Basement Espresso Cafe

This place is decent enough if you're already in the neighbourhood and looking for a quick breakfast. The food itself was actually really enjoyable — the breakfast was delicious, freshly made, and nicely presented, while the coffee was solid and hit the spot. The owner was friendly and pleasant despite the cafe being completely empty during our visit. That said, the tables were quite off-putting, with the old varnish/paint feeling sticky and tacky (probably from years of harsh cleaning chemicals and hot plates). Also, the selection of newspapers and magazines was very outdated — we're talking weeks, if not months old. Not an issue but why keep them on display? It's fine for a casual stop, but could use a bit of upkeep to feel fresher overall.

Delicious bacon and egg muffin .. great combo deal for breakfast. And the best hot chips 😋

This place is all about the atmosphere: Smooth FM in the background, free Wi-Fi, table service, cool with great airflow. It's a peaceful and calm retreat for nearby office workers. The food is fine, but the attention to the dining environment is what keeps me coming back.

A very friendly welcome. Quick service. I had a sourdough C&T toastie and pot of tea. Good VFM. I was finishing up as locals started coming in for lunch. There is an appealing selection of hot and cold foods. I’ll be back when I’m next in this area.

Called in for breakfast while waiting for my father in law at the Royal eye and ear hospital. Friendly service the poached eggs and bacon were perfect and the coffee was great and very reasonably priced. Worth while if you're in the area.

I always enjoy popping into this quiet space. Just down a flight of stairs from the Victoria Pde entry - it’s spacious, low lighting, good music, friendly staff, prices are reasonable. Customers seem relaxed. Just a lovely feel good oasis to dip into.

Looking for a nice place to get a tasty breakfast the Friday before Christmas, and whilst most other cafes were closed, this gem was open. And what a lucky find! Ordered a traditional big breakfast, with bacon, eggs, tomato, spinach. They had run out of mushrooms, but we're happy to replace it with avocado. A tasty creamy coffee, great service and seating. Highly recommended if you're in the area.

I visited this place for lunch with my teammates today, and we all had $3 coupons for Roti and Turkish bread. Two of my friends paid in cash and had no issues, but when my other friend and I paid by card, there was a problem. Before swiping, the staff mentioned that our total would be reduced from $13.90 to $10.90 with the coupon applied. However, after returning from the shop, I noticed an alert from my bank app showing that $14.10 (including tax) had been charged instead. My friend who also paid by card was charged the same amount. If it had only happened to me, I might have assumed it was a simple mistake, but since it happened to both of us, it felt concerning. I think the shop owner should look into these incidents to ensure customers are charged correctly.

I do kind of like my basement coffee bars, even though they may seem to be a little tacky, as is the case with this one. In a way it is one of those hospital coffee shops, but in a way it isn't either. It certainly does have some charm, and the service isn't too bad either. Look, the coffee realy isn't all that great, but it isn't anywhere near as bad as some places. In a way I didn't mind this place, and it certainly did have some charm about it.