Marchetti Cafe — Restaurant in Brisbane City

The Tattersall's Arcade is an often forgotten building in our CBD's landscape. And it's a shame because it's such a beautiful classic style suited perfectly for the sophisticated coffee and wine bar that is Marchetti Cafe.

Owned by the same gentleman that owns Optiko across the way, Marchetti is the Italian screen siren polished to perfection. She's graceful without effort and her style is eternal.

Serving AllPress Espresso, there's bar seating inside and tables just outside the main cafe. The coffee itself is strong and it settles to quite a pleasing cup by the time you've savoured each sip while you relax in the surrounds of this beautiful arcade.

The food menu is, as you might expect, simple with Italian classics like eggplant parmigiana, calzone, polpette (meatballs made by owner Michael's Mum!) and easy to order take-away paninis.

And while I was only here for a coffee with a friend, I expect each meal would be done well. I respect that given the small kitchen space they've gone for quality over quantity. It's all in the details from the typography of the logo, the interior design and the menu - it's exquisite. I can imagine many a photo shoot happening here (engagement, wedding or just general fashion shoots).

Just like the laneway espresso and wine bars of Melbourne, Marchetti has me excited for a quite but exceptional CBD escape from the bustle. I'm looking forward to seeing how her...

Wasn't a quite delightful experience I had at this cafe.

So what happened is, I searched for a nice place to drink coffee and found this cafe. Scrolling down the reviews seeing they recommend flat white. I gave it a go since I love flat white.

Ordered my flat white and this is what they gave me. Actually the coffee wasn't that bad, just not strong enough.

But the cup was just disgusting. It was dusty and had lipstick on it. How is a cup at a busy cafe can be this dirty? Do they even wash them? Spoon was not looking good, too.

I took the coffee to the counter and requested a new one for takeaway. Baristas apologized but I lost my appetite anyways. Every customer there seemed enjoying their coffee except me. I don't think there's gonna be a...

A very late review but about one year ago I came here to have a quiet wine on my own on Valentine's night. I ate a (very small) cupcake from Dello Mano and the blonde waitress rudely scolded me. It is fair enough to let me know, but I've never been spoken to so badly at a cafe in my life. I'd just ordered a second wine and decided to leave it there untouched, paid my bill and left (I should have not paid). I'm from Melbourne and that would never happen there (if I was eating a small cupcake, even if outside food isn't allowed I doubt anyone even would bother to mention it), I could never imagine it. Some cafés in Brisbane need to learn that customer service is about treating people with kindness and respect ~ where is the humanity?...