Pound Cafe South Yarra — Restaurant in Melbourne

Tucked away in the heart of South Yarra's vibrant Chapel Street Precinct, Pound Melbourne is a much-loved local café with over two decades of history. Having recently been revitalized under new ownership in 2023, this charming spot continues to thrive, blending tradition with fresh, innovative ideas.

The new co-owners, Melissa Floreani and Nick Hoban (of Clark St Coffee), have done a commendable job in maintaining the café's welcoming atmosphere while introducing a range of exciting updates. The café's name, Pound, pays homage to its origins as a scales shop, a theme cleverly incorporated into the sleek new logo.

Pound Melbourne is a small yet cozy café, perfect for a relaxed morning coffee or an afternoon bite. The café boasts a vibrant, bustling ambiance, thanks in part to its prime corner location and loyal local following. The inviting interiors feature a thoughtful mix of exposed concrete walls, dotted greenery, all accentuated by deep sea-green tiles. There's also a window bench lined with stools, offering a perfect spot to sip your morning coffee while people watching.

One of the highlights at Pound is the Tiramisu latte, a decadent coffee made with mascarpone and served with a savoiardi biscuit. This signature drink is a must-try for anyone visiting for the first time. The café also serves an impressive selection of Clark St Coffee, known for their commitment to sustainability and quality. The Mastermind blend, used for milk coffees, offers smooth, sweet notes of caramel, perfect for starting your day on a high note. They also cater for black coffee lovers like myself, with their single origin espresso and batch brews that rotate weekly. I enjoyed their Guatemalan batch brew, which had a clean body with floral aroma and pear notes. For those looking to recreate the Pound experience at home, the café features a retail shelf where staff can help you choose the right beans for your home brewing setup. This personalised touch ensures customers can enjoy the Pound experience, even when they can't make it to the café.

In addition to their exceptional coffee and service, Pound Melbourne has a delicious brunch menu that features favourites like Chilli Scrambled Eggs, Nourish Bowls, and a selection of toasties. Im excited to share the news that they have taken the innovative step of opening their kitchen space to friends and connections within the hospitality industry. This initiative allows them to collaborate with different chefs, promoting their talents while offering Pound's loyal customers and the local community a chance to experience diverse culinary creations. The first chef taking over the Pound kitchen is Evan Georgopolous, a culinary talent, (Formerly of Bam Bam, and Bar Savarin) who is currently working with the team at Freddy's (Chapel St), and has also launched his own hummus brand. Evan will be showcasing his vast experience with a range of different cuisines, and his menu takeover will feature from this coming weekend for another 2 months. The collaboration promises to be a treat for food lovers, with some of Evan's dishes potentially becoming permanent fixtures on the Pound menu. They have also lined up several other exciting collaborations, including one with Sam Hoare, the former head chef of Bomba.

Melissa and Nick have managed to preserve the café’s welcoming atmosphere while infusing it with new energy. Their dedication to quality and community is evident in every aspect of Pound, from the thoughtfully curated menu to the warm, friendly service.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, Pound Melbourne is a café that truly embodies the spirit of the community. With its rich history, sustainable practices, and innovative offerings, it's no wonder Pound remains a cherished spot in...

I decided to try out this cafe, it’s right next to my place but never took the leap to try it till now, I’m glad I did.

Had Spanish omelettes and crumpets, the crumpets were awesome with amazing flavours, when I took the first bite I could taste each bit of flavour but then it would melt all together, like it was two seperate experiences/dishes in one, was incredible,

Spanish omelettes didn’t have much flavour at first until I stopped biting the edges and got right into the thick of it, again I could taste each distinct ingredient then it all melted into each other all over again, incredible.

I will be coming back,

Ontop of that my experience with Shaun and another lady who’s name I didn’t catch were fantastic, it’s not often I have employees at a cafe that had a genuine smile, enjoyed serving me and felt happy to be there, the atmosphere was very welcoming, I felt happy and comfortable being there, thanks guys 👍

Edit: I’ve just tried the new chili scrambled eggs, am absolutely blown away, probably the best scrambled eggs, breakfast item and just overall food I’ve had ever, nothings beats it.

Vikram the chef has a gift, Gordon Ramsey needs to try his food. Thanks for the food...

Owners are super kind and welcoming. I got myself their signature toastie, it was so good for something so simple. The dijon mustard really helps amplify and balance out the flavours of a regular ham and cheese toastie by cutting out the “greasiness” one might expect. The bread they use also really good and has the right amount of chew and crunch, acting as the carrier for the other elements. I also had a strong mocha to go with this and can attest to the fact they make great coffee as well. Highly recommended if you happen to be in...