Darling Cafe

Name: Darling Cafe
Address: 2 Darling St, South Yarra, AU-VIC, Australia, 3141
Telephone: (03) 9820 9222
Price range: $40 and under
Rating: 4.2

4.2

68 Reviews

$40 and under

Café

Top Tags:

Darling is a multi award-winning venue by the Darling Group with a seasonal menu using quality, locally sourced ingredients, bursting with an abundance of sweet and savoury options and an Asian inspired lunch menu.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

9:30 PM

Booked 6 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Café
Hours of operation
7am-4pm Mon-Sun
Phone number
(03) 9820 9222
Website
http://www.darlingcafe.com.au/
Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
2 Darling St South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141
Neighborhood
South Yarra
Cross street
Toorak Road
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
South Yarra Train StationTram 58, Stop 127
Additional
Cafe, Indoor Smoking Area

Fruit SaladA$13.00
with Seasonal Berries, Mint, honey & Vanilla Yohgurt
Chilli Scrambled Eggs on MultigrainA$17.50
with Roasted Pumpkin, Spinach & Sesame Seeds
Mild Chilli Prawn OmeletteA$18.00
with Asparagus, Sorrel, Cherry Tomato & Sriracha Chilli Sauce
Breakfast BruschettaA$16.50
with Avocado, Crispy Panchetta, Sundried Tomato, Pumpkin Seed, Rocket & Goats Cheese
Sticky Date PancakesA$17.00
with Butterscotch Ice-Cream, Seasonal Fruits, Palm Sugar Caramel & Malted Crumble
Smashed Avocado on SourdoughA$17.00
with Kale Chips, Goats Cheese & Chilli Cherry Tomato Concasse
- Add EggA$19.50
Blanched Kale SaladA$18.50
with Poached Egg, Broccolini, Alfalfa, Roasted Pumpkin, Butternut Squash & Toasted Almonds
Hazelnut Fudge WafflesA$17.00
with Deconstructed Nougat, Pressed Chestnut & Creme Fraiche, Purple Honey & Mascarpone
Grilled French ToastA$16.50
with Cinnamon Sugar, Mascarpone Mousse, Maple & Fresh Berries
Vegan Quinoa & Pecan PorridgeA$14.00
with Almond Milk, Chia Glass & Fruit Chips
The DarlingA$19.50
Eggs Your Way with Bacon, Sautéed Kale, Flat Mushrooms, Roasted Tomato & Italian Sausage
Organic Acai BowlA$16.50
with Banana, Apple, Chia Seeds, Activated Caramelised Buckinis, Coconut Flakes & Fresh Berries
Eggs BenedictA$15.50
Poached Eggs with Rocket, Virginian Ham, Grilled Proscuitto or Smoked Salmon
Veggie BreakfastA$19.00
Poached Eggs w. Sautéed Kale, Avocado, Roasted Tomato, Flat Mushrooms & Kipfler Hash Brown & Saganaki Cheese
Bircher MuesliA$13.50
with Grated Apple, Roasted Nuts, Oats, Yoghurt and Seasonal Fruit
Honey Baked GranolaA$13.00
with Seeds, Nuts and Mixed Berry Compote
Organic SourdoughA$7.00
multigrain or fruit toast with jam
Eggs to Your Liking on ToastA$10.00

Sides

Bacon, Smoked Salmon, Italian Sausage, Avocado, Goats Cheese, Sautéed KaleA$4.00
Roasted Tomato, Mushroom, Kipfler Hash Brown, SpinachA$3.50
Extra EggA$2.50
Gluten Free BreadA$1.00

Lunch

Soup of the Day
Ask us for the daily special
Grilled Honey Sesame Chicken BreastA$19.50
with Sweet Potato Chips, Mango Curry Chutney, Asparagus & Baby Carrot
Red Curry Prawns on Warm Polenta CakeA$19.50
w. Broccolini & Sorrel
Marinated Lamb Fillet on 3 Bean SaladA$19.00
with Baked Falafel, Grilled Figs, Chipotle Yoghurt and Spicy Hummus
Zucchini & Corn FrittersA$18.50
with Smashed Pumpkin Gorgonzola, Sorrel, Cherry Tomato and Pear Chutney
Grilled Chicken SaladA$18.00
with Chilli Lime Dressing, Baby Spinach, Grilled Pawpaw, Tomato, Cucumber, Seeds and Buckwheat
Darling Club SandwichA$17.00
Toasted Multigrain w. Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Tomato, Mixed Lettuce, Wasabi Mayo, Chilli Tomato Sauce & French Fries

The Wok

Nasi GorengA$20.00
Fried Rice with Chicken, Prawn, Vegetables, Fried Egg & Chilli Sauce
Peking Duck Stir FryA$19.50
with Bok Choy, Butternut Squash, Orange Ginger Sauce, Carrot, Red Capsicum & Jasmine Rice
Vegetarian Stir FryA$17.00
with Pepper Dressing, Ginger, Pumpkin, Broccolini, Zucchini, Onion & Jasmine Rice
Tuna Stir FryA$18.00
with Sticky Plum Sauce, Onion, Capsicum, Carrot, Zucchini, Broccolini & Jasmine Rice
Chicken or Prawn Stir FryA$17.50
w. Asian Greens, Mild Chilli Roasted Cashew Nut Sauce & Jasmine Rice
Pad Thai NoodlesA$18.50
with Chicken, Wok Vegetables, Egg, Sugar Snaps and Roasted Peanuts

What 68 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.1Service
4.1Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Melbourne
Afternoon Coffee
Melbourne
Great for Brunch
Melbourne
Neighborhood Gem
Inner City South
Great for Brunch
Inner City South
Kid Friendly
Inner City South
Healthy
Inner City South
Hot Spot
Inner City South
Neighborhood Gem

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E
Elisha
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience1
We had a booking and thought this might make life easier. However we stood and waited for ages in a line before we could even show our booking. They were clearly under-staffed and very flustered. We waited ages for service. We then had an incorrect meal come and that incorrect meal was put on our bill even though we asked everything be corrected. With more staff and a bit more organisation, there’s definitely potential here.
LW
LeanneW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved the food, service, interior. Great location and will definitely be back!
A
Anusha
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall3food5service4ambience1
The restaurant was too loud to the point where my friend and I couldn’t hear each other.
GE
GillianE
Deactivated - Far North Queensland
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great good, great service, great vibe and most importantly fantastic coffee!
J
Jade
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall3food5service2ambience5
The food was incredible and venue was lovely. Two things that could do with improvement: - We had a reservation and the chairs at our table were soaking wet. Being that they were expecting us, the chairs could have been wiped down before we arrived. - I ordered a coffee twice and never received it, even after following up.
JL
JamLo
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 3, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great place for coffee and brunch. The staff is lovely!
SG
SuzieG
Victoria
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 13, 2022
overall2food4service4ambience4
We booked a few days prior only to turn up and they were closed!! The door said they were usually open on sundays. Would’ve been nice if they didn’t allow booking if they planned to be closed. Very disappointed but hope we can try them sometime.
HG
HarlinG
Melbourne
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on February 6, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
great food and great vibes here, the place has lots of options to choose from and cares for all dietaries. great summer vibes here on the weekend!
Darling CafeResponded on February 14, 2022
Your excellent feedback is most appreciated. We will make sure to pass your praise along to the team on the floor and in the kitchen. Make sure to pop back into the Darling Cafe soon.
DD
DavidD
Melbourne
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great staff friendly and professional food was good but my scrambled eggs were flavourless- the French toast looked great and my friends enjoyed their food … coffee was also very good
T
Thomas
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 8, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Good service and great spot but the food was average, tasted ok but nothing special.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2021
overall5food5service3ambience5
We had a great brunch here! Unfortunately looked like they were a titch understaffed but we know it’s an industry wide issue at the moment so can’t be helped. Would definitely go back.
CL
ChrisL
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 16, 2021
overall3food3service2ambience3
Good coffee, food was underwhelming, not very fresh. Menu wasn't flexible in swapping out sides for same priced options. Service wasn't friendly.
SG
SuzieG
Victoria
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2021
overall3food4service3ambience5
Waited 40min for a ham cheese croissant and had finished all other meals before it came out. Other than that, the food and drinks were fantastic. Will return!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love this cafe! The food is AMAZING always!
SN
SimonN
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2021
overall2food2service2ambience2
Seen the state of the kitchen on my way to the bathroom, it was horrific, made me feel uneasy about eating my meal, was so bad, crap all over the floor, egg shells everywhere, toilet was appalling, and the service was like they all hated their job, I wouldn’t go back no way
ET
EmmaT
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had the best brunch at Darling Cafe - the food, service was awesome and they went out of their way to ensure we had a gray time
E
Em123
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2021
overall2food4service2ambience1
I don’t know if it was just the section I was in but it was so noisy in the café. I wanted to drink my coffee outside…
AS
AlexandraS
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2021
overall3food3service4ambience2
Great breakfast choice, bustling Sth Yarra Cafe experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The team went all out for my birthday!!
T
Trent1979
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2021
overall1food1service1ambience1
Absolutely terrible. We waited a considerable amount of time for our coffees and when they arrived they were cold. We advised the waitress and they proceeded to pick both coffees up spilling both and a carafe of water on my lap! The part of this that shocked everyone at our table was the reaction of the waitress. She seemed completely unfazed. The table next to us was far more concerned and helpful in cleaning the mess up than any of the staff at the cafe! We then waited another 15 minutes for our replacement coffees. At the very least, if it was my cafe I would have removed the coffees from the bill but not even that was done. So disappointing, this place has a lot of potential but I think there are far better places in the area where the service is better and customers are not made to feel as though they are an imposition.
H
Hook
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 31, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Quiet post-lockdown brunch with the family and it did not disappoint.
LJ
LJFH
London
51 reviews
vip
3.0
51 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2021
overall3food3service3ambience3
The service was ok, but not particularly friendly. Food was well presented and tasty, although the poached egg was undercooked.
TF
TaniaF
Melbourne
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great to be back! Food is always great! Service was quicker than usual!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 23, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
It was great to go to Darling café. Staff was quick and friendly. Coffee looked pretty and was ok. The menue looks interesting and offers very modern Australian breakfast for almost any taste. Good to see so many healthy options. The orange juice was fresh and tasty.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 22, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love this place so much. So happy to be back with you guys ❤️
C
Christina92
Melbourne
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2021
overall4food4service3ambience5
The food and coffee was great and the cafe is gorgeous! The service was very slow though, it took 20 mins have our order taken. Otherwise, really lovely!
NM
NivM
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on July 31, 2021
overall1food1service1ambience2
It was incredibly busy, sat there for 20min before someone even gave us a menu. Everyone was crammed in the venue, no social distancing, all staff wearing masks on their chin. The food was plain and horrible. I had the Pad Thai and it was a ball of overcooked rice noodles with 3 pieces of overcooked veggies (yes I counted only 3). Oily and tasteless that I only had a few bites. Won't be back here again....
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 4, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff were all lovely, we didn’t feel rushed. The food was devine. It was lovely and cosy on a cold day.
JE
JulieE
Las Vegas
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 4, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great service. For a busy cafe service was quick, food and coffee delivered without waiting.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this cafe! Everything is amazing. This is what people mean when they say the best cafes in Melbourne!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 19, 2021
overall3food4service3ambience2
Pancakes were amazing!!! It’s a really loud cafe, we had to sit outside bc I was so loud and even then the tables are pretty close together, so wouldn’t recommend an intimate date or anything. Service was ok and they have good baked sweets we ordered to take home. Nice for a casual lunch with a vibe
LU
LUna
Melbourne
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on June 13, 2021
overall1food4service1ambience2
I have dined at the darling Cafe before and always had an amazing experience in terms of food and overall service. However this time the server we had was pretty inexperienced which effected the overall dining experience. The poor girl seemed to be the only one who was actually waiting about 6 tables outside and again didn't seem like she was handling very well. It took awhile for our order to actually be taken, we ordered our coffees first which came about half way through our meal which was also late in arriving at the table. Whilst the food was delicious as always it seemed to be quite difficult for the server to help identify items on the menu that were suited to dietary requirements, maybe labels on the food menu would be helpful?? When the food did arrive two members of the party who were dining at errors in their order. The first was given the wrong type of eggs which were actually standard with the meal eg given poached when the menu said scrambled. There was no request for a change. Second there were additional mushrooms ordered but didn't arrive with the meal and the server had to go get them as they had either been forgotten or not added to the order in the first place. The quality of the food was fantastic, however the ratio of what was on the plate was off.
TF
TaniaF
Melbourne
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 13, 2021
overall3food3service2ambience2
Service was chaotic and slow. Half our order was forgotten. Food was cold
BK
BethK
Melbourne
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 13, 2021
overall3food4service2ambience3
A great little cafe with a lot of potential that, unfortunately, falls short. Wanted to ask someone to clean avocado off the table and take coffee orders when we sat down, and it took forever to flag someone down. We were asked to follow covid safety precautions, check-in, wear a mask when not seated etc., yet the staff were walking around looking ridiculous with their masks around their chins. Every single person. May as well not have worn them. After our meal, we wanted another round of coffees and it again took forever to get someone's attention. We waited close to 20 minutes for our coffees, before deciding it was taking too long and asking for them to be cancelled so we could leave. The food was great, the decor was beautiful, but the service really let the place down.
KH
KateH
Tasmania
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely service, great food, excellent coffee. Highly recommend this cafe
SG
SouthernGirl
Melbourne
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience5
Great ambience, food and customer service! It would be good to have more options for the breakfast menu nonetheless, really enjoyed my first visit.
TB
TracyB
Melbourne
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love the food here and great staff!
E
Etell
Hawaii
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 25, 2021
overall1food4service1ambience1
Very disappointing. Was seated for 20 minutes before I had to walk to the counter and ask someone to take our order. Then another 20 minutes for our coffees and water was given at the same time as coffee. Plates cleared as I was chewing my last mouthful. No asked if we needed/wanted any more coffees and then the bill was dropped at our table without a word spoken by the server. Cockroaches in the toilet and not serviced recently. Outstanding food, was absolutely delicious but that doesn’t make up for the poor experience overall.
AB
AnuB
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely worth the visit. Food is fresh and delicious. Different people served us but all of them were nice and kind.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food is AMAZING!

FAQs

Darling Cafe is rated 4.2 stars by 68 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

9:30 PM

Booked 6 times today

2 Darling St South Yarra, AU-VIC 3141

Additional information

Cross street
Toorak Road
Neighborhood
South Yarra
Hours of operation
7am-4pm Mon-Sun
Cuisines
Café
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
South Yarra Train StationTram 58, Stop 127
Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
Additional
Cafe, Indoor Smoking Area

Website
http://www.darlingcafe.com.au/
Phone number
(03) 9820 9222

Darling Cafe

Make a reservation

Additional information

Breakfast

Fruit SaladA$13.00

Chilli Scrambled Eggs on MultigrainA$17.50

Mild Chilli Prawn OmeletteA$18.00

Breakfast BruschettaA$16.50

Sticky Date PancakesA$17.00

Smashed Avocado on SourdoughA$17.00

Blanched Kale SaladA$18.50

Hazelnut Fudge WafflesA$17.00

Grilled French ToastA$16.50

Vegan Quinoa & Pecan PorridgeA$14.00

The DarlingA$19.50

Organic Acai BowlA$16.50

Eggs BenedictA$15.50

Veggie BreakfastA$19.00

Bircher MuesliA$13.50

Honey Baked GranolaA$13.00

Organic SourdoughA$7.00

Eggs to Your Liking on ToastA$10.00

Sides

Bacon, Smoked Salmon, Italian Sausage, Avocado, Goats Cheese, Sautéed KaleA$4.00

Roasted Tomato, Mushroom, Kipfler Hash Brown, SpinachA$3.50

Extra EggA$2.50

Gluten Free BreadA$1.00

Lunch

Soup of the Day

Grilled Honey Sesame Chicken BreastA$19.50

Red Curry Prawns on Warm Polenta CakeA$19.50

Marinated Lamb Fillet on 3 Bean SaladA$19.00

Zucchini & Corn FrittersA$18.50

Grilled Chicken SaladA$18.00

Darling Club SandwichA$17.00

The Wok

Nasi GorengA$20.00

Peking Duck Stir FryA$19.50

Vegetarian Stir FryA$17.00

Tuna Stir FryA$18.00

Chicken or Prawn Stir FryA$17.50

Pad Thai NoodlesA$18.50

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

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How is Darling Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Darling Cafe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information