Fordham’s Milk Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

Caught up with a friend and her new baby who was born months ago but haven’t been able to see due to covid restrictions. Different owners and a different layout from our last visit but still good to see this historic milk bar going strong. We arrived the day before they open up their full menu again so we’re restricted to cabinet food for our lunch. I ordered a herb and chicken toasted sandwich while my friend ordered a roast beef roll served fresh. I really enjoyed my toasted chicken... really good flavour. We were going to grab a couple of hot drinks to take on a walk after we finished lunch but they had already cleaned the coffee machine so held off on that. Would definitely come back and check out their full menu at some stage.

Previous Review I've been to Fordham's several times now and there always seems to be a crowd. Located in a small strip of suburban shops just opposite Hartwell station in Camberwell this little place truely adds a quaintness to the neighbourhood. I believe this"milk bar" cafe has been open since milk deliveries were made by horse and cart (creative license may have been used here) but it is the longest established milk bar in Melbourne. It has a range of amazing looking grocery items as well as being a cafe.

We sat on a share table near the entrance and coffee counter and observed a steady stream of activewear folks popping in for their takeaway coffee hit. The space doesn't lend itself to huge stroller prams but they seemed to be trying to accomodate families which is a good thing (I guess). I ordered the Panko Crumbed eggs with chorizo and a sweet potato hash. I've seen Manu criticise crumbed eggs on MKR and totally disagreed with his comments then... these crunchy textured eggs are delicious. I first tried these at a cafe called Lil Boy Blue in Kew (currently closed) but am glad to see them popping up elsewhere. The sweet potato hash was a great addition as well. Kelisi just opted for poached eggs on sour dough with a hash on the side which did surprise me given all the other interesting breakfast options. Sometime you just want something familiar though.

Staff were really busy and it actually was a 2 coffee wait for our breakfasts to arrive. Good thing the coffee...

I recently had the pleasure of trying the breakfast burrito at a cafe that left me utterly impressed. It was, without a doubt, the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. Despite being a take-away order, the presentation was impeccable, showcasing the attention to detail and care put into every aspect of the dish.

While the price was a bit on the expensive side, I can confidently say it was worth every penny. The flavours were exceptional, with a perfect balance of ingredients that made each bite a delightful explosion of taste. The burrito was generously filled with flavorful and high-quality ingredients, and the combination of textures was simply heavenly.

What impressed me even more was the thoughtfulness of the cafe's location. Just across the road, there was a charming little playground, creating a wonderful setting for families with young children. It was a brilliant idea to provide an opportunity for the little ones to burn some energy and have a play while waiting for their orders. It made the overall experience even more enjoyable.

After savouring the breakfast burrito, I couldn't help but wonder what other culinary delights awaited on their menu. If their breakfast burrito was any indication of the cafe's culinary prowess, I am eager to explore their other offerings. I have no doubt that their other items would be just as delicious and...

I’ve lived near Fordham‘s for decades and remember it as our traditional local milk bar located right opposite Hartwell station. Like most of them it eventually succumbed to supermarkets then some years ago became a cafe, expanded into the shop next door and then added lots of tables out on the widened footpath. Most people order online using the table QR code which is a very straightforward web based experience. Do you get a bit embarrassed asking staff to remove ingredients that you’re allergic to or just don’t like? The online system makes that very easy and non-confrontational 😉 The downside is that it makes it much less personal but I guess it’s an efficient way of running through a large number of orders, and the place can certainly get busy at lunchtime. My coffee arrived within a few minutes and the main meal after about 15 minutes, which was totally reasonable given the volume of food they were dispensing at lunchtime. It was all good and I particularly appreciated they were using free range chicken for the club sandwich. i’ve eaten or had a drink there several times over the years and it’s always been good, though food can occasionally be a bit slow at peak periods which is to be expected anywhere that cooks to order. Will be happy to...