Alba Paloma — Restaurant in Melbourne

I've been coming here regularly for a few years now, and consider it one of the best eating places in Healesville, and one of the best I know of anywhere. The very few negative reviews I've seen I find quite puzzling. There are a few meals I alternate between, and the staff are always willing to adjust things to one's personal taste - including a salmon-and-egg item that was dropped from their menu a few years ago, but which they will still make for me because I liked it so much. The toasted ham and cheese sandwiches are amongst the best I've ever had, and they make this possibly rather ordinary food seem like high cuisine. The salad I order along with it is always fresh and crisp, and while the exact content varies a bit according to what is available at the time, it always contains varied items such as lettuce, carrots, Lebanese cucumber, celery, and capsicum. A lot of places, when you order a salad, seem to be satisfied with lettuce and cucumber, and that's it. The cakes are delicious - orange and almond cake, banana bread, and on occasion raspberry and apple cakes which are almost two desserts in one, with the apple crumble and the raspberry and icing sugar on top. (Perhaps not a good item for those trying to lose weight! - but irresistible.) The iced mocha I usually finish my meals with is delicious, again one of the best I know of anywhere, and certainly best in Healesville jointly with just one other place's iced mocha. I like a dash of hazel-nut syrup added to it, and again the staff are happy to make this adjustment for me. The owner and staff are invariably friendly, as well as helpful, and always ready to chat when time permits which it sometimes doesn't, because the place is deservedly popular and this keeps the staff busy. In summary, I cannot recommend Alba Paloma...

I've been to Alba Paloma twice during visits to the Yarra Valley in the last year and both times I came away thoroughly impressed. Both times, the food was outstanding, with excellent menu options, GF and Vegan alternatives, interesting specials and delicious fresh dessert options. Both times, I asked for bacon and eggs with maple syrup and pancakes even though it wasn't on the menu and they happily obliged and made me an excellent custom brunch at a very reasonable price. The coffee is excellent too. Up there with the best I've had in Healesville so far. The staff are all friendly, patient and hard-working.

In the photos you can see the pancakes I mentioned, but also the amazing chili egg bake that they do, which is just one of many fun options they have on their menu.

It can get a little crowded inside, but the vibe is still pretty relaxed and fun. There's also a decent amount of outdoor seating on the street for when the weather is good.

Overall, highly...

The service is quite good & the place is nice & cosy. It's a cute little cafe with a Spanish touch to their menu which sets it apart. I tried the Spanish Grazing plate which came with traditional sour dough dressed in olive oil, serving of aioli sauce on the side, with ham, cheese, pickled cucumbers & chorizo. The chorizo was very salty, too salty infact however paired with the aioli & the sour dough it was edible. The presentation was nice, however I'd suggest trying a different dish from the many options on their menu if you're not a fan of salty dishes. The ham was a bit on the chewy side but paired well with the other items on the plate. The fries were not crispy but still had some flavour to it & was interesting to see it come with the potato skin, adds an element of uniqueness to the dish. If you don't like you're coffee too strong then you would like their coffee. Overall, I did like the experience but maybe will try different dishes &...