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

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

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.