Where to Get Your Coffee: Cafe Melbourne
Cafe Melbourne. Photo Cafe Melbourne.
Melbourne Cafe. St Laurent. Photo Rachel Levine
Cafe Melbourne pours my all time favourite coffee in Montreal. And there it is! I just announced my favourite coffee in the entire coffee-filled city. But what’s more, I can’t believe it has taken me this long to share such a statement with you! I know there are two strong reasons for this bold and honest call which I feel is widely open to all kinds of agreeance and disagreeance and that is totally fine with me. In fact, I welcome the suggestions!
I love Cafe Melbourne, I adore the owners and their seriously beautiful flat white. I have two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, their coffee is AMAZING and they totally know how to work it. Secondly, other than my apartment, it’s probably the place in Montreal that I feel most at home. Walking through that front door, feel likes stepping foot into Australia! Quality of coffee included in that statement…
Cafe Melbourne. Photo Cafe Mellbourne.
Perhaps you have seen their sign on the sidewalk? “Café Ouvert. Notre français n’est pas trés bonne, mais notre café l’est…”. The boys are pretty darn good with le français, so I guess I shall leave it up to your imagination for just how good their coffee is!
So, Cafe Melbourne. Situated on Saint Laurent Boulevard, just north of Mt Royal, it’s ideally located right between the Plateau and the Mile End. The cafe is tucked neatly under a set of stair which leads to a set of apartments (of course, because this is Montreal). They are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. so there is plenty of time for you to fall in love with this place as much as me! Owned and run but two true blue Aussies, Gus and Xavier are both talented baristas and mighty fine bakers. The counter is constantly filled with delicious baked goods such as muffins, banana bread, cookies and, of course, the good old Australian Lamington.
Iced Coffee. Photo Cafe Melbourne.
On top of all these baked goodies, the boys also whip up a mean Jaffle for those who are after a little more of a savoury feed. What is a Jaffle, you ask? Well, down under in Australia, we call toasted sandwiches that are cooked in a specifically shaped hot press, (aptly named a Jaffle iron) a Jaffle. So essentially it’s a toasted sandwich with a particular pattern. Delicious! Something we grew up on as kids (and adults) Jaffles are always a hit at home. My favourite is the Baked Bean Jaffle but for those who prefer something a little more mainstream, there are plenty of ham, cheese and tomato options! And in true North American style, this Aussie favourite is served with a pickle and a side of chips (crisps).
Sandwich. Cafe Melbourne.
The cafe itself is simple. There are plenty of places to sit inside or out, and there are plenty of Australian books, magazines, posters and memorabilia to admire. In true Australian spirit, Cafe Melbourne really is a unique place in Montreal. I admire this true beauty, and enjoy my flat white every time.
Cafe Melbourne is located at 4615 Boulevard Saint Laurent. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8am – 6pm.
