Jellybread

Basic Info:

Name: Jellybread
Address: 561 Barkly St, West Footscray
Phone: 0432 637 822
Website: NA

Opening Hours:

Monday - Saturday - 9am - 3pm

Sundays - Closed

Little Eats ‘soundbite review’:

A charming, relaxed, local cafe that is full or warmth and heart. Owned by a Mamma of 3, they are super in tune with little ones needs. The food is simple but good, as is the Genovese coffee, and the home baked cakes and goodies are delicious. The huge backyard offers a fun space for kids.

Highchair: Yes
Change table: Yes
Pram access: Yes
Separate kids menu: No
Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes
Friendly staff: Yes
Play area for kids: Yes
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): Yes - play room, caravan, toys, books, crayons, bikes and more
Vibe/atmosphere: VERY chilled out and casual... hippie, earthy, homely and warm

Prices: Cheap

Little Eats detailed review:

You know you are on to a winner when you walk into a new cafe (or the backyard of a cafe to be exact) and your almost 3 year old proclaims “Wow! This is COOL!” and then proceeds to run around screaming with delight “Look Mummy a caravan! Look Mummy a lawnmower! Look Mummy a bike! Look Mummy another bike! Wow!”.

Jellybread, located in Barkly Village, West Footscray, used to be a very cute and cosy little cafe, however it has recently expanded into the old chemist next door, taken over the whole building, renovated and created a backyard haven that kids will delight in and parents can chill out in.

We arrived in the morning, just a few locals about, warm and smiling staff, and the lovely owner Vanessa cruising around with her 15 month old on her hip as she took orders and the like. That is one chilled out cafe babe! As the morning went on, more and more people arrived, and by lunchtime it was Mum and Bub central! Prams, kiddies, babies and local Mammas everywhere.

Inside, which is all colour, fun and retro vibes, there is plenty of space and plenty of fun to be had. A hot pink wall on one side shows off an artfully displayed vintage vinyl and postcard collection, on the other side retro wooden shelving offers stacks of books, mags and papers for the grown ups to get lost in. And a dedicated kids play room at the back, guaranteed to tickle the fancy of your little ones, is complete with all sorts of toys, games, books, crayons, paper, blackboard and chalk, and a foam play mat on the floor.

The backyard area or “Jellybread Park” as the name written in chalk on the footpath suggests, is just like being in someones huge backyard. Green grassy lawn for the kids to run around on, toys scattered about including tricycles, buckets, and a toy lawnmower, an old vintage school desk, and the piece de resistance - the vintage caravan painted purple and green with the bright sunny yellow interior and black and white checkerboard floor. There is also an old rustic fishing boat which will soon be turned into a sandpit, the beginnings of a kitchen garden and a few more surprises on the way. So watch this space as it develops and grows.

Our Mother’s Group catch-up was one of those relaxing mornings that went on to lunchtime and you just didn’t want it to end. We rustled up some picnic rugs from our boots, spread them on the lawn, and settled in for a good old goss while the little ones played. The kids were treated to babycino’s (which come in two thoughtful sizes, bubbacino and kiddy-cino), mini milkshakes, mini hot chocolates and Gingerbread men and smartie cookies. While we enjoyed Genovese coffee, sweet home baked treats (I had the rhubarb and polenta cake which was divine, although it was toss up between that and the decadent looking gluten free chocolate brownie), and yummy light brunchy items including home made sausage rolls with salad, sourdough rye toast with jam and Turkish bread toasties.

The menu is smallish, but there are enough options to hit the spot for breakfast, lunch and everything in between. I already know what I am going to have next time - a Chai milkshake (how good does that sound?) and a savoury spinach and fetta muffin served with butter and homemade tomato relish.

We left Jellybread with sunkissed skin, rosy pink cheeks, babycino smeared faces, grass stained knees and full tummies. Happy, tired and worn out after a few hours playing in the sunshine but already planning when we will come back again. Yes my darling almost 3 year old, you were right, this place IS cool.