Strada & Co — Restaurant in Melbourne

I rarely leave a review but felt compelled to do so on this occasion. I’ve been coming to Strada sporadically for years for its 100% coeliac friendly offerings. Admittedly I was quite uncertain about what to expect after reading mixed reviews about it since the change of management and learning that it is no longer exclusively gluten free. I am happy to say I was most pleasantly surprised. Anyone who has been coming here for years will know that the menu had been unchanged for a long time. Some of those favourites, like the fish and chips, bread and desserts were great but I feel the offerings had been getting a little tired and it had become a place I’d only come on my own as most non-coeliacs who came with me didn’t share my enthusiasm. Today, I really enjoyed the panini which was freshly made to order with gorgeous ingredients and of course the awesome Strada bread we know and love. It was so filling! I also really appreciated the manager, Jenna, putting me at ease with the mention of separate preparation areas. Somewhat at odds with other reviewers I feel the gluten free sweet options had actually increased compared to before - a whole large case just for gf, and it is the only place I have ever been able to enjoy a gluten free tiramisù - that’s right, GF TIRAMISÙ!!! Wow, such a pleasure to eat! The chai brew was delicious. And I was still able to purchase my gluten free turkish rolls to go. And no gluten reaction! Next time I am keen to try the gf spanokopita (!) and the vanilla slice…and the eclair. I learned that the owners are pastry chefs which explains the nice pastry options. Anyway, don’t fret coeliacs. I hope this business continues to succeed. I think in this economic climate we should support small business and encourage anyone who commits to providing genuine gluten free options and is well informed about the food prep protocols. Also, remember cash doesn’t have a surcharge. It’s not the business but the big banks...

Came here for lunch on Tuesday with my mum and my 20 month old daughter. We sat down and because it was approaching lunch time and I could see she was showing hungry signs, I pulled out a snack for my daughter to tie her over until our luch came out. The waitress rudely said to me, "Is that Gluten free". I looked all over the packet to find if it was gluten free and I informed her that It says nut free and so on but it doesn't say gluten free. Without any explanation as to why, she abruptly told me to put it away. It left a sour taste in my mouth as we have spent roughly $70 on lunches there everytime we have come. We had ordered 2 main meals for myself and my mum and eggs on toast for my daughter and my mum ordered a glass of wine. I understand you have rules about gluten contamination (which were not explained until we asked about the rudeness when paying the bill) but I think the staff should be trained on tactful ways to tell customers about bringing gluten food into the cafe. I think that if you cleaned the tables after your customers then it should not be a problem. We are not ones to leave mess behind anyway! Would you rather a screaming hungry baby in your cafe. You really dont know what a mother might be dealing with or anyone for that manner, please have some courtesy. Also please invest in some proper high chairs. Ivanhoe is full of young families, those booster seats you have put on your chairs are dangerous as the straps do not fit across toddlers. There is a high risk of the toddler falling off the chair. Apart from all this, every occasion at this cafe the staff has been quite cold and unfriendly. We are far from difficult customers, we order our food, pay and leave. We wont be returning here ever again! Maybe when the waitress becomes a mother she will understand what it is like to try to enjoy a lunch out and keep the baby/toddler happy and entertained...

We just had the most incredible lunch experience at Strada and Co in Ivanhoe. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a warm and inviting atmosphere. It set the tone for a truly unforgettable afternoon with a small group of friends. The food and coffee is what stole the show – each dish was a masterclass in flavor, texture, and freshness!

The pizza, fresh Italian filled panini and gluten free options was a revelation – Made on the spot, flavoursome and full of depth. AND don't even get me started on the desserts. They were made to perfection and literally melted in our mouth.

What really impressed me was the creativity and attention to detail with the authentic mediterranean flavours.

The service was top-notch too – friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable staff who were happy to answer all our questions and make recommendations particularly for my friend that had specific GF dietary requirements.

Overall, I would highly recommend Strada and Co to anyone looking for a truly exceptional lunch experience. Can't wait to go back and try more of the delicious options.

Keep up the great work! See...