Cafe with outdoor and indoor seating and ample street parking. Arrived here on a Sunday noon and it was almost empty inside but lots of people on the outdoor tables. Free wifi. A small selection of baked goods on counter. Menu consists of wraps, burgers and a handful of brekkie items. Despite being a small menu it caters to all tastes. My friend got the small victories sandwich which is bacon fried egg tomato in slices of bread. He inhaled it and liked the freshness from the tomato. I had the lamb wrap with pulled succulent lamb, refreshing pieces of cucumber and tomato, delicious undertones of the sauce and complementary sourness and crumbly texture from the feta. The wrap itself was a thin white wrap. I devoured mine too and the hot crinkly cut chips were a bonus Our coffees were robust yet creamy. Great value for money. Good friendly service. read more

Small Victories - Free wifi - Restaurants Near Me - Carlton North, VIC

Around the corner of my house Small Victories has taken my preference for a sit down breakfast. I like the brightness of the place as for a breakfast dimmed lights don't make sense. It is the meal that starts your day, it should awaken you like a beautiful sunrise when you just had a 9 hour sleep. Food wise always up to scratch, I have had soup, sandwiches and the small victories breakkie. Sucker for black pudding and love the way it is served. New age fun with a vintage feel. The space feels great, always feel welcome and most importantly they tolerate me just talking shit about everything and nothing. Recommended by me. But then again. Who the fff hell am I? read more

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With friendly staff, chilled outdoor seating and a big pile of newspapers and magazine to choose from, Small Victories is a top spot for a leisurely brunch. I visited on a quiet Wednesday morning and was quickly served a very good Long Black and gigantic bowl of bircher muesli. Bircher is one of my most favourite breakfasts, yet so many places seem to get is so very wrong. Not these guys. The muesli doesn't contain loads of dried fruit (something that I find always makes it too sweet) is soaked in natural yoghurt and mixed with loads of fresh and tangy grated apple before serving. On top, a type of nut brittle adds textural contrast and adds just the right the right amount of sweetness to the soaked oats and apples. It's a massive bowl, yet I smashed the entire thing and didn't feel like I'd swallowed a box of cardboard afterwards. I'd like to say that I'll be back for the interesting lunch and dinner menus, but the truth is I'll be returning for the bircher time and time again. read more

Small Victories - Bircher muesli with nut crunch. - Restaurants Near Me - Carlton North, VIC

Small Victories has for a few years been my favourite cafe in a lovely, leafy corner of North Carlton. This is my first visit since they've changed ownership. Staff are friendly if a bit aloof, my coffee order was taken but after I had sat down I had to get up and get my own water. My short macchiato was great .. very smooth, velvety, with a generous foamy head and an almondy flavour. Foodwise I ordered the Dukka fritters ($18), but after ten minutes I was informed that the kitchen couldn't make this order. So I decided to go with the Eggs Florentine ($15). I noted that on menu it said poached eggs on sourdough - but when it arrived it was actually on english muffins. Flavour was ok but the eggs were over cooked and the kale didn't feel like it belonged. Bit disappointing to be honest. The new owners do indeed have big boots to fill. Perhaps they should've rebranded, visiting now is like redoing your favourite holiday .. still pleasant but not quite the same. Music - laid back tunes bubble along in the background, easy to chat Newspapers - yes read more

Small Victories - Restaurants Near Me - Carlton North, VIC

This is a fantastic breakfast option - 2 eggs on lovely toast with a million different delicious sides to add, or choose one of their recommended combos. I especially like the wilted spinach with herbs, and the potato croquettes with leak & cheddar were also nice. Prices are standard for Melbourne brekkie. Coffee is great. And staff is very nice. They have sidewalk tables and a surprisingly large indoor area, too. read more

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This part of Rathdowne street seems to have a few decent cafes congregated around it, and while I was down here one Saturday afternoon looking for a particular secondhand bookshop I spied this place. Okay, I have to admit that I already knew that it was there, but I didn't know anything about it other than it was a cafe. Well, as it turns out it is pretty popular because when I arrived the place was packed. However, being the type of person who will press on regardless I decided to go and order a coffee. Well, I did find a spot to sit, and the coffee was actually really good, however the unfortunate thing is that this place isn't exactly quiet. However, there is a park across the road, which you can take you coffee if you really want some quiet. read more

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Recently lauded Melbourne's best breakfast, with a review like that you've got pretty high expectations to live up to. Small Victories doesn't disappoint. The service is quick and helpful, the coffee is very good and the food is yummo. Having been for both breakfast and lunch however, I'd suggest that perhaps lunch is where the cafe really does its best work. Try it on a weekday for a brunch or lunch and I hazard a guess you'll be extremely happy with the experience. An extra star awarded for great GF options and sympathetic recipe-alterations from the kitchen. read more

I was lucky enough to practically live next door to Small Victories for many years and, God bless 'em, there was never an ounce of judgement when I stumbled in on Sunday mornings still wearing my PJs. Be warned though, this doesn't mean you can easily stroll in and pinch a table whenever your heart yearns for eggs - there is often a wait on the weekends. The staff are young, cool and hip and very fast behind the coffee machine. Your flat white or skinny cap are quick off the pass and there's no going wrong with their mixed juice either (get one with 'the lot'.) Their Bloody Mary is what makes my heart sing the most though. Where it is lacking in garnish, it is packing in spice. A highly recommend you try one along with food favourites Poached eggs with smoked salmon, chive quark and pickles or the infamous Small Victories Mixed Grill - don't shy away from the Black Pudding either! read more

The former Rathdowne food store had is heyday, but has been in decline the last few years. Small Victories returns the site to it's former glory, and in my view, well beyond. Big call, but I think this is the best breakfast in Melbourne at the moment. The two times I've been I went with the eggs and a side of black pudding. The latter of which comes with an apple puree that sets it off perfectly. My brunch partners have branched out further to great success. The mushrooms and avocado appear to be stand-out favourites. The service is exceptional. Despite us unreasonably asking to turnaround brunch in less than 30 minutes on busy Sunday (we had tickets to an event) - the staff stepped up and accommodated. Unfortunately this also meant brunch was a little rushed, but no fear, I'll be back. This is a nice addition to Rathdowne village, which also has the respectable Cafe North and Gerald's Bar. Carlton North really is vying for the place to be at the moment. Top billing, even though I haven't tried their lunch or dinner menu. With the way brunch went it's a dead certainty that I'll be giving them both a try. Jump on your bike on a sunny day, cycle up or down Canning Street and duck over. You won't be disappointed. read more

My favourite breakfast place. Benefits of living in Rathdowne village is the access to all these awesome eateries. After spending months of visiting different place for breakfast each weekend, we have finally found our place (Yes, OUR place). Our usual routine: Get greeted, if you are early enough, score one of the tables inside, spend 10 minutes debating the merits of citrus & cheesecake topped waffle vs elderberry yoghurt vs baked eggs vs eggs with sides. Trust me, they are all so good, you need to make a really hard decision. In sides, Black pudding, mushrooms and croquette are must try (or as I say order). Lunch is not bad as well. Pork belly sandwich, salads... all are worth a try. read more

My boyfriend & I visited Small Victories for the first time today (had spotted it online before) and we were not disappointed! A quirky set up, amazing coffee and delicious food - what more could you want? I would have posted a picture of our food but it was too yummy not to tuck in straight away. We ordered a mixed grill and scrambled eggs with a side of croquettes and bacon. read more

I had it on good authority from one of my favourite baristas that this was a place I should be brunching at. Funnily enough, she was perched at the bar when I arrived. No points for guessing what the coffee is like - excellent! I had an iced long black and it was perfect. Refreshing, without losing any of the delicious coffee notes. Breakfast was pretty spectacular too. The menu is split into eggs with a big choice of sides, sweet options (bircher and the like), salads and enormous sandwiches. Both my bf and I ordered the special of pulled pork with corn fritters and green tomato relish. Mm great smokiness from the pork and cut-through sweetness with the relish and fritters. Would I come back? Absolutely. read more

Fantastic food, great service!! They made room for us so our table wasn't so crowded and we're just super helpful! Came Highly recommended and didn't disappoint! read more

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Small victories is another local fav when we feel like avoiding Brunswick/Smith Street scene. An inventive menu with consistent coffee and on to it but not intense service. My favourites on the menu are the baked eggs with the lardo soldier and eggs any way with the scrummy sides like pork & fennel sausages, leek & cheddar croquettes and a variety house made cured meats. I haven't been here for lunch but the brunch rocks. read more

Small Victories - Restaurants Near Me - Carlton North, VIC

Delicious pasta dishes and incredible sandwiches. Took quite some time deciding between the rigatoni and the beef brisket sandwich but ultimately gave into the incredible pasta.. I'll be smiling for hours. Inevitable food envy when a table nearby order three of the briskest. Next time! Great terrace for warmer day breakfasts and lunches read more

One of my friends had told me about this little place and I was in the mood for a quick beverage and maybe something to pick at. I was craving a sliced meat & Bloody Mary.. The serve was friendly and we were greeted with a smile and shown to the bar. We ordered a Porter & bloody Mary. The waiter/ barman didn't know the products very well but was very helpful in the end. They also had to go and get ice so that I could the Bloody Mary. Once I got me drink it was just what the doctor ordered. They didn't have anything on the menu that I wanted to eat at the time but I will be back to try some food. read more

Great and tasty food! Unfortunately need more options for vegetarians! Wide open road coffee, made to taste. Interior quirky and fun! Very busy and a great atmosphere! Staff were friendly. A little overpriced but worth a visit! read more

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My favourite breakfast place in the world! The food always blow my mind! I no longer live in Melbourne but I always make sure to come back and eat here when I visit. The coffee is delicious (soy latte) and the service is always friendly and relaxed. Absolutely amazing food without the snobbery, and simple decor with really cool art too! read more

Watch out - this place is NOT what it used to be. Pretty sure it's changed hands and it's definitely not the same standard as it was with former management. I took my mum here thinking it would be a fancy brunch destination and was pretty let down. The food options are pretty basic, the menu is brimming with typos, the music was blergh, the waiter was super inexperienced. And the music was naff - no more old records. It all feels pretty amateur. I suggest looking elsewhere. read more

My favourite brunch place in Melbourne! A terrific breakfast spot for solo eaters and small groups. The menu is full of so many traditional tasty and creative items, it's hard to make a choice. The food at Small Victories is top notch. Foodies and casual brunch warriors will definitely be pleased. I enjoyed one of their Benedict's (the duck option) and it was divine! If it was socially acceptable, I would have licked my plate. The waitstaff and baristas are super friendly and relaxed. The atmosphere is open, inviting, and upscale without being pretentious. I can't wait to go back. read more

Popped in for a quick lunch mid-week. Was beautiful. The lamb salad was well-balanced, generous on the lamb and not too heavy. My mate's pasta was also a hit - though she said she could have eaten twice as much. Not the biggest pasta serving - but not the smallest, it was just so good that she wanted more! Lol. Have heard great things about breakfast here too and I love Rathdowne Street too - great for a browse. read more

Delicious breakfast and lunch, and tasty Wide Open Road coffee always on point. Love the feel and atmosphere of this little venture. Some really interesting options on the breakfast menu as well! Good stuff! read more

Get the naked eggs with smoked salmon for brunch - delicious

Great, convenient location with simple yet delicious food. A little let down I didn't see any Carlton football club players as word on the street, it is their local. Coffees were creamy and bacon was crispy. Lovely service as I could feel the passion they put into my meal. Will be returning, hopefully I can deviate away from the bacon and eggs. read more