A group of us had lunch at the Oaks each having a different meal from the menu board. We all commented that the food served was of average quality and taste more fitting of a highway roadhouse than a cafe in a lovely garden /nursery...settling. Examples: The tuna pattie was pretty much tasteless and a side salad is not some salad leaves sprinkled with dressing. The lasagne lacked any generosity of the stated beef filling and topped with a cheddar like cheese! Again, salad leaves are not a side salad. Importantly, in these Covid times people sitting at tables were most certainly not he required metres apart. I would imagine a coffee (well made) and a cake would warrant a different rating but...
I called in here to buy a plant but soon realised there were more people in the cafe than in the nursery. I'm not surprised - it's a lovely sunny spot right in the middle of the nursery - decided I would join them. They serve and all-day breakfast/brunch menu and it's very good. I had poached eggs on sourdough and a coffee ($16) but there's quite a variety available including Roasted Mushrooms and what looked like a very nice pulled pork in a brioche bun. I noticed a couple of vegetarian options too.Service is pleasant if a little perfunctory, but the setting is the attraction.
Plants are the major reason we come here but it is also a great place for a coffee or light meal. The café is popular on fine days and is often very busy. The garden centre provides an excellent range of plants, they are not cheap but are in excellent condition. Advice given is first class so seek help with any issues and your plants will flourish. There is also an area that offers a range of gifts to suit many occasions.
This cafe is in one of the prettiest little nurseries in Victoria. Sit on the deck on a chill free Melbourne day to enjoy a delicious meal or just a drink and you can't go wrong. The Barista is first class. We have been coming here for our daily coffee and it is delightful. Staff are so friendly and have lots of deliciously prepared treats freshly made to enjoy. Beautifully presented as well.
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Gone downhill. Charged for an avocado smash and very small coffee. Very thin and watery layer of avocado with a bit of feta mixed in on a piece of small toast. Poached egg overcooked. Not enough avocado or egg to eat with the second...slice of toast. Guess I did get a slice of lemon.... They used to have excellent beautifully presented food but not so on my last couple of visits.
Last Wed lunch. My husband and I. Ordered our lunch plus beers. Waited at least min. Beers arrived min.before meal! Chicken Caesar salad. Fillet of chicken just dropped on top of salad. Not cut up. NO croutons! Borek...dry and unappetising! What is...going on in the kitchen? I have been many times before and have been happy with what I ordered. Will not be rushing back!
We met there because of the lovely outdoor surroundings. The nursery provides an excellent backdrop. The restaurant did not have a warm friendly feeling and it was noisy. The menu was typical of a light lunch menu, not very exciting. I would go again because of its central location, although parking was very difficult.
We wandered through the nursery and picked up indoor and outdoor items - now I just have to plant them!We had an enjoyable lunch the curry beef pie and a glass of white. You do have order at the counter and the only menu we could find was on the wall.
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This has a very busy cafe that has good food and is a good place to meet for lunch. There are also interesting things to buy in the gift shop and my experience of the nursery is that the plants are healthy and usually grow well.
I gotta say, the Oakes Café is perfect in this generously sized plant nursery.
