Sadly, I have to report that after many years as repeat customers, we will not be frequenting the Journal Cafe again. On our recent visit, we found that the cafe has been sold and the new owners have changed the menu and greatly reduced the quality and flavor of the food. I can honestly say that the old avocado toast was the BEST I've ever had with rich flavor, fresh herbs and dukka spice. My recent experience was tasteless with barely ripe avocado and a few meager spouts. It was inedible as were the other three dishes we ordered. This is such a loss for the Melbourne CBD! read more

Good coffee and great vibe. Would have given much better rating if it wasn't for unusual behaviour and bad service from Laura...

The food and the space is really nice, and the staff are very welcoming, but the seating is either unintentionally bad or intentionally designed to keep you from staying or working too long. That's okay. Just walk out the back and into the library, where there are plenty of quiet places to spread out and work. read more

Not the most flashiest place but still very nice. I like the atmosphere and friendly service. Cups are a little awkward to hold but you will manage! read more

Journal Canteen - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I feel a bit guilty giving The Journal Cafe a lower rating than everyone else, but in my opinion the only real things The Journal Cafe has going for itself is the location and ambiance. Conveniently located adjacent to the City Library and smack dab in the middle of the CBD, The Journal Cafe is one of those places that you've probably been to every now and again just from passing by and thinking "hey, why not?" Ambiance: I have to admit that it is really cool. And I mean, really really cool. The place is ultra clean with communal tables, stylish and comfortable chairs, and classy light fixtures. Customer Service: The customer service was quite friendly and quick with getting out our orders. This, combined with the ambiance, made for a very relaxing and welcoming environment. Coffee: Unfortunately, the coffee is only okay at best, so don't get your hopes up. The lattes are alright, but if you ask them to make anything a bit more complicated such as a Ristretto, prepare to be disappointed. --- Overall, The Journal Cafe strikes me as a really cool and convenient location that makes for a nice pop-in every now and again. However, it's nothing to hype yourself about really. read more

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Nice food but a little pricey. I think you would best describe the style as 'home cooked'. Check the pics for the two breakfasts I added. They were really good, but these along with one coffee and one tea cost $65ish. If you go later in the day, the steak sandwich is fantastic. The nicoise salad - not so much. Cash only! Be warned. read more

Journal Canteen - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Stepping into Journal, I felt like I was in NY/Paris/London or something - the decor made me feel like I wasn't really in Melbourne. And I'm not gonna sugar coat it, this place is a major hipster spot. Walking in I counted about a dozen or so MacBook pro's, and a plethora of vintage bikes locked out the front. But don't be put off, here everyone is doing their own thing and chilling out. The ambience is really nice, and most of the staff were wonderful and friendly. Coffee and tea was decent, didn't get to try out the food though. read more

Upstairs on the mezzanine level you'll find Canteen. Unlike downstairs, here you'll find separate tables and a menu featuring a few Italian dishes such as homemade gnocchi which were the best I've tasted in a long time, spaghetti with mussels & prawns, and roasted pork shoulder with potatoes......and I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were at $16 or under. There are also 2-3 dessert choices. On this occasion I tried the strawberry & blueberry tart with a scoop of ice cream alongside, it was absolutely delectable! read more

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It is a quiet place to read or have a rest , nearby the city library . Because at the afternoon tea time ,I ordered Latte for me . It's a nice time. read more

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Last time I swung by the Journal I told myself it was the last time. Really! I keep coming back here, which puzzles the heck out of me since I don't really like it at all. Well that's not exactly true: I do have an inkling why I'm drawn into the cozy confines of the Journal and it's all about location (and ambience). Snuggled into the ground floor of the library on Flinders Lane, full of big communal tables, and groovy, mellow lighting, the Journal would seem to be the perfect place to crack open a library book on a dreary autumn day. Alas, the coffee is always mediocre and the food is just awful. I've had soup here several times and it has always been bland as can be, with next to no seasoning. The tomato soup literally tasted like a heated up can of passata. The frittata featured overcooked eggs and undercooked veggies (HOW??), was lacking any flavour and came with a heap of undressed rocket. The toasties seem fine, if totally basic. Service is usually friendly and food is served quickly but it doesn't make up for the sad food offerings and blah coffee. I think my last time at Journal really was my last time.... read more

I want to like this place but seriously... The service is so indifferent I deduct a star right off the bat. I've been here a few times but only sampled the coffee - dine in and take away. Both times the service staff seemed to be put out by the fact they had to serve somebody (an all too common experience on the Melbourne "service" scene). I actually prefer the coffee to nearby Two Dukes and Sensory Lab but the service really is a let down I will pop on for a take away but wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for it. read more

Theres something warm and inviting about Journal Cafe which is next to/in the lobby area of the Melbourne City Library on Flinders Lane. It almost doesn't feel like a Melbourne Cafe and reminds me more of cafe's you might find in London or New York. It feels ...somewhat intelligent .....but I can't really explain what that means! Journal attracts a mixed crowd, a few people on lap tops, reading, some business people, a few reading the paper, and lots more catching up over a wine. With a couple of large shared tables, a bar style bench with seating on both sides and some smaller tables with bench seating, theres a seat for most occasions. The lighting is quite dim and the atmosphere feels intimate and a bit thoughtful. It is very much a cafe slash wine bar/eatery which makes it ideal for any time of the day or night. Maybe what I like most about this place is that it feels so totally un-hipster whilst still being cool. With so many Melbourne cafe's marching to the beat of a similar drum, Journal manages to serve delicious coffee, an interesting menu (I had avocado on toast...how creative of me) and its location means that its a great inner city pop in spot when you need to warm up. For some reason the huge heavy door that you have to lug open and closed again adds to the intimacy of the experience. A regulary city drop in spot for me. Oh and a bonus is that you can use the Melbourne City Library Wi Fi without logging in or anything. Yes please. read more

Not Impressed at all. Food was average, price wasn't cheap and then to top it off it was cash only... something that was not clearly made evident. I will not be going back. read more

Nothing special. We just had fresh juices so not much to compare. Take a piece of fruit. Crush it. Charge $7 for it. Service was friendly. Was pretty busy and we almost couldn't find seats for our group of 4 but they sat us up at type two-sided bar stools. read more

Journal is a reliable go-to for an inner city catch up with friends, business meeting or solo study sesh. The interior is cool and cosy, despite its relatively large size. It is one of those places though where I can never figure out if you need to go up and order at the counter or wait for someone to come to you. The coffee here is excellent although the staff aren't all that friendly- they are kinda too cool for school which I guess you expect in a place like this. Nevertheless that hasn't taken away from my experience here, which is generally positive. I haven't tasted the food, although it looks delicious. With its close proximity to the CAE you will be elbowing laptops out of the way, but that's ok- it all adds to the atmosphere. read more

Based on the other reviews I was expecting better. Pumpkin and sweet potato soup was great. But.... I was looking forward to a great coffee and it was very average In saying that I liked the ambiance. WIFI would have been nice read more

Wish I could give 3.5. I like this place and often meet my friend here. I love when we get a solo table but hate when we have to sit at the communal table. The chairs (if you could call them that) are very uncomfortable. They are more like stools.. Cheap and uncomfortable stools that don't really fit anyone a little on the big size. But service is nice and the coffee is pretty good. Wish they had eftpos. read more

I love Journal for a coffee catch up in the morning or on weekends, or glass of wine in the late arvo / evening. It's a convenient central meeting place, always busy, but the staff are great. read more

This place is at least a three and a half if not four star rating in my opinion. Coffee comes small but full of great flavour. If you're after a coffee shake like Starbucks this ain't the place because they know how to make true coffee. Plus had the porridge and yep all good there as well. Friendly service caps it off. read more

Cosy cafe with great coffee. Enormous compared to the offerings on nearby degraves st. It's in the same building as the Melbourne Library so ifin keeping with the theme there are a lot of books around for you to pick up and browse while you while away the time. As an added bomus if you're a library member you get access to their free wifi. read more

Conveniently located inside the City Library:) Very friendly staff. I've only been here once, and I had a quick & simple bruschetta with avocado, but the overall experience was good. read more

Journal is such as nice place to sit and read the paper over coffee or brunch. The food is simple, but impressive, and there are always new items on the specials board that are worthy of testing. Recently I had a fruit salad with ricotta and mint leaves stirred through, which was one of the simplest, but most delicious breakfasts that I've had in a long time. They also do a really good bruschetta (and some interesting variations on bruschetta, such as one with roasted pumpkin and goats cheese). The only thing that I don't love about Journal is the fact that it's a bit of an awkward place to eat in groups, because there are only large communal tables or bar-style dining where you face out the windows. But if you're with a group and you can get a corner spot at one of the large tables, so you can all face in on each other, it's a great place to go for a relaxed, simple meal. read more

There avocado bruschetta is perfect for when I want a fancy breakfast that I could have just had at home.

This café offers two options for eating, refreshments and time out. You can enjoy the bustling, modern and convenient downstairs café called "Journal". It's right at the front of the CAE on Flinders Lane. Clearly visible from the street, you enter through large double doors and can enjoy a quick snack, lunch or coffee here. The CAE lobby kind of spreads itself around this café with entrances on both sides. For a quieter, more laid back experience, head to the far right of the lobby and a short stairwell will take you to "Canteen" which is a much plainer, open and down to earth space. Here you can also get food, a very good coffee and some quiet space to spend your time. Both spaces feature good service, good coffee, share tables as well as smaller tables for you and your paper or device. You can choose whichever suits you on the day! read more

Something about Journal is extremely soothing. Maybe it's the good coffee, relaxed atmosphere, good company or library-adjacent location- I'm not sure, but I keep going back nonetheless. There's something therapeutic about making your own chai, from the water, spices, honey and steamed milk you are given, that makes it delicious. read more

A great little place - little known by passing tourists. Nice quiet atmosphere where one can read or browse the internet while having good food and drink. Could do with having their own wifi, but why would you when you are co-located with the City Library? read more

Sharing a space with the Flinders Lane City Library, Journal is an aptly named cafe suitable for Breakfast and Lunch and laters. The noise of the place builds quickly, surprising for a place so close to the library, but the atmosphere is inviting and warm in those cold and wet months. The seating has comfy and uncomfy spots, the best are those away from the large and heavy glass sliding door. Lunches are simple dishes - salads and sandwiches - and the coffee is good and brought quickly. read more

Gorgeous service, delicious food and such a warm atmosphere. Really good value, too. DELICIOUS olive oil!

I have always loved Journal. Always good coffee in a beautiful setting. Perfect Melbourne city cafe.

There's nothing that irks me more than rude service...especially when I also have to wait forever for my coffee. Not going back.