounts of each element. The Chai latte is noteworthy too, excellent flavour!
Service was lovely, our waitress was very kind and helped us choose a dish to suit my parter who has a garlic allergy. Definitely a standout cafe in the area!
Such a cute lil cafe with a great, friendly team!
Really great coffee and the food is amazing! The vibrant colourful dishes were so eye catching and really delicious. The granola bowl was perfectly balanced, the banana bread French toast was lovely and not too sweet and the mashed pumpkin was delightful! I definitely recommend popping into Fledgling Espresso!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Fledgling Espresso is located on Rathdowne Street in Carlton North. It has a relaxed feel with a lovely shaded courtyard out the back & a comfy cushioned seating area inside.
We started with iced lattes which were fantastic & ordered a few dishes to share. We also tried the cocktails, an aperol spritz and a Pimms, both refreshing for the warm day.
The granola bowl was beautifully presented with fruit on top, açai, a generous dollop of peanut butter & thick Greek yoghurt. When we started eating it we found the bowl was mostly granola with only a tiny bit of açai. As a result it was difficult to eat as there was no liquid element so we found it quite dry.
The pulled pork burger was full of flavour, the pork was tender & combined with slaw & chipotle mayo on a brioche bun. It was served with crisps which was a little different & we would have preferred chips or fries to make it a more filling/complete dish.
The breakfast salad bowl was light & fresh. It was full of baby spinach, avocado, quinoa, toasted seeds, salsa, a poached egg & halloumi. We added poached chicken which was tender & a nice addition. The dressing was tasty & while the flavours worked well, the dish was served with only one piece of halloumi which we felt was a little stingy.
The staff at Fledgling were friendly & attentive & overall we enjoyed our experience. With a few small adjustments to the dishes we tried, this cafe offers some great menu options. Thanks so much for having us.
Love love love the presentation of their Banana french toast dish. It’s turning me back to being a kid again with those pink fairy floss. And also french toast on the next level, not your ordinary brioche but instead made with their in house banana bread which was a nice twist to it.
The chilli scrambled eggs were my favourite, can’t really go wrong with it! Ruben sandwich was also nice, love them crisps on the side.
The location is very nice and peaceful with plenty of parking nearby, just what you need to fully enjoy a nice breakfast outing, if you’re ever in the area, check these guys out!
Beautiful place as I didn't have to filter my photos. We ordered some chilli Scramble with their salad and as well as their special fairy floss with pancakes which was really good. Loved the experience
Having brunch in the courtyard out the back is such a lovely experience 🙌🏼
It was the perfect weather that day and the smoothies and turmeric latte were perfect drinks to cool us down. We had the French toast (which was made from banana bread- something different I’ve never seen in a French toast dish before ), the mashed pumpkin (which tasted really good with the beetroot hummus) and the fritters.
Defs check this place out if you’re in the area
I ordered their chilli scramble eggs, zucchini fritters and banana French toast, plus their peanut butter smoothie and OJ.
You can’t go wrong with their chilli scrambled eggs which were a delicious classic dish - the fried shallots are always a plus!
The zucchini fritters were nice and light. They’re a great alternative to the usual corn fritter! The halloumi and artichoke were great to eat with it.
The banana French toast was definitely the highlight of my visit! Not only is it beautifully presented, but their French toast was super moist and light! The pistachio praline gave the perfect crunchy element! You guys have to try it!
Long food review ahead.
The mushroom medley was delicious. Garlic and mushroom goes together like bread and butter. The medley included at least three different kinds of mushies sauteed to perfection with chunky pieces of garlic and thyme. On top was a poached egg waiting to be popped and ooze its runny yolk all over. The house marinated feta was the perfect salty, creamy addition.
The raspberry pancakes are made with real raspberry and are light and fluffly. Topped with pink fairyfloss it's definitely something to put on Instagram 😅. The mascarpone helped balance out the sweet raspberry coulis and the crushed Oreos adds the crunch element to the dish.
Next the banana French toast, this dish is next level. I don't even know where to start, every element on the dish works. The soft thick cut banana bread with fresh fruit, the salted caramel balanced by the mascarpone and the crunchy pistachio praline 👌. Just order it, you won't regret it.
Came for the leisurely lunch, have been to a few boozy brunches now and this was the best in my opinion. Food was yummy we got the banana bread French toast and chilli scrambled eggs. Place wasn’t too busy or loud which was good. Will be back!
Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere, most beautifully plated menu
Definitely Insta worthy 😉
Huge variety on offer!
Indoor and outdoor areas- love the rustic feel in the courtyard
This quiet place is sure to delight with plenty of seating options. As it was sunny I chose to sit in their outdoor area. I ordered their famous banana french toast and an iced latte. It definitely lived up to all expectations presented beautifully and every mouthfull was a delight.
What's our no. 1 tip to enjoy the best experience at Fledgling? Before we get to that, if you’re looking for a casual brunch around Carlton North that is a local favourite, Fledgling Espresso fits the bill (412 Rathdowne Street). There’s lounge music to match the
The Mashed Pumpkin was amazing!! The combination of flavours really hits the mark. Their Gluten Free bread was the best I’ve ever tasted. Great service!
My friend linked me an urban list article about the banana bread french toast here, so i decided to go try t out. What a good decision that was! :) it was delicious!! Such nice flavours and textures, all complimenting each other. (And the compliments they were saying to each other were probably “you delicious!” “No, you delicious!” 😁. It was so good i was sad when i finished it, like when u finish a good book :) the mocha i had was also delicious! And the waittress who served me was really lovely too! Even offering recommendations on the best way to get back to the city :) i am looking forward to coming back here to try other things on the menu!
edit: i came back and tried the Mushroom Medley. Mmmmmmmm so yum too!
This is the best cafe in Carlton for sure, the coffee is amazing, supplied by Inglewood, and made perfectly. I had the mushroom medley, the best mushroom dish that I have had in a long time, super tasty and super healthy. There are plenty of great dishes, it was hard to choose and they cater for vegans too. Highly recommended.
Everything about my first visit here was great..food,coffee,interior and staff.
This is the kind of place that sticks with the crowd pleasers and sticks with them because they do them so well. Sometimes you get a little over the pretentious Melbourne brunch scene and all you want is the basics-all the types of eggs,smashed avo,a couple of sweet dishes and some lunch faves so credit to these guys for keeping it real.
Coffee was great,so much so it was worth a takeaway when leaving.
Unfortunately I don’t live in the area but if I’m anywhere near here again I will be sure to visit!
Had the wonderful opportunity to dine here today & if anything, I am in love with the interior! The high ceiling, wood finishings & the greenery 🌿 gave the whole place such a rustic feel! We ordered the chilli scrambled eggs & Banana french toast 🍌! The chilli scrambled eggs were very flavourful & the shallots were a great crunchy element for the plate! The banana french toast came out so beautifully, topped with flowers 🌸 & fairy floss! Even though I had expected it to be a heavy dish the berries 🍓at the side cut through the sweetness, making it very well balanced overall! 🤩 The food came very promptly & the service was amazing as well! 😌 Portions were decent and the prices were reasonable.
Great little spot where my partner and I went during the week so was nice and quiet. Friendly service and great food. I had the open steak sandwich and was great value for money, the steak was cooked perfectly too. My partner had the chilli scrambled eggs which was another generous serving along with a good amount of spice too, which is unlike some cafes chilli eggs! Coffees were lovely too, we both had the house blends and were not disappointed. Great small and friendly cafe would highly recommend!
What a beautiful little space! I have really enjoyed everything I've had here, scrambled eggs were fluffy and with great texture with a dash of spice, the coffee is top notch, the granola was perfect, not too sweet & totally decadent at the same time. The staff are really friendly, kind & have such great instincts in there service. Great job guys, such a delightful place. Would totally recommend.
Cosy little cafe with super friendly staff and delicious food. I went for the banana bread French toast which came with berries, fresh banana, salted caramel sauce and cinnamon mascarpone. Portion size was ideal and the banana bread was surprisingly light and fluffy. Would definitely recommend this new cafe to friends.
Cute, cosy and phenomenal coffee!! I’m always greeted with the biggest smile when I walk in, the staff are very attentive and the menu offering has the best of both worlds- savory and sweet! Highly recommend the Banana Bread French Toast!! My new fave hang in Carlton 😉
An absolutely amazing cafe; friendly staff greet you the moment you walk in side the door. Incredibly balanced food, divine coffee, and an impeccable atmosphere overall.
On a rainy gloomy morning what I really needed was a great brunch to warm me up. Turn out Fledgling Espresso was just the right spot to do it. Warm and cosy environment and some extremely friendly staff set the mood for a fantastic brunch but what were the highlights?!. Fledgling Espresso is a small cafe based in Carlton, but is definitely not one of your usual Lygon Street cafes. We managed to get a seat out front but there was additional seating out the back so lines aren't all that common so a great place to drop by for no wait.
Melbourniancritic (The Melbourne Experience)
+4
Fledgling Espresso is a great find in Carlton North. This family friendly cafe located in the heart of Rathdowne Street is owned by the very talented Conner Cunliffe. At the young age of 23, Conner loves sharing his passion for hospitality through Fledgling Espresso and has managed to create a lovely local hub that combines great food, specialty coffee via Inglewood Coffee Roasters and a cosy space to kick back and relax.
Really enjoyed my latte and scrambled eggs. Coffee was great and the scrambled eggs full of flavor. Kid friendly cafe. Took my wife and son (in a pram) for Mother’s Day.
The cafe itself is nice and cosy with a numerous seating choices, whether you want to sit in the front of the cafe, middle cafe or in the court year. I started off with a soy matcha which was perfect (although pricer than usually at $6) and my partner had an espresso and a flat white which he liked as well.
I ordered the granola bowl and was disappointed especially after seeing all the great reviews online and on Insta. For me, it just looked very pretty but the taste was average and it didn't taste of high quality ingredients. Next time I would probably get the super salad bowl instead. My partner had the chilli scrambled eggs which were quite nice.
Service was nice and friendly.
Adhiputro Prabowo Armand
+5
Famous Coffee and brekie provider at Rathdowne St, have some spaces behind the coffee maker..busy at morning till lunch, either dine-in, takeaway, or courier service..
Delish food and a great back area space for breakfast with the puppy! Especially loved the mushroom medley and the chilli eggs!
Consistently good food, consistently good service and consistently good coffee. Take away or eating in, Fledgling is hard to pass on a shopping strip that has many options. Their menu changes with the seasons and I always find something worthwhile. They are especially accommodating to people with kids or pets (and some people bring both).
We visited @fledglingespresso for brunch as it was long overdue, but the wait was worth it.
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We completely enjoyed amazing dishes of our brunch and the perfect sunny afternoon of our lovely Mebourne starting off with some coffee (of course)
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You can view their photo menu on phone through @mr_yum_
We wanted to order everything but finally settled on -
*BIG FLEDGE - it had the assortment of the best - bacon, mushrooms, chorizo,baked beans, avocado, tomato, spinach, eggs & sourdough
* RUBEN SANDWICH - needs no introduction with amazing cheese & ham filling with chips
* BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST - this is one dish which is not only pretty looking but super super delish. Even though we were full, but we still managed to finished it because it was sooo good.
Great little place with constant stream of people which is a great sign of quality. The Magic coffee was outstanding, with a thick roast flavour!!
Enjoyed the Chilli scrambke which had a good amount of heat and generous serving size. We'll be back!
Had a beautiful lunch at Fledgling, starting with some really nice coffee. I then shared the smashed pumpkin and mushroom toasts with my friend. The first was a great combo of savoury and sweet with generous slices of haloumi and a complementary beetroot hummus. The second was an umami bomb brimming with the salty, briny flavours that I love. For dessert, we also shared the banana bread french toast. I'm not usually super into sweet brunch dishes but this one wasn't overly rich. It featured two hearty slices of banana bread and some cream cheese and fresh fruit. The fairy floss wasn't necessary as the dish is sweet enough but it does add to the look of the plate. Overall, great experience at this cute little cafe.
This is one of the popular cafes in Melbourne and when you try out their menu you can see why! This cute cafe is located in a Victorian styled venue, with welcoming seating indoors or a bright courtyard out the back!
We enjoyed a few cocktails to start, and there are a variety that would work for anyone! If your game have the Bloody Mary, that pickle thoughhhhhh!
We had of course the banana bread French toast, now you can’t go past this! I’d even recommend it as a third dish to share. It’s worth it! The Smashed Pumpkin was a good choice and the eggs benny is a classic goody! The surprise dish was the fritters! So full of flavour!
Make sure to add it to your list!
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