Wide Open Road Coffee Roasters

A nicely worn-in no-fuss café just off the bustling Sydney Rd. The large glass wall at the back reveals Wide Open Road roastery. The menu features typical brekkie and brunch staples and a selection of coffees and other beverages. I opted for hotcakes and long black, and was happy with both. The team is nice and attentive, the overall vibe is friendly and good. A nice spot!

This is such a good inner city cafe. The coffee and food were excellent. My brekkie burger is the best of its type I’ve ever tasted. Chock full of flavour and a real treat to eat. The service here was exceptional from the manager too. We had a very limited time to eat because of appointments. The manager went out of his way to make sure they could feed us in time. He got the go ahead from the kitchen and they delivered in spades. If only all service could be this good. Thank you so much for a terrific experience 👏👏👏

We visited this hidden gem in Brunswick, and both the food and coffee were amazing 🤩 🥓Istra Thick Cut Bacon (AUD 28) 🍳Cilbir- Turkish Eggs (AUD 23) 🥃Cold Brew (AUD 5.5) ☕️Pour Over (AUD 8) I think I’ve had the best Turkish eggs here so far compared to other cafés I’ve tried in Melbourne 😌 The bacon was thick like a pork chop, and the hash brown was incredibly rich and satisfying 😍 The Cold Brew started off with a savoury flavour and finished with light tea notes 😋 The Pour Over had a complex yet soothing flavour too 😙 Highly recommend visiting if you’re looking to try some uniquely flavoured coffees 🥰

(the images of their hotcakes and the sad hotcake i received) although coffee was good I was very disappointed and upset at the presentation and lack of attention of detail of the hotcakes. Paying 25 dollars for hotcakes I expect to be wowed, easily to say I was not. 25$ for 6 blueberries, bascially two strawberries, quater of an apple, a few rasberry, specks of powdered sugar, poorly splattered mascarpone and maple syrup... easily the saddest hot cakes I ever received in my life. The contrast in quality of other customer's experiences from previous years of the hotcakes/pancakes and what I recived is crazy. Posted the images below. I really am seriously so upset especially when I had high expectations :(

Outstanding coffee and hot chocolate! My family loves the coffee here – full of depth and aroma. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, so I tried the hot chocolate, and it was incredible – rich, smooth, and absolutely delicious.

I just has the most perfect breakfast! The Turkish breakfast has the right amount of greens, poached eggs, toasty without hard-to-eat corners...and such a nice staff. Congrats guys you're doing pretty good 🫶🫶

I had a sourdough topped with smoked salmon and avocado, along with a flat white. Both were so good! The coffee, in particular, was really smooth and easy to drink.

Friendly staff very slow service. Food was lack lustre, way too small of a portion for the price. 1 slice of bread with a slap of avo $22? As for the coffee we've had way better. Atmosphere great. Do yourselves a favour and go elsewhere the food ain't that great. I really wanted it to be but sadly NO.

A real weekend morning treat. The food is always delicious and fresh. I was craving pancakes and it was a weekly special. they even included a side of syrup which makes my American heart melt. The iced latte was made to perfection as well. Staff is always so friendly.

Cafe with excellent coffee and food, but uncomfortable furniture and hit-or-miss service. We were there midday on a Wednesday, so there was no wait. Many of the seats are at a counter, which is nice for being able to people-watch but the seat itself is uncomfortable - tiny, hard stools with no backs. Our coffee order was taken immediately but it was tough to flag someone down to place a food order. I saw 2 people walk out as they asked twice to place an order and the staff said "one moment" and then never returned. We ordered a second coffee which never came. Once you do manage to order, the coffee is absolutely excellent. Not a hint of bitterness and a lovely rich flavour. The menu is also great, with lots of unconventional offerings alongside the standard brekkie choices. This was the best okonomiyaki I've had outside of Japan (and I love that there is a veg version), and it was large enough for 2 of us to share.

This place was recommended to me by a fellow yelper and oh it was so disappointing. Yes you get seated straightaway on Sundays if you arrive before 10 but expect a queue straight after. Quite a large venue with comfortable seating. they have a couple of coffee blends to choose from and even do a cold brew with ginger. Service is quite slow and scattered. We ordered the french toast with mascarpone and poached pear and the jalapeno quesadillas. Both dishes were quite disappointing. The french toast was just brioche with burnt sugar. I've seen beautiful photos of french toast from cafes I've been to in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and by far this was the least indulgent, lacking in presentation and burnt tasting french toast. What a waste of my cheat day. Then the jalapeno quesadillas were two deep fried stretchy tortillas with a sprinkling of jalapeno and cheese with a fried egg on top. Seriously why? My mocha was ok. Couldn't taste the chocolate but the coffee blend was nice. No split bills.

Wide Open Road is like that friend you've had since you were a kid. They are always there when you need them, they provide support in times of need, they don't mind how you look or who you're dating, they just want to make you happy. They don't have hour-long waits on the weekends (the analogy has ended at this point). You know who never lets you down? Wide Open Road. They take their coffee very seriously here at Wide Open Road, so much so that there is a coffee menu, which makes me feel like a total dork when all I order is a skinny flat white. But for me, it's all about the food. I always tend to go for the healthier option when it comes to breakky (I tend to get less healthy as the day goes on) so on past occasions have treated myself to the Bircher Muesli and the Cauliflower Quinoa Fritters. Both delicious and filling. Sometimes, yes, you will be asked to wait a few minutes for a seat but PLEASE don't leave in a huff of disgust. I have never had to wait more than three minutes even when they've threatened us with twenty. The staff here are so bloody efficient and friendly I basically want to move in.

This place had been staring at me from Google Maps for ages so early one morning, when I happened to be around the Brunswick area, I decided that I would step inside and check the place out. I have to say that I was pretty impressed. It's is an old converted warehouse that serves some rather interesting assortment of breakfast dishes. Mind you, it was pretty packed when I was here, but at least that had some space at the large communal table. I ended up having the giant rashes, and when I say giant, I mean that were really, really big (none of those thin bacon rashes you see elsewhere). They also have lots of little rooms, though I'm not sure it you can rent them out. Definitely a place to check out.

I'm no coffee expert. Although I love coffee, I have had to change my coffee habits a while ago. my usual go to now is a good chai latte and a cup of coffee maybe once a week. Visiting Wide Open Road though, I thought it would be a crime not to try a cuppa. They've made a great effort here and have made choosing a lot easier. I have been to other places before where I just have no idea and don't want to ask because I know i will get the "we're too cool and coffee smart for you" look. I didn't feel that way here because there's recommendation on the menu on how they are best served. So you can choose based on how you like to drink your coffee. If you are not too sure about Cold drips, here you can have them with a choice of condensed milk. Very interesting. We dined here at breakfast and dishes are served big. We tried the kale Caesar salad, thick bacon, and scrambled on toast. Food is delicious and I will be back to try lunch. 3hr parking at Barkly square or metered street parking.

Agree with everything Emma C says..... I've been three times, and every time I have been getting less likely to return for breakfast. Great fit out, cool patrons, good mix on the menu, good coffee and very popular, but I'm not number one ticket hlder or president of the WideOpenRoadFoodFanClub. Given the choice of here or Residential Kitchen a few hundered metres away, I'd go there. Worth a look, it may be your thing, it may not. It's trendy, but I have been left feeling a little flat afterwards. For me the highlight id the restoration going on out the bak of the Kitchen; if you go to the toilest you'll see what I mean.

Love to indulge in a bit of hipster spotting whilst sipping on house roasted coffee, anyway you like it? Then suss out Wide Open Road. Named The Age Cafe Guide's 'Best New Cafe' of 2011, Wide Open Road have since done a significant expansion, adding an extra 50 seats and a commercial kitchen. A huge warehouse-y space, the fit out is very industrial-chic, and totally in-keeping with the area and the patrons. The food is ok-ish. Could be better for the price, compared to what some other locals are serving up. The coffee is really where Wide Open Road gets their four stars from me. Always consistent, quick and delicious.

This is a nice enough cafe with very friendly staff and a nice open plan area lit up beautifully by the sun. The food is good quality but the main problem in my opinion is the very small menu. There simply arent too many choices. I had a hot chocolate which was good and a really nice apple, cranberry and quinoa bread, topped with honey and yoghurt - which was absolutely delicious - however I was there with my 3 year old twin boys and they didnt particularly like the bread. They had babycinos but they didnt come with a marshmellow (these things are important to little boys). While I think the food is wonderful for adults (they make their own bread onsite and their own coffee too), its not really a great menu for kids. That said, why should it be? The place doesnt necessarily want to be marketed at kids or those that have them. Its not anti-kids or against their presence, its just that the food isnt really what appeals to them - although one of my sons was more than happy to polish off the half of my hot chocolate that I didnt drink (Im on a diet - I didnt leave it for its taste - it tasted nice). The prices are fair, the food is good, the staff are nice and the space is nice - all they need to do now is get some more variety onto their menu (and maybe a kid-friendly meal or two) and they will be headed towards 4 stars rapidly!

This place has been consistent for the 7 years I have lived in this neighbourhood. I don't come here much these days but revisited recently and it was just as good as always. Great service, with just the right dose of nonchalonce from the staff that is never rude. Food exceptional.

I love the idea of this place, I love the look of this place, I love the presentation of this place, but I just don't love this place. I often say that having coffee and brekky in Brunswick on a Saturday or Sunday morning is like going into battle. You have to be match fit, to push your way through the hoardes to get the waiter's attention to be told that there is at least half a dozen people in line before you - go stand in the line, and you will be grateful when and if we can give you a table. Wide Open Road is this place (and it is not the only one in Brunswick). It used to be fab when it was small, and had a good menu, but now it is very large, very very noisy, and the menu is a bit weird. The coffee is great, though. Which makes it a place that I still like to go to - sometimes. I will happily go there on a weekday, when the crowds and the noise are a bit less overwhelming. Or I will go there if I'm with an out of town guest who wants to experience the craziness that is the sport of coffee-ing in Melbourne, but there are other places I would go also. So, if you are match fit and ready to rumble - go, and enjoy the great coffee.

My favourite local for over 2 years. Constantly changing menu which is always a reason to come back, usually a new special as well. Filter coffee is consistently great and iced filter is my favourite drink in summer. Staff are always helpful, friendly and attentive, even on the super busy weekends.

The staff are arrogant and clearly consider themselves far too cool to learn anything about the menu. Ask a simple question get a filthy look and they disappear for ten minutes and seem quite surly about the fact that you wanted to clarify confusingly named items. Despite the tragic 'we're too cool for anything' vibe the place is packed with people who are here for the food which was very good. Maybe the folks providing the limited service have been trained to be rude & condescending because that is what the expectation is in these parts. Can't see me eating there again or recommending it to anyone which is a shame as the food was good.

I've been here at least a dozen times and the food has always been impressive. It's nicely presented, in good portions and tasted very good. I am not particularly impressed with the coffee though or the beans they use to be precise. Even as a double shot it doesn't have enough flavour for me. Still I keep coming back for the food.

I'm terrible at being a regular at cafes - there just seems to be too many of them to go to one consistently these days. That being said, I was not surprised to notice after a number of months' absence that Wide Open Road had changed their menu. Although I dearly missed their great hangover fare (hello scrambled eggs with bacon and truffle oil), the menu seems to have taken a few steps more towards trendy brunch options - not a bad thing at all, just different. Coffee, as always, is spectacular. I am dying to try the iced drip coffee with condensed milk, however the cascara iced tea is the perfect finish to a sunny street-side lunch.

I'm not quite sure what to say about Wide Open Road. Some days I absolutely love it and other days I'm so disappointed. The hope that it's going to be a good day is what keeps me coming back. The menu changes often and the food is fantastic, so is the coffee. The decor of the place is beautiful, would kill for the beautiful glass lamps that they bave in different pastel colors. My biggest concern is the service which most of the time is below average, orders get mixed up and the staff doesn't check up on you often enough. There's definitely room for improvement here.

For many years now my family have been nearly every Saturday. The food is just great and there is something for everyone. The workers are such nice people and the service is prompt. I WOULD RECOMMEND that you get there from 7:30-8:30 because that is when the service is best. The one down is that the outdoor seating isn't great, there are places to tie up your dog but if you want to sit outside with your dog then I would recommend that you don't have more that 2-3 humans. Overall amazing

I recently discovered, like its name would suggest, that Wide Open Road is large and spacious (so can accommodate groups of more than 3 people... which is a rarity to find in brunswick.....) and gets a great breeze through the whole restaurant, perfect for Melbourne summer days. It's also off Sydney Road, so even though it is always busy, you can normally get a table without a heinous wait, which, again is a rarity on Sydney Road. Lots of the breads and yummy treats are baked on-site, and they're delicious. Of note is the pumpkin bread that is served with the baked cauliflower sandwich. There are lots of interesting combinations on the menu, such as the wild boar sausage served with bocconcini and a pomegranate legume salad. They also mix sweet and savoury in surprising ways that usually work out well, such as a citrus cous cous salad. Overall, a very trendy cafe with a fun hipster ambiance in the heart of brunswick. Definitely worth checking out.

Great breakfast spot. If you want a taste of Melbourne, look no further. High quality ingredients, amazing drip coffee, cool atmosphere.

Like a few other reviewers, I have my moments when it comes to this place. The decor is great and the coffee is pretty spectacular. The food, when you get it, is extremley good. The service is a bit hit and miss and on two consecutive visits, the orders didn't show up with doggie bags offered. On the second occasion, after watching later diners have their orders taken and then served, I lost my cool as we had waited over 30 minutes for the food which was sitting under the heat lamps for the best part of 20 mins. Only one of the coffees turned up, and we had to go get our own water - which sound pretentious, but the staff normally bring the water over and take the coffee order. I watched our food sit on the serving area for over 20 minutes. (along with other plates) I watched the wait staff glance at the food and then pick up the newer orders. We got up and advised the head waitress that we were leaving sans food. She offered to pack the food that had been sitting there in a doggie bag! Meh! Not interested in a salad that's been sitting under heat lamps for over 20 minutes. I did pass on my comments to the management and I received a prompt reply which was good. We reluctantly returned a few days later with a family member and there was a complete turn-around! Same head waitress who was running around, same lengthy queue, but different wait staff which made such a huge difference. The coffee and food came out quickly and suddenly it was like WOR of old. Would I return? Probably, but I'll be picking my times.

For me this is one of the best cafes in Melbourne. It is the place that we always take people who are visiting Melbourne. Always good for a quick weekend breakfast (although you have to get in early, expect to queue after 10am). Everything I've tried from the menu is delicious but I can't go past the bircher muesli (changes depending on seasonal fruits and flavours). Also love the cold-brew and batch brew coffee. All their coffee is fantastic, actually. And the treats on display at the front counter never disappoint.

As a brunswick local it has taken me way too long to get here. I walk past every time i go to the gym and think "i must come here". Finally, i ventured in one rainy morning for a coffee. It is much bigger than i thought inside and i really like the warehouse/factory type decor. Definitely i can imagine on a sunny day the room would be beautifully lit. We only came in for a coffee and it was pleasing to see that they had a good coffee menu that a coffee novice like me can understand. Often at specialty coffee places you kind of have to know what you want to be able to order. Here they specify the different blends and make it easy to decide. I ordered a cold drip coffee which was delicious. Whilst i didn't eat, the menu looked pretty decent and had some vegan options. Will definitely come back here again.

Not too long of a wait, fancy coffee, good communal tables and amazing food options. I had a Virgin Mary and the portobello mushroom dish on pumpkin bread, generous portion sizes and a comfortable environment. So many other things to come back and try!!

Fantastic little (now bigger) cafe in Brunswick, great coffee, great fit out and great people

Wide open road is a great little local cafe, that has a lovely fresh breakfast and lunch menu. Although I do not drink coffee, I hear that the coffee is pretty good, and they also sell many different blends and single origin coffee beans and ground coffee to take away which is also very good quality. One thing that I like most about wide open road is that they have more than the stock standard teas on offer. Most cafes only seem to have English breakfast, earl grey, peppermint and camomile on offer, but wide open road also offers a few more black teas which makes the tea drinker in me pretty satisfied. One thing that I don't like so much is the crockery that they use to serve their meals - enamel plates with quite a wide raised edge/lip. It sounds a bit petty, but the plates are often too small for the meals that are served on them and the raised edge makes it tricky to eat using a knife and fork. Definitely a good cafe to check out if you are in the area.

The road well traveled is the motto here...and with good reason! Im a local in the area and I try not to play favourites, but I love this cafe. Yes it gets very busy with the weekend brunch crowd but the unflappable service and custom hellos - 'how ya goin' groovers' make it easy to go with the flow. They roast their coffee onsite and their chai is delicious and well presented. The menu is fresh and interesting with a middle eastern wink. If you're looking for a stylish hangover fix the thick cut bacon dish with a poached egg, potato cake, chipotle mayo and out of this world beetroot relish is a thing of beauty.

If you wear frames with no glass in them, have a beard or ride a fixy then you'll love this place.

I was lured here with the promise of baked eggs in bechamel, which was sure to be the perfect hangover cure. But when I arrived, my friend broke the news to me: the menu had changed. After spending a little time with my head resting on the table, I was finally able to contemplate the menu and decided on the scrambled tofu. I know it is a great leap to go from a rich, dairy-heavy dish to the vegan choice, and a daring leap to make when hangovers pretty much demand the consumption of animal by-products, but I did it. And it was a good choice. The tofu is scrambled with finely chopped zucchini and capsicum, and some spinach. Both the texture and flavour is pretty good for a tofu scramble, although I would prefer a bit of chilli to the mix, or some hot sauce available. This comes with some mushrooms (one friend of mine claimed the mushrooms here were so good that she had to have a second serve - they are pretty good, seasoned with tasty things like cumin and roasted nicely, but I actually don't think they are two-serve worthy...she was clearly just really hungry) and avocado, and a very tasty seedy sourdough. The coffee is good and the service for a Sunday morning that was getting increasingly busy was actually pretty prompt. I also quite like the airy warehouse decor. Had there been bechamel eggs on the menu, I probably would have given this four stars. There's something about eating animal by-products that makes me more generous.