Nimbo — Restaurant in Melbourne

’ve had my fair share of bad meals, but nothing could prepare me for the absolute disaster I experienced at Nimbo. From the moment I walked in, I should’ve known this was going to be a regrettable decision. The ambiance seemed fine, but the food? Unforgivable. If you ever find yourself considering dining at Nimbo, do yourself a favor and turn around. Let me explain why.

First of all, the matcha. Oh, the matcha. It was so bad that I had to question whether the staff at Nimbo had even heard of matcha before. It tasted nothing like the smooth, earthy richness I’ve come to expect. No, this was a watery, grassy nightmare that left a terrible aftertaste in my mouth. Honestly, it felt like I was drinking freshly mowed grass mixed with dirt. I tried to power through, hoping maybe it would improve, but it just got worse with every sip. My stomach started to churn, and I felt the beginnings of nausea creeping in. At that point, I should’ve just left, but I figured the rest of the meal might redeem it.

Unfortunately, the rest of the food was equally disastrous. I ordered a dish that sounded promising on the menu, but when it arrived, it looked unappetizing and tasted even worse. The flavors were completely off balance, like the chef just threw random ingredients together without any care for how they might complement each other. Nothing tasted fresh, and the whole meal felt heavy, bland, and poorly executed. But the real horror came when I left the restaurant.

On my way home, my stomach was in absolute turmoil. I could feel waves of nausea washing over me, and within minutes, I found myself pulling over on the side of the road. I barely made it to my car before throwing up all over the seat. It wasn’t just the matcha; it was the entire meal that had turned my stomach. I had no choice but to abandon any hope of salvaging the evening.

And then, to make matters infinitely worse, when I opened the takeout container to check on my leftovers (which I had foolishly hoped might still be edible), I saw something that will haunt me forever: a rat’s tail. Yes, a rat’s tail. In the food. I couldn’t believe my eyes. How on earth does a restaurant like Nimbo allow such unsanitary conditions? I immediately closed the container and threw it in the trash, but that image of the rat’s tail has been burned into my memory.

After the nightmare of throwing up, dealing with the rat, and realizing the extent of my mistake in choosing Nimbo, I called the restaurant to complain. The staff was dismissive and uninterested in addressing my concerns. Instead of an apology or any effort to make things right, they rushed me off the phone as quickly as possible. That was the final straw. Not only did I waste my money on tasteless, unsafe food, but I had to endure terrible customer service on top of it.

In conclusion, I would strongly advise against dining at Nimbo. The matcha tastes like grass, the food is inedible, and discovering a rat in my meal was the cherry on top of this disastrous experience. There are so many better dining options out there, so do yourself a favor and stay away from Nimbo. For your health, your taste buds, and your sanity, trust me, you’ll be...

Melbourne’s hottest new bingsu spot 🍧

Tucked away in Hardware Lane, this buzzing new dessert shop has had long queues out the door since it’s opening day! The space is small and compact, but the fit out is super futuristic with bright neon lights 🙌

From their old menu, we tried:

Ube Mochi Toastie ($15) 🍠🍞 was soooo delicious! The outside is super crispy and the bread is so soft and fluffy, with chewy mochi encased inside. The ube purée is mild and pairs really well with the sweet and creamy fior do latte ice cream! 🍨

Strawberry Rose Bingsu ($17.5) 🍓🌹 was super fresh, fragrant and sweet! The rose mascarpone panna cotta really took it to the next level! 😍

Tofu Bingsu ($17.5) was incredibly refreshing and light! It’s got a soy milk base so it’s vegan and dairy free, and a hint of savouriness which makes is so well balanced and not too sweet! 🥰 Definitely recommend adding the Tofu ice cream (+$3)!

From their new menu, we tried:

🍵 Matcha Basque Kēki ($19) which is served with a full slab of creamy delicious matcha basque cheesecake and sweet adzuki red bean paste 🥰 Despite being an indulgence it was also super refreshing and light - something I love about the desserts here at Nimbo!

🌿 Soy Candied Peanut ($17.5) is a spin on the iconic Taiwan night market treat, combining peanut candy with CORIANDER (yes that’s right!) 😱 and of course, the delicious tofu ice cream 🍨 - the concoction works surprisingly well, and I would even say they could be more generous with the coriander!

🧀 Soy and Cheddar Thick Toast ($15) is a little more hefty, but that thick toast is just to die-for - pillowy soft, buttery and brûléed till crisp on the outside 🍞 topped with a heap of grated cheese and a scoop of SOY SAUCE ICE CREAM 😍 (think salted caramel, but more...

I recently visited the cozy dessert bar tucked down Hardware Street and tried their Injeolmi Mochi Bingsu, a vegan delight with tofu cream, chewy mochi, toasted soybean powder, red bean paste and slivered almonds. Every spoonful was a perfect mix of textures: creamy, nutty, chewy and deeply satisfying.

Is the Injeolmi Mochi Bingsu worth trying? Absolutely. This vegan version uses oat milk foundation and is topped with generous mochi pieces, nutty soybean powder, sweet red bean, vegan icecream and almonds. The balance of flavours and textures is spot on!

Is it actually vegan-friendly? Yes, it’s clearly marked vegan, made with vegan tofu cream and oat milk and staff are knowledgeable and accommodating to dietary preferences and allergies

How’s the portion size and value? Portions come in a very generous size, enough to share or indulge solo, and priced around A$24.50. It’s a premium dessert, and you get quality ingredients and a beautifully crafted bowl - I would say 110% worth it.

What’s the vibe and service like? The place is small yet charming, with friendly staff who understand your needs and will answer your questions. It’s a relaxed, low-pressure spot perfect for dessert lovers.

Where is it located? It’s a bit of a hidden gem on Hardware Street, just off Little Collins.

Would you return? Absolutely. That Injeolmi Mochi Bingsu was unforgettable and it struck a perfect calm, creamy note with just the right chew and sweetness. I can’t wait to come back and try more flavours!

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