Review Drugstore Espresso - Yarra

Decent coffee, the wagyu burger was well cooked, chips were fantastic. However the hot cake was a bit dense & lacking in flavour, there are better offerings around South Yarra if you're after your hot cake fix. Staff were friendly, attentive, served with a smile.

We were invited by the team at Drugstore Espresso for a Sunday Brunch. This brunch spot is the place to be seen on a busy Sunday morning, along South Yarra's popular Toorak Road. However, the guys are very fast at seating people and turn over of tables is quick, so don't expect too much of a wait. Drugstore's house blend coffee is custom made by Rosso Roasting Co, a Melbourne based boutique roaster. Rosso Roasting hand roast using Rainforest Alliance & Fairtrade Organic coffee sourced from farming communities across South America, Central Africa & Indonesia. We tried the famed buttermilk hotcakes and the green bowl with zucchini pasta and salmon. Both were delicious and worth a try.

This place is amazing! Absolutely love the coffee, wagu beef burger (11/10) and corn and zucchini fritters with fried haloumi and Vietnamese salad. It was very busy but the service was great.

Great coffee and food in South Yarra. I enjoyed the coffee. Impressed to see long black served with palate cleanser to clear the tastebuds before the coffee.

Great service and a cozy vibe. Wagyu burger and double stack fried chicken burger were great!

Stopped in here and was surprised. Had duckeggs and duck on toasted brioche. Fantastic Excellent coffee to boot.

The music here is very energetic～The cappuccino is taste good，also order someting like yoghourt porridge_(:з」∠)_ Notice the kitchen is closed at 3pm.

Excellent coffee, excellent food, a good weekend go-to place that doesn't disappoint!

What can I say, the staff make this place! It's more like going round your friends house than a cafe. The whole team absolutely make it, so friendly. The food being absolutely banging is a bonus, I cannot recommend this enough. When in Melbourne, this is a must!! We will be back �

Friendly, helpful staff serving excellent coffee & quality food in a great location keeps me coming back every time I'm in the area. Comfortable, cool vibe. Highly recommend it!

The food was good I must say, but when I asked the waiter to scratch the bacon off my order (I'm Jewish) he didn't liked it much.... so not going there anymore

Very good coffee. Great breakfast menu with some unusual but delicious choices. Good prices!! Highly recommend.

No place like it! Quality service and love from the crew. Also if you are an avid drinker and need a helping hand in the mornings, ask the crew for the hip replacement, cures all!

Best healthy breakfast. Great service & staff. Will recommend to all my friends

Friendly and very good looking staff Coffee and food good Very cramped inside and aircon didn’t seem to be working

Great team of good looking young dynamic women and gentleman giving you a definite different experience while slurring your cup 'O' Jordan juice served by no one else but Jordan himself... Love it!

I just bought a juice here called 'the hip replacement' and I will never buy juice anywhere else ever again. It's that good.

The coffee was delicious, strong and smooth! The staff were really friendly and helpful and the food looked good, cooked perfectly and exactly what we wanted. Kim recommended Drugstore Espresso and it was better than we hoped! We will pop in whenever we are in the area. Thank you!

Top notch food and the best service from the best people!! Jordan's high 5's are a must. ❤️ Emma, Tam and Al. Xo

Staff are always super friendly and the food top notch... but the coffee...the coffee 👌🏾👌🏾

Great service...lots of hip young guys, great food and coffee. Good vibes 😊

The Japanese style pancake was sooo good. Service is second to none. Great little place.

Amazing staff, so friendly ! Not everyday you shots of tequila for breakfast with the staff! Thank you for making my friends last day in Australia memorable!

Not only does this joint tick all the boxes to qualify as a classic hip & trendi cafè, they create a whole new set of boxes to tick. Love ya work lads

Probably the best coffee in South Yarra area. Good service and friendly staff!

The past two times I've been staff forgot my order. Takes ages to get served, too (even when it's empty). Staff are preoccupied.

Overall the food and service was pretty good. However we had to ask for our table to get wiped from the previous customer.

I was really excited to try this café after looking at all the delicious looking items on Instagram. However, I was really disappointed when I quickly learnt that the dishes that had drawn me to the café… were from the old café owners.<br/> <br/>The new owners have not got an Instagram account set up. So, I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t have the menu options that had drawn me to the café in the first place.<br/> <br/>We ended up getting the Chicken Burger. This was really disappointing. The chips were quite average and the burger itself was quite flavourless.<br/> <br/>The central location of this café is really convenient as it is just a moments’ walk from the South Yarra Train Station.<br/> <br/>Another positive is that this café is involved with Zomato Gold. So we were able to get one of our meals for free.<br/> <br/>Zomato Gold<br/>Location

It appears ownership may have changed since my last visit, but I was not disappointed. With the large opening at the front and raised seating, you have a nice indoor/outdoor vibe. The food is delicious, the big breakfast was exactly that, big! Excellent serving size!

Big breakfast was good but not the salmon doodles. Too much carrot it overwhelm the whole plate taste. Overall ok. <br/>

Drugstore Espresso in South Yarra is a lovely brunch spot serving coffee with a smile and  delicious food that will get you off to a great start to the day.  Their menu offers a healthy combination of all day breakfast or lunch options and salads that change daily, including lots of fantastic gluten free options as well.  Choose from any of the Drugstore Espresso’s smooth coffee options to enjoy a full bodied coffee experience and if you’re looking to grab a coffee on the go, why not try one of their freshly made sandwiches or rolls available at the front counter.

Service was friendly. I found my matcha latte weak but she kindly made me another one....but i still wasnt a fan as balance of sweetness/bitterness was off. fritters were ok and the chicken burger was missing the matcha bun and wasabi mayo. I think the mayo would have improved the taste of the burger. But an ok brekkie.

Looks like a tiny place but they have a whole lot of seats and tables upstairs.<br/><br/>They have a 12.50 menu between 11am and 2pm which was an amazing deal. We got the fish and chips and the calamari and chips, both 12.50 each. We also ordered two coffees.<br/><br/>Coffee was delivered quick and tasted great. The food was nicely presented and tasted really good. The calamari wasnt battered but crumbed (which I prefer) and had great flavour. Fish and chips tasted great too.<br/><br/>Friendly service.<br/><br/>Will definitly be back. Saw some of the other dishes and they all looked delicious.

Drugstore used to be amazing. Now it’s terrible. They should stop using the old photos from the previous owner. The food now is completely different.

Hello hotcakes!! Got them for breakfast from Uber eats today and can't believe when I opened it, it looked just as good as the photo!<br/><br/>The ricotta hotcakes were soft and fluffy. A bit plain on its own but great with the fruits, mascarpone cheese, berries compote and lemon curd which isn't too sour.

Coffee was so good. I had cold brew, worth to try. However the food was so slow And the ambiance was not good at all. No cutlery offered after order. All in all, it’s a good coffee place. Not for food.

I am reporting my interesting experience at Drugstore Expresso last year. <br/><br/>The place is quite small but bigger than what it actually looks from the outside! The entrance is wide and on the left side there are so stairs that lead to a bigger area with seats.<br/><br/>I usually go for more sweet options but this time, I decided to give savoury also a go! Both me and my friend had half of each meal:<br/><br/>- Bircher muesli: I asked for no greek yogurt to make the bowl dairy free and I have to say that even though it wasn’t anything spectacular, it was still an enjoyable meal. It was creamy and the walnuts on top made it crunchy at the same time and very pleasant to taste! It wasn’t sweet and I would have liked to have the option of a maple syrup or some rice malt syrup to pour on top as I’m sure it would improve the taste. Unfortunately in terms of serving, I think it’s relatively small and I was still hungry.<br/><br/>- Corn and zuchinni fritters: I saw someone next to us ordering it and it made me want to give it a go too. The meal was well achieved and the fritters were not oily and filled with flavour. They weren’t too dense, but instead, light and fluffy, and the corn pieces were so pleasant. Again, the portion was slightly disappointing and for the price I don’t think it’s enough for a meal, since before you know it, you’ve finished the food and you’re still craving for more.<br/><br/>Regardless of the meals, the staff is friendly and welcoming, and they try to accommodate all the dietary requirements that you have.<br/><br/>Like I said, it was an ‘okay’ brunch, but nothing special popped out. I don’t think they had a pitaya bowl at the time or maybe they didn’t have it on that day and I have also seen some reviews here with an acai bowl, that wasn’t definitely on the menu when I visited, so that makes me consider visiting this place again and giving them a second chance to shine and show what they are capable of!

Coffee review!<br/><br/>Went to Drugstore Espresso on the weekend for a coffee with a mate. Wasn't a huge fan. The coffee was weak, too milky and fairly cold.<br/><br/>Ambiance - nothing too welcoming about the cafe, easy skip.<br/><br/>Service - lovely staff and quick service.

The coffee is superb and the food is great too. My friend bought 2 kilos of coffee to take home to it's that good. The Atlantic Salmon omelette and crab n egg were really good.<br/>The service was friendly and welcoming.

I went here as it was on the list of Melbourne's top brunch places of 2018 and being a bit behind in my brunch game, I paid it a visit. It's easy to find with ample seating inside and some seating outside. Menu is extensive and has lots of vegetarian options which was a plus as the individual I was brunching with a vegetarian. <br/><br/>There's a variety of dishes ranging from bircher muesli to baked eggs, to grain bowls to scrambled eggs to fritters and to big brekkies. <br/><br/>We got the mushroom hash which was a large hash brown topped with sauteed mushroom and two poached eggs. It could have done with some dressing or sauce as it was quite bland on its own but I liked the hash and the mushrooms and the crispy fried enoki. <br/><br/>The zucchini and corn fritters were three large fritters with lots of kale and edamame salad, two poached eggs, and some deliciously fried haloumi. I loved the combination of haloumi with the kale salad which was refreshing. The eggs were beautifully poached and complemented the fritters. Once again, some sort of sauce would have been useful such as an aioli dip or guacamole as the meal felt very dry. <br/>My mocha was delicious. <br/>Attentive staff. <br/>split billing accepted. <br/><br/>didn't need to queue on a 10am sunday morning.

Stopped in for a Sunday morning breakfast on a trip to the ‘big smoke’. The atmosphere was relaxed without detracting from the service. The service was friendly and professional. Coffees was excellent. The staff had no problem changing the pancakes to suit my 12yo tastes. The food was presented well and timely. Certainly somewhere to stop if you are in the area.

I was a bit disappointed with my experience at Drugstore Espresso, especially since they have a high rating on Zomato. <br/>I ordered the smashed avocado. It was fairly basic and could definitely be approved upon by having more toppings included. <br/>Staff were friendly and service was good. But I’ve definitely had nicer breakfasts at other venues around Melbourne.

Went in with expectations, and none were met. Though most staff were lovely, service seemed to be all over the place. There was no signage, and no one was at the door to seat customers at tables. People were just waiting around and when a staff member finally popped downstairs to the entrance to take up drinks from the barista, we were told to simply head upstairs and sit anywhere... if there’d at least been a sign saying so, it would’ve saved us waiting outside for nothing. Throughout our meal we also witnessed staff take drinks and food to the wrong tables multiple times... maybe it’d be easier if they actually numbered the tables or wait staff had designated tables instead of rushing around everywhere?<br/>Tables only had salt and pepper shakers, but once we eventually got given a menu, cups and water, we started off with a batch brew and matcha latte. The coffee was good, these guys are already well-known for their coffee... but the matcha latte... I honestly don’t understand why so many cafes offer it when no one seems to know what it is/should be. Out of all the places I have ordered it before, only ONE good matcha latte comes to mind (if anyone knows a place please comment some recommendations). The milk texture was fine, but there was absolutely zero matcha flavour... and why the cinnamon on top? I’d understand if it helped complement or bring out the matcha flavour, but when there’s none to be seen why bother adding a different flavour? <br/>Now for food, we ordered the Japanese fried chicken burger and the poke bowl... the burger was surprisingly light despite the “double fried chicken stack”, which were cooked well. The sauce in the burger was a bit confusing though, not sure it brought everything together... and the “wasabi mayo” accompanying the fries had no wasabi flavour at all, but the fries were tasty and crunchy.<br/>Now the poke bowl... let’s just say, I’d much rather have gone to the next door poke store instead. Especially considering its price too, it was REALLY disappointing. Go to the next door poke store instead, for half the price it looked WAY better. Compared to the amount of rice, there was barely any sauce or topping ingredients... and they didn’t go together at all! Couldn’t taste the sauce and so it did nothing to complement, add flavour or balance out the dish. Sounds amazing on the menu but saw (and tasted) barely half the listed ingredients! Does one strand of cucumber warrant it even being listed as “cucumber ribbonS”? Didn’t even see or taste any lotus root or wakame seaweed. Also, the white puffed-rice-like strands... they felt and tasted stale, and did nothing to add to the dish... why have it? If it’s to add texture, I’m sure they could find a much better alternative. Really. Really. Disappointing experience. Ambience and the vibe of the place isn’t even worth talking about.<br/>Would only ever stop by so my partner can get coffee.

Just came here for the coffee and ordered the cappuccino. Not really to my taste - it was far too milky but the staff were pleasant enough :)

Always finding myself coming back here when I’m in the area. Usually dislike cabinet sandwiches and lunches because you get baited in by their appearances but drugstore espresso’s stuff are amazingggg. Mum also loves the coffee there!

Food: 4/5 I’ve gone here twice and gotten their Açai bowls which are fantastic and really fresh tasting. They also have some great coffee! <br/><br/>Aesthetic: 3/5 It’s a pretty simple layout but sitting outside and inside are both nice and quite comfortable. <br/><br/>Service: 4/5 The waitress that we had was lovely and the waiting time though a little long was not too bad. <br/><br/>Price: 4/5 It is reasonably priced as far as cafes around the area go.

Visited Drugstore Espresso for the first time today and overall had a good experience.  The menu was interesting, with classics such as smashed avo with a twist, poké balls which are clearly all the rage these days and even a Puerto Rican breakfast bowl, as well as an impressive drinks menu (smoothies, juices, espresso martinis).  This place definitely ticks all boxes for a quintessential Melbourne brunch destination and certainly seemed popular with the locals.

The menu is fascinating, a mix of healthy options and Instagrammable combos like the blueberry and bacon doughnut burger and the slow-cooked duck Benedict with blood plum hollandaise.  <br/><br/>I was tossing up between the avocado toast with red chimichurri, poached egg, goats curd and balsamic beetroot relish on pumpkin sourdough and the duck Benedict. The waiter weighed in stating that the avo was lighter than the Benedict which was a big serve. Having seen other diners tucking into the avo, I’m not sure how big the Benedict must be! I eventually ordered the avo toast minus the egg... and it defeated me! Although I did add a side of bacon, which was completely unnecessary but it has the perfect, melty, fatty, crunchy goodness. The goats curd and beetroot was a lovely hearty combo. I would have loved more of that red chimichurri as it was delicious!

As soon as we walked in, the friendly staff started a conversation with us.  Without exception, each and every one of the staff chatted to us and took an interest in who we were as people.  We returned about five times during the time we were staying at the accommodation down the road.  They knew our names, where we were from and what we were doing on our holiday, how we were enjoying our time and followed up on previous conversations. That genuine interest in people is so refreshing.  They seemed to know just how to welcome customers.<br/><br/>The coffee and food were incredible.  Food combinations I would never have thought of that totally worked!!  I loved the bircher with the tumeric cream, the duck sandwich and the avocado with beetroot.  Each time whatever I ordered just hit the spot.  Coffee is made with the care of an artisan. <br/><br/>We sat at the bench on the mezzanine level and overlooked the passing parade.  The guys have worked consistently but with ease to welcome everyone and make it the first choice for their clientele.  It evokes such a community atmosphere.  It made our stay in South Yarra so enjoyable and is definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

In the mood for coffee and Timinmelbourne pointed us in the direction of Drugstore Espresso. Super chill and laidback place, matching the affable nature of the waitstaffs there. There are seatings on the mezzanine level if you’re not fond of strangers staring at you eat while sitting at the outside tables. <br/><br/>The iced latte was strong yet refreshing enough on a hot day. My banana and PB smoothie was luscious and tasty. Thanks to Tim for shouting us the drinks! <br/><br/>Definitely will return to try out the food. Being a lover of all things sweet, the doughnut burger on the menu has definitely caught my eye. Menu on Zomato seems to be outdated.

We visited drugstore a year ago and remember it to be really good. The avo was great- served with polenta and other dishes were tasty too. Today when we visited it was a huge let down. Service was very laid back. The cafe had an overall “run down” feeling. Coffees came only with food (and food wasn’t exactly quick). The smashed avo is literally avo on a bagel. The acai was one of the worst we’ve had with barely any toppings and completely creamy and weird: we will not be rushing back.

Finally had brunch at Drugstore Espresso after seeing so many photos on Instagram! The staff were very friendly and assisted with getting a table during a busy time. I ordered this acai bowl which was delicious, it had a generous amount of toppings with lots of coconut! My friends all enjoyed their meals too.

Had the fritters, halloumi dish and salted caramel brownie for dessert! Everything was great and service was exceptional! They even gave us muffins to take home! Glad we finally got to try this place! Will definitely be back ☺️

Great vibe, great food , super cool friendly hosts who really know what they are doing. A little bit of Fitzroy in South Yarra. Unpretentious never dissapoints.Always on point. End of. WELL DONE LADS😉

Really enjoyed brunch at Drugstore Espresso. The staff are super friendly and the menu has a range of unique offerings. I went for the crispy halloumi with smashed peas on rye bread and added a poached egg and bacon. I was really impressed by the generosity of the dish in particular. I also tried a charcoal latte and was pleasantly surprised.

So disappointed with my experience at Drugstore. This cute little cafe used to be my favourite place to go and it was my first time back in over 6 months. I got the acai bowl which was extremely disappointing. The granola served on top was definitely not home made as suggested on the menu and was in fact a woolies bought, sugar filled 'cluster' granola. Eating around this, as I'm gluten free (and the menu suggested the dish was Gf however it contained oats) left me with a few mouthfuls of acai-less acai. My friends all ordered different dishes, including the green bowl which was essentially a pile of quinoa with some blanched kale, zucchini and avo on top. Nothing was above average.

Wow coffee <br/>Magic was outstanding <br/>Food hmmm.mmmmmmm <br/>Those pancakes so yummy<br/>Service 4.7<br/>Staff 4.5<br/>Price 4.8<br/>I will go back 4 the pancakes <br/>But a hint guys if u remove the pancakes .<br/>I will never return .........<br/>

Can't decide which was worse- the coffee or the hot chocolate. Both were so watery and milky, coffee tasted burnt too so I guess we have a winner! :/ Never ever going back!

Trendy and tasty, excellent coffee and a great menu full of fresh ingredients, prepared with care and served with a smile. Outside seating is a little tight but this should be on your list if you are in the area and looking for a quick bite or tasty lunch.

Great atmosphere in here. Is a lot better than it looks from the outside. Good service , although tables out the front were a little squashed ! :)

> Smashed avo, feta, edamame, poached egg & sweet potato crisps < <br/>Very fresh dish on a very sunny day, lots of avo and a free coffee! Piggies are very satisfied with this meal 🐷🐷

Drugstore Espresso is a hipster's dream. Super cool, yet understated, bustling but comfortable with deliciously interesting brunch options and friendly service to match. . As expected of any great Melbourne café, the coffee is great and poured by adept baristas. In fact, Drugstore Espresso go a step further with a wide variety of options for coffee lovers.

Such a beautiful spot. Had a bit of a fail on the nourishing menu though, I ordered the healthy green bowl special but then walked out with a salted caramel brownie from the cake cabinet. They were both absolutely delicious though, the former in a fitspo clean eating kind of way and the latter in a sweet decadent mouthwatering way. They cater to all sorts of dietary requirements with many dishes on offer being either vegan, gf, raw or paleo. The juices are also great (and hilariously named) order the hip replacement or the fergalicious. The interiors are very on trend too with brightly coloured murals and cold drips displayed enticingly on the communal tables upstairs. Great location, great atmosphere, great menu

We were invited by the team at Drugstore Espresso for a Sunday Brunch.<br/><br/>This brunch spot is the place to be seen on a busy Sunday morning, along South Yarra's popular Toorak Road. However, the guys are very fast at seating people and turn over of tables is quick, so don't expect too much of a wait.<br/><br/>Drugstore's house blend coffee is custom made by Rosso Roasting Co, a Melbourne based boutique roaster. Rosso Roasting hand roast using Rainforest Alliance & Fairtrade Organic coffee sourced from farming communities across South America, Central Africa & Indonesia.<br/><br/>We tried the famed buttermilk hotcakes and the green bowl with zucchini pasta and salmon. Both were delicious and worth a try.

I haven't been here for a while since I moved from Sth Yarra. Had a takeaway coffee this morning. Large latte for $4.50, reasonable. Coffee was smooth but lacking any distinctive taste. No sour aftertaste, so it's quite good.

I've been here twice now and can't fault it. The service is excellent and friendly, the coffee is amazing and the food is fantastic. I'll be back again and again and again!

The food is terrific and the cafe is in a prime location. Experience was soured by the poor service and rude staff. Some serious egos and attitudes working here!

Food 2: good coffee, delicious peanut butter muffin, big serve<br/>Atmosphere & decors 0.5: very average & jam packed<br/>Service 1: again average and it's quite hard to get the attention <br/><br/>Overall, I'll come here for just coffee & peanut muffin 💁🏼

We had breakfast here at the end of our trip after eating way to much of the most indulgent food around. The staff are really friendly and there is an upbeat fun vibe inside the place. The food is overall a fairly high quality and a little out of the norm. Great coffee as usual for this area and worth a try.

This cafe is always a pleasant stop. Located on Toorak road close by South Yarra station it's an ideal halt to appreciate a coffee or a lunch. The staff is easy going and friendly and the food simple and good.<br/>Last time I went there was for a breakfast, I took the banana bread which was excellent, rich in seeds, Brazil nuts, with some sirup on top ,and banana of course.<br/>Recommend it!

Had a take-away double shot latte here on Saturday morning. Was received with a lovely compliment which is always nice. The coffee wasn't too much of a wait and was delicious. Reason for not giving 4.5 is 1. I hardly ever give 4.5 on the first visit and, 2. The coffee was $4,50 which I find very steep for a coffee (for that price it better be good :-P).

Drugstore espresso is a small well designed cafe that delivers exceptional food and coffee in very relaxed environment. On a warm Tuesday afternoon on Toorak road, Drugstore espresso caught my eye due to its inviting interior with seating out the front and the even more appealing small balcony above the coffee bar with people indulging in the fresh tasty looking food. We stopped and where greeted by a very energetic friendly waiter who allowed us to sit anywhere we please, so we ventured up the small flight of stairs to reveal the quaint kitchen and simple seating area upstairs. The venue was rather quite which was nice and we decided to sit at a table for two next to the wall with a pleasant view of the busy atmosphere of Toorak Road.<br/><br/>The bubbly waiter placed menus on the table and inquired if we where after any drinks. We ordered the usual long black along with a cappuccino whilst we discussed the very extensive and exciting menu. Our coffees arrived promptly and where both very impressive. The long black was hot and acidic with a tasteful acidic fruity texture that lingered on the palate. The cappuccino was creamy with a large frothy top and a generous dash of naughty coco on top. <br/><br/>After a long debate on what our tummies where craving we finally where ready to order and decided on the superfood cereal and the much anticipated Japanese pulled pork pancake. The food arrived after 15 minutes or so, simultaneously looking outraging gorgeous. The pulled pork pancake with spring onions, Japanese mayo, shiitake mushrooms, Okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flakes and a soft poached egg was a dish of utter perfection. Firstly the shear size of the pancake that was packed with moist pulled pork had a lovely spongey texture and married well with the gooey poached egg that resided on top. The large presence of creamy mayo and Okonomiyaki sauce had a smokey taste to it overall crafting for a very filling well balanced meal.<br/> <br/>The super food cereal with puffed quinoa, buckinis, sunflower seeds, pepitas, toasted almonds, goji berries, chia seeds, cacao, nibs, toasted coconut, matcha coyo, fresh berries and berry compote with my choice of almond milk was everything a crunchy chewy, creamy, refreshing bowl of cereal should be. The coyo was fluffy and refreshing and complimented the sweet gooey berry compote that was hidden beneath. The bed of of toasted grains and seeds that soaked up the thick nutty almond milk made each mouthful enjoyable. The dish was presented with care and respect to the produce ensuring each ingredients presence was noted. The sweetness of the dried fruits was well balanced by the bitter cacao nibs and toasty aromas of coconut delivering a feel good bowl of heart warming goodness that was destine to never get soggy.<br/><br/>Drugstore espresso is a trendy cafe in South Yarra that stands out from others in the area due to its minuscular size and vibrant quite atmosphere. The coffee and food is defiantly admirable but the more than kind staff certainly make this vicinity one of a kind and worthy of another visit.

A mix of indoor and outdoor tables with varied sized stools and chairs. Not a quiet place for a coffee but OK if you appreciate the constant obtrusive music. Ordered short and long black (table service) to accompany a delicious light cake (friand texture, berry flavoured with frosting). Coffee had good crema, rich taste and initial burst of citrus flavours lasting to the end. Nice acid balance and perfect finish. Service friendly and menu looked interesting with reasonable prices and options from burgers to salads to breakfast/lunch dishes well assembled to suit broad flavours. Choice more limited for e.g. wines - either pinot noir or pinot grigio.

What sets drugstore apart from the others is the service, I have never seen cafe staff so happy about where they work. <br/>I have visited here several times with positive experiences and most recently came here and ordered the zoodle salad. The serving was huge and the flavours were good my only comment being that there was too much dressing. Coffee is good I'm not sure if they still use boxed almond milk would prefer a slightly fresher brand like almond milk co, nevertheless coffee always tastes great.

Drugstore espresso is where it's at!!! Great atmosphere. Friendly/happy staff, great coffee and amazing food!!! Need I say more. This place is a one stop shop for your hipster fix. Came here this morning with our little one. Plenty of room upstairs for us to fit but a shame they didn't have a high chair. I guess something that's not on a top priority for a cafe like this hahaha 😜. Coffee was excellent. I ordered the salad bowl and added salmon. It didn't look like much but when you add the dressing it was full of flavour and not too overwhelming. The kimchi was a great taste. Usually a bitter sour taste but this was almost like a sweet chilli. Very enjoyable. Service was excellent. We loved the vibe of the cafe. Very lovely for a 9.30am Sunday morning. Great way to start our day. This is the type of cafe I love and will defiantly be returning to try the remaining menu!

Never disappoints! Awesome customer service, the food is exceptional and the coffee is definitely one of the best coffees in Melb. Highly recommend going here, you won't regret it!

LOVE the Breakfast Acai Beet Bowl with granola. Had it at least 20 times this past few months. Coffee is good but not warm enough. Pulled pork pancake is epic too

My go to place for brunch or lunch. Great energetic atmosphere, all the staff know how to welcome you and have fun. Chicken Sandwich toasted is solid choice along with a great burger. If you're feeling adventurous, try the pulled pork japanese pancake with a poached egg for brunch its brilliant.

I like this spot- it's a bit hit and miss but the staff are super friendly, coffee is good and the atmosphere is great. They got rid of the coconut bowl which broke my heart (it was the reason I kept coming back) but the banana bread has lots of similar flavours and almost hits that spot. It tells you what's paleo too if you're into that.

Sizeable, tasty dishes that were filling and good value. I feel like zoodles often need to be done really well if not they're bland but I was glad there was a runny poached egg to help coat the zoodles. Crispy bacon was 👍🏼. Like the idea of a charcoal latte too.

Friendly baristas and lovely coffee. Sometimes the line can get really long. They do offer some pastries which I wasn't able to try but everything looks delish!

10am on a Saturday morning we were lucky enough to get a table straight away for two! Bircher wasn't on the menu but they made it for me :) one of the best Birchers in Melbourne! The only negative is how small the inside space is...it's so loud and you have to constantly move your chair to accommodate people getting past!

I want here this morning as I knew this place served good coffee and I wasn't disappointed. <br/><br/>Funky service, a great selection of cakes and pastries Mnnn I'm going back for them haha<br/><br/>And my coffee was hot n strong. Perfect for a cold morning. <br/><br/>And I like the lid promoting composting!

Very hipster venue. Great coffee well explained. I love when I order a short black (always) and they explain what they've used... food is very very good although maybe a little bit expensive for the portions. The premises are cool but a bit noisy (music choice is cool though) and they should be refreshed a little bit. Strategic position, close to south Yarra station.

honestly my favourite café in the world. I am a big smashed avo enthusiast and drugstore does not disappoint! The traditional avo and feta pairing is taken to the next level with those polenta prisms; they are what dreams are made of. My one issue is that you have to pay extra for the toast, but I still do it everytime. Coffee is smooth and the staff are so friendly and make you feel like an old friend who's come back to visit. 10/10 would recommend.

Had a latte and a peanut butter cookie - coffee was okay, a little bitter but cookie was great. I am due to have a meal here but from the coffee, it's average.

Had brunch with a friend who picked this spot. Food was decent. The best way to describe the atmosphere would be being stuck in an overcrowded container. The place is far too overcrowded and towards the back, there is no natural light. The setting is poor. If you enjoy a nice spacey and comfortable cafe to enjoy your weekend morning, this ain't it.<br/>

Recommended by reliable sources, this super busy café is full of the young and hip. Great coffee and food. A few specialty dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Would recommend trying out. Looks like a tiny café from the street, but upstairs it’s very generous in size. Selection of pastries and baked goods for display on the countertop

Not bad smashed avocado with polenta. I would recommend a piece of bread coming standard with the meal and not having to add it on top. Also sometimes the polenta can be a touch dry. The smash is nice though and has a great flavour.

Great food, but service is a little slow.<br/><br/>Highly recommend the superfood bowl for something sweet but still extremely healthy.<br/><br/>Best savory option is the Polenta prisms.<br/>

Positives: Coffee is consistently well made, good strong flavour and milk isn't over heated, salads are good in variety and flavour, the cakes and takeaway items are decent.<br/><br/>Negatives: the dine in menu is lack lustre by comparison to others in the area, many of the items fit the bill at first glance but fail in execution, very busy and cramped, slow service. Really not bad, but better options abound locally.

I visited here Saturday after punishing myself at the tan. Was very happy here, Loved the hotcakes with the (almost too) crispy bacon. Very good coffee here too. Hats off to the funky seating overlooking the cashier and the deserts at the front looked divine. I'll be back to try those

I find the staff pay more attention to there friends and attractive girls rather than giving everyone equal service. Has got to the point were I don't feel comfortable being at the cafe and takes forever to get served because staff are to busy chatting.<br/>I'm all about friendly stuff and fun work environment but service needs to be on point

Second time here & the food again, disappointed me. As much as I wanted to love this place, I couldnt. Being a tad overpriced, the food was not filling. I ordered the avocado with polenta- then added an extra toast for $3.50? It was just upsetting when avocado smash did not come with a toast. Would not go back again.

My husband and I came here after being treated disrespectfully at 'two birds with one stone' (located close by) and were overly thrilled by the service, food and over feel of the place. We were greated as soon as we approached the cafe and were seated within minutes. It was soooo busy so we were not expecting our food to be come out straight away. We were however informed by a staff member that due to it being so busy there would be a short wait. I was soooo impressed with the open communication and would have been happy to wait for as long as required but we recieved our food shortly after and it was DELICIOUS 👌. I had the superfood breaky which was mouth watering. I would definitely go back. Also coffee was spot on!

seated at an outside table after a couple left but table wasn't wiped ... latte was average ... ordered a Wagyu burger which took 25 minutes to arrive and the place wasn't even busy ... burger was alright

Ok soooo didn't take a pic of our brekky main because they were SO DELICIOUS eaten up straight away. .zuccini fritters 15 out of 10.<br/>Cakes so fresh and unique and insanely gooood

Last week we went in for a group lunch. We ordered a range of delicious meals (your beef sandwich, salad mix, chicken burger, fritters and beef burgers) but as we were walking back to the office two of us felt immediately ill. Both of us had the Classic Beef Burger and subsequently went home ill with food poisoning. I called the cafe to let them know, leaving my number on the voice mail but haven't heard back. <br/><br/>Was so disappointed as I love Drugstore Espresso but the experience, along with not hearing from them has left me frustrated.

Outstanding food and quality service from staff. Best crispy bacon and japanese pancakes in the business! Yummy coffee with a smile and a joke. Thanks

Recommended by reliable sources, this super busy café is full of the young and hip. Great coffee and food. A few specialty dishes you won't find elsewhere. Would recommend trying out. Looks like a tiny café from the street, but upstairs it's very generous in size. Selection of pastries and baked goods for display on the countertop

Everything we've tried here has been amazing!! Service is a bit slow so don't come hungry but otherwise they're always very personable and friendly! <br/>Hot cakes - yum! Fritters - yum! Avocado smash - yum!!!

This little coffee shop is built on the theme of a drugstore. It has an amazing vibe off peak hours, however being a small place it become really loud when it is packed of people. The coffee is great, pastries not the specialty if the house, not baked on site and probably not the best in town either. The breakfast are amazing, had a few different kind and always been satisfied. Portions are generous, standard prices. Service is friendly for a true "south Yarra coffee shop experience" (beards, tattoos, etc.etc.)

Having many-a-time walked past Drugstore Espresso whilst shopping or on my way to another café, I finally decided that I should give this establishment a go and visited with a few friends. The décor is nice and simple, with the exception of a wall of stylised graffiti art inside, which adds a lot of character and interest to the space.The 4 of us arrived for lunch and walked into the café expecting to be seated, but at least three staff members walked right past us without any form of acknowledgement

If you want hot guys serve you coffee this odd the place. Coffee is very good too. Located right on toorak rd it's my regular place for tasked away coffee. Trust me I am there for the coffee not the guys. C

Had breakfast recently. Although food was slightly cold, it was rectified by the (gorgeous) and friendly staff. Very interactive. Whoever hires these lads deserves a medal.<br/>Smashed Avo was delicious, but again, this place deserves the score on the staff..<br/><br/>Thanks guys :)

Were open Christmas Day! Almost everything else as closed in the area.<br/>Nice chirpy hipster joint - excellent coffee. <br/>The resident dog adds to the appeal.

Could this cafe get any more hipster? I feel like this place just encompasses the very essence of what makes Melbourne so hip and unique in the first place - it's appreciation for street art, good coffee, anything cultural and its friendly, classy people. The baristas' were such lovely and personable people, I actually found it hard to believe that they were so genuinely nice! It'd be rare to come across baristas like them back in my hometown (Gold Coast). These guys serve up some pretty damn good coffee even by Melbourne's standards! A must try for all you coffee addicts out there!

Went to DSE for the second time today. Ordered the smashed avocado. Great food and the coffee is excellent. Had to wait around 45 minutes for our food to arrive however staff were friendly whilst waiting. Efren

Rachel Amy Parker <br/>Time: Sunday Lunch<br/>Ordered: avocado smash with a poached egg, charred corn, semi dried cherry tomatoes, feta & polenta prisms <br/><br/>Didn't have to wait too long for a table (5 mins) so that was a massive win. Sat us outside and coffees came out in good time. Coffee was really really good, so good I actually ordered a second which is unlike me. As I sat down I overheard the girls next to us telling the waiter they have been waiting for over 30 minutes for their meals, for me 30 mins is the norm around Melbs but our wait was bang on 45 mins which was a bit disappointing. In saying that the food was really good so that made the wait worth it. Popular with dog owners and the waiter would bring out water for the dogs which was nice to see. <br/>Coffee, food and service was good...the wait not so much but would go back! <br/>

Had breakfast here and a few coffees. Coffee is very good, food is also tasty, well cooked and beautifully presented. Wait staff are super friendly, although service can be a bit slow and forgetful at times. Overall a good experience.

Great cafe addition to the South Yarra end of Toorak Rd. Really like that they serve their smashed avo with polenta prisms rather than the standard toast that you see in most places. Hot cakes are amazing too! Silky smooth coffee and great service (some great eye candy wait staff too!!)

I'm not going to lie, the food isn't the only attraction at this joint. <br/>As they say, you eat with your eyes! <br/>Highly recommend the Coconut Husk bowl and the smashed avo with corn, poached egg and moorish polenta.

Had a wonderful experience at lunch today. To begin, the atmosphere was lively but welcoming. The staff were very attentive and on the board, with food and drink brought out quickly and efficiently. The chai latte was the best I have had while my slow cooked lamb salad was extremely warming and filling. It had a real spicy kick to it, with my only criticism being that it was overpowering of all other flavour. Otherwise, I would be keen to return and sample more from their broad menu and take away display cabinet.

AH-MAZING! Best coffee and breaky I've had in ages. Fritters are to die for! And service was brill even whilst it was PACKED. Will absolutely be back!

My workmates and I decided to come here post work. It was a nice place to congregate. I wanted to try their hotcakes so I had the gluten-free buttermilk hot cakes with maple labna, blueberry relish, coconut flakes & crushed pistachios. Sad to say, I was really disappointed with this. I expected better. It looked good but it didn't taste good. I don't think I will come back in a hurry.

Service is super friendly and fun but can be a little haphazard. Food is faultless! Great selection and always perfectly executed :) <br/>The large salad is a great option! Last time I got it takeaway for lunch and the serve was so big it doubled up as my dinner that night too.

Great cafe just opposite South Yarra train station. <br/><br/>Ordered:<br/>- gluten free buttermilk hot cakes<br/>- slow cooked lamb shoulder with super salad <br/>- slow cooked duck ragu <br/><br/>Buttermilk hot cakes was soft and delicious. I would definitely recommend ordering this. <br/><br/>Lamb shoulder with super salad is a great option for the health conscious, offering lots of greens. Note that this isn't a cold salad as what I was expecting, it's more of a warm saucy type of dish. It is also on the spicier side. <br/><br/>Duck ragu was not bad, heaps of sourdough bread that comes with it. Quite a substantial portion however felt that the duck was a bit lost in the dish. This dish is also slightly spicy. <br/><br/>Cafe can get a bit loud, so not the best place if you are after a d&m session.

I. Love. This. Place. The first time my friend and I went we were made to feel right at home by the ultra friendly staff who pulled up a chair and talked to us. The ambience was wonderful (they have great taste in music too! 👌), but the food managed to top everything. Absolutely delicious. Have recommended this place to many people and cannot wait to go back soon

Love the healthy options here at Drugstore. Their acai bowl is delicious, the coconut husk bowl is insanely instagrammable and their avo is refreshingly served without bread but with polenta 'prisms' instead. Service is always super friendly and the coffee is outstanding. Love.

My partner and I were in the area, and almost passed on this one, as Providore down the road was such a nice looking place. We made the correct decision and decided to park ourselves here.<br/><br/>It was a busy Sunday morning for the staff here, yet we were promptly attended to, and in a matter of minutes were directed to our table. All wait staff seemed attentive, friendly and approachable.<br/><br/>Once we were seated, we ordered our coffee. They came out quickly, allowing us just enough time to decide on our meals, so we ordered from the waiter who brought them.<br/><br/>My partner had the avocado smash on toast, with polenta triangles, while I chose the duck ragu with beans, served with crisp sourdough.<br/><br/>The coffee's were perfect. My usual long machiatto is nothing irregular, but Julie's warm, weak, skim milk latte is often too hot or too strong. They made it to her specifications and she was very pleased.<br/><br/>The food came out after a short wait, and they were a feast for the eyes. Both meals looked fantastic, and also tasted the part. I've had many breakfast hot pots, but this one takes the cake. It was absolutely delicious and i could not recommend it more. The only problem we had was that there was too much smashed avo on the smashed avo (I know right?). I guess its better that they are generous with it though.<br/><br/>I was still feeling a bit thirsty and so ordered a cold drip, only to be told that they were sold out. I was offered a cold brew instead, and accepted. It was light on flavour, and i felt that it could do with a bit less ice to avoid further dilution.<br/><br/>Our experience here was one to remember, and we will surely be back. <br/>

I had the avocado mash with poached egg etc, it was spot on! The porches egg was perfectly cooked, there was a decent amount of avocado mash and overall the dish was pretty big and filling. The food and my juice came quickly (considering the fact it was weekday lunchtime) and the guys were really nice, helpful and attentive. I'll definitely be back!

Poor service, decent food. Walked into an empty cafe at around 2pm on a Monday, was ignored by the waiter so we seated ourselves. Approached the waiter for menus, who appeared to ignore me and walk off into the kitchen. When he came back without menus, I politely asked again and was rudely told to "Chill out, I'm getting them". Should've walked out then and there, but I'm a decent human being and gave them a chance. Food took a long time to come, especially considering there were barely any other customers but I enjoyed my dish. A different person brought out our food and he was cheerful and friendly but the damage had already been done. Won't be back because of the rude and too-cool-for-you attitude of the waiter. Why are you working in customer service if you're going to treat customers that poorly?<br/>P.S Signed up for Zomato just to write this review because the service was that appalling.

I love that Drugstore Espresso has so many vegetarian friendly choices on their menu. Even with that in mind, their more meaty dishes don't skimp out on the meat, especially with the ragu. <br/><br/>The avocado smash was presented beautifully and tasted amazing. Everything about the dish worked so well together and had a combination of sweet, sour and a touch of chilli from the sprinkled chilli flakes. My only regret is not ordering toast on the side like the waiter had recommended - the dish itself wasn't enough to completely fill me up.<br/><br/>On the other hand, my friend's ragu dish was hearty and extremely generous. It worked out well I guess, since she gave me the toast she couldn't finish.<br/><br/>I'd happily recommend this place to those looking vegetarian friendly brunch meals. Prices are pretty decent and the location is great for those looking to take a walk after a meal.

Service was reasonable and friendly. I love the graffiti art on the walls and the lay out of the space. Nice concept of casual decor and healthy dishes. Unfortunately the coffees came out luke warm, the duck ragu was too spicy and pulled lamb salad was very soggy. The atmosphere is too loud inside. I would return to give it another go and maybe try different dishes.