Osoi — Restaurant in Melbourne

Since one of my last reviews, it’s been pointed out that I wouldn’t know the difference between tap water and matcha. Never one to shy away from an uncomfortable truth and considering I’ve been meaning to try this place, it seemed serendipitous that I visit and see how acclimated to tap I TRULY am.

I arrived upon the scene of my next crime, Osoi in Brunswick. Located next to the railway tracks I was somewhat disheartened by the line. I waited about 30 mins to order, but luckily there were numerous dogs to pat as I waited. Finally, I was allowed into the store to order. I ordered an iced matcha and a pastry. Despite the long wait to order, it was only 5-8 minutes before an iced matcha was placed in my hand.

I exited the shop clutching my matcha. Suddenly I realized I’d forgotten to ask them to hold the tap, was this a mistake I would live to regret? The matcha was a deep green, the kind green that hints there’s a brat summer on the horizon. It looked promising, tap or no tap.

I tried my first sip, I left the flavor roll across my tongue. Intrigued I sipped again. This little green guy was tiny but mighty. A rich matcha flavour that was not bitter or overly sweet. Very quaffable. On a scale of 1 to tap, I would definitely rate this zero taps.

I decided to forego the cascading steps where other Osoi patrons were seated and took my matcha for a stroll about Brunswick. I was aware this is the classic Brunswickian thing to do but my feet barely touched the ground, the matcha was taking me to another level. I felt truly Bonita. I enjoyed every last drop. I also had a pastry, which honestly I can’t recall so one must conclude it was truly forgettable.

All in all I’d say Osoi is a good solid spot for a matcha. Just be prepared...

The cafe itself is located right next to Anstey Station, very convenient when traveling via PT. The seating area is on a staircase-looking set, very intimate and not too comfortable to sit on, so bring a cushion or order for takeaway. The service there was fantastic. All the workers were super friendly and patient. There was a long line after me and my friend showed up. We tried 3 of their drinks. Their speciality Viet Coffee was really good! 8/10. Their banana hojicha was tolerable, not the best tbh. 5/10. And their lychee matcha spritz was a recommendation by one of the workers there, I’m not sure if he was serious about that being his favourite drink or if he was just trying to get more sales for it. It was DISGUSTING. 🤢 0/10. Would not ever recommend to anyone. I love my matcha. And I also like trying out other matcha combos, but this lychee spritz garbage needs to be thrown out. The pastries we tried were the rhubarb one and plum one. They weren’t all that. I think their drinks are what people go to, not their pastries. They tried. I’ll give them that. 👏🏼 but yeah, if you’re just on the run for a coffee, the place is great!! however, be wary of their prices. They’re kinda up there imo, for mediocre coffee. 🤷‍♀️ They’ve even got a cute corgi that sits in his play area. Overall it’s a good...

Osoi in Brunswick is an absolute gem! What truly sets it apart is their consistently perfect coffee – especially for someone like me (a total dag!) who loves a strong mocha with just a hint of chocolate; they nail it every time.

All the staff are simply wonderful: warm, genuinely friendly, and incredibly attentive. They remember my name and make every visit feel special, completely dispelling any initial impression of a cold, trendy space. In fact, their amazing service transforms the initially cool, red-brick & concrete interior into a cozy and inviting spot.

Beyond the superb coffee and service, I highly recommend their yummy banana bread, and I'm keen to try their delicious-looking pastries next (oh, the canelé! Perfect!). Plus, they offer fun extras like a huge range of creative matcha drinks, board games, on-the-spot poetry written especially for you and, if you're lucky, you might get to meet and pat the cutest member of their team, their doggo!

Overall, it's the combination of flawless coffee, creative matcha drinks, and exceptional, personable service that makes Osoi a standout. Highly recommended!

PS. The photos I took were on a public holiday when they were closed, so you can only really see the physical space which is transformed into a vibrant space when there are actually...