Being a proud Melbourne coffee snob for a long time, the top of Sydney Road, Coburg near Harding Street was a caffeine desert when it came to being able to find a typical café venue. Then finally Two Monks Café opened up, it's been there awhile now offering lunches and breakfasts including burgers, salads and big veggie breakfast type fare and they do gluten-free.
It's got an old style Italian vibe with dark shelving filled with an assortment of wine bottles and bags of coffee beans, even the cash register is a quaint silver relic. There's a kids area and the aisles are wide enough for pram maneuverings and there's outdoor pavement tables. They also have a large blackboard where they write little sayings for the day and its personal touches like this that make Two Monks Cafe unique.
Saying for the day at Two Monks Cafe
I like the wide tables near the front, where you can watch the world go by without being too close to the dreaded door drafts. On the surface of the front tables they have included a blown up map of Coburg, which is a nice touch if you want to go old school and find out where you are without using your phone.
Best place to watch the world go by
I like to visit in the mornings when I tuck myself into the front table and read one of the daily newspapers on offer, undisturbed by other patrons. If I'm feeling really decadent I'll order one of their mixed berries or banana bread slices and it's not a problem to sit there for as long as you like.
Friendly staff and good seating for families
It's also easy to find being along the number 19 Sydney Road tram route, just look out for the red awning out the front.
