Can never go wrong with this place, great staff and good quality food- very reliable!!!
Post-Lockdown lunch. Obviously not busy with socially distanced tables, and customer register. Service was prompt, friendly and attentive as a result. Food was well prepared and presented. We had Warm Spiced Beef Salad (glass noodles, Asian Slaw, Red Chilis, Peanuts, shallots and spring onions, with tasty dressing), and Scrambled Eggs with sides of salmon and smashed avo. Altogether a healthy and pleasant lunch
First time visiting this cafe and being able to dine in after a while of takeaway only. Was so glad to finally enjoy a mug of coffee instead of takeaway cups.
We were all in the mood for a warm brunch dish so we ordered the eggs benedict, shakshaku and the hungover dish. The eggs benny had a great flavour and were perfectly filling. The tomato based sauce of the shakshaku was sweet and mixed with onion and eggplant, also loved the side of ciabatta bread. The hungover dish had every ingredient you wanted, bacon, avocado and eggs served on cheesy toast.
Definitely keen to return to this cafe and try out one of the sweet dishes next!!
Needed a takeaway coffee while in Richmond recently so I stopped here. They use St. Ali beans, which are some of my favourite. Coffee was prepared nicely and the staff were incredible friendly and accommodating. Will be my new spot when in the area.
Food was really nice but the bread under the golden folded eggs was a little too crisp and very small for how much eggs were on top.
Ordered the eggs benedict. It was an unusual version of the typical eggs benedict. However, the flavours just worked well together. The pretty in pink drink was fresh.
Truly one of the best (but also perfectly simple!) french toast that I’ve tried here!
FOOD: I’ve seen ALOT of raves for the french toast from ‘Friends of Mine’ so I knew I HAD to try it and I definitely have to agree! The French Toast was done SO BEAUTIFULLY. Sometimes, french toasts can get overwhelmed with too many different kinds of toppings and whatnot but Friends of Mine kept it simple and it definitely was key! The bread was fried to perfection and with the maple mascarpone, it was an absolutely beautiful marriage of flavours! The berries added a refreshing touch and the nuts added a yummy savoury flavour and crunchy texture!
SERVICE: Decent
Overall, I truly loved the french toast and aesthetic of this cafe! Its a beautiful cafe with some good food!
Came here for brunch on a Sunday. Decided to sit indoors, but changed our minds as it ended up being a lovely sunny day. The staff were so nice and accommodating during our time there. We ordered juice and folded eggs, and far too many coffees! All of it was amazing. I’d definitely recommend!
Everything is fantastic about this cafe - it’s in a great location, it’s spacious and has a great vibe. Coffee is delicious and staff are lovely. It’s one of those cafes that you must visit in Melbourne. I grabbed a coffee and treat (butterbing) from here.
Joanne | Melbournecitay
+4
Overall score: 17/25 or ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
in 5 words: Must order their egg dishes!
*
Taste ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - ✅The eggs ben - which comes with champagne poached Apple, maple bacon crumbs and Apple cider hollandaise is quite a winner. Their rendition of eggs ben is a bit sweeter thanks to the Apple sauce, and the pulled pork was tender and delicious. It’s also not sickeningly rich, which helps me finish the dish!
✅The hangover is also equally yummy. the cheesy herb toast topped with avocado, egg and bacon is a classic you could whip up in the kitchen, but FoM’s version is well-executed and a joy to finish.
🆗While they use St Ali beans, I found my skinny flat white more milky and on the weaker end of the coffees I’ve had in Melbourne.
*
Ambience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The cafe occupies a former workshop. There are signs of its former life all around the cafe, which I find very nostalgic. The table cloths gives this cafe a classier feel, something other brunch places usually don’t attempt to create!
*
Price ⭐️⭐️⭐️- Pricing was standard - you are looking to pay for $25 including coffee. Portions are large enough to keep you full till late in the evening!
*
Presentation ⭐️⭐️⭐️- Food presentation met expectations. Our brunch dishes looked appetising!
*
Service ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - we got a seat almost immediately despite the usual weekend crowd. Our coffees took a while to arrive, but food came pretty quickly.
The Wandering Reviewer
+4
Lovely cafe that has some interesting and tasty food. Good location centrally in Richmond. Nice industrial style renovation since I last came here so there is now more room for more people. Can be a little noisy inside when there are lots of people.I do enjoy being something of a people watcher, so can sit and watch the world go by. Or go outside with your dog and enjoy your meal. Eggs Benedict were pretty good with a generous portion size. My girlfriend just had banana bread with her chai and said it was good. My coffee was excellent and not too much froth.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Pram and stroller accessible. Reasonable parking
I can’t believe it took me so long to finally try Friends of Mine. The golden folded eggs are amazing and the best eggs I’ve had in Melbourne in a long while. The coffee using St.Ali beans was also awesome. Will definitely be returning soon!
Awesome breakky every time. I highly recommend the Bircher or the breakky board. Fresh produce, great flavours and pretty quick service considering the crowds this place brings in. I always love sitting out the front and seeing the cute dogs walk by 😍
I think this cafe is one of my absolute favourites in Melbourne. Staff is so friendly, great ambience and great food! Toasts were well baked, right crispness of bacon and a good amount of avocado! We also had a salmon dish. What a great surprise that salmon, beetroot and pees make such delicious flavour with a hint of garlic and basil. It was a little too salty for me but tasted great! Everything that staff was carrying to other tables looked great too, made me want to try everything. We are definitely coming back!
Amazing atmosphere, staff and food. A great place to while away the hours of a sunny morning. Lovely outdoor tables, fabulous indoor area with some booth seating.
Lovely modern decor and a great friendly atmosphere.
One of my favourite stops.
Friends of mine in Richmond. Definitely a great cafe to try. Love the decorations and nicely warm friendly staff with good service. The food was a bit weak compared with such nice ambience but anyway sometimes you have to admit you enjoy it because the good vibe and environment than the food. I don’t suggest the spiced chicken breast. It was dry and personally I think it is a bit pricy. Love the supergreen salad and gnocchi. Last their coffee was good. Overall is a nice place to dine in for brunch.
Very nice spot for lunch of just coffee! Waiters are nice and polite, the menu is rich, the orange juice was perfect! Didn’t have a chance to try the food yet, next time for sure.
Love this place. It is my local and I keep coming back. You can try something new and not be disappointed but I love getting my usual and it’s always good. Quick service and so many dogs out the front... which is just an added bonus. They sometimes make the same meal differently with a different twist but it’s cool to see what new things they come up with.
Ordered the smashed avo with an extra egg! Its been a while since ive ordered this anywhere else because ive always been left disappointed but Friends of Mine know what theyre doing! You have to try their smashed avo 😍
Had breakfast on Boxing Day with a few friends it’s a nice joint at Richmond, right from the fresh orange juice to the shakshuka I tried it was really good, the outdoor seating was also really nice, a good place to try
Looking for perhaps Melbourne’s best french toast? Take a trip to @friendsofminecafe I’m giving my votes to this brunch spot. Great vibe sitting outside with their early 2000 playbacks, Vanessa Carlton made it in there and the rest was history 👏🏼. The lady that served us was fantastic, personable and had a few laughs with us. If there’s one thing you’ll notice about my mini blogs, it’s that service changes everything for me. Thanks for having us! .
+ Great friendly service, delicious food - french toast amazing, laid back enjoyable ambiance
- Inside seating a bit average, bit of a wait when busy
Friends of Mine served delicious brunch meals and coffee. We’ve tried a few things from this place, eggs Benedict was my favourite. Salmon gravlax was pretty good too but fried chicken Po boys was rather tasteless. Coffee was great, and I loved how there was always fresh flowers on each table!
Great spot, heaps of indoor and outdoor seating.
Excellent menu, with lots to choose from. It was hard to make a choice, which is always a good sign.
Salmon gravalax with marinated feta, mashed peas, beetroot relish and two poached eggs was a very generous portion and great balance of flavours. Only recommendation would be more croutons for the ratio of the the other ingredients.
Fried chicken po’ boys with fries also a great dish. Two sliders and tasty fries with aioli. Also very generous portion.
$60 for two dishes and three coffees, good to try and will be back if in the area.
Love coming with friends of mine to Friends of Mine. Consistently good food, large cafe with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Easy to get a park as it’s not a busy part of Richmond.
Recently I got the banana bread which was yummy but I couldn’t finish as it was a bit too rich. My friend got the porridge which was also good but not very sweet. Another friend got the salmon dish which looked very elegant.
The service is attentive and friendly. Will be coming back again soon no doubt.
I was hungover so naturally drawn to the ‘Hung Over’ ... perfect amount of cheesy goodness and bacon! Service was great, could have been a tad faster but it was a busy Saturday morning!
Pros: the baked eggs (shakshuka) is probably the best we have had to date! Tomato base and flavours complemented each other very well. The extra chorizo and bacon in the waygu burger ordered were generous in their servings. The burger buns were nicely fluffy and soft. Service was exceptional also.
Cons: the waygu beef patty was average.
Great place for breakfast, brunch or just a coffee with mates, absolutely love grabbing a bite here post a good night out, the hung over eggs really do the job and get me back on track!
This cafe used to be my absolute favourite brunch venue when I lived in Richmond over 4 years ago. I still get back here now and again. Warm bustling atmosphere and plenty of interesting art work and unique dining nooks to welcome you. They know how to poach an egg to perfection and smash an avocado with feta on a plate while they are at it. I like the coffee here but always ask for strong. Service is good and I haven't had bad service myself but witnessed some faulty towers like spills. I do like their cup cakes under the paying counter. Gluten free options are a available. Some similar menu items to Snow Pony and others that used to be part of that group For a simple breakfast you can’t go wrong with cheesy herb toast... some yummy
Expect to queue even for an outside table where folks with dogs happily sit on those sunny Melbourne autumn days.
KD
Nice place to head for brunch, lots of indoor seating available and a nice cosy atmosphere. Breakfast options plentiful and very reasonably priced, yet so delicious. Coffee is also good, staff friendly and service is efficient. My brekkie board was so delicious and there was more than enough to keep me going for the rest of the day. Would go back for sure.
I really enjoy this cafe ! I love the freshness of all their dishes and how vibrant each and every one looks. The food sometimes does run out as it is so busy but it never bothers me as every dish on there menu for me has been satisfying
I must of driven past this place 3000 times and not stopped in for breakfast. BUT I'm glad I finally did. Coffees, fresh juices were fantastic. Food was beyond my expectation eggs benedict and the french toast getting two huge thumbs up!
Yummy shakshuka and coffee, quick service. Venue surprised me, bigger than it looks from outside with eclectic decor, one area feels rustic one area is more formal with tablecloths and there’s also an outdoor area. Will be back to try other dishes!
Admittedly I did visit Friends of Mine a while ago now, but it left such an impression that I wanted to come back and leave a positive review. I had (I think) the chilli eggs which were soooo good! Not my usual kind of order but I didn’t regret it whatsoever. My friend had smashed avo and was also really happy. We were seated inside and it wasn’t too noisy like some places can be... great for a girly catch up!!
Had lunch yesterday with a friend. I ate the falafels, which was tasty. The coffee was nice but a bit warm not hot enough. The soy chai was lovely. Will return here as we liked the ambience and location. The staff were also friendly.
Food was perfect. Got the breaky board and each eminent was prepared perfectly and tasted amazing. Partner got the burger and chips and the chips were unexpectedly amazing.
This is now my new go to cafe I will be taking my best friend to every weekend
Service was good and the coffee was ok, the food was a little under seasoned and nothing really blew me away. But it’s a nice space and they do the basics well enough.
I went to Friends of Mine this morning for a Christmas breakfast with some friends from work.
When I saw the tomato bruschetta with peanut butter on the menu, I just had to have it.
The peanut butter, tomato, pesto and goats cheese compliment each other beautifully. I would highly recommend this meal to anyone.
There was a glitch with the new computer system they were using so our drinks were delayed, but the waiter generously removed these from our bill, which we really appreciated.
I will definitely be returning.
Followthefoodmelbourne
+4
Sat outside recently on a warm morning and had a lovely brunch. I opted for the breakfast board while my friend chose the salmon dish.
My breakfast board was excellent. The little bircher muesli was a standout - I loved the rhubarb and pistachios on top. The hummus & dukkah egg were also lovely and there was a generous amount of avocado to accompany it. Lovely local atmosphere and friendly staff who were happy to give their recommendations.
Lovely sanctuary amid a slightly desolate area for decent coffee & food. Great fitout inside with cool lighting & ornaments. Also great area to eat in sunshine outside. Staff were friendly. The roast chicken was good, although needed a little more interest to vary up the chicken - maybe have it sitting on a bed of pumpkin hummus or something..? Crispy Barramundi was perfectly cooked. Quite potatoey though (if that's your thing) Was a bit much for us, something less heavy & plain under the barramundi would have been more interesting (even sweet potato!) Great coffee. Recommend this place overall if you are on the area! Also, UberEats!
After being recommended this place by over 5 people we decided to give it a try after a very long moving day.
Decor is very basic, but nice.
Food was delicious.
Staff were bored and looked like they didn’t want to be there except for the guy with the beard who served us, he was actually really cool 😎
If you want a delicious bite to eat, I’d definitely recommend🍴
The breakfast board, although not startling in its flavour combinations, gave you a very sample of their food. The butcher muesli was a very generous size, small orange juice, two slices of sour dough bread with hummus and a side of smashed avocado..... and a poached egg. All for $19-90 . Too that off with a good coffee and you are set for the day. The downside , they charge you extra for you using your eftpos card????
The waiter was exceptional, very attentive and helpful.
Best coffee in the area hands down. The filters they use make such a difference. Always order the eggs benny- absolutely delish! It’s a great brunch spot and super dog friendly!
Had some delicious fresh juices with a friend today. Young waiter was super friendly when I toppled over most of my juice and made me a fresh one! Lovely afternoon and energy.
Eggs Benny are amazing. Hollandaise fresh and melts in your mouth. Nice relaxing atmosphere with great service. The coffee was good and overall experience was good.
Shared the smashed avocado and the banana bread. Both were really delicious! Thought the combination of flavours in both dishes went really well together.
Just A Girl Who Loves Food
+3.5
Delicious food and coffee! Absolutely obsessed with superfood grain salads at the moment and the one at Friends of Mine is one of the best. It comes with GF bread, poached egg and smashed avo. Absolutely delicious! Staff were incredibly kind, the only downfall was my boyfriend requested 2 poached eggs with his breakfast and only received one. Other than that, everything was brilliant!
Last weekend we decided to walk down to Friends of Mine for some breakfast. I ordered the eggs Benedict, which was just divine! The addition of apple as a feature ingredient in the Benedict is genius and adds that extra flavour kick. Would definitely recommend! We also ordered the Hung Over with the kasundi, and it seemed to be a popular dish amongst the crowd as well. The watermelon, apple and mint juice was a very refreshing choice!
Well designed cafe in Richmond. Cafe was very busy when we arrived. The waitress was friendly and welcoming. Once seated we were served pretty efficiently with food arriving within 15 minutes. Coffee was lukewarm. Will try again.
Went for Sunday brunch, staff were super friendly and got us settled very quickly. Orders were taken and food came out with no fuss. Enjoyed a great meal will definitely come back again.
Have never heard of this place until a friend of one stumbled upon this when we were in Richmond. This place has the feels of a fine dining restaurant but is warm and cosy. The flavours of the food is spot on and we really loved the two dishes we ordered. The chunky chips were highly recommended despite the small portion. Fried chicken po' burgers are yummy too! A bit disappointed with the coffee though but overall a good dining experience.
Service is good and food is lovely. I love the Pancakes. It's a friendly environment that you'll like to be at. Coffee is good too. Happy to come back again
I come here regularly for my coffee and must say it's nice to see your best baristas back in action when I came in on Saturday. The last few weeks the coffee has been nice but not great, Saturday it was back to the usual 10/10 standard.
With so many cafes in Richmond, it's sometimes hard to choose. But friends of mine does a great job with their selection of brunch and their fantastic coffee.
Just came back and tried the eggs Benedict. Wow. Best in Melbourne.
We visited this much awaited place on a hot sunny arvo. Parking was convenient. Food was good but then nothing outstanding either. The lychee cocktail was a hit though. Good decor and a nice comfy place.
Perfect coffee temperature as requested!! Unbelievably attentive, friendly, professional staff. And the food was delectable. Fresh, well cooked and beautifully presented.
Fantastic cafe with a relaxed atmosphere and a great menu with a lot of choices.
The staff are so friendly and welcoming and make you feel as if you are a friend of theirs! They greet you with a warm smile as you walk in and greet you with a hearty hello.
I just felt that the tables were a bit small and we felt as if we were playing a game of Tetris trying to fit everything on the table.
The food was fantastic and were a great portion size and was a good value for money.
The banana bread was delicious and had a great flavour.
The eggs Benedict was mighty tasty and just melted in your mouth. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the flavour combinations were great.
The food was delicious but the service was pretty disappointing. I ordered an OJ that never arrived and random coffee orders kept turning up before ours finally arrived 30 min later. Hopefully the service is as good as the food next time!
Nice place for breakfast/brunch/lunch, no need to queue. Good menu options for breakfast items sweet and savoury, and lunch type meals.
Green salad (broccoli and kale) I thought would have been nicer if it was served warm.
Bathroom had cute decor, needed a properly hand towel dispenser, rate it 7/10.
One of the cafés that tops the list on wonderful outdoor seating. Their Hungover - cheesy toast, bacon, avocado and poached eggs - absolutely stole the show. Hungover or not - it's the perfect breakfast goodness! Shakshuka would have to settle, though that portion was generously delightful.
Service was prompt and friendly and the café is dog friendly. They even have treats for your pups! Great experience and I'd go back for more.
Friends of Mine has a great vibe going on! Staff relaxed, efficient and friendly. A weekday lunch found the place not too busy and our food was delivered quickly. I ordered the FOM Super Green Salad and it was a beautiful big serving of yummy goodness. Will be back!
> Hung Over with Poached Eggs with chorizo & avocado on cheesy herb bread and F.O.M super green salad with Roasted broccoli, kale & edamame beans tossed w/ quinoa, almonds,currants, fetta & avocado on five grain toast with a poached egg <
Finally got back to this amazing cafe in Richmond! Staff are always friendly and it's in a great location. The food usually never disappoints however the green salad did not meet our expectations this time. The hung over on the other hand was extremely flavorsome and had so many amazing elements to it. Overall our experience is always great which surpasses the notes on the salad 💕
The breakfastpiggy team
The full tables and long lines are testament to how good this place is. You are always greeted by a friendly smile and attentive staff. Coffee is always excellent and great variety on menu. Food is on point clearly using good quality ingredients.
So... the food and service here are excellent. Had the eggs Benedict and my friend had the folded eggs. The food was absolutely perfect however we were literally attacked by wasps the entire time. I have eaten here twice before and every time we eat outside there are many aggressive wasps attacking. This, of course is not the fault of the staff but it makes eating here very difficult. If you are considering eating here I would strongly recommend sitting inside.
Friends of mine serves delicious and decently priced dishes with great service! The beef and the sweet potato quinoa salads are fantastic! And actually make paying for a salad out of home worthwhile. The expensive menu is bound to cater to all!
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I had been past Friends of Mine several times since it's located right next to burnley station, and every time I went past, it was almost always jam packed with people. I came just a little after noon on a Sunday and as usual, it was quite busy but my friend and I got a table pretty quickly which was good. I loved the atmosphere and the set-up of the cafe as it was very warm and welcoming and the service was great too; the staff there were extremely friendly and the food came out reasonably quick.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict: Slow cooked pulled pork w/ champagne poached apple & perfectly poached eggs on toasted sourdough topped w/ apple cider hollandaise & maple bacon crumble, and the presentation was superb! All the flavours on the plate went really well with each other and this take on the classic Eggs Benny has to be one of my favourite!
Will definitely be coming here again for another Eggs Benedict or to try out their lunch menu! Friends of Mine is a fantastic place to brunch at with your friends or family and I really recommend that you go!
Surprised to find a discount for friends of mine in the entertainment book! I always drive past this place so thought we should check it out! Despite it being quite a big cafe we did have to wait 20 minutes for a table (it was raining though). I ordered the breakfast board, it was gigantic (although I did add bacon ha)! I particularly liked the granola, fruit and yogurt! My friends meals all looked great, especially the banana bread! My only criticism would be that the service could be a little more polished.
There's always a long wait but don't you worry breakfast is going to blow your mind. I'm a sucker for anything in jars and the moral high ground juice and Bircher are probably my favourite combo. Fresh, fruity and fabulous. Alternatively the golden folded eggs are so delicious that many a cafe now offer a replica version of the dish. Owned by Jason Jones the menu is similar to that of his other cafes Snow Pony and Porgie & Mr Jones so I would suggest visiting the others if you can't deal with the renowned Richmond brunch wait. Another good one to try is the cheesy toast. The food is always impeccable my pet peeve however and the reason I had to shave some points off is that they don't accept card. Does cash even exist in 2016? Call me crazy but this is super inconvenient to those living in the modern ages
Came here on a busy Sunday. Cafe was full but quick turnover of customers. Ordered the benedict! Surprisingly the food came out quicker than the coffee. Hollandaise wasn't so flavoursome and the sour dough was tough but other than that, the eggs were perfect poached and tasted delicious. Would recommend the juices as well on the menu! Staff were super friendly.
Popular cafe that's always busy and has a tasty extensive menu. Coffee was lovely and hot as requested. I ordered the superfoods salad which came with kale, peas, edamame beans, seeds, currants, feta, smashed avocado and a poached egg on grain bread. A great combination both flavour and texture wise. Really enjoyable!
The service staff are friendly and the cafe environment has a very relax feel to it. Their espresso was alright. It was lacking in flavor. However, it was not sour/sharp which suits me fine. The food was serve really quick upon ordering. I would say within 5 mins. It is a great plus. Their Egg Benedict tastes amazing~! The poached eggs were done to perfection. The yolk just oozes out when you pierce the white. Their apple cider hollandaise and champagne apple purée compliment the pull pork and eggs. Definitely coming back again. Yummy, Nom Nom Nom~!!! 😍😍😍
Quirky dining area and really friendly staff. I had the shashuka eggs which was quite nice, although I would've liked to have more mushrooms or bacon to balance out the sourness of the tomato base. I've also tried the hotcakes which are delightful and too pretty to eat!
My friends own the place and told us to come along. It is by far the best breakfast place I have ever been to 14-20 yr olds work their. It is so nice the toast is beautiful the poached eggs on toast 👌 Come or forever miss out
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Friends of mine located on swan st away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond is ideal for those who drive there as there is plenty of street parking.
Unlike previous reviews - this place contains an ATM machine, they do accept eftpos and card payments with a minimum of 10 dollars and are happy to split payment.
I went here on a Saturday afternoon for brunch with a friend around 12. There was no wait.
The cafe is massive with outdoor seating and spacious two sets of indoor seating. My water was quickly filled up and menus had already been placed on the table before I even sat down. Throughout my meal experience at friends of mine, my water was magically replaced and filled. Such attentive staff.
Between us, we got the lamb tortillas, the shakshuka, a skim cappuccino and a bloody Mary.
The coffee is strong bodied and acidic but still potable. And it's extra hot the way I like it. My friend thoroughly enjoyed her bloody Mary and it looked so tropical and delicious. As I looked around the room, I noticed large mason jars with fresh juices and smoothies. This place has a an amazing selection of beverages.
The expansive menu with a plethora of breakfast options made it difficult to decide.
My friend and I settled for the shakshuka which is poached eggs in a tomato base with three slices of toast from noisette. We also got the lamb tortillas which is meant to contain pulled lamb atop a yoghurt chilli chutney.
The serving size is massive. We had to move tables to for the the two dishes as well as our drinks and share plates.
The shakshuka was heaven in my mouth. The tomato base was bursting with flavour with flavours of cumin, the sweetness and freshness of tomatoes and perhaps basil. The poached egg was the best poached egg I've ever had. And I felt like wiping the tomato base off the dish with my soft yet crispy toast. Yumm.
In contrast, the lamb tortillas were extremely disappointing. The lamb was dry and has absolutely no flavour. The yogurt paste at the bottom was yet again flavorless. And there was no coriander salsa or charred corn only lots of purple cabbage despite the menu saying that there would be. Felt cheated.
Definitely going back to try more on the menu. Friends of mine is definitely a friend of mine. :)
I love this brunch spot. It's easily accessible via public transport (near Burnley station). The queues aren't as bad as other brunch spots I've been to, and there's plenty of variety on the menu. Another plus is that they let you split the bill so there's no hassles.
My favourite brunch dish of all time is baked eggs and Friends of Mine is up there with the greats. I've tried a few in the past but whenever I feel like baked eggs, I come here. The tomato sauce is rich with flavour and it comes with crunchy bread. Best of all it's not too heavy or oily so you don't feel sick afterwards. Big ticks for the attentive service. I will be back fo sho!!
Staff extremely attentive and friendly. Super quick service - my bircher came within 5 mins of ordering it and came before more iced latte which followed a couple of minutes later. Bircher had a good consistency and taste but was a little on the small side. The granola on top added great texture to the bowl.
What a lovely place adjacent to the Burnley station. Decor inside makes you feel like being inside a friend's house, so cosy. The soy chocolate is good and the matcha latte is even better.
Tried the rasberry pancakes and they were quite good. Downside is that there's not many vegan choices.
Service is quite fast and very friendly.
What a beautiful and tasty brunch ! Been there today on a late saturday morning. Nice decorations and atmosphere, really sunny place... Perfect for a brunch with your lover. Food came in 10 min, tasty and filling like we like it. Friendly and attentive staff... go go go !
Great place for quality food. A bit expensive but good friendly staff. I'll definitely recommend this place to friends and family. Well done guys!!!
I have been here many a time. The venue is really nice and the staff quite friendly. The food menu isn't vegan friendly. The coffee was nice and is the reason I have stopped in numerous times.
Friendly service great poached eggs on the Benny with loads of pulled pork and hollandaise. Good coffee. Would definitely recommend! Will be back...
I'm surprised this place doesn't have a higher rating. My guess is that the food is so good, they are too busy to offer perfect service. Otherwise, I can't imagine what anyone would complain about. Brunch as it should be. I'll be back again and again.
I was really excited to try this place as I've had so many different people rave about it to me. I wasn't disappointed, the Hungover was pretty great but next time I am definitely trying the Shakshuka, which looked amazing! It's always a good sign when you can't decide what to have when you're reading the menu.
Loved their fresh juices too (accidentally ordered the wrong one and it was actually my favourite thing from FOM) and the staff were friendly and accommodating.
Bonus was that they were really nice about me having my dog there, even though he tried to lick the waiter a few times. (For the anti-dog people/hygiene enthusiasts I promise that my dog didn't touch the waiter.)
Feels a bit odd to be having brunch with white tablecloths. Hard to read the newspaper on such small tables! Good coffee and the Hungover has all our favourite elements - lovely bread with tasty herbed cheese, crispy bacon, poached eggs plus avocado.
My sister had her wedding dinner here, was spectacular.
Attention to detail of the food, decorations, staff service.
Atmosphere felt heritage meets home decor.
Cheese Platter, Entre, Main, Dessert and post meal coffee & tea.
Highly rate this cafe for functions, of up to 35 people.
Went here for brunch and really enjoyed the whole experience. Service was great. Very attentive staff.
Coffee was good.
I went for a classic, poached eggs on toast with a side of salmon.
Would have liked more toast options. Sourdough and grain were the only two offered and sometimes you just want a good wholemeal or bruschetta. The sourdough was great though!
Would visit again and try something a little more adventurous.
Nice coffee and food, the service was very attentive and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit. The kitchen was closing soon when I arrived, however the waiter helped me decide quickly and I was able to enjoy my lunch in the sunshine.
Absolutely exceptional every single time, service is always prompt, regardless of how busy they are. The HUNGover is a must after a big night.
Delicious food! The shakshuka was delicious, the hangover was so yum as well and great amount of food. The service was fantastic, the lady was so attentive. We sat outside and the lady brought us all blankets to snuggle up in. I will definitely be back. 👌🏼
A lunch out with friends and came here on their recommendation. They grab coffee from here quite often apparently. I found the coffe to be good but nothing special.
Anyway its a quaint eclectic furnished cafe that struggles with a consistent theme. The menu is large and a little on the expensive side I believe.
We ordered the Hung Over, smashed avocado, warm beef salads and chips. Everyone enjoyed their meals however I felt the beef salad was a little small considering its $20. It was very flavoursome though with a little chilli hum. Noodles were just cooked through so there was plenty of crunch against the chuncks of beef. And it wasnt overdressed so it didnt just wilt and go soggy.
$4.90 for a small side of chips is a bit rich. They were crunchy though and it was a nice aioli.
The staff were pleasent and it was a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Id come back and eat but with so much competition in the area it might be little while before I get back there as I wasnt blown away.
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Went here after a tip from a friend, but didn't check zomato. Probably wouldn't have gone if we would have seen the 3.4 score on here. Anyway, it was nice and busy, but still quite a few free tables which was good. The interior is strange. Part of the cafe looks like a grungy cafe, the other part looks like a restaurant with the white table cloths. Some of the tables were too close together, and also a lot of the tables were too small to be comfortable. Service was ok.
They ask if you want coffees almost before you sit down on your table. We took a strong latte and a long black with hot milk on the side. The strong latte had burnt milk, we returned it and we got a better one back. The long black was ok.
The menu is very extensive and prices are high. Most lunch dishes were over $20, smoothies were $9.35 etc. We ordered the spiced chicken salad and warm spiced beef salad. Requested both of them without coriander. The waiter said the beef salad didn't have coriander and he would check for the chicken. He came back to say that the chicken had been marinated with coriander but no fresh coriander in the dish. We decided to go for these two dishes.
With the first bite of the beef salad we tasted... coriander. We returned the beef salad and they said it couldn't be made without the coriander. We got the lamb gnocchi instead. First ate the chicken salad together, which was very nice, tasty and healthy and a good amount.
The lamb gnocchi looked like a bit of a mess on the plate and wasn't great at all. And on top of that it's one of the most expensive dishes on the menu. The combo of lamb with the olives, feta, tomatoes, it just didn't do it. It was a little bit spicy which was nice.
All and all it just wasn't good enough to come back. They did they right thing with getting us a better coffee and replacing the beef salad for another dish without extra charge which is why I still give them a reasonable score.
One of my favourites - great brunch coffee and Lunch - never had a bad meal and take my out of town and in town friends there ... Lunch this week - see pics ... You can also take your lap top and work away or your dog with you outside with dog friendly bowels etc
I visited Friends of Mine again after so long. We arrived quite early so there was no waiting time.
Ordered the pulled pork eggs benedict, which was disappointing - the pork was dry and lacked flavour. The banana bread dish was pretty good though, not too sweet.
I had the sweet potato, bacon and avocado tortillas that came along with fried eggs. It was a good combo however I felt the food became very mushy towards the end. It was lacking a kick to it but it was a good dish overall, especially in terms of presentation. My friend had the red velvet ricotta hotcakes and it was so fluffy and generous in portion!
Ordered:
- Red Velvet Ricotta Hotcakes
- Sweet Potato, Bacon and Avocado Tortillas
Hotcakes were amazing - very fluffy on the inside and the outside were slightly crispy which was different to all the other Hotcakes I've tried. My friends dish was large in proportion and aesthetically pleasing!
I love having brunch and Melbourne has some of the most interesting dishes I have seen in Australia. For a change in scenery, we headed to Richmond this time round. Service was a little slow to begin with (a few blur expressions across some of the waiting staff's faces - surely we do not look that strange?) but picked up soon after we sat at our table.
Good brunch spot. Not much in that area, which helps to keep it buzzing consistently on weekends. Can't go wrong with poached eggs and a glass of sparkling on a lazy sunny day while watching the world go by.
My friend had the banana bread which looked devine. I had the warm beef salad. Meal serving was very generous! Staff were nice ☺ lots of people on lap tops here must be a good place to chill
Service wa FANTASTIC. And it takesa lot to impress me and my diners.
I had the cheesy herb toast with Avo and bacon (the hungover). The wait time was about 15 (Thursday mornig 10am, prepare to wait longer in weekends).
Eggs were slightly hard for a "poached" option, but due to the amazing service, this was overlooked. menu was extensive, excited to return.
Pretty pricey for the location and food. But would return.
Great vibe. Bright and open dining space. Small tables though. Tad loud on a busy weekend. That was expected though.
Food was really good. I had the 'Hung' over brekkie. Cheesy toast was amazing. Partner had the banana bread stack. Delicious. Tad too sweet for me though.
All in all. Good place, well worth the visit.
Had a late lunch here on a Friday. The fried chicken po' boy was so good. The chips are also fried nicely. But I think the star was the garlic aioli that came with the chips. I just couldn't have enough of it.
Looking forward to come back again.
Melbourne Foodie Memoirs
+4
Brunch in the sun with an extensive menu
Perfect for a relaxing brunch on a sunny morning.
We loved the extensive brunch menu - there is definitely something for everyone here. The servings are generous so you certainly won't go home hungry.
The 'hung' over was very tasty - herb & cheesy toast, poached eggs, bacon and smashed avocado.
Great vibe and decor. Heaps of space with a range of seating options inside and out. Staff were very attentive and friendly. The quality of the food was evident just by the sheer popularity, plus a constant stream of people in to get a coffee.
The roast pumpkin bruschetta was top notch and nice and filling. Excellent choice of flavours and textures.
Like it. Great ambience. Menu is good. Service v good. CASH ONLY IS VERY ANNOYING - puts me off from returning. What's the issue in accepting cars????
කෑම ලෑස්තියි (Food Is Ready)
+3.5
A busy cafe with a nice ambience. I had the eggs benedict which was adequate for me but portion is quite small for someone who'd usually eat more. My friend ordered the confit leg of duck, again a small dish which didn't fill him up for lunch
Yes, totally agree that the cash only policy is frustrating. Sister cafes, Snow Pony and Porgie & Mr Jones, all have the same cash only policy so I guess that is just how they roll. Despite the drawback, FOM still draws large crowds especially during the weekend. The friendly and attentive service definitely contributes to the crowd but the food, not so much. The food, per say, is pretty good and are served very promptly when taking the crowd into consideration, but unfortunately can be somewhat inconsistent. The folded eggs sometimes get a bit oily but when not, the eggs are golden perfection on a plate. The ham on the egg bennies can be a bit dry but nothing the hollandaise cannot save. Banana bread stack - looks better than it tasted. While little hits and misses abound, when all said and done, FOM still is a solid place to brunch.
Love the atmosphere in this place, it's always busy, however the staff never forget there customers, very attentive. Great coffee and the food is always consistent.
Top spot- perfect coffee, impressive snack cabinet selection and brunch menu. We sat outside and were impressed by the house made banana bread/marscapone etc etc thingy, it was real pretty and delicioso. Heaps of space inside, could work for meeting friends or coworkers. Staff were super attentive and v.lovely :)
Came here by accident and found it to be pretty good! I got a chicken wrap which was quite yum! Also had a pretty good coffee. The cash only aspect though is pretty annoying lucky they had an ATM.
Came here on Sunday with the family for an early morning breakfast. We loved the interior straight away; very mixed match furniture with warm vintage feel. The white table clothes and paper on some of the tables was very tacky though. Our coffee orders were taken straight away, and soon after our food orders. Service was very friendly.
The meals didn't take long to come out, but perhaps that was because it wasn't very busy at 8am. They were all very presentable dishes. The banana bread was disappointing. The bread was cold and there was too much mascarpone on top. It was also drowning with sauce. Tasted okay, but not portioned very well. The quesadillas had a heap of chilli on them, which is fine but didn't suit our taste. The 'hung over' was great, except they used coriander which almost ruined the entire dish for me.
Overall a nice environment, would maybe return. You can hire the venue for parties, which would be cool. They also do high tea on Sunday afternoon which could be nice too.
Wonderful, spacious cafe that has a very extensive menu. The staff were so welcoming and helpful that it wasn't a big deal that the food took a while to come. Average coffees, good food, great service.
I met a colleague as we had some catching up to do and chose here. The staff were amazing, specifically offered us a table near a PowerPoint, friendly and attentive. They were not fussed that we were taking our time to order anything but coffee. When we ordered lunch it did seem to take a long time to come. We enquired and the waitress who took our order returned to us to admit that she had forgotten our order. It will now be 5 minutes and all our drinks will be free. No blaming anyone else straight up honesty. I can't believe how good avocado on toast could taste but OMG!! Loved it, they staff and the food.
I've been to Friends of Mine a couple of times now, usually for brunch with friends or with my partner. The food has always been divine and the coffee very nice indeed! If you're thinking of visiting for breakfast however, do yourself a favour and either come early or a bit later - peak time is super busy here! Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, as a packed restaurant usually indicates good food. Recommended for sure!
Excellent coffee - long macchiato. Lunch was delicious, a great selection of brekkie and lunch options. Efficient & friendly service! Great cafe!
Friends of Mine is surprisingly large and every time I've been it's been packed. Nice to see such a lovely restaurant doing well. They do a good breakfast crossaint and the outside are is very nice to sit in. Puppy friendly too!
Finally got around to Friends of Mine and was extremely impressed by the size of the place. Loved the mix of tables with full linen and the usual battered tables and wooden benches. Staff were very friendly and all smiles - and graciously took the time to answer my finicky questions about a dish 😆. The menu is great , with a good range of dishes from brunch staples to some exotic flavours. The crispy barramundi and Asian salad was delicious and from what I saw the others would be just as good. Friends of mine is definitely the place to brunch or lunch or even coffee with friends of yours.
I have been to this cafe several times before but I have not been here for nearly a year so my husband and I thought we would come back as this would be our last breakfast out for 2015.
I noticed that they have now changed the menu and I was a little nervous to try something new. We got there at like 8.30am and we had an amazing waiter. He was full of spunk and character. The best waiter I have seen in a long time. We got our coffees. I got mine extra hot, or should I say boiling as I hate it when they bring you a lattee that is luke warm. The coffee was delicious and boiling just as I like it. We had the smashed avocado. Now they have beetroot with it. I ordered two poached eggs, bacon and mushrooms as well cause I did an awesome back session and I needed more fuel for my gains!!! The food came out quickly and it was splendid. It was dapper and simply to die for. I loved it!!! I can not wait to come back and eat more.
Been here a few times and have never been disappointed. They have just updated the menu and it doesn't disappoint, the staff are friend and are always up for a chat. Great work guys, keep it up
My partner and I have been wanting to go to Friends of Mine on Swan street for so long, but we always thought that the stigma surrounding this bustling cafe would be true and that we couldn't get near the place, although we were pleasantly surprised, Friends of Mine is quite large in comparison to other cafes and it also helped we were there at 9am!
It's decor is inviting, white table clothes, warm carpet, and a foyer style waiting area to get your take away coffees and cakes.. It feels like a country cafe in the heart of the inner city of Melbourne with its low key ambiance, it's simple yet delicious food it's utterly inviting!
I had the omelette and it was by far the best omelette i have eaten, it's the way it should be, not stacked with heaps of topping and the potato Grattan on the side was magnificent!
Friends of mine is a must go to
Frequent friends of mine about once a month. The food is amazing. Lunch gives a regulsr portion rather than a huge one like most cafes. Staff are great . Little pricey and lack of eftpos is annoying. Despite these admin issues it still gets a 5 because the food is that good
I've already emailed my praise to the manager of Friends of Mine and received a lovely response, so felt I should write this publicly as well.
Went in on Sunday and had the most wonderful experience at a cafe on a weekend day in a long time. Despite them being extremely busy, service, food and coffee were all incredible. Coming from someone who works in hospitality, I can tell you now, you won't find service like that in many places in Melbourne anymore.
We will definitely be back again.
Bloody Eggsellent Mary to accompany the "the hung". It's a winner every time! The celery salt around the glass activates those taste buds post a big night. Together with the cheesy toast, arvo mash, poached googlies, bacon and spicy kasundi help bring you into the land of the living. Awesome breakky for the hung over about to back it up!
Food was not bad, friendly waiter and this place plays the best music! If you are someone who enjoys music from the 80s, this place is definitely for you!
So had breakfast here this morning, my other half and I were greeted with a warm welcome and quickly seated. Staff seemed to be in a good spirit which I think is really important when eating out. It's about a the whole experience, not just the food. :)
The food was yummy and the coffee was great!
Would definitely recommend :)
Add this to the list of great brunch spots in Richmond. Spacious venue that's got a good atmosphere and ample outdoor area. Very tasty food - had the folded eggs with feta and mushrooms which were superb. Small downside is cash only, but there is an ATM inside
With so many great options in Melbourne, over half the eateries I visit are brunch cafes, often setting the stage for catch ups with friends or just cos on weekends. So when some friends came down to Melbourne for a visit before moving far, far away to the Great White North, we farewelled them in true Melbourne fashion: with a delicious brunch. Said brunch took place at popular Richmond brunch destination, Friends of Mine.
Enjoyed the bircher muesli and a Noisette croissant with Bonne Maman jam last week. Also tried their infamous banana bread but wasn't fully amazed. Great décor and great service though. Cash only.
We love this place we often go for breaky. Look out at peak times as it gets packed. The Toasted Banana bread is SO good! Also love the Jack + Jill and the Hung over is yummy too. Can't go wrong with the food everything is delish. Coffee is good too.
Had an awesome experience this past weekend. I ordered the vanilla pancakes and couldn't have been any happier, cept I had food envy of my girlfriend's order (the golden folded eggs). Customer service was good too, all in all a good brunching experience.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
This cafe has a gorgeous interior! The decor gives off a lovely elegant vibe - very simplistic and clean. There is a small cabinet near the door for take away items such as muesli pots, baguettes and baked goods. The service was decent. The staff members weren't overly enthusiastic but they did their job. The menu was more or less the same as its sister cafes (Snow Pony & Stables of Como) so it was nothing new to me.
The food was very well presented as expected. I ordered a simple fare of scrambled eggs on toast. The eggs were fluffy and not over cooked, and the portion was huge! Only slight criticism I have about the dish is regarding the toast - one slice was underdone and didn't have that nice char. In fact I sat there wondering if they forgot to toast the slice. On the other hand, the other slice was overdone and had burnt edges. However I do prefer my bread a little more toasted than the usual person so I wasn't too bothered by it, but I think most people would be. I also had a banana and chocolate muffin, which was moist and not overly sweet. It had a fantastic crust while maintaining a soft texture inside. It was also huge and at $4 is great definitely good value.
My dining companion ordered "Jack & Jill". I didn't try the dish but he insisted that I sampled a bit of the 12 hour roasted tomato, and I could see why! The tomato was bursting with intense flavour, but not overly salty. It was the best tomato I have ever tasted! The poached eggs were a little over done, as the yolks weren't perfectly runny and had started to solidify around the edges. Otherwise the dish was well executed and couldn't really be faulted.
Overall it was a great experience and lived up to my expectations (after having similar positive experiences at its sister cafes).
Melbourne's Munchies
+4.5
Lovely cute little spot! Got the toasted banana bread and sat by the window to soak in some of the rays! Decent coffee keen to explore more of the menu next time!
The interior decorations are pleasing to the eye with a touch of elegance ambiance. Took a while to get the waiters attention but after that the food was served quickly. Taste was alright.
Coffee is really hit and miss, I've noticed the standards change a lot per coffee, maybe some baristas need more training to be consistent?
Friends delivers on taste every time. Especially like the chicken and aoli wrap. Atmosphere is great and the coffee always good. Only gripe is that it is cash only.
Each weekend, Richmond is abuzz with hungry Melbournians looking for somewhere to brunch with friends. As one of main café hubs in town, people descend on the area in their droves, so its not uncommon to have to wait and queue for a table at some of the more popular eateries. That is pretty much the point at which they lost me. I love brunching, but I absolutely despise having to wait around and queue for a table, especially when there are so many great cafes in town. I’d rather move on to another place where I can get the same quality food and a table right away. For this very reason I usually steer clear of Richmond as it has become somewhat renowned for the brunch wait and that’s time I just don’t have to waist.
Thoroughly enjoyed my brunch here. Couldn't decide on what we wanted as so many great options and definitely over ordered! Service was great, looking forward to going back.
Great service & delicious food (Grilled chicken salad was one of the best I've eaten) make this place a winner. Great ambience as well... Good music at just the right volume
One thing I miss moving out of Richmond Is this place. I love their breakfast and the super quirky decor. Friendly staff too. We are fans of this place. Only negative is its cash only!
Fantastic coffee and great service.
Felt like we could have stayed there the entire afternoon.
Staff were friendly and at tentative.
Will surely return for a meal very soon.
Food always good. They have the longest menu out of the Porgies/Snow Pony/Friends of Mine trio, and it's nice to have the extra options. Coffee (Allpress) my favourite coffee blend probably but not always perfectly made, and service a bit hit and miss too.
Had brunch here with some friends. Great experience, good coffee (Allpress), delicious smoked salmon and smashed avo and mushrooms and poached eggs. Great decor, chandelier and polished concrete.
My sister come over from indonesia and i took her to 'friends of mine'. I ordered bircher muesli and she ate 'hung over'. They have the best muesli i've ever eaten here in melb, i'll definitely come back for it. For those who are starving, 'hung over' is the best choice.
This is a favourite of mine. The coffee can be a bit inconsistent at some points but this is more than made up by the excellent service and fantastic menu. Eggs benedict is best in Melbourne
I returned to Friends of Mine over the weekend after having been before and being slightly underwhelmed due to the hype it receives. Like the first time, I was slightly thrown by the white table cloths for breakfast, and couldn't help feel I was under dressed for the occasion. I went with the Golden Folded Eggs with goats cheese and mushrooms. Incredibly filling and incredibly delicious. Love the food. Not crazy about the vibes.
Any brunch addict in Melbourne would be well acquainted with the banana bread at Richmond’s brunch institution Friends of Mine. But what’s the secret to their banana bread which has hordes of hungry brunch lovers coming back for more week after week? I found out on my latest visit to Friends of Mine.
Where should we go for breakfast in Burnley? The answer is Friends of Mine of course. This lovely place is my long time favorite cafe since I'd lived in Hawthorn over 10 years. Nice and cosy inside, beautiful breakfast and good coffee. We randomly choose our meals from menu time to time they all are just delicious. Service is generally good , could be lacking sometimes in the afternoon but not a big deal. Parking could be a little bit of hassle so catch the tram No70 if you don't live far. Highly recommended for locals.
Brilliant. The Hung breakfast it a destination in itself! Needs to start accepting cards. Great service, nice crowd, good coffee . Loved it.
Went for brunch. Very busy. Great food I had jack and Jill breakie couldn't finish it though. Price is on the high side but in saying that happy to pay it as lovely. Food came out in good time, coffee took ages. Will go back
This place is always so busy, one of my favourite places. The hangover is just the right brunch after a late night!!
Excellent service. Coffee OK. Extremely prompt nice but not amazing meals. Hot chips were great though. An error was made with one of our orders and the waiter immediately apologised and offered our coffees on the house which impressed a high level of professionalism. Pricey but the major drawback is their cash only policy.
Great Food but not coffee. The food was good, the staffs are lovely but not the coffee for me.
in the three years that i’ve lived in melbourne, i have driven past ‘friends of mine’ on swan street richmond a handful of times and had put a mental note in the back of my head to check this place out when i could. today was that day. some great friends of ours joined us for our ‘walk and brunch’ despite the crisp (freezing!) winter breeze, and before we knew it we had walked and talked the length of swan st down to #506. it’s hard to miss the gorgeous yellow awnings and hanging flowers, and even harder to miss the line-up outside. i have a love/hate relationship with having to wait for a table for breakfast… love because it is usually a sign of great food + a popular cafe; hate because i’m usually starting to get pretty hangry after a 5km walk + desperately need that first coffee. thankfully we talked our way through the 20min wait for a table this morning, and the sun even graced us with its delightful warmth out on the street for a while.
This isn’t really a review of Friends of Mine which has been a strong cafe for years now and is one of my favourites. It does relate to a midweek morning breakfast at Friends of Mine on the way to work though. The restaurant business is no different to so many others, especially those that are service oriented. There are rules of engagement; a list of commandments if you will. The separation of powers between the floor and the kitchen is what maintains quality at some of the best places I’ve worked at.
Came here with the usual 2 girlies and really enjoyed our meal. The coffee was pretty decent in my opinion but not exceptional. C had to order anything pork related on the menu so she had a pulled pork brioche burger, she looked pretty happy with her option so I’m guessing it was good! I shared a plate of the Salad of spiced cauliflower, mt zero quinoa, chickpeas, spinach + marinated fetta and the famous Toasted banana bread with maple syrup mascarpone, fresh banana, berry compote and crushed pistachio with R. We really enjoyed the salad, it was light and tasty yet really filling as well. The portion was definitely generous. The banana bread certainly looked impressive with its height and we were really excited to try it! Unfortunately it got cold a little too fast and R wasn’t completely crazy over it. She said the banana bread at two birds one stone might have been better? hahha I reckon it was pretty yummy but just needed a little something else to make it entirely awesome if that’s
The space is vibrant with bright yellow shades, but the interior retains some antique items, with two lovely chandeliers. The staff were very attentive, and the menu is similar to the offering at the other two places, with some lunch selections and salads offered on top of the breakfast items. Prices are reasonable and although the menu is quite conventional, each element of the dish is done extremely well. 'Very hot' Cappuccino above, and latte below Seemed to have both good texture and good flavour, although the cappuccino drinker thought it could have been a bit hotter, but I guess that could have affected the texture? House Smoked salmon, corn pancake, avocado, tomato salsa a poached egg $19.90 This smoked salmon was very fresh, with a generous serving, along with avocado which had been smashed with some flavour, possibly lemon juice? The corn pancake was a deviation fro
Overall, the three of us enjoyed lunch very much. Despite the wait for a table, the staff made us feel like we were more than just customers; the service was as excellent and the food was great (besides the Vegemite, but that's beyond the café control.).
Expensive Delicious Habit.
+4.5
I chose something out the ordinary for me: House Smoked Salmon with sweet corn pikelet, smashed avocado, dill crème fraiche and a poached egg. M went for something different too: a scallop salad with cauliflower and greenery. This place was super busy. We took our time ordering but it was a long time until our food came out, so I was pretty hungry! Luckily it looked great when it arrived...
The World Loves Melbourne
+4.5
Friends of Mine is a great name for a cafe, based on the gangster film, but also echoes the care and attitude of the attentive staff towards the clientele. This cafe is a foodie haven and a serious coffee destination. And it feels like one big happy family. A relative of Snow Pony and Porgie and Mr Jones, also great cafes, Friends of Mine delivers on all fronts.
...has fast become one of my new favourite cafes in inner city Melbourne. Normally when faced with a waiting list pre-coffee on a Sunday morning, my first reaction is to head somewhere else. But with food as good as this place, a 10 or 15 minute wait is more than forgivable. Especially when you can nab a coffee through the side window whilst you wait... Not only can you expect a compliment on the back of your menu and amazing coffee, but a wonderful bustling atmosphere, beautiful rustic-meets-glamorous decor and super efficient service with a smile. Last weekend Mr B and I caught up with the lovely James & Tré for brekky, with me bringing all the boys along for their first Friends of Mine experience. And I have to say they were all suitably impressed! We started of course, with a round of delicious creamy coffees.... And followed on with a most impressive breakfast spread... (
“HUNG’ over – our herb + cheesy toast, poached googies, bacon + avocado $18,9
Hot coffee and chai arrived quickly. The coffee was reportably excellent (resulting in a second cup later in the meal) and the chai was deliciously spicy with a lovely honeyed sweetness, not too sweet and syrupy which is often the case.
everything was tasty and delish, i was sad when the plate got emptied.
Great coffee. GREAT food. Great service. A+++
Only negative is its cash only. There is an ATM there but still a nuisance.
Pretty good. Okay so apart from the price - this place is nice. The place is quirky, liked the fresh juices, coffee was good and the food was good. Service was good. Although the seats are wayyy too near to one another so basically you are having bfast with 4 others if you are two seated in the middle of two other tables. No private conversations happened in that brunch for sure! Parking is a hassle so unless you are in the area and in luck, theres other places too to go to.
Praise where praise is due. Having been to a lot of brunch cafe's, I was interested to give Friends' Of Mine a go, especially because the brunch scene in Richmond is one of the best.
Summary: Coffee - 8/10, Food - 7.5/10, service - 10/10
So I went in today to try some of their signature dishes (the 'hungover' and my friend had the smashed avocado w. poached egg), both were great and hearty. The coffee, being Allpress was delicious, except a minor critique was it wasn't as visually attractive as other brunch places (coffee art wasn't great, looked splodgey).
The best part of my experience was the lovely and friendly waitstaff, coming in on a Sunday morning I imagined a busy wait by the looks of the crowded front, but instead was greeted by the nicest young lady - full of smiles and who seated us promptly! (great to see customer service is still alive). In all, the experience was a positive one, and definately would come back!
Good spot for brunch.. Seriously I love the vibe and atmosphere at friends of mine. Very friendly staff, great service, rich coffee and the food is good. The beans that they use are "Allpress" it is superb. if you pop bye I recommend the "hungover" cheesy toast, poached eggs, crispy bacon and smashed avo. delicious. if you are looking for brunch place to go this is the place.
This place was one of my favourite brunch places! I'd always order the eggs benedict and scones! You'll always have a satisfied meal when coming here! I love the ambience and decor. A very cosy and friendly feeling about this place. What better place to go for brunch and grabbing a coffee
Yummy, if very busy, breaky or lunch. It seems you always need to wait for a table here but it's worth a little wait. The smashed avo and folded eggs are both delish. Coffee is great. juices good. I love to come here with the kids, (adult kids), for lunch or breakfast. They all have favourites and whilst the service can be slow at times the surroundings are pleasant, so as long as you are not in a hurry, its great.
R gular. I am a regular local here. All good when you can get in on the weekend.
The cafe itself is really nice, it has a lovely feel about it & if the weather is good nice sitting area outside. However we sat inside and it was just as nice. Staff were friendly enough. Coffee was ok not the best, food was nice. Overall experience was alright nothing to really complain about, just a general nice time.
Good but not the best.. Friends of Mine is a nice brunch shop. The food and coffee is good but not outstanding. I had Jack+Jill, one of the sour doughs is burnt. And I don't really like the avocado smash. I think the chef tried to keep avocado's colour so he put a lot of lemon juice in it. However, the lemon taste is way too strong, which totally covered nice smell and taste of avocado. Also, I would like to say that they don't use really high-quality ingredients even though the price there is pretty high compared with the serving size. In general, this is a nice place to drop in in you are near there.
Love the smashed avo and the banana bread dessert. Coffee is pretty good too. The cash-only aspect is my biggest conplaint as the atm across the road doesn't always work.
Such a great place. The service was fantastic and food ready so quick. Me and my boyfriend ordered the hungover brekkie I think it was called. You can't go past the cheesy herb toast, it's like a very yum pizza but with all your brekky faves (avo, bacon, eggs.)
Only grievance was the bacon, it was incredibly thick! Wasn't a fan. Will be coming back though, there was ks many other amazing things on the menu still to try!
Handy location, near my work. The food here is amazing! I would high recommend the spicy beef salad. It had lots of flavour. I really enjoyed the combination and the Asian slaw mm.. yum! I also loved the decor it is retro/modern with a vibrant feel. Highly recommend this place and the coffee is really good too.
Great meal, well priced and a wonderful ambiance, had the smashed avo which was one of the better ones I've had, great coffee! Worth the visit
Just want to go back in time and eat it again!
What a great place to eat!! Went there for a late lunch. The food was fresh and delicious. The spicy beef salad was awesome. Great atmosphere and a very Coeliac friendly place to eat. Highly recommended. Thanks guys. Derek and Sam
Love This Place!. I've been here so many times now and still love it. The banana bread is still my favourite followed by golden folded eggs! Just perfect....
Get there early, as the line for weekend breakfast is starting to get ridiculous. Remember cash only....(why?!?)
Coffee is superb and service is usually spot on! (although they have a new door hostess who is totally rude and rough...but don't let that turn you off)
If you're still hungry when you leave......which you won't be.....grab a breakfast wrap to go.....YUM!!!!
Fab breakfast, need a return visit to work my way through menu, yum !
What a gem. One of the best places I've been to for a long time! The folded eggs and goats cheese were excellent and presented nicely. The fresh juice was just right as a morning starter. The staff were friendly and attentive. The atmosphere made for a great time. First time experience and will definitely be back.
LOVED IT!!!!. Looking for a coffee fix and some lunch the other day, we found Friends Of Mine! As soon as we walked in, the coffee aroma hit - yes! Greeted by friendly and attentive staff, we were seated in the chic, elegant and yet casual diningroom. The atmosphere was buzzing with customers chatting and staff delivering some delicious looking food to the tables around us. Perusing the menu, a handful of dishes immediately got my taste buds going! I went for a toasted piadini, my husband the beef salad and some brekkie choices for the kids. Everyone was happy! The food was fresh and amazing, coffee was first class and service to match! I could've spent the rest of the afternoon there sipping back to back lattes but alas....the kids got the wriggles! Thank you for a lovely lunch Friends Of Mine, we'll be back to try the rest of your menu-yum!!
One of the many stand and wait around for a table Richmond breakfast places. The Walt staff were friendly though and didn't appear to be fake-nice. There is a good menu variety and the orange juice was fresh and smashed avocado yumtastic. I haven't been back since as the wait puts me off, but some may say the wait is worth it!
Great atmosphere!great food! Went in on a monday afternoon and the place was packed. Thought we were going to be waiting for a while to get a table and service but was pleasantly surprised at how quick and efficient the service was. Food was great, coffe was perfect definately gona visit again soon.
Friendly Fresh and Chic. Went to visit Friends of Mine for the first time. The staff have been very friendly and warm. Loved the decor and the feel of the place.
We had Baguette with Bills hand carved ham, Brie, truss tomato + lettuce, and
Rice paper rolls w/ ocean trout, betel leaf, green mango, chilli + coriander, and both were fresh and full of flavor.
Definitely would come again
I really like this place it has a good feel, the coffee is great and the food and service have been top notch.
Great vibe in the cafe, trendy setting. Great selection of menu items and fresh juices.
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Well I Luuuuuuved it!!!!!!. Have read a few negative reports about this place of late but l seriously wonder whether the reviewers turned up to the right place OR do they have an ulterior motive behind their negativity????
As far as l'm concerned, Friends of Mine stacks up very well indeed amongst the best of them, and l will be a regular patron based on what l experienced today.
I was greeted quite promptly by a wonderful and friendly waiter who knew his stuff and made me feel extremely welcome and comfortable. There was a really good buzz about the place - not too loud, not dead quiet, just right. From what l could see, every person seemed to be living and enjoying life amongst the company of great friends and/or family, in a cafe full of atmosphere and character.
First up for me was a large cappuccino - BRILLIANT COFFEE!!!!!!!! What a way to start. So good that l ordered another one(the coffee has to be sensational for me to order two in quick succession!).
Then my brekky promptly arrived - sumptuous folded eggs cooked to perfection with some delicious sides. Could not fault a thing! No complaints from this fuss-pot!
So, in summary - brilliant coffee, delicious food, incredible service, and very reasonably priced. As long as it remains this way, I'll be back again and again and telling every friend of mine about this great aptly named cafe.
$50 + for two breakfasts (average food at best), was then told at the till that they only accept cash and to cross the street to the 7/11, what an absolute joke in this day and age!
Nailed it. They have nailed the whole thing. Service, food, coffee, friendly without being over the top. This is a favourite of mine, however my coffee is a bit inconsistent. Depends on the barista i guess?
Don't listen to these whingers with bulky prams in cafes. No sympathy there sorry.
go try for yourself
Delicious Brunch!. Lovely staff who were very accommodating and apologetic for our table of 7's 25 minute wait. Lovely large menu. All our dishes were delicious as were the drinks. Will definitely be back!
Highly recommend breakfast as a lovely location with beautiful smashed avo however the lunchtime menu is not as selective and the steak sandwich does not live up to it's price
Highly recommend as a breakfast cafe
One of the best Richmond has to offer
One of my favourites across Melbourne! Love it a lot
Best. Omelette. Ever.. Had to try the special golden folded eggs, and boy was it special. Silky, buttery and full of rich eggy flavour. It's so delicious that I'm not even embarrassed that I'm raving on about an omelette. Just don't tell me how many calories are in it...
Alldaylongidreamaboutfood
+4.5
Amazinggg. Best smashed avo I've ever had! Buttered mushrooms, grainy bread, basil, feta and an added egg on top. So delicious and service was friendly without be intrusive. Perfect Sunday Brekky
Poached googies.. Best poached eggs I've ever had. Sublime.
Had a lovely breakfast. Staff were delightful and helpful. Tried the hang over and the jack and Jill. The pretty in pink was also delicious. Will come back if I'm in the area.
Amazing banana bread and great service. This place is really lovely. After having been to Industry beans today where the service was average and we were made to feel awful for having children and wanting to eat out. This place was the complete opposite. They were really lovely, coffee was great and the banana bread was amazing.
Went for Sunday Brunch, service is friendly and prompt . Place was bustling. Trendy decor , I think great for groups with all the chatter happening around you. We sat near the window, I found the couples table quite close to each other it was like communal dining. Food was yummy . Will go back .
One of my happy places ;-). Love Friends of Mine!. ticks all the boxes...
great coffee, great food, funky venue and super friendly staff- its obvious to me the staff are happy there- and for me thats what makes it always such a great experience.
Went there on Saturday, and as usual was sat by a friendly face- someone I have not seen before- but he was great and thoroughly enjoyed my morning of good food, good coffee and good friends.
Highly recommend FOM for a great breaky or lunch- any day of the week!
Recommend. Great breakfast menu and daily specials. By far the best coffee in Richmond. Great atmosphere, this place has become a weekend tradition.
Solomon Cappola-Wang
+4.5
Nice atmosphere . Good serv.... Nice atmosphere .
Good service. Delicious and innovative food ideas on a brekkie staple.
Nice atmosphere... Good eye candy hehe
Grapefruit juice is sensational !!!
Must recommend
I adore this place and the Bircher muesli is to die for. Great atmosphere, lovely staff and beautiful food. 9/10
So good it should come with a warning label. If I were on death row and I could choose one dish for my last meal I would ask for the crumpets from Friends of Mine. Home made and served with a mash up of ricotta, honey, lemon syllabub and fresh strawberries; they are so good I should not be allowed to eat them in public.
Possibly one of the best breakies I've had. Had the "Hangover" which was amazing and just what I needed. Service was great and quick even if they were very full. It's nice to see a place that just gets it right on every level. Great experience.
Breaky buzz. Great breaky quick and delicious
Top 5 in Melbourne. One of my favourite breakfast spots and I could visit over and over. My favourite is the hung-over which consists of cheesy toast, eggs, bacon, smashed av and eggplant. YUM! The pick me up and banana bread are also great. Can't wait to work my way through more of the menu. Good coffee too! LOVE! Usually have to wait about 15 mins but totally worth it.
Yum. Devine cauliflower, feta and chick pea salad!!!
Food was yummy, great atmosphere but cash only is such a ridiculous policy, and makes me want to avoid going back to this otherwise perfectly nice place.
Perfect!!. A cute small, cosy cafe so full of atmosphere that I forget that I'm sitting on a main road. Smashed avocado toast was AMAZING, eggs cooked perfectly, and the flavours, too were perfect. Trying my friends's meals around the table, everything was consistent, and just as tasty as the other. :) wait-staff did forget drink items here and there, although wasn't too much of a problem at all. Great food, in a great environment and definately coming back :)!
Beautiful food, good service! Great place for breakfast!
Eating My Way Though Melbourne
+4.5
Wow... impressive!. This place certainly exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt one of the most impressive breakfast places around. A bit of a wait for a table. Seating outside for those waiting. Waiters were nice and friendly.
Very busy place - lots of tables inside. Wouldn't expect this area of Richmond to have such a great cafe. I ordered the avo mash heaped with mushrooms - amazing. Well presented, generous servings and absolutely delicious! The prices are reasonable given the quality of the food. Can't wait to return.
This place ticks a lot of boxes and the business is trying hard to impress and service a growing business, however some times in business you need to step back and look at what's going on in you business !! May areas can be addressed to make this the best place in Richmond...
Great place to meet friends and family,good coffee and consistant,great location.
Good place for breaky. Tasty breaky, good service
Long wait. Good coffee... Loooooong wait tho! Coffee was good as I said but not sure i would come back again. just as good down the road and cheaper! Will come back again soon to try out the food!
Coffee is delish, gluten free bread is fantastic. Food overall sounded and looked more impressive than the actual fare. 7.5/10
Good times. Service was quick. Food was good. Coffee was great all in all a pretty good place. Will be revisiting soon.
Lovely atmosphere bright open spaces and welcoming environment. Good food and coffee but reputation exceeded my personal experience.. latte lacked any latte art so bit disappointed on presentation and both caps to our table looked different to each other (wierd) but all in all good experience and will come back
Busy but still excellent. My partner and I went there for breakfast mid-morning on a Saturday. They were full, but tables were turning over quickly as the service and food are on the money. We were seated immediately and our coffees arrived in no time.
Food was delicious. I had eggs benedict, a personal favourite. GF's poached eggs with chorizo were rock solid - like hard boiled - but there were apologetic and replaced it quickly. Their chorizo is delicious.
Coffees and food were both good and we would return. Shame we don't live in Melbourne.
Never disappoints. I love coming here, even though the wait can be a bit much to handle. The food is wonderful, the coffee amazing and the staff extremely attentive and helpful. Love the decor in the toilet!
A treat. Great coffee and well presented food.
Little on the pricey side, but the food is of high quality so it is worth the extra money.
Yum!
One of the best coffee and brunch venues I have been to in Melbourne. Coffee was served at drinking temperature and was so delicious I ordered a second! Menu is excellent and caters to everyone. Have been twice during Christmas holiday period and never disappointed. Only fault is it is cash only.
Great food. Popped in for a quick breaky... wasn't that quick but food made up for delay. A little loud but a great experience all the same. Can't wait to get back and try lunch menu.
When the service is fast, food is delicious and substantial, with coffee unbeatable coffee, FOM has quickly become my favourite weekend brunch spot.....caution tho, it is hugely popular with Richmond locals so be prepared to que during peak times. Also cash only, so be sure to hit up the atm prior
Food is really great here, and i love the atmosphere - I will definitely be back,however you may need to look past the wait time for a table and the quite rude and disinterested staff
Great breakfast. Live locally and while you will probably have to wait, it's worth it. Jack and Jill is the perfect solution to a hangover.
Regular of Mine. Friends of Mine is one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots in Melbourne. The service is always fantastic and the food is delicious! They also brew a great coffee, so you can't go wrong here. A must try!
Anyone who says this place is overpriced needs a reality check. The prices are more than adequate!
Great coffee, the best brekky in a while, i own a cafe and i still loved this place. Smashed avo and mushroom is devine :)
OJ!!!. Loved the food, waitstaff a little absent minded at times but very friendly. Great coffee and the freshly squeezed OJ was fantastic!! Will definitely come again.
Went there with 2 prams and they were really accommodating! Food was delicious as well :)
Overpriced. Been here several times now. Some meals are good. I made the mistake of ordering the baked potato with spanner crab. I was presented with half a potato with a small dollop of creme fraiche, there was hardly any crab. $16 for half a baked spud, seriously?
The female manager is very good however, very helpful and cheerful.
Coffee is ok, best in the area, although there's not really much competition.
Great breakfast. Had it all and the bread on the 'hangover' was amazing! Would go back for sure.
I've heard it is hard to get in during normal breaky times (I went at 1:30 and had no trouble getting a table)
Hit and miss. The crowd that hang around here aren't my kind if people, the kind that want to be seen instead of just enjoying the food. But you can't pick and choose the people your customers so besides that crowd the food is enjoyable, nothing that screams WOW. There are more interesting places to go.
Love love love. Always know what your going to get and it's always yummy!!! I think its worth the wait times, although generally with 2 of us we get in pretty quickly! There is a 7eleven across the road with an ATM so I don't know why people are bitching about having to pay cash!
I had a food orgasm! Officially my favourite breaky joint! Every dish looks like a piece of art and tastes just as good, plus great friendly service.
Like. Always wanted to try this place because I think it has the best name ever. whoever came up with that - I love it :)
I did enjoy it too - nice food & coffee, relaxed atmosphere, staff was nice and very good with the kids.
Great coffee, amazing breakfast menu. Could do with more staff perhaps.
Good food although they definetly stick to their "no alterations on weekends" as I am pregnant and wanted the feta in a dish on the side and the answer was no. I don't drink coffee but the friends with us said the coffee was great. Good looking menu except not super pregnant friendly which normally wouldn't be an issue.
Bank Holiday Brekkie. I met with a freind recently here for Brekkie on a really busy bank holiday Sunday however the staff were very good advising right from the beginning how long a wait for a table. I ordered granola,with rhubarb and greek yoghurt and juice excellent- My freind had a omelette which they enjoyed too....The only downside was that we were sat at the window with a huge fan which was booming out the heat. We did ask if it could be turned down,we were told it was on one heat setting for the whole restaurant . Given the circumstances I guess there was little that could be done. It didnot distract from the experience of the place - would go back and recommend to freinds and rele's
Good place to chit chat. Good environment with good services. Of course, along with quality food. Is a fantastic place to a brunch on Sunday. Definitely a good place to hang out.
Yummmmm. Visited Friends of Mine on the weekend as it had been on my 'to eat list' for a little while and loved it! Thought it was going to be another hipster breakfast hang out but was pleased when it wasn't. Very cool and unique interior with plenty of tables for all! (yay, didn't have to wait 45 minutes for a breakfast table in Melbourne for once) Had the 'HUNG' breakfast which hit the spot nicely and finished with a cake and well made coffee. Service was friendly and made me feel welcome... Would have to say that is one of my favourite breakfast spots yet !!! Highly recommend !!
Amazing smashed avocado on best gluten free bread ever- fabulous service, highly enjoyable morning and will refinery be back!!
Great coffee, fresh food and quick service.
The food was delish! Finally a restaurant that understands that bigger is better for breakfast meals. Fortunately we didn't have to wait long for a seat or for our food, i certainly wouldn't wait for an hour anywhere for breakfast! I had the smoked salmon and corn cakes and my gf had the jack + jill. Both were awesome.
Worth the wait!. We went for breakfast on a Saturday and the place was packed! We did have to wait 20 minutes but once we were seated, our menus, coffees and food arrived within a reasonable amount of time. Food was excellent as was the coffee. The staff were friendly even though the place was busy. It was our second time and definitely wont be the last!
The BEST. My absolute favourite place for breakfast in Melbourne. Can't go past the 'Jack + Jill'.
The owners of this chain of cafes cannot get it wrong! Menu is amazing and food and coffee consistently of a high standard, yes the wait for a table can be painful- at least however you're waiting for something worthwhile.
Great Venue!. This place was so busy, but definitely worth the wait! I love the interior design and also the menu! They don't do any variations on what you can order which was a little annoying, but in a place this busy I can understand why. Really impressed.
Amazing food. Be prepared to wait for a table, but worth the wait
Our sexy host anouced a half hour wait for a table for 2 as he put our names down, pretty much the standard for groovy cafes on a Sunday morning after 10. Had takeaway coffee while we waited. Flat white was unremarkably good, perhaps a tad weak for my taste. 26 minutes later we're taken to our table. We both decide to order the smoked salmon on sweet corn pyklet, a fresh salad-style pile up of smashed avocado, creme fresh, lettuce mix and a hint of coriander and Vietnamese mint. It was well worth the wait, just the kind of fresh yet filling summer breakfast I was after. Service was attentive despite the crowd control scale of the operation.
Great coffee and awesome breakfast! Big servings and smashed avo yummo
Amazing breakfast/brunch. I wanted to order everything! And when what I ordered came, it was all stunning. A bit of a wait but rather worth it for the food and atmosphere. Btw their monthly dinner set specials are amazing too!
Toasted Banana Bread is a winner. I've heard nice things about this place and finally went there for an afternoon coffee (just before closing time) on a Sunday.
I ordered the toasted banana bread, my friends had an semi-fredo and a cupcake. All three were delicious but the banana bread is a standout. I'll definitely be back for brunch. Nice & friendly young staff too.
Alfresco dining out the front was perfect for today's sunny weather. Service was efficient and welcoming. Highlight is that the eggs were perfectly poached in all our meals. Only negative is that the balsamic vinegar which dressed the "wagyu bresaola" and "smashed avocado and thyme buttered mushrooms" really overpowered both of these dishes, making it difficult to appreciate the other flavours.
Worth a try. Have been twice and really enjoyed both . Had very different experiences, during week in dining room section
felt really special, great food and attentive service. On weekend much more relaxed front of house girl was super friendly and efficient and we were seated in 10 mins , table service slower and we were forgotten a few times. Cash only is absurd and no changes to menu is pretentious or maybe just lazy. Give it a try if passing and can get a car park.
Fabulous food and friendly people!. I went here a few months ago with a friend of mine... it was great! the food was beautiful and the coffee was perfect - even though i am the annoying guest who gets soy lattes!
thanks guys!
Had brunch here last Sunday with some friends - so can see where they got the name from.
It's obviously very popular as the place was full, with a small queue of people waiting for tables. No one had to wait for too long as there are quite a lot of tables and reasonably steady turnover.
Coffee was good. Not excellent but good so +5 points. A couple of orders for seconds got lost so -5 points...
Seemed a good range of choices on the menu and our little group all tried something different. My salmon, avo and egg on a corn fritter was well plated, generous and very tasty. Others had the Jack and Jill, Hangover special and folded eggs. Service was pretty reasonable given the bustle and noise of the place.
Everyone was more than happy.
Two and a half thumbs up - would have been 3 if not for the lost espresso.
Spot on.. Went on a sunday, had to wait 10 for a table but it was worth it. nice fit out actually - very spacious for a cafe in melbourne which made for a nice change! had the house salmon with herbed creme fraiche and a poached egg. long black was really good and the bloody mary was pretty exciting, (bit too much kick for the gf though). will go back.
We had breakfast here last week. It was divine. Great coffee & attentive service. I could not fault it!
LOVE THIS PLACE. I love dropping into this place whether its for a sneaky coffee, a baguette at lunchtime or a catch up with the crew of a big lunch. Fab food, Fab coffee and a great atmosphere, something this part of richmond has been waiting for for ages! Love it!
Don't believe the low rating - someone's trying to sabotage FoM's awesome rep! My favourite joint for coffee in the eastern suburbs. Try the Mr Jones Scrambles with chorizo!
I can't understand why this doesn't gave a much higher rating. I have gone here a few times now and would say it has been exceptional in every regard each time without fail. Great service, great food, great ambience!
Yum. Went here for brunch with friends on a Monday; loved the decor and loved my eggs benedict even more. My one complaint would be that the food took around 30 minutes to arrive..quite a long wait especially if you hadn't eaten anything before leaving the house!
What a cheery spot!. The menu is mostly the same as Snow Pony and Porgie+Mr Jones, but somehow this place has a somewhat happier character. Even the bright yellow blinds, the sun-filled dining room and the huge "you are beautiful" picture on the wall were a fantastic pick-me-up. Love it!
Poached eggs with bacon & avocado - really good! Toasted banana bread with berry compote & mascarpone - excellent. Good strong soy lattes. Will be coming back!
Love it...don't tell too many people or we'll never get a table!. I love this place, unfortunately so does everyone else. I stay away on weekends, it's too busy and I hate waiting ages for a table, standing around outside, but that tells you something about the place, that so many are happy to do that...
I think the food is delicious and such thought goes into the dishes and presentation. I also love the space - it's so hard to get that right, but it really is an appealing area...tucked away somewhere. It's often busy, but it's worth it. The staff are friendly and usually efficient.
I think the prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the food and servings are a good size. My nephew lives with me, a Uni student, and NOTHING gets him out of bed early on his late start days except my knock on his bedroom door, "Feel like breakfast at Friends of Mine?" He's airborne...
Great cafe atmosphere with an awesome outdoor area. Superb coffee!!
Ill be back !!. I used to think this place was just a hang out for Metrosexuals, there air head partners, who's every 2nd word was 'awesome' and there lap dog called 'sashi' or somthing silly, on there way home from the Gym..but last week we bit the bullett and went. and i was made to eat my words..GREAT/FRIENDLY STAFF AND PATRONS, NICELY PRICED, HERB/GARLIC BREAD WITH BACON AND A GLASS OF CHAMPAS IS A MUST..!!
Well done!. Daughter and i had brunch this sunday--the wait process didnt quite work--about 15 minutes but i think people jump the line by just grabbing tables outside..however lots of atmosphere inside, friendlyand friendly service, lovely coffee 8.5 out of 10, and we had the smashed avocado/feta/mushies'' v. good although i think snow does better==however daughter appreciates gf toast and it is lovely quality..
Yummy. Good coffee and a great eggs Benedict. Will be back on a quieter day to try the rest of the menu.
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Nice Decor. Boyfriend and I have walked and driven by this place soo many times! On a gorgeous Saturday morning we decided to finally go. There was a que outside however we didnt wait for than 15 minutes! A few of the staff are very nice while others are a bit stuffy. The decor is gorgeous and eclectic.
Boyfriend noticed it was a bit pretentious- which I agreed.
The menu had several nice options.
Boyfriend got the -"Hung' over - our cheesy toast, poached googies, bacon + smashed avocado $18
And I got the -Our 'eggs benedict' - smoked ham hock terrine, perfect poached googies, English muffin,
hollandaise + tincy wincy basil $16
I absolutely loved my Eggs Benedict! It was interesting with the Ham Hock Terrine (which was cold), the warm english muffin and very tasty hollandaise. I was very satisfied!!!
Boyfriend did enjoy his dish, although I think it was a bit large. I guess thats why they call it the 'Hung Over'.
Overall great experience. Decor was cute. Staff could take the sticks out of their ass. =)
Food was excellent, service so so. Went with some friends and their stroller - there were issues with the coffee machine and how long they took to come out, but other than that the food came promptly.
Worth the wait. My partner and I arrived on Sunday morning to find the line already out the door. But the wait was worth it. Friendly staff, great service, fantastic food that yes is priced a little bit more than other places, but I feel was justified. The only downer to the whole experience was that maybe my coffee could have been hotter, as it came out warm, and I love my coffee HOT. But over all a minor detail in a fantastic brunch experience, and can't wait to go back again.
Make reservations!. Otherwise, you may get stuck outside waiting for a while on a busy Sunday brunch hour.
Best eggs benny I've had in many years, with gorgeous smokey ham. my partner is gluten&dairy intolerant, and the gluten-free bread was the best we've had at any restaurant: the taste and texture of yummy "regular" bread! :) Service was top-notch and very quick, which was quite impressive for a busy Sunday morning. We'll be back! :)
Big Eyes For A Big Tummy
+3.5
Toasted piadini good! service not... The organic lamb and herby meatballs toasted piadini was very yummy and just the right portion. Pity service not so great though. walked into the place, not too busy (public holiday so watch out for the surcharge!) and it took so long for one of the waiter/res' to acknowledge us (even though they weren't even serving others) that we had to walk up to one of them to direct us to a table. took forever to take our order too. Apparently it's the same menu as porgie + mr jones so will have to try there for better service?
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So came back here for the first time after my first review in 2011 and I'm glad I did! Service has certainly improved a whole heap more than what I remembered with friendly smiles, genuine service and knowing how to be apologetic when food and coffee service was slow. They all had some sort of accent so probably overseas travellers/temps working which was more than fine by us!!!Certainly better than the I'm-too-cool-for-you hipsters that they used to have for staff. Menu has changed quite a bit from 2011, and although I was craving the the lamb meatballs piadini, we
thoroughly enjoyed the extensive menu especially my smoked salmon with beetroot relish and thyme mushrooms on the side. Burger looked pretty oily but their chips were pretty good!
It's a no brainer. 3 visits on various weekends:
Great food
Great coffee
Great staff
Nice decor with even real cloth tablecloths!
Clean toilets - always nice
Equals lots of customers - yes it's busy. In total it's great.
The End
We shared the dukkah chicken and tortilla. Both beautiful and delicious. Recommended :)
Easter eggs on toast. I have bee to friends of mine several times.. Again on Easter Sunday.. I enjoy the coffee, I look forward to the food and I am mostly well looked after by the staff. No complaints from me friends! Keep on doing what you are doing and time and consistancy will assure the friendship lasts..
A great place for Sunday brunch, got seated within minutes of arriving. Friendly staffs.
Nice, if you have time to spare. This place is lovely inside and the food was really good. Mr Jones Folded eggs are great, especially with a side of their delicious mushrooms!
Problem - we waited 35 minutes for a table. I get that they were busy and the door guy was lovely, but when Melbourne gets prematurely cold, I don't like waiting outside.
Overall, the food and service saved the day.
Best eggs I've ever had! And the staff are super friendly! Great place to spend the afternoon.
Although each time I've eaten at friends of mine I've enjoy the breakfast I almost feel like it been a bit of hard work getting it. The guys on the floor are understandably busy but present as robots, there's been quite a few minor mistakes with orders and getting in feels like I've been working out.
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A delightful haven.. Friends of Mine is a delightful haven. My parents (who were visiting Melbourne from the country) took me there recently for lunch, and as soon as we walked in it was clear that the venue appeals to people of all ages. Scattered around the gorgeously laid out cafe were a mix of students, young families, retired couples, corporate suits and everyone in between.
I loved the unique, edgy decor. Obviously whoever designed the place has a great eye for style. One of my favourite touches was how our booked table was labelled with our name spelled out in Scrabble letters on a Scrabble letter tray. Charming!
I was impressed with the food and presentation. Nothing ridiculously over-the-top, just different enough to be special. From the endearing descriptions of the menu, to the friendly staff as they served us, I really enjoyed the time I spent there. I ate scrumptious fruit toast, cut thick and served on a wooden board with a piece of butter slowly melting on the piping hot bread. It comes with a cute jarful of amazing homemade jam that I would write home about, if mum and dad hasn't been there already! And the coffee was great too.
I can't wait to go back to Friends of Mine.
Definitely a friend of mine. Ah, YUM! Who knew a toasted pide could be that good?! And the coffee was so great that even I, the strict one coffee a day type, had two! Will definitely return.
I love this place! Food tastes awesome and isn't exactly gonna hurt the budget. Can't go past the smashed avo :) they also know how to make a proper coffee and regularly grab a take away on my way to work. Well done guys!
Hungry? This is the place to be. Walk into this place and you immediately feel comfortable and welcome, like stepping into your own house. Yes, it's always busy, but the best places always are!
I'm a sucker for the Golden Folded Scrambles, and I may also add the double smoked bacon and chorizo just because I can! The coffee is always superb, and if you're a true Melbournite you'll appreciate the way a perfect coffee can make your day or recover it if you've had a bad one!
Service is always friendly, and the efficiency of the wait staff is perfect for a place that's always abuzz. Sometimes you may wait a little for the direct attention of one of the staff, but the minimal delay (if any) is all but forgotten once you taste the food!!
Get in and try it! You will not be disappointed!
Great Cafe !!. Popped in here for lunch last week a little dubious after reading the reviews on here, but have to say our experience was nothing but perfection. Had their lentil salad with goats cheese, and the boss had the banana bread - all great ingredients and presentation. I had a Tassie pinot which was beautiful. Staff were all pretty cool, with a little bit of attitude, but certainly nothing like i was expecting. overall a great local cafe - i wish we had something like this in Brighton :(
Hadn't been in for a while, strolled in on a nice quiet afternoon to have a late breakfast, an eggs benedict. really yummy, sauce is a little zesty and very creamy. poached eggs where yum and runny. coffee was tasty, the better of two being the 'city espresso' espresso... which i dont know if they have anymore. but still, coffee is good!
Good but could be great!. Food and coffee here is amazing. The services on the other had could be alot better. Staff are very friendly however appear untrained. Also at times see a little short staffed too. Will be back to give it another go!
Good food staff so so. I have eaten there twice now.
First time the waitress was brilliant (very helpful and proffesional) had the steak on polenta.
Very tasty but not quite filling enough for a big eater as I am. Went again on the weekend and the waiter/door guy was ahhhh unimpressive.
Lining up was no problems however when he clearly overlooked us to sort out his mates who arrived after us was not cool when we were waiting for the outside table they got. Had the meatball piadini which was really tasty.
Fortunately the rest of the staff made up for him (Red hair/beard and wierd pebbles styled pony tail need to get the concept of hospitality champ)
Loved friends of mine. Great menu, child friendly and excellent gluten free options. Wish there was a friends of mine in my neighbourhood.
GREAT ALLROUNDER. Cant really fault this joint. Was flat out on Saturday when we went, and had to wait 10 mins for a table but the guy on the door was great and kept us up to date of when a table would be ready. Food was awesome, i had the eggs benedict and she had the theeir 'famous' smashed avocado with mushrooms dish. Both rounds of coffees were on the mark, and the service was fine. i think the real issue here is the hype of the place. people go LOOKing for faults.. just chillaz guys and Enjoy things for what they are.. your life will be easier. These guys also own Porgie + Mr Jones which is one of our favourites too. Keep it up :)
Hangover heaven.... So having just arrived back from london, i've made it my mission to start eating out at "hot spots" more often, even if it does mean dragging my sorry ass out of bed and through a hangover to do it. I was exceptionally glad i did so today when i stumbled into friends of mine.
staff were funny and friendly and gave me lots of water. Had my strong flat white and was VERY happy with it. Blindly picked the eggs benedict as holondaise normally makes me happy an was pretty much blown away by it. So used to getting half a slice of cheap ham, not terrine! plus for the size, was suprisingly stuffing. Although i'm looking forward to trying as many cool new places as possible, i'm pretty sure i've found my new local.
Satisfied. Second time at Friends of Mine and again, satisfied with the place as a whole. Coffee was amazing and the smashed avo was to die for.
Atmosphere, although a busy Saturday morning was great, and the wait staff run off their feet did a wonderful job considering the number of customers.
I will be back again (although slighty confused about the necklaces male staff members wear , although thought think they are pretty cool ! )
Not bad. Nice eel salad, average coffee.
Good Bfast with impeccable service. Been wanting to go to this joint for a while now and finally did last Saturday 11/12/10.
First impressions was excellent. The minute we walked through the door, someone was already attending to us. Atmosphere was buzzing, yet cosy... very nice elegant setup. Felt a touch of European.
The breakfast we had was good. I had the 'Jack & Jill' and the wife had 'smashed Avocado'. Nice portions and tastes great. A little disappointed with the coffee though.
Service was excellent. When we walked up to the counter, our bill was already printed out without us even telling them the table number. Will definitely go back to try other menu items.
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We came back :) and equally happy with first time. We had the eggs Benedict and Golden folded scrambles - yummy.
A Cool Cafe. Since arriving from the UK I have been loving Melbourne's cafe culture, but this place "friends of mine" is a definite favorite. I was in on a pretty busy Friday lunch service and was a hoping to get a table outside, sadly the were all taken up, but I was soon seated inside. I had a coffee and a sausage piadini, which was really tasty. All of this came to around $10, good value for Melbourne. I will be back for sure.
Close to perfection.. Simply can't fault Mr. Jones on his newest endeavor, Friends of Mine. What a wonderful, warm and bright setting for delicious food shared with good friends. On entering you are greeted with smiley staff, fresh baked goodies and a display of oh so yummy looking breakfast 'pick me up' bacon and egg rolls. A great little local with coffee to write home about. I'll be seeing you again very soon, my friend!
FAVE. Friends of Mine has only been open a month and i have been almost daily, so have majority of my friends and has quickly become our new stomping ground. This place has a vibe i don't feel at other places, its cool, funky, current and the staff are all beautiful! although one or two staff seemed a bit out of it they have not been back in the last few weeks so maybe they are no longer?
coffees have always been great and so has the food. i love the music, the uniforms just everything is pleasant.
after reading some of the other reviews about the wait on weekends, (i have been most weekends and have not found it too bad) i just have to say, its a popular new place so clearly it might take some time. learn to relax.
WHO THE HELL IS CUPCAKE 3000. Friends Of Mine cannot be equalized.Amazing fresh organic meals,faboush staff and an ideal setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner.I bought my children along for the ride and they were treated to exceptional service.
Its obvious cupcake 3000 had attitude before he/she arrived, pity the young waiter didn't drop the plates on his head!
BEING OBJECTIVE. I think Jason Jones has already made a huge impact in his previous endeavours. There has obviously been a rush to try out Friends of Mine, during the first opening days....... I myself, love to linger on a Sunday morning, over a great coffee , have a chat , read the paper and enjoy my selection when it arrives . I don't sit there and time it....Yes, there are heaps of cafe's about Richmond and if you want breakfast etc. quickly, I would suggest you go to a less popular one, where you can be served quickly and out the door........I live in country Victoria and that is how we do things up here. When I travel to Melbourne, already being a fan of Porgies & Mr. Jones, I looked forward to trying out Friends of Mine. I think it is fabulous !! Smiling at the friendly staff will attract them to you as well.......Bon appetit !
This is the sexiest breakfast place in Melbourne!
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It's a shame optimism isn't on the menu!. To all those people out there complaining about this wonderful cafe, perhaps ordering a full latte was too much for you as you are probably used to having half your glass empty in your day to day lives to complain about!
This new cafe experience by Jason Jones is nothing short of amazing. I, myself have been there a few times so far during the breakfast/ lunch rush, and let's face it.. YES parking is difficult at first but it's only because the place is popular ! if you had gone down there four months ago you would be able to park a stretch limousine right outside the front door without a problem.
Once entering this beautifully designed space I was asked to wait approximately 15 mins. Im not so sure where all you pessimists go to eat your breakfasts but 15 minutes seems like a reasonably waiting time.
As for the service once I was seated, it was nothing more than warm and inviting. YES, as pessimist #1 mentioned it may have taken 15 minutes before my friends and I got to order our coffees but perhaps rather than complaining about the time it took to order your precious drink you simply need to bring friends who can entertain you more than a few minutes. if anything you should be happy the "horrible" staff left the menu on your table, otherwise you would have had nothing to occupy your time with.
To sum it up, this new cafe is a place i would warmly recommend to all my friends for a great culinary experience. good things take time and if judging by all the things Mr. Jones has done this place is sure to be a hit!
To all those who want a treat check out the Smashed avocado w/ thyme buttered mushrooms, marinated feta + torn basil on wholegrain toast and YES.. pay that bit extra for the poached egg, it is simply not the same without it!
New on the block. Well replace a tired old indian restaurant with friends of mine. It is not in the main street area but worth a visit.
We sat outside during the third week of operation and the service was excellent. The staff know what it takes to make a great cafe. Food exceeded expectations and with time will have it humming.
What a find !. Would have to be one of the best finds in years. Wonderful service and fantastic interior. Have to find out who designed it. The Tom Cooper salmon is a must have. I think this will become my local
A really friendly member of staff greeted me as I arrived at Friends of Mine, and it set the tone for the whole visit. Attentive staff (but who don't crowd you), a really lovely room with interesting furniture, and a deliciously-descriptive menu that makes you want to try a bit of everything. Food was tasty and well-presented - I'll be back regularly here... (will you do dinner at some stage?)... well worth a visit and a great addition to Swan st and Richmond generally
The Best on Swan Street. At last. The old Cracklins on Swan restaurant's venue has turned into something worth writing about. I live 300 metres away, and after my first visit on a very busy Sunday I intend to spend a lot more time there and make sure a lot more people go there.
The staff look alright too :)
Friends of mine is a lovely place! The staff are so sweet and nice, coffees, water, menus - all delivered with pleasure! The coffee is fab, I had the dangerous second and even though I will be bouncing off the walls they were just too good not to indulge! The menu is a great mix of breakie dishes with brioche rolls with bacon and chutney, eggs benedict, toasted banana bread and the 'Hung over' - herb and cheese bread, poached 'googies', bacon and avocado… one of everything please!! .... Read more at my blog
The eclectic charm of this newly opened café will be familiar to those who have dined at its sister establishments. That being said, the establishment’s juxtaposition of
A café appeared on Swan Street near work that looked like it does coffee a brazillian times better than the other dreadful place, so I ventured down at lunchtime to check it out. It's called Friends of Mine, and upon entering, I was greeted with a smiling face and funky haircut that said, "have a seat, we do table service". Oh, why thank you! =D As soon as you sit down, another hipster approaches with a menu and a smile, takes your order for coffee. Once soy latte, please! The soy latte came out fast, and I knew just by looking at it that it was going to be the best thing ever. A lot of places don't really froth milk properly, but this place has it down to a fine art. My soy latte was smooth, silky, almost mousse-like, and definitely creamy. It was the best thing ever. I relished the head and savoured the liquid. Too bad I won't be working in Richmond after next week. The hipster came back to take my order for food, but I couldn't decide between the Off the Bone ham baguette with egg
Let me introduce you to some friends of mine: perfectly poached eggs, magic mushrooms, ripe avocado, Alex Lloyd-amazing lattes and the illustrious Shirley, a regular dining companion. Lump these beauties into a sma
The food is tasty and it's really nice - that's definitely a plus for Friends of Mine. But the long queues, the crowds, the noise (you have to shout at each other) detract from an otherwise nice meal. Just for the food, I wouldn't mind going back but I'll definitely go during an off-peak period.
How can anyone resist those beautiful fluffy and meltingly soft scrambled eggs. The portion is just perfect for breakfast.
OMG. This place, the food, the staff, the setting. Perfection.
I got the Richmond Refresher juice with my Super Greens Salad with grilled chicken. I could not fault either of them. I loved the pulp in the juice and it was a perfect ginger and sweet balance.
The Super Green Salad with grilled chicken was exceptional. Those little raisins, and only a few of them, really made a great difference in balancing out the saltiness of the feta. The bits of fresh beetroot and sliced fried carrot bits were to die for. The kale was fresh and wet with the quinoa sprinkled all over.
A genuine masterpiece.
This place is a MUST TRY 🙌
Truely delicious French Toast. Not loaded up with sugar so was a delight to eat and the cinnamon mascarpone was Perfecto!! Definitely recommend this dish.
Loved this place! Had dine in brunch with friends. It was super busy then got nice and relaxing. Had the hang over choice from the menu which included toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and avocado and it was yum yum yum! It was a very generous serving size for one person. Going back for more soon definetly!
Had a nice visit to @Friends of Mine
🍴Food: Food was great, the Po Boys in particular were delicious. Enough for two people.
💰 Price was reasonable.
🤵 Staff could have been a bit friendlier, might have caught them on an off day.
🏎 Parking on side street can be difficult.
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🔄 Repeatability: Would come back if I'm in the area.
Nice and cozy place. Loved my orders (shakshouka and cappuccino).
Beautiful food and good environment to catch up with friends
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