Sons Of Mary — Restaurant in Melbourne

I had waited so long to go to a restaurant after this long lockdown. I had not been to a restaurant since early March. It was also my birthday, so after reading so many great reviews online I decided on Sons of Mary. I figured we could also take a nice walk on the beach after.

I made a morning/brunch booking to accommodate our son's nap (so we could get everything done and then home in time for his nap). It was my own silly fault that I did not check they don't have an all day menu! I wanted the lunch menu but was stuck with the boring breakfast menu (which, let's face it, is the same everywhere in Melbourne... poached eggs, avocado on toast..)...

The waiters/waitresses were all very nice, friendly and prompt.. however...

My husband, my son and I waited and waited.. Do you know how hard it is to keep a toddler seated in a chair for so long? We patiently waited 50mins before I enquired where our food was. I was told it would be here "in a minute". Indeed it was, but we still don't know what happened exactly. There were plenty of staff around .. waiters anyway, don't know about cooks.

Our food was underwhelming. My omelette had no taste at all and even after adding salt it was nothing I couldn't have made myself at home. And it certainly wouldn't have taken me 50 minutes.

After we'd finished eating, the manager (I assume) came over and apologised and offered us a free coffee or hot chocolate. That was nice but still, there was no explanation why the food took so long to come.

After waiting such a ridiculously long time for bland food (all while having to entertain our son too), we did not bother staying for dessert (which we got elsewhere) and we had no time left to take a walk on the beach at all..

So thank you for ruining my long awaited birthday lunch. I know that nearly all the reviews here are positive (and the 1 star reviews are all quite old) so perhaps we just got bad luck but in any case, we certainly...

Sons of Mary is a charming café in Brighton that consistently delivers fantastic breakfast fare in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The menu offers a great mix of modern Australian favourites and elevated classics. Standouts include the brioche French toast with roasted rhubarb, raspberries, vanilla cheesecake spread and ginger macadamia crumb, as well as the honey-roasted granola bowl. There are also beautifully done classics like bacon and eggs or baked eggs, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and generous portions.

What really sets Sons of Mary apart is the coffee — it’s genuinely among the best you’ll find in Melbourne, which says a lot in a city known globally for its coffee culture. Whether you’re a fan of a smooth latte or a strong flat white, the baristas know their craft and deliver consistently excellent coffee every time. If you’re a coffee lover, this place won’t disappoint.

Parking is another big plus. There’s usually a space right outside on Spink Street, making it a hassle-free stop for breakfast. The café is also only a short stroll from Gardenvale Station, adding to its convenience.

With friendly staff, a warm setting, and food and coffee that never miss, Sons of Mary is a top choice for breakfast in Brighton. Highly recommended for locals and...

We came here with friends and didn’t want to have a negative as this is one of their favorite places. Whilst the ambiance is pleasant, the wait staff were a little over zealous, but eventually we were able to settle and peruse the menu. Our friends ordered a bottle of wine which when brought to the table and presented, was the wrong one, it was promptly taken away and brought straight back as they were out of the wine ordered, something which should have been highlighted before trying to pass off another wine and asked the patrons which substitute they might desire. Settling for one the flat breads and a bowl of fries, whilst my wife ordered the barramundi. I have to say the flat bread (pulled pork & jalapeños) was more jalapeño than any amount of pulled pork. The fish which is $34 was just a piece of fish in a bowl basically, which was a small portion. My wife also ordered a side of green beans, which when it arrived was a bunch of almost raw broccoli, without any explanation as to why and was inedible. I also ordered the special dessert of baked cheese cake, which was dry and lacking in flavor. We walked away totally disappointed. Overall the meal was ordinary, over priced and underwhelming. A little more than over priced pub food or...