Penance Prahran — Restaurant in Melbourne

Penance has quickly become my go-to café in Prahran, especially after workouts with my friends. The coffee is always spot on, the vibe is welcoming and the food servings generous. but what makes Penance stand out is the ambience. Tucked away on Carlton St just off Chapel, it feels like a neighbourhood secret. The moody green heritage walls are lined with portraits of Greek mythology figures and poets, so if you’re dining alone, there’s always something to look at, with owner Stavros’ eclectic playlists on rotation - everything from soul, jazz and RnB to indie rock, underground electronica and folk from the 60s and 70s. It’s dog-friendly, baby-friendly and there’s a little patio out at the front Stav and chef Marco have become local favourites, and deservedly so. They don’t know how to underfeed. The house made spanakopita is beyond delicious, the damn Roasted Mushroom and Sun-dried Fig Medley is out of this world and my friends rave about the baklava porridge, which tastes as decadent as it sounds. Then there’s the ready made egg and bacon roll. I’m not usually a brioche fan, but somehow the balance of crispy bacon, perfectly cooked eggs (plural!) and relish makes it work for me. The counter at the window is also full of yummy cakes, banana bread, cookies and...

Five stars all round for this brilliant cafe owned by Stavros.

Food - I had Yia Yia's eggs (strapatsada). These would have to be hands down the best eggs I have had at a cafe. Also shared the spanakopita made in house. The owner uses only quality ingredients for all items on the menu which really makes each morsel burst with flavour.

Service - the cafe was bustling with eager patrons either dining in or getting a coffee and a bite to eat to go. Even so the staff were friendly with their finger on the pulse ensuring timely service relative to the amount of patrons.

Atmosphere - Although super busy when I dined in, the cosiness and layout of the cafe makes each table feel you are in an intimate nook enabling a relaxing dining experience. The cafe has a Hellenic Victorian theme, it's rich deep colours a visual foreshadowing of what gastronimc delight is in store.

Photos on the wall of family, inparticular Stavro's beautiful Greek mother Maria, let's one unconsciously know they are not a patron of a nameless franchise chain but are sitting at the table where all thought has been taken by the owner to create a memorable experience because it really seems that Penance Prahran is an extension of the hospitality in Stravros...

Although it looks pretty, do not order if you are not a fan of ginger and cinnamon ————————————————————————— Since your response surprised me with the level of hostility, this is my response:

I hope you’re aware that baklava comes in many forms and regional variations. Without a clear description on your menu, it’s perfectly reasonable for customers to have different expectations.

The yellow topping had a strong flavour that reminded me of ginger sugar or turmeric, which was unexpected — I had assumed it would be honey with some light spices, as one might reasonably expect from a dish inspired by baklava.

So if we’re talking about ignorance, perhaps assuming everyone should be familiar with your specific interpretation and dismissing any other view — is a better example.

My rating was based on personal taste and a genuine experience, which is the whole point of customer reviews.

If your instinct is to attack a customer for not enjoying something that wasn’t clearly described, that reflects more on your attitude than my preferences.

So… cheers to the level of grace and professionalism your response has...