Market Lane Coffee - Victoria St, Queen Victoria Market — Restaurant in Melbourne

I like to think of myself as a pretty optimistic, sunshiney person (hence why the reviews on here always lean towards the positives).

However. Not today.

I have wanted to try Market Lane straight from the source after being a big fan whenever I’d visit Exchange Coffee in Adelaide. Ready to caffeinate before some market shopping (and doughnuts. See previous post), I ordered my typical long black with hot oat milk.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until AFTER I’d ordered that I realised they use Minor Figures oat milk. In all of my years slinging shots as a barista, I have not come across one person who likes Minor Figures. It is sour, watery and unpleasant. I have no idea why cafes are still using it.

I made sure to opt for house blend beans with my LB (some cafes will still use their single O/guest espresso even if the LB is ordered with a bit of milk, meaning you get a super fruity espresso based coffee that becomes weird tasting with the addition of milk), and even still, it was tangy, woody tasting but not in a good way, and the milk split completely. It also came lukewarm and 3/4 full.

It is rare that I don’t finish a coffee (not in this economy anyway!! 💰), but I couldn’t finish this and it was just all a real shame.

I’m hoping it was just a...

Located on the outside of Victoria Markets, Market Lane Coffee exudes an air of sophistication and dedication to the craft. With its sleek design and inviting aroma, it's clear that this establishment takes its coffee seriously.

The coffee selection at Market Lane is extensive, featuring a variety of single-origin beans and expertly brewed espresso drinks. Each cup is crafted with care and precision, showcasing the nuanced flavors and complexities of the beans.

While the quality of the coffee is undeniable, I must admit that I left Market Lane feeling somewhat underwhelmed. Despite the attention to detail and the skilled baristas, there was something lacking in terms of atmosphere and overall experience.

Perhaps it was the lack of warmth or the somewhat clinical feel of the space, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Market Lane fell short of its potential to truly impress. While the coffee was certainly enjoyable, it didn't leave a lasting impression that would compel me to return.

That being said, Market Lane is still a solid choice for coffee enthusiasts looking for a reliable spot to enjoy a decent brew. If you find yourself in the area and in need of a caffeine fix, it's worth a visit. Just don't expect to...

Google Map Menu showing wine, beer, grill, burger, miso etc are completely wrong! This is a specialty coffee shop with limited choices of croissant, definitely NOT hot food and alcohol. The single origin Flat White was very smooth with light floral aroma. We tried the most expensive pour over "La Union Guatemala". The brewer managed to avoid any tea-like bitterness making it very clean, and keep only the floral aroma in the aftertaste. You can take the counter seats to enjoy watching the brewing process in front of you! There are only four seats in the shop. However, I wished that I would be given more informal about the “daily Single Origin” I had for my Flat White. When I asked, I was only told of the region and that it was Guatamala. With the top choice pour-over we ordered and the convenience of sitting right in front of the brewer, we were not given a chance to smell the dry fragrance before brewing, and were never asked about feedback, and no interaction at all during the whole time. We actually also ordered a bag of whole beans of the pour-over coffee we had in the shop. I wish I could feel more of passion from the team. Perhaps, this is just the way they run a...