HAHNDORFS FINE CHOCOLATES

HAHNDORFS FINE CHOCOLATES

1230 Burwood Hwy.
Upper Ferntree Gully 3156
Phone 03 97522559

Open 7 days 8.30 - 6pm

Hahndorf is just what they advertise ' fine chocolates'.
There is not much else here. The coffee is quite passable but nothing to write home about however it does come with a free sample of chocolate from a dazzling array of flavours. If you are lucky you can savour quiche/s and salad, or a ham and cheese croissant. When we were there they had signs promoting Hot X buns and cakes but there were not many in the display cabinet. There are a few cookies and slices to have with your coffee.
The first thing that strikes you when you enter is that it is so dull and drab...dark furniture, dark floors and subdued lighting.....maybe this is good for the massive array of chocolate on the fixtures. If it is busy you can sit out the back which is quite pleasant.
If all you expect is drinks and chocolate you will not be disappointed. 

FOOD         2/5
COFFEE     3/5
SCONES
SERVICE    4/5
VALUE        4/5

TOTAL      13/20

Revisit??    Uninspiring.Probably not.....unless we want chocolate.

ABITZA

Abitza Holistic Healing Centre, Cafe & Gifts

56 Main St, Upwey
Phone: 03 9754 6850

Mon-Fri 7-5
Sat 8-3
Sun 9-2

For somewhere a little bit different, it's worth a visit to Abitza.  Not only do they serve great food and coffee, there is also a wonderful little gift shop full of unusual and unique esoteric gifts.  You may even like to have your tarot read or a reiki healing session (bookings required).  But if what you want is fresh, homebaked food and delicious coffee, this is the place to while away a few hours (beware of the parking inspectors though!)
For breakfast, why not try the Moroccan eggs, poached with a dash of spice.  If your tastes are more conventional, the eggs benedict with ham is a must.  Otherwise, for those who are hungry, the lunchtime chicken burger with fries is divine.  Plus, you can't go past the wonderful array of cakes and slices, some of which are Raw Food.  There are also lots of vegan choices here.  Sometimes, the service can be a bit slow (the kitchen is TINY!), but the wait is usually worth it, as everything is freshly cooked.  You also have to order and pay at the counter here.
If it's a sunny day, why not sit outside and enjoy the sun - the view of the train station isn't really worth writing home about though!  The coffee does, however, go a long way in making up for it.  Having said that, the atmosphere inside is welcoming and laid back, whether you sit at a table for a meal, or on one of their comfy couches for a chat with friends.

FOOD            4/5
SERVICE      3.5/5
COFFEE        4.5/5
SCONES       
VALUE          4/5

TOTAL          16/20
Revisit??  Frequently!

GRUNGE CAFE

GRUNGE CAFE

1696 Burwood Hwy. Belgrave.
Phone: 03 97541764

Weekdays    7.30-4.30
Weekends    8   -  5.00

A very pleasant little place, emphasis on little, with an alternative atmosphere in Belgrave's main street. Loved the relaxed retro decor. Loved the record player playing REAL discs.The menu is a quite limited but the food is excellent. The food is all very home made fresh, well priced and service is prompt and friendly.
The canneloni vegetarian and salad was really, really flavourful and the mixed salad, with pepitas added was crisp and tasty.
The orange flourless cake was a sensation. I have had this item other places and it can sometimes be a little dry but this one was moist and just oozing orangeness.I would have liked a little cream on the side but great anyway.

They do breakfast and brunch dishes here ( eggs, quiches ) and a great selection of coffees, teas, lindt hot chocolate and smoothies. My coffee was served a little cool but the efficient staff were only too happy to fix that promptly. They were taking a batch of home made cakes out of the oven when we were there and they smelled wonderful but we were too full. Next time !!
It is hard to compete with some of the fantastic local coffee served in the hills but theirs was pretty good. Give them a go!

You have to pay and order at the counter and they do not take cards which is a shame.

FOOD          5/5
SERVICE   3.5/5 
COFFEE      4/5
SCONES
VALUE        5/5

TOTAL      17.5/20

Revisit??   Of course!!
       

REEL

REEL CAFE
1628 Burwood Hwy
Belgrave
Phone 97541055

Sun-Thur 9am - 9pm
Fri/Sat 9am - 9.30pm

With the worst coffee in the Hills and what has to be the worst, slowest service this cafe is a terrible experience. We have given them 3 tries and each time got worse than the one before.
We told them that we were needing to eat efficiently because we were going to the movies but the service was still painfully slow and the surfaces had not been wiped on ours and the adjacent tables. When the dishes arrived they were wrong and the fries just did not turn up at all. The food choices are innovative and interesting and the food when you get it is pleasant but I will not bother again.

If what you want is coffee and cake you will likely be segregated from the table diners which is just as well because after you try the coffee you will want to make a quick exit! Cakes are not bad but since you can buy beautiful home baked cakes elsewhere I would not bother.

Beware that if you plan to take a cake for a birthday there is a surcharge which they may or may not tell you about.

FOOD          3.5/5
SERVICE       1/5
COFFEE         1/5
SCONES
VALUE           3/5

TOTAL         8.5/20

REVISIT?   Not a chance!

FORTNUMS

FORTNUMS
395 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd
Sassafras
Phone: 97551200

Mon - Fri 11-4pm
Sat/Sun 11-5pm.

Situated on the main road through Sassafras this delightful restaurant caters for afternoon teas, lunches and weddings/functions in bright, pretty surroundings.
 The menu has no surprises, but they do have a large specifically gluten free menu which will delight coeliacs.
We loved the cake/ desert selection and the scones were to die for.

Everything is served like you are having high tea right down to the real tea leaves and individual strainer, with flowers on each table which is always a winner with me. As of Feb. 2014 they actually do serve High Tea which I am sure will be delicious (bookings needed).

There is also a gift shop filled with innovative and interesting gifts attached which is worth a look.

FOOD          4/5
SERVICE    4/5
COFFEE      4/5
SCONES      5/5
VALUE        4/5

TOTAL       21/25

Revisit?  Yes. We have to try the High Tea!

MUNROSE CAFE

MUNROSE CAFE
156 Colby Dr
Belgrave South
Phone: 97525923

Mon - Sat 8am-5pm

What a gem!! What a find!! This cafe is worth going out of your way for.....just 3.5km from the Belgrave roundabout down in Belgrave South along Belgrave Hallam Rd then a left. 
The food is all cooked on the premises and the selection is incredible.
Pies, tarts, biscuits all made with organic flours. Innovative creations like breakfast muffins and more traditional fare. The New York Cheesecake was divine served with real thick traditional cream and what has to be some of the best coffee served in the hills.
For lunch we just didn't know what to choose. Chicken curry...smooth, tasty on a bed of rice. The Open Chicken Souvlaki was delicious and came with yoghurt sauce and 3 huge skewers making it a hearty serve. Finally the homemade Nanna's Lasagne....superb! served with crisp chunky chips and delightful salad, not your usual fare and all served efficiently and with a friendly smile.

Now that we have found it we will be visiting here regularly it is one of the Hills' best.

FOOD            5/5
SERVICE   4.5/5
COFFEE        5/5
SCONES   Yet to try but looked delicious
VALUE         5/5

TOTAL        19.5/20

Revisit?   Absolutely!! Can't wait!

BURRINJA CAFE

BURRINJA CAFE
351 Glenfern Rd
Upwey

Phone 97545707
Closed Mondays

Daily 10.30 - 4pm

Hidden away in the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey this cafe is a delight. It has comfortable couches to sit in and a relaxed ambience.

It can be a bit on the expensive side for lunch but the food is generally good quality and delicious. Home made cakes and great coffee make it a super place to while away a few hours and the scones are delicious.. They often have live entertainment and the Burrinja Gallery is just next door and  so artworks are displayed in the cafe too.

FOOD           4/5

SERVICE     4/5

COFFEE    4.5/5

SCONES    4.5/5

VALUE      3.5/5

TOTAL     20.5/25

Revisit?   Constantly.





THE IVY

THE IVY.

540 MT Dandenong Tourist Rd,
Olinda

Phone: 97512388

Fri – Tues 12pm – 12am

Wed closed

Thurs 6pm-12am

This restaurant was not open till 12 midday on the Sunday we went so do check before hand if you intend to eat here. It would have been nice if we had been invited to sit and wait or have a drink instead of being turned away and told to come back but I suppose rules are rules.

It has a pleasant interior with wood stove and attentive staff. The children’s menu is quite extensive with all the usuals however if you cannot get a high chair you would not be inclined to take small children. The menu also states that children must remain seated and quiet which we felt was a bit dictatorial.

 We thought pasta dishes for lunch at $23.00 was a bit steep but the servings appeared generous. There seem to be rather a lot of items on the menu which you cannot get until a certain time of day and the gluten free pizzas are not available on holidays which makes ordering a bit of a minefield.

This place is licensed and the alcohol comes in glasses but beware if you order water because you get a jug with plastic cups plonked on the table. Not me I am afraid! This was the ‘last straw’ and we walked out after cancelling our order so we don’t actually know what the food tastes like here.

I would like to know what you think. Plastic cups for adults!....really! Not only environmentally unfriendly but more expensive than washing glasses you would think.

RANGES AT OLINDA

RANGES AT OLINDA.

5 Olinda Monbulk Rd.
OLINDA.

Phone: 97512133

Daily  8.30-5pm

Tues – Sat 6-9pm.

Take your pick in this huge restaurant and sit outside in the fresh air or inside near one of their cosy wood fires. The mood is modern, airy and rustic.

I just love soup and I was not disappointed. It came steaming and delicious with large pieces of chicken in a huge bowl with crusty bread. The specials board changes almost daily so you do not know what to expect here but though a little pricey it is all good hearty fare.

The showcase holds an amazing selection of tarts, cakes and desserts each as delicious as the other, all come served with fresh cream/ icecream. The citrus tart was super special and creamy. The chocolate cake big enough for two. We even bought some to take home.

Good atmosphere here though the wooden floor boards make it a little noisy.

Coffee ...well make up your  own mind. I like my froth creamy and thats not how they do it here.

FOOD          4/5

SERVICE      4/5

COFFEE       3/5

SCONES       4/5

VALUE          4/5

TOTAL   19/25

Revisit?   Yes probably.    

PUFFING BILLY CAFE

PUFFING BILLY CAFE

1674 Burwood Hwy
Belgrave.

Phone: 97546115

It’s not flash, it’s not modern and there are more up market places in the Dandenong Ranges but you will go a long, long way before you find better value for money and more wholesome, home cooked fare than Belgrave’s own Puffing Billy Cafe. This place is an institution.  

On Sunday mornings  you can hardly get a table because the breakfasts served here are amazing. The big Brekkie is immense with eggs, toast, beans, tomato, hash browns, sausage and so much bacon you almost feel guilty eating it except it tastes so good. And the vegetarian muffin! If you are expecting a breakfast muffin like the fast food restaurants down the mountain, think again! This one is two muffin halves piled high with mushrooms, eggs, spinach and more.......All cooked fresh while you read the paper or drink their excellent coffee and peruse the memorabilia from your quaint booth. It hasn’t changed much since the days when my Mother would take me in during the school holidays for a lime spider and neither it should. When you are on a good thing stick to it!

Breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas and snacks and they even do take away.

** on the downside spare a smile for the older waitress who always looks harassed and run off her feet.

FOOD          5/5

SERVICE   4.5/5

COFFEE    4.5/5

SCONES

VALUE      5/5

TOTAL    19/20

REVISIT?   Definitely!!

MISS MARPLE'S TEAROOMS

MISS MARPLES TEAROOM.

382 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd.

Sassafras.

Phone: 97551610

11-4 weekdays

11 – 4.30 weekends

You can often see the line snaking down the footpath from Miss Marples on weekends and public holidays this restaurant gets so busy and they do not take bookings. You need to front up to the desk, give your name and stay close by for when your table comes up....and that could be a while, but it is worth the wait at least once.

Another Dandenong Ranges institution, the decor in Miss Marples is worth seeing. The interior is decked out with old fashioned clutter and in the chintzy style of an Agatha Christie novel complete with pictures of the stars of the films. From the floral curtains and the linen table cloths to the white aprons worn by the waiting staff this place is a step back in time but with a modern price tag....a rather pricey experience but worth it. Lunch here will certainly cost  more than other local places but when you include the ambiance, the decor and the whole novelty value it is a must do at least once.

Welsh Rarebit, toasted sandwiches, pot pies and trifle are on offer as are Devonshire teas with real English tea and cakes. The scones are rather more bready than are traditional but the jam is very good and the cream plentiful and delicious. If you are going to take on the Ice Cream Sundae make sure you have at least one friend as back up because they are not for the faint hearted, they are HUGE. Ask for 2 spoons or 3!

FOOD          3.5/5

SERVICE         4/5

COFFEE        3.5/5

SCONES      3.5/5

VALUE         3.5/5

TOTAL      17/25

REVISIT?   You do have to do it once!! Especially with visitors to the area

HARRY'S COUCH AND PHOTOGRAPHIC CAFE (Tapas Australis)

HARRY’S COUCH AND PHOTOGRAPHIC CAFE ( Tapas Australia)

1365 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd

Mt Dandenong

Phone: 97511104

Open weekends and some occasional evenings.

  We return to Harry’s  time and time again for the food, the divine decor and the cosy intimate atmosphere in front of the absolute best fake fire I have ever seen. There is always something to view on the walls, usually works by a local artist. 

The weekend breakfasts will have you loitering for hours over yet another coffee and if the weather is good you can sit outside. Mostly the coffee is pretty good but can be a bit hit and miss with creamy froth and flavour.

The menu changes seasonally and make sure you look on the specials board. We sampled mini hamburgers a while ago and they were wonderful.We shall have to go back and sample the new tapas menu.

This place is a joy and a secret foodies cave where you can while away a pleasant few hours savouring really good fare washed down with a bottle of wine or two. Unless you are with a large group, when you can be seated in the back room, see if you can sit in the main room by the fire or even outside under the trees. This place is what Sundays are all about. The service can be slow so be prepared to wait.

FOOD           4/5

SERVICE    3.5/5

COFFEE     3.5/5

SCONES

VALUE         4/5

TOTAL      15/20 

REVISIT?    Yes frequently        

KALLISTA DELI

KALLISTA DELI.

78 Monbulk Rd
Kallista.

03 97552887

Situated on the main road through Kallista this small deli come cafe has just as much seating outside as it has inside. The atmosphere is casual and it is a favourite meeting place for locals. I have never actually seen a menu here so just wander up to the showcase and point to what you fancy.

Make sure you order the flourless chocolate cake if it is featured, as it is rich and wonderful and comes with delicious thick cream. Otherwise the lemon syrupy cake is fabulous too.Coffee here is amongst the best in the Dandenongs though the hot chocolate is super too so it is hard to choose. Lunchtime treats include the vegetable frittata and the lasagne served with a fresh salad. The menu also includes assorted foccacias and a selection of savoury pastries and pies most days. You can also buy food to take home from the deli case. 

Make sure you are not in a hurry they can be a bit slow.

FOOD           4/5

SERVICE       4/5

COFFEE         5/5

SCONES

VALUE          4/5

TOTAL        17/20

REVISIT?    Definitely

RAMBLE ON

RAMBLE ON.

1202 Burwood Hwy.
Upper Ferntree Gully

03 97587238

7 days

This little place is tucked away behind the Maxi Foods shopping centre and would be very easily overlooked if you were not a local. It does not have ambiance or any particular style but if you are after value, fresh food cooked to order and decent servings this is the place to stop. The selection on offer is vast with soup, wedges, sandwiches, felafel and hamburgers on offer to name a few choices. They also do a decent breakfast including ‘mucho’ which is even bigger than the big breakfast and has chips. The selection of cakes has certainly improved in the last 6 months. The carrot cake is super moist and delicious. The cappuccinos are definitely worth sampling and they do epic smoothies. The best thing is that this place is open 7 days a week and they have outside seating so that you can sit outside and watch the traffic if you desire. You do not come here for the view, you come for the food. Service on the weekends can leave a lot to be desired.

FOOD        5/5

SERVICE 3.5/5

COFFEE      4/5

SCONES

VALUE        5/5

TOTAL     17.5/20

REVISIT?  Yes definitely

GRANTS ON SHERBROOKE

GRANTS ON SHERBROOKE.

70 Monbulk Rd. 

Kallista

8.30 - 5pm

7 days

Phone : 97552888

If you are prepared to fight your way through the tourists this place makes one of the best coffees in the Dandenong Ranges. It can be very difficult to find a carpark at peak times which these days seems most of the time. Disappointingly this restaurant  now  requires you to order and pay at the counter which means that you have to queue for second cups of coffee...a real deterrent -but they have had people walking out without paying  so they had no choice.

If you get there early enough you will be served really delicious scones straight from the oven and if there is not enough cream or jam they will happily oblige with more. A feature in the cake display case are the prize winning Vanilla slices which are so large that you may need to share.

The home made soup, though a little pricey is always tasty and served with plenty of toasted bread. The tasting platter includes a selection of deep fried calamari, spring rolls, chicken etcetera surrounded by a mountain of fresh salad. Yum. The dip platter is best sampled when the chef has included his own creation otherwise it is a bit commercial and bland. The menu is not extensive but pleasantly varied with vegetarian and gluten free options.

It’s fun to sit out on the deck with your coffee, especially in the sunshine and watch the tourists feed the birds. Even with the new Parks regulations it is amazing how many native birds disobey the signs and perch outside the enclosure in clear view. You may even see a lyrebird or an echidna.

FOOD           4/5

SERVICE    3.5/5

COFFEE        5/5

SCONES        5/5

VALUE          4/5

TOTAL         21.5/25

REVISIT?  Definitely

EMERALD VILLAGE BAKERY AND CAFE

Emerald Village Bakery and Cafe,

8/9 Kilvington Dr. Emerald
Phone: 03 59684310

7 days

If you cannot find the cake you want here it probably does not exist. Huge lamingtons, cream cakes, beestings, continental slices and oh so delicious  individual fruit tarts or tarts to share. Emerald bakery is the best of the best. At weekends and weekday lunchtimes you will find people standing 3 deep right along the length of the counters so you may have to wait. Keep in mind that this is primarily a bakery and the cafe is secondary.Everything is home made and they have hot food like pizza and vol au vents as well as rolls and sandwiches and fruit salad and coffee. The pies are absolutely delectable with crisp buttery pastry and an amazing selection of fillings.

Eat inside or outside and watch the world wander by. Emerald still retains its village feel and the Emerald Bakery is the hub of the town. Sadly they do not take bookings so it is pot luck on whether or not you can get a table but with this amazing food it is just as good to go and eat it in the park and watch Puffing Billy go by.

FOOD       5/5

SERVICE   4/5

COFFEE     4/5

SCONES    

VALUE       4.5/5

TOTAL       17.5/20

REVISIT?   In a heartbeat!   

EARTHLY PLEASURES

Earthly Pleasures Cafe.

1627 Burwood Hwy., Belgrave.
Phone:97526744
9am - 5pm
(closed Mondays)

Heavenly, just heavenly and what a pleasure this place is. Located in the old Belgrave Manor of the 40’s the decor and ambiance are a delight. The open fire was lit the day we were there and the warm glow just added to the atmosphere. The menu is not enormous but it more than adequately caters for all tastes. We opted for the home made dips and they were absolutely delicious with home made hommus, piquant pumpkin and macadamia and a scoop of semidried tomato and chick pea. There was a little wait for the dips but when we realised that our flat bread was straight from the oven we were thrilled. It was marvellous and there was adequate bread for the dips. Finger licking good. The baked berry cheesecake was wonderful with real cream, organic of course. 

FOOD        4.5/5

SERVICE       4/5

COFFEE         4/5

SCONES     

VALUE           4/5

TOTAL      16.5/20

REVISIT?        Yes definitely

BENSON'S

Benson’s.

1710 Burwood Hwy.

Belgrave.

Phone: 03 97542726

8am – 9pm

This restaurant has had a few incarnations over the past years but this is the best yet and the owners have created an inviting atmosphere. The decor is pleasantly modern, understated yet chic browns and it was a pleasure to open the door and leave the blustery cold outside and enter its welcoming warmth. We were warmly greeted by pleasant staff who took our order and delivered the food with efficiency.  

The menu is quite extensive with breakfast until 1pm and lunch and tapas till 5pm. The chicken penne was perfectly cooked and the sauce flavoursome but not overpowering. A side salad with the most delicious balsamic accompanied the delightful wrap which was delicious. We were very pleasantly surprised with the excellent coffee. The menu says that you should tell them if the coffee does not reach a good standard but we did not have to.

The selection of cakes and biscuits here is extensive but the Devonshire tea was a big disappointment. The scone was so overheated in the microwave that we could hardly touch it which resulted in it being tough as was the berry muffin which ended up having an unpleasant burnt taste. It’s a pity because this marred what was otherwise a great experience. We would give them another go, perhaps even for dinner.

FOOD     4/5

SERVICE 4/5

COFFEE  4/5

SCONES  1/5

VALUE     4/5

REVISIT?  4/5

TOTAL     21/30

CAFE HAVE YA BEAN

   Food      …….3.5 /5

   Service  ……. 4/5

   Coffee   ……. 5/5

   Scones   …….

   Value     ........ 4/5

   Revisit? ……. 4/5

   TOTAL  20.5  /25

What a little gem!  It changed hands recently but this café sells some of the best coffee in the Dandenongs! Though it is small, only seven tables and a few window seats, it is worth the wait or braving the elements and sitting outside….but watch the wasps in the summer. Their breakfast menu is perfect for long lazy weekend breakfasts ( full or half serve) or if you are in a rush try the carrot cake. When the raspberry white choc muffins come out of the oven ….ahhhh what a delight! They also do foccacias, soup and other lunchtime treats. Definitely worth a second, and third visit.

This restaurant caters for gluten free, vegetarian and decaf, soy and herbal teas are available. Unfortunately the size of this café makes the use of wheelchairs or prams etc. difficult indoors.

 Does not take bookings and gets very busy particularly on Saturday mornings. Toilets are through the kitchen. 

KALLISTA TEAROOMS

KALLISTA TEAROOMS. KALLISTA.

103 Monbulk Rd.Kallista

Phone: 03 97552659

Hours 9 - 5

I love the Devonshire teas here. The cream is to die for, the scones are some of the best around and the jam has to be tasted to be believed. However, you would think that they had been in business long enough to have worked out how many diners they are expecting but no.....they keep running out! Not once, not twice but three times now we have been told that the soup is all finished and once it was barely 2 o’clock! They are so often out of crusty baguettes that I dare not ask for fear of disappointment and ordinary sandwiches are just not the same.

The specials board tells of tempting, tasting platters with roast veg and dips...so delicious. The soup when there is any left is served in huge bowls and is a hearty, wonderful meal in itself. If you are planning to have cake I would share a chicken and cheese baguette rather than fill up and miss out. The food is great but get in early.

There is plenty of parking down the back and they often feature local artist’s  work around the walls. This cafe is very family friendly and the eclectic mix of tables, chairs and lounges gives it a homely, quirky feel.