Kelby's Cafe

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

We,ve just been to kelby's last weekend after it was recommended by a freind. we had the cajun avocado chicken salad and a vegie stack plate, the vegies weren't stacked but and they were yummm aowsome also the cajun salad was lovely. Staff were welcoming warm and smiley,and after that we just completed out lunch with a lovely coffee with these patornes that the barista made.

The place was busy actually it was packed and staff were running around to provide the best they can do even if they couldn't serve us as quick but they made us feel that they care. Loved the cafe, loved you guys. Definitely coming back.

Feb 19, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

I think the comment below is a little bit too sensitive. Marrickville is proud of its diversity and it is a community of tolerance and multi cultures. Everywhere you go, you have a big chance of hearing more than two languages spoken. As long as they don't speak Greek to Chinese, I don't see a problem here. Actually I've met Chinese who speak "liou" (a little) Greek here.

I'm a Marrickville resident, and I love meeting people who speak different languages here. Being so close to the city, Marrickville needs to be more metropolitan. And we can actually see the difference now as more and more funky shops are opening here. They make our life easier and more enjoyable. Properties are more valuable partly because of them.

As for the food in Kelby's, I reckon it's definitely worth trying. The staff here are very friendly, and they make brilliant coffee. It's just a local, cozy and family-friendly cafe around the corner. By the way, it even has a mother's room with books and toys! Relax. It's just another local business that is trying to make our life easier. It will never be perfect. Go and experience by yourself. You will see if I'm right.

Dec 08, 2010 

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  5     

Unfortunately this business changed hands and the recent negative reviews are obviously reflecting the shift in ownership. Kelby's was once a positive and delightful eating experience with attentive staff, creative and delicious food and an overall relaxed vibe. However the last time I went there the waitress was beyond rude ignoring us for 10 minutes (and they were not busy either!) until we eventually had to go to the counter to order our coffees. The food (even though the menu hasn't changed) just lacks the love that the previous owners put into it. But it is the terrible service that has made me reluctant to return to this cafe. Such a shame to see the decline of what was once arguably the best cafe in Marrickville.

Nov 17, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Really interesting and tasty menu choices. Big breakfast is great value, Coffee is good but not great.

Oct 17, 2010 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  3     

I speak many languages, so understand what it means to be able to communicate with different people in different circumstances. However, I always find it very difficult to handle when I go into a 'local' business where the majority of the staff insist on speaking a language that is not that of the country in which it is based, or the language of the community it wishes to serve.

Unless they are intending to attract a clientele of only one non-english speaking community, they are making the rest of us feel very uncomfortable, unwelcome, and excluded.

This point of exclusion is only emphasised by the full time barista, and the cafe manager, speaking in this language of choice, to all of their friends who hang around the service point area. So, when you go in to either order or pay for a meal, you are left feeling as if you are intruding upon some 'secret club' meeting, where you are only welcome if you speak their language. When you are finally acknowledged, it is as if you are interrupting their 'secret business'.

Gentlemen, this is business, not a local hang-out for you and your mates. You are excluding your once-loyal customers. This has been happening for a while now. While I have gone back many times, in the vain hopes that my negative experience was that of unfortunate timing, I have come to the final conclusion that they just don't want to serve the local community, but rather have their own private conversation with their friends who speak Ttheir common language.

I won't be coming back.

Please note: I have specifically not mentioned the language spoken, as it is Not, I repeat, Not about the specific language, or the nationalities that speak this language. It is about making the local community you are wishing to serve, feel like a foreigner in the local cafe. I will often go out with my other multi-lingual friends to a cafe and have a grand old chat in languages other than english.

However, when doing business within an english-speaking community, where the staff and clientelle all speak english, I speak english, as do my multi-lingual friends. It's about serving the group you are serving, giving them good service, making them feel welcome and comfortable, and having them come back. When in spain, it's spanish. Even my english friends and I will only talk in spanish when working in Spain. It just makes good business sense.

Oct 14, 2010 

4 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

This place used to be great but not anymore. Last visit I ordered Chicken and Corn Soup, and was served a gelatinous colourless, flavourless substance with tiny grey blobs suspended in it. When I asked what on earth it was, I was told it was not corn in the soup, but cornflour! It was the saddest thing I ever saw. Won't be back. The whole vibe of the cafe had changed, and coffee was mediocre.

Sep 11, 2010 

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  2     

Had great food in the past. $15 for a sandwich and drink to take away at the current quality is ridiculous. The vegie offerings have seriously declined. I won't be back.

Apr 27, 2010 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  1     

Went here on Wednesday for lunch based on the 8.0 score given from reviews. I have never written a review before, but felt compelled this time, given the misleading rating. I ordered scrambled eggs with spinach and ricotta with sourdough toast on the side, the eggs were more like an omelette, with gooey bits on top (did not look appealing at all) and the toast on my plate was actually turkish and not on the side, the "omelette" was dumped on top.

The waiter was very friendly but, unfortunately, that doesn't count for much when the order is wrong. The coffee was also not great, I even looked at the sugar sachets to try to see what brand they were, Vittoria, but the coffee certainly did not taste like it. My friend with me ordered the 5 grain toast with tomatoes, bacon and mushrooms, no eggs ($14) and a tea ($3.50). For $17.50 we thought this was very overpriced.

The bacon had been cremated and was inedible. Tomatoes were okay, toast cold. She wasn't game to eat the mushrooms, thinking they looked "dubious". I felt they looked okay, but she didn't want to risk it, good on her! I ate most of my omelette, but paid the price later. All in all, terrible, would definitely not go back.

Response from Management:
Hi ellaboss,

Sorry for what happened with you at Kelby's Cafe when you was here for lunch on Wednesday 27 January 2010 and I would like to invite you and your g/f to have lunch any day you want at Kelby's Cafe to apologize to you for what happened.

Kind regards,
Ramy - Kelby's Cafe manager

Jan 28, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  1     

I have posted before, but am writing again to say "Please try one of the other cafes in Marrickville before going here!". It is under new management and has deteriorated so much. I just got a take away blat from there. $10.50, burnt bacon, no mayo, half an avocado just plopped on top. I have been going off this place for ages, but keep going back as it is so close to my house and the coffee is usually pretty good. But last straw guys! I am never buying from you again and word of mouth travels fast, especially with Mothers Groups in the Inner West.

Dec 13, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I love this place. It's great value for money, large servings (I usually can't finish what I'm eating, and I consider myself a pretty big eater), good and quick service and consistently good food. The sweets are great!

Oct 26, 2009