El Mirage Brunswick East, Melbourne

User Reviews of El Mirage, Brunswick East

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

8 Recommended

Food 5 Ambience 10 Service 8 Value 9

I love this cafe and used to often go for a weekend breakfast here. However, I was appalled when eating here recently that the staff had a very incomplete and inaccurate knowledge of what was in the food. I am coeliac, and do not have a choice about what I eat. I was misinformed about which foods would be gluten free (knowing that some of the suggestions, such as buckwheat soba) were unlikely to be safe. I then ordered some very simple gluten free toast with ricotta and was unwell as a result. Not good enough. Despite the beautiful coffee I certainly won't be eating here again. Very disappointing. They need to read up on cross-contamination of food and inform their staff better.

Feb 20, 2011

GinandTonic
18

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 8

The thing that keeps me going back is the speed and efficiency of this place. I think efficiency is confused with rudeness at El Mirage often. Their staff whizz about with great, good-value food in hand, and perform admirably under the stress of such a packed-to-the-rafters, popular venue. If you need smiles, or are too scared to put your hand up for an extra coffee, head off to somewhere mediocre, where the eggs are benedict, and there's a corner full of colouring books for the kiddies. Great beans and a menu that is solid and never falters (nor needs to change for it is wide-ranging)!

Jan 06, 2010

ahasell
2

3.3 Below Average

Food 6 Ambience 5 Service 1 Value 1

Food and coffee is fine, but service is absolutely appalling. No amount of smiles or eye catching will get you that second coffee from the dull, fashionably aloof waiting staff. In East Brunswick at this end of Lygon, there are so many better breakfast options. Don't bother!

Aug 29, 2009

zumdaahl
6

1 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

4.8 Average

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 1 Value 5

Cool cafe with good food, which on my last visit was served with contempt and rudeness. It might have just been a 'one off' by staff having a bad day but it has left a bad taste in my mouth and I won't return. Luckily there are plenty of other cafes in the area now.

Mar 09, 2009

poosie72
1

5.3 Average

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 2 Value 6

The food was tasty, but the service was possibly the worst experienced in Melbourne, the staff member was particularly abrupt, cheap eats did state bit of 'tude' at this place and they reviewed it correctly, haven't been back since we got some 'tude', suggest you check out somewhere else instead.

Mar 07, 2009

sputty1
11

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

Sweet place, once you find it. Great food, and even greater coffee. Efficient and friendly staff.

Aug 11, 2008

gobber
4

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 9

I love this place, me and my boyfriend like to sample a lot of the local cafes on a weekend and we rarely go back but this one we've been to three times, yummy muesli and raspberry compote. My boyfriend really rates the spicy baked beans.

Jul 01, 2008

drclaz
1

4.5 Below Average

Food 7 Ambience 5 Service 1 Value 5

I agree that this place is not at all child friendly which is a shame because the food is good and there is plenty of room. If our daughter sits still and doesn't make any noise whatsoever we are tolerated but if she behaves like a child the staff the owner in particular are disdainful. It's odd because Brunswick is full of parents with young children who still want to eat out. Fortunately, there are plenty of other places nearby that do comparable food without the attitude.

Jun 14, 2008

georgina99
1

7 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 8 Value 7

I had no such complaints when my wife & I took our 5 months old baby there. The waitress even raced over to get the door for my wife pushing the pram in, and again when we left. The food & coffee are good, and good value for money. The decor is quite minimalist, but I think quite funky. I would recommend it certainly.

Jan 11, 2008

Roo43
2

0 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

2.5 Not Recommended

Food 3 Ambience 3 Service 1 Value 3

I would advise anyone with baby or child to stay away, service just leaves you feeling unwelcome. We were here for breakfast one morning and a baby in our group was holding his favourite toy duck that squeaks and we were told to not play with it as it has an annoying noise. We were dumbfounded. Strange as it is also filled most morning with a few parents with bubs too!

Feb 21, 2007