Time Out is a café that I have been to time and time again for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The reason for this comes down to one thing- location. Situated in the heart of the city, nestled in Federation Square and opposite Flinders Street station, it is the ideal place to meet a friend coming from the other side of town, travelling by public transport or driving in.
It can be hard to get a seat outside but arrive just before popular meal times to achieve this. It is well worth it to indulge in a spot of people-watching from the absurd attracting attention on the steps of Flinders Street or the weary shoppers who have no respect for drivers waiting at the Swanston Street road crossing.
Orange umbrellas sit outside Time Out with Federation Square in the background
Breakfast, being my favourite meal, does not disappoint here. They serve the usuals (eggs Florentine and Benedict, toast, muesli) and the unusual. I couldn't resist the French Croque Monsieur, a posh toasted sandwich. Filled with leg ham, swiss cheese and mustard, I loved the way the bread stayed nice and oily rather than those flat sandwich presses that often dry bread out.
Croque Monsieur
My friend opted for the whole hog. Appropriately named the Big Fed, her plate was filled with two eggs, Portobello mushroom, tomato, bacon, pork and fennel sausage, minute steak, fried onion and a hash brown. Priced at $19.90, I found this to be very reasonable, given many cafes charge a lot more for the large Portobello mushrooms and the quality of the tasty sausage and steak.
Something not to miss at Time Out is their delicious drinks. Enjoy a Ginger Limeade with freshly grated ginger, muddled lime and sugar topped with soda. Or a Mint Tonic with torn mint leaves and muddled lime, topped with tonic water and sparkling pink grapefruit. Or Mango and Coconut iced tea with mango slices and coconut syrup. My friend's signature drink from Time Out is their cosmopolitan. She orders it every time, although not at 10am!
Classic Cosmopolitan- vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice
As always, Time Out offers a relaxed environment in the most beautiful setting, especially on a balmy summer's night. The hard decision was deciding whether to go for an energising walk through the Queen Victoria Gardens afterwards or a spot of retail therapy around the corner.
My friend and I inside Time Out
