HR Cafe & Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

We stumbled across this café after seeing decent reviews and fair looking menu prices, but honestly, I left wondering how on earth it’s managed to hold a positive reputation.

The building itself is quite nice but that’s about where the positives end. Nobody greeted us when we arrived, so I wandered around hunting for menus myself (not a big deal, I finally found them) and no water was offered (again, not a big deal, we helped ourselves). The table was very clean, though the ceilings were littered with bugs in cobwebs and the floor looked like it hadn’t seen a mop in the corners etc in a little while. Not exactly luxury, but we weren’t expecting five star at all.

The food? It wasn't bad at all but it was average at best. I would compare it to a roadside diner. My eggs Benedict sauce tasted like straight bland butter and my husband’s large breakfast was quite bland. Portion sizes and plating were great and I’ll give credit where it’s due, the milkshake and coffee were good. But the food was not the biggest problem here..

The young staffs customer service was great! The problem was the owner/manager.. And wow, what a problem he is. His behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful. He spoke to his young staff like they were complete idiots, dripping with condescension, glaring and radiating pure annoyance. He appeared like he was trying to "make them independent", but what I saw was someone breaking down new or inexperienced staff under pressure, not training them. It was so uncomfortable that I put my head down when paying just so the poor girl behind the counter wouldn’t feel even more humiliated.

The final straw? My husband was given the wrong utensils. A knife and spoon instead of fork and knife. Not a big deal at all! But instead of quietly correcting it with the server, the owner turned it into a five minute lecture, grilling the young male staff member with, "What utensils would you use for this meal if you were eating porridge? And this one?" in the most belittling tone imaginable. As if to say "You wouldn't use a spoon to eat an egg, would you? You idiot". Honestly, if I were one of them, I would have walked out in tears.

None of the staff ruined our experience, they were clearly trying their best under awful circumstances. The OWNER/MANAGER ruined our experience. His fake attitude towards customers but then his bad attitude, tone and the way he treated his staff was disgusting and it overshadowed everything else. The café is called HR Café which is ironic, because any real HR department would have him written up on the spot for the way he treats his staff. I can say without hesitation that based on my experience this morning, this is not someone I’d ever recommend working for, supporting or giving another cent to. We won’t be back and I wouldn’t recommend this...

Nestled between St Kilda Beach and the vibrant energy of the city center, this charming café offers a peaceful escape from the everyday. With its laid-back atmosphere and airy, relaxed interior, it’s the perfect place to unwind. The menu strikes a perfect balance between comfort and creativity, offering dishes to satisfy every craving. Indulge in the gourmet chicken malai, tender and rich with flavor, or savor the butter chicken, its creamy sauce bursting with bold spices. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted, blending familiar comforts , ensuring a dining experience that’s both satisfying and...

I had such an amazing time hosting my birthday at HR Cafe & Bar. Gigs was so responsive and really helpful during planning. I was able to reserve half of the cafe and the team let me decorate it and even allowed space for a Photo Booth. On the day Navi and Gigs made sure everything was running smoothly and even organised for speakers. The food was also so yummy. The crowd favourite was definitely the calamari. I cannot recommend them enough if you are hosting your next event, as the food and atmosphere was great! Thank you so much to the team for making my...