Great Ryrie Cafe' — Restaurant in Melbourne

I visited this café with high hopes, but sadly, it was a very disappointing experience from start to finish.

The food was cold by the time it reached us, despite a long wait. Several meals and milkshakes sat on the counter for quite some time before being served, and the constant opening of the door (an attempt to manage smoke in the café) only made the food colder. Eating cold meals in a smoky, stuffy environment was not what we had in mind for our outing.

The café was poorly ventilated, with thick smoke coming from the kitchen filling the space. Simply opening the door did little to improve air quality and just made the environment uncomfortable and drafty, especially in winter. This wasn’t just unpleasant — it felt unhealthy. The air remained stale and smoky throughout our visit, making it hard to enjoy our meals.

To make matters worse, the floor was dirty upon arrival. While I saw staff cleaning later, the first impression of poor hygiene had already been made.

When asked how our food was as we were leaving, I said “It’s OK” — twice — with a clear tone and expression of dissatisfaction. That moment alone should have prompted further concern from staff.

After I raised these issues via email, the owner acknowledged the smoke problem and offered a free meal. I responded to explain why that didn’t address the seriousness of the situation and requested a refund — but received no reply at all.

Poor food, bad air quality, lack of cleanliness, and no accountability when feedback is raised — unfortunately, I cannot recommend this place. I hope management takes this seriously and makes the improvements...

Wow! Great Ryrie Coffee & Bites is exactly what this area was missing! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and outstanding service. The staff here are incredibly friendly, making you feel right at home.

One of the best things about this cafe is the convenience—there’s plenty of parking available, making it easy to stop by without any hassle. But beyond that, this place truly fills a long-standing gap in the community. Until now, there wasn’t a go-to spot that could confidently claim the title of the best cafe in the area. Well, that’s officially changed!

The ambiance is another standout feature. The space at the back is a game-changer, offering a cozy yet spacious setting that makes it perfect for both quiet coffee dates and larger gatherings. It’s a rare balance that not many cafes get right, but Great Ryrie nails it.

Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal! I had the Black Pork Benny, and I have to say, it was perfection. Unlike so many places that serve up bland versions of this dish, here it was bursting with flavor, cooked to perfection, and left me wanting more. My partner had the Prawn Chilli Scrambled Eggs, and wow—what a unique and delicious take on a classic dish! It was so good that I immediately called my mates and told them this is our next catch-up spot.

This cafe is a must-visit for all food lovers and families, and the bonus? It’s dog-friendly too! I can already see Great Ryrie Coffee & Bites becoming a beloved part of our community, and I can’t wait to come back again soon. Highly recommend!

Keep it...

I had coffee here a couple of times when we had a construction job nearby to attend to, late last year 2022. So wouldn’t say I was a regular customer. Coffee was good. Nice atmosphere, with rear outdoor seating. I would have given a 4-5 stars rating if not because of the following incident.

There was once early in the morning I dropped by (in a hurry) and asked if I could you the toilet quickly before my early regular meeting nearby (as my meeting place didn’t have a toilet). The place was busy so I can appreciate people might be pre-occupied serving customers. After hearing my question, the barrista dude with beard inside the counter (maybe the team-leader or manager I guessed, as he was directing other waiters around) just said “NO, common mannn!”, in a very loud and rude manner.

Mate, I understand you may not want non-customer to use your amenities, I can totally respect that, but please learn to be civil at least in your response. Didn’t you think what others who was waiting around there including moms with babies or other regulars might think about how you treat people? I could see a few people around startled by the loud voice of this dude. I just smiled and walked away.

For the record, I didn’t want to take advantage of your amenities because it was near to our regular meeting site. This is only what people naturally do in a rush when they need a toilet and might ask for a favour. I bet you had done that once or twice in your life and might have had received a better and kinder...