Le Bajo Milkbar — Restaurant in Melbourne

This is my first time leaving a review. I don’t normally take the time to leave any reviews. I think people need to know that this cafe is not all that and not worth the hype.

Brought 1 of my friends from Adelaide here, had a catch up session. Unpleasant experience. The staff seriously need to go through some basic cafe etiquettes. So, we were told to wait 20-25 mins for a table by this staff (Caucasian female). We were fine with it & we saw like it wasn’t that busy. There were some empty tables and people were leaving… so we were hanging around the cafe waiting area.. she just gave people that came after us (couple of groups) ahead of us.. looked at us and then ignored us. Okay, never mind. She made sure she made it a point to make us wait 25 minutes before seating us when clearly there were spots in there.

Then during service everything was normal. When we finished our food, she told us it’s time to leave. Like what?? I get that you are closing soon but there were also other tables around with patrons still sitting. I don’t see her going there to tell them to leave? Anyway, that killed the mood, so we got up and left. While leaving, she just death stared at us like we owed her a million dollars. Probably, she didn’t want to be there and we have to cop her grumpy attitude.

Guys, come on. Firstly, your sandwiches’ got nothing great to shout about. It’s a normal sandwich claimed to be Japanese sando, but clearly fall short of a true sando standard. Prices charged were obviously “Japan” sando price. Expensive for subpar quality. If you wanna charge expensive menu, at least let the quality of your service be great. That may score you some redeeming points. Just so you know, there are lots of cafes within your price range that serve better quality food and service also is of quality. Drinks were also normal.

I guess this would be my last time coming here. The previous time I was here at least we could leave our phone number and there was some queue system. Now, we have to leave our fate in the hands of the staff who could pick and choose who she likes to give the tables to first....

I pre-ordered some bread last Sunday for pickup through their website, which included a 10% weekend surcharge and a credit card surcharge on top of the total amount ordered. When I went to pick up my goods, I was told by the staff that they have sold out of the sausage roll and the next batch would only be available in half an hour's time. I was given an option to either wait for the next batch or get a refund. I decided to go with a refund as I didn't want to wait for half an hour. They refunded me $7.50 which was the price of the sausage roll, but missed out on the 10% weekend surcharge. I then followed up with the staff who checked with her manager/team, only to be told that "it's not possible" to obtain a refund of the 10% surcharge...

URM... WHY?? I pre-ordered the goods with the understanding that they will keep the bread aside for me, and it's normal for them to sell out earlier than usual. What I can't comprehend is the fact that I was charged for a service that I did not get, and a good that I did not receive. This isn't about the money as $0.75 isn't much, rather it's the principle and this is why I'm writing this review.

I decided to let the incident go on that day, but made a mental note to myself never to return again.

Update 2/6/22 - Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate businesses who value customer's feedback. Have emailed you to discuss a suitable method of refund and I'm happy to give Le Bajo a second chance.

Update 12/6/22 - I gave Le Bajo more than a week to get back to my email requesting for the refund, with the benefit of the doubt that they’re probably too busy to respond to my email. Turns out their response to my feedback is merely a typical business response, and isn’t genuine in rectifying their “mistake”. Accepted the fact that I’m not going to get my money back,...

Le Bajo Milkbar feels like a slice of Tokyo retro fitted neatly into a North Melbourne warehouse. Light streams through tall windows onto polished concrete, potted palms and shelves of vintage Japanese tins. An old Coca-Cola sign hangs near the counter and soft city pop plays just loud enough to lift the morning mood without drowning conversation. The room smells of toasted shokupan and freshly ground coffee, an invitation that usually pulls a small queue toward the pastry cabinet.

Breads and sandos are the stars here. The pork katsu sando arrives in thick milk bread that soaks up the tonkatsu sauce without turning soggy, while the egg salad version is laced with just enough Kewpie to stay creamy but not heavy. Curry pan lands hot and crisp, filled with gently spiced beef that calls for a quick sip of the house iced matcha. On the sweeter side the melon pan has a delicate crust that cracks perfectly when you bite, and the seasonal fruit sando stacks whipped cream and strawberries with the precision of a patisserie window. Coffee is roasted in house and poured strong; staff will happily swap dairy for oat or soy without fuss.

Service keeps a friendly, unhurried rhythm. Staff greet regulars by name, offer samples of pastries that might disappear early and check back just enough to top up water before you think to ask. Seating can fill fast on weekends, though turnover is steady and a shaded outdoor area gives you a backup plan if the weather holds. Street parking along Leicester Street is short term, but the 58 tram stops a block away and makes arriving car free simple.

Le Bajo is equal parts nostalgic milk bar and modern café, delivering thoughtful Japanese comfort food in a bright, welcoming space that encourages an extra coffee or a second visit...