Basic Info:
Name: Commons Cafe
Address: South Melbourne Commons, Corner Bank & Montague St, South Melbourne
Phone: 9682 5282
Website: www.commons.org.au
Opening Hours:
Daily - 8am - 4pm
Daily - 8am - 4pm
Little Eats ‘soundbite review’:
Earth Mamas and their eco-babes will love this laid-back, earthy cafe located at the South Melbourne Commons. Organic and sustainable food and produce are the order of the day here, where little ones can munch on fresh, yummy, healthy food and then play in the great outdoors amongst the extensive veggie gardens.
Highchair: Yes
Change table: No
Pram access: Yes
Separate kids menu: Yes
Normal menu suitable for kids: Some items
Friendly staff: Some...
Play area for kids: Yes - sandpit
Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): Yes - books and toys
Vibe/atmosphere: Quiet, chilled out, earthy, eco
Prices: More than standard, but to be expected when all ingredients are organic
Little Eats detailed review:
Set inside the beautiful, red-brick, historic South Melbourne Commons building lies a new community hub with a strong focus on sustainability and the environment and a link to Friends of the Earth. Think along the lines of CERES meets the Abbotsford Convent and you kind of get the vibe.
The recently opened Commons Cafe, managed by the sustainable catering group Original Foods, places strong focus and value on all the South Melbourne Commons principles, and aims to encourage the community and their customers to become engaged with social and environmental issues. Mostly organic produce is used, along with local and seasonal produce (a lot of which is grown in their own on-site veggie garden), free range eggs, and organic, fair trade, rainforest alliance coffee.
In a nod to cool cafe culture, the fit-out (although still quite sparse) has a slightly industrial edge with replica Tolix chairs and stools, vintage looking light-fittings and groovy menus using recycled hessian sacks. You can sit inside and enjoy the beauty of the old architecture, high ceilings, and large arched windows, or sit outside amongst the towering golden sunflowers, zucchinis, tomatoes, pumpkins and more.
Highchairs are provided for the little ones, babycinos ($1.50) are served with mini marshmallows on top and a small retro paper straw, and special kids menu items are also available with both brunchie and lunchie items including cheese toasties cut into triangles, a single pancake with summer berries and maple syrup, or a mini beef burger. Some standard menu items would also be suitable for the tiny patrons too especially the glass cabinet filled with fresh salads, baguettes, pies, cakes and muffins.
There is plenty to keep the little ones occupied here, with a wall of secondhand books for sale (supporting the local Rotary Club), a kids corners with hay bale seats, toys and books out the back, and a big (clean!) sandpit out the front complete with buckets, spades, wheelbarrows, balls and other toys.
This new-ish cafe that is only a couple of months young offers a unique selling point and promises great potential, but for me still has a few hurdles to tackle first. It lacked atmosphere, vibe and warmth, the service was a little strange and aloof, and the order and pay at the counter and cash only rules can be a bit of a pain. And for a cafe that offers so many kid-friendly ticks, on a Saturday at peak breakfast time we were surprised to be the only family with kids there, with the rest of the clientele “ahem” a lot older. Was a bonus for us though as our two little ones were in heaven with the entire sandpit and outdoor area to themselves. So spread the word folks, check it out and give that sandpit some loving!
This cafe is a lovely option for a weekend breakfast combined with a visit to the South Melbourne Market around the corner or the on-site organic food and grocery co-op The Pantry, a mid-week Mother’s Group coffee and muffin catch-up, or to pop in after playgroup or an art and craft session at the delightful Apples and Jam located just upstairs.
