Captains of Industry

The menu’s a bit limited and mostly has only bread-based dishes, but the food tasted quite good. It was pretty busy when I visited, and the staff kindly let us know they didn’t have time to make scrambled eggs, so they suggested poached eggs instead (They informed in a really polite way)

This place is easily one of my favourite cafes. Tried the Triple Cheese toastie, so good. Coffee was on point too, and the customer service was excellent. Highly recommend it :)

A great place hidden in a small alley in the city center! It looks like an old workshop. Every place has traces of time. The huge windows offer views of the city. The food here is also superb. Very delicious brunch

Always top notch coffee here. Between this and BBB just up the road, you will never have a bad coffee. Ever. Captains of Industry is good if you want a quiet seat and to chill out and stare out the window at GPO and Elizabeth Street. The dude always has decent playlists too.

Great little hideout for amazing coffee with leather shoes belts and tattoo removal happening around the place. So coool

Epic cafe! Beautiful food and vibes Brekky roll was excellent and so was the coffee. Table near the window for all the people watching

The cafe is excellent. It's not just a cafe; it's also a place where leather goods are crafted. Their staff were very friendly, and the food was delicious! The sunlight by the window seats is very pleasant, making it a comfortable place. I'd highly recommend the asparagus dish. The cheese sprinkled around the plate adds a delightful touch.

A quintessential Melbourne gem - tucked away on a quiet alley, hidden on the second storey where a part cafe, part bar, part leather workshop (yes really) presents a calm welcoming quirky atmosphere. Brilliant toastie, great coffee, a wonderful place to slow down for a moment.

Captains of Industry would probably be my favourite and most frequented cafe in Melbourne, and it's also probably the most 'Melbourne' cafe I've been to as well. Located off a laneway and up some stairs, Captains boasts a large natural space with a cosy wooden fitout and natural light. To further the alternative experience, they also have a barbershop and leather working store attached inside, and a large variety of knick knacks and oddments like hair gel, razors, diaries and odd trinkets. The coffee itself is always good and the service is friendly and unassuming. I've not had the chance to eat the food here but they have a full kitchen on the go at all times alongside a selection of pastries. Definitely a place to check out if you're craving that effortlessly cool Melbourne experience.

Cute little spot. Oozes analog charm. Have always found the staff friendly and produce top quality.

Just popped in for a coffee. Can't decide if I hated how hipster it was, or loved it for the fact. The cafe has its own leather goods maker, barber and jeweller... if you need those with your meal ;) can't comment on the food as we only had coffee, but that was delicious.

My friend picked the place and messaged me on the day of our coffee date panicked that I wouldn't be able to find it but I'm an old hand with holes in wall and discreet doorwa6s down seedy looking alleyways. And so it was I came to Captains of Industry, a most delightful menagerie of businesses ranging from coffee shop to barber to leather goods. But it's all good and kinda works. The place was filled with the smell of ham hocks which for me was delicious and for my vegan friend not so much. We sat by the windows overlooking the street and watching the world go by. Well I saw a taxi hit a girl crossing the road on a green light and she flipped over the bonnet but got up and walked away unharmed but embarrassed. That was something different and probably not guaranteed on your visit. We had tea. It was delightful. The staff were nice but let us in peace to chat and catch up. I'd go again for sure. Get a bit of Melbourne into your life.

Only in Melbourne will you find a gentleman's outfitters attached to a cafe/bar. Okay, cafes attached to other businesses aren't anything new. Borders books had been doing that for a long time, and I still remember when they had on in Big W, however what seems to be happening is that the cafe is dwarfing the shop, and the fact that it has a gentleman's outfitters (or a bicycle repair shop) attached to it adds to the gimick. I discovered this place when a friend of a friend recommended it, and I must say that I think it's pretty cool. The waiter will come and show you a board upon which they have their offerings, which includes a 'knuckle sandwich' and a 'hemmingway' (I ended up having the Hemmingway). They also make a pretty decent coffee. Unfortunately you do have to time yourself though because there has been a couple of times when I have come here to discovered that it has been completely packed out (or I could just be that word has got around).

This is my new favourite cafe in Melbourne. It really couldn't be more Melbourne if it tried - hidden in a laneway and up some stairs, you really need to know where you are going or you'll miss it. The decor is charming and the staff are welcoming...oh, and the coffee is beautiful.

Though it has a discernable hipster atmosphere, the vibe at Captains is more interesting than your standard Melbourne fashion hovel. The pared back workshop setup at Captains gives the place an interesting aesthetic and a notably "manly" (though not macho) air about it. It's an ambitious enterprise that comprises a number of businesses (from a barber, a shoe maker, and a menswear tailor), all branching off from the central café space in the large converted warehouse that looks down over the GPO on Elizabeth street. These are some seriously dapper men, who I would happily have dress me from head to toe if I could afford it, but in the meantime, I'm quite happy to sit by the window people-gazing, sipping a delicious coffee and eating one of their killer desserts. With a whisky bar on its way, Captains' popularity is sure to increase, so hopefully it's able to maintain the chilled atmosphere that makes it such a nice place to hang out.

Dismayed to be confronted by surly 'service professional', so up herself that she deemed it unnecessary to address our table's order with anything but a belated sneer. Threw my coffee onto the table as though I should be so lucky to be there. This for the second time running! She refused to decipher our bill at checkout - and pretty much ruined the morning for us. We paid for the privilege - never again there. Shame - not a bad place apart from her. Been going there for years. They've lost the plot... Stay away!

Stumbled upon Captains while searching for somewhere else Yelp sent me. Big spacious warehouse-y top floor overlooking Elizabeth St. Had a really good coffee and amazing mushrooms & chevre on a lovely fresh half baguette.

In once what stood a "dance" record store, and what was going to become a whisky bar, shame about that non-eventuality, Captains of industry sells itself on the old bespoke gentle men's world. Think Melbourne club meets lazy hipster, and one is halfway there. They make great sand which styled things with good bread, but at times you may as well step into the service area and open your wallet so all the money falls out. No, It isn't actually that bad, they do make a chili hot chocolate thing, and rather good coffee. Its smack bang in the middle of 3 really good coffee places including that one that is behind BBB. Minimalistic menu and dining options, and the other areas off to the side, seem to be non functioning museums of sorts that don't actually operate. There was also a rose something iced tea thing which is good when Melbourne actually decides to be warmer that 11 degrees. So really this means about 6 weeks in the entire year. I didn't encounter too much of a wait, but it wasn't busting at the seems when i visited either. A cool experience if you want a bit of a poke around in something more than a non descript cafe. My suggestion start/stop here for a coffee crawl; BBB, Federal coffee GPO, and the other one off little Bourke.

I expect to get a little bit of grief for only giving Captains of Industry two stars. If there was a half-star option, I'd give it 2.5, but there's not, so 2 it is. Here's my rationale: What does it do that's really amazing, given the prices? I've now been twice. I can't remember what I had the first time (which probably says something); this time, I had the BLT with avocado (call it a BLAT). I like a good BLT, and it's a often really good measuring-stick for cafes - if you can do the classics well, you can probably do the others well, too. There was nothing wrong with my sandwich. But there wasn't anything special, either. There was too much bread. There wasn't much of a zing in the mayo. The bacon was good without being amazing. So, what's left? A solid, good, filling sandwich that doesn't blow one's socks off. Their house-made ginger beer packs a punch: be warned. And it's still, not sparkling, which - in my opinion - makes it slightly less refreshing than it might want to be in a Melbourne summer. And the ambience? Um. Maybe it's me, and I'll be lambasted for decrying something that's very Melbourne, but I just don't get it. It feels stark and slightly distant, rather than warm and welcoming. Overall, then, is it bad? No. I just think you can do better.

It does sound a bit better on paper... I will say this, for a one stop shop of food, drink and ateliers of style and grooming, this place is just perfect. But, did I need all this in one place? Sure i do...once in a blue moon. I love the atmosphere. The old warehouse made into a market-like permanent space is great. Big windows. Exposed beams. Separate rooms for the different departments. That's what this is like; a Harrods for hipsters. Now I see why I like it, but I just don't always need these many things. The services I need here are food. The benefit of all these things being in one place is the people-watching. I love seeing the random guy come in for a haircut. Or needs some op-shop trousers hemmed. But the reason you'd be here often is only for the food. It is good, no-frills food, but nothing special or inimitable. Cool place, anyway. So cool, in fact, that a friend in NYC read about its cool factor and messaged me immediately, hoping to enlighten me on the 'modern man's department store' that I was somehow living without for all this time. No, no. I've found it. Cute place. But how often do you really need it all?

As others have said, don't go to Captains expecting rush service. But if you're prepared to overlook the s...l...o...w service, you'll get an artistically presented and rather delicious something to reward you. In all fairness, the other thing that could very easily put you off is that unless you know where you're going it's unlikely you'll ever find it. As per Melbourne standards, it's in an alley. And then for extra experienced-Melbournians-only points, up several flights of stairs. Good luck. Send out smoke signals if you get lost or die waiting for your food.

I love Captains of Industry but I never go during the rush hour either. The vibe, the location (views over looking the old Melbourne GPO) and the food make this one a winner for me. I've not experienced the slow service others are mentioning, but again, I've never gone in a hurry either. It's a place to hang out, people watch, enjoy the great sandwiches and the good coffee. Well worth the visit if you can find it up the stairs.

The contentious name may be taking things a little far, but as they do say you can also visit for tailored suits, handmade shoes and traditional haircuts. They make some of the finest sandwiches around (I recommend the Reuben) and are well placed with a ginger beer on a summery day.

Fantastic hipster café right in the CBD but far away from the crazy streets. I was here 2.30 and it was calm an perfect for an ice coffee and a book!

Quite possibly one of Melbourne's coolest hangouts. I know boozy-barbers are all the rage at the moment, but to top this with a speakeasy guest-list night of live swing music and 1950s dress code simply puts the hip into hipster. And I won't even try and hide from the stereotype here...

Popped in for the first time for lunch with the old man and my sister. The menu limited, but was very happy with my choice of the steak, which was really good. Serving sizes are small, but I reminded myself that this is what a normal, healthy person should eat. Coffee was great too. The venue is nice and big, and a cool place to hangout. The tailor, barber & cobbler idea is an interesting one. I would potentially sip on a latte while getting a buzz cut.

Hmm. Super cool space. From what I've heard the food is great, even if over priced. The kitchen was closed when I was there. Sadly, they don't do iced chocolates which is more than fine. Only, and I guess I should view this more positively, they offered to make me one though. I should have said no. C'est la vie.

If you can find the place...came to Melbs for Soundwave. Wanted something that wasn't Asian or fast food, happened to walk past the alley and the sign caught my eye. It was only up one flight of stairs. The place is quaint, it could probably fit about 40 people at most. Went in for breakfast...and it was delicious! The chef made us some toast with over medium eggs and hollandaise sauce with grilled mushrooms...mmmmm! Also had a pot of tea. They also had these caramelized, custard tarts that were OMG! There were about 10 other people in the place, so service was just right! The gal making the coffees was super friendly and the chef was prompt! Lots of things to see, very vintage, and the music was well suited for the meal. Will definitely come back when we return to Melbs! Bathroom was super clean, too!

Wow! Such a cool and stylish place with a great array on offer! Well worth it, especial as Tom and Alan there were so wonderful and friendly!!

Oddly all the reviews for this place are about the food, which can only indicate to me that no-one has been unlucky enough to have ordered a bespoke suit from these jokers...and not just any suit, a wedding suit...and not just going to a wedding - the actual groom! Do I need to mention it never arrived, despite Tom the tailor insisting it would be here even 3 days before the wedding. Then I should not mention he did exactly the same thing to our friend who had to wear the suit off the dummy to his own wedding. S'pose you don't want to know that it took over 4 months to get our $1000 deposit back. Stick to the overpriced food and slow service.

Captains no longer have their tailor, so don't arrive hoping to talk to someone about getting measured for a suit. Still a really nice spot though.