TONIC & GRACE — Restaurant in Melbourne

Reply to owner response: First of all, I didn't say we weren't greeted when we entered. What I said is we waited longer than expected to be asked for coffee.

What do you mean by "rudely interrupted"? We have been putting hands up and waiting for services. No one came to us. Your staff looked at us and walked away, and I would reasonably assume once she finished serving the previous client, she will be back in our table to serve us. I didn't request any immediate response nor interrupting. I am just letting you know I am ready to order. And if you regard this as rudely interruption, I would no comment further.

Regarding the thing that's not supposed to be in the meal, it was originally on the egg, and we pulled it out to check if we have mistaken it. Now then you said it's on the plate because I took the photo on the plate??

We choose to decline the offer because the food is not our choice, so we choose to decline, isn't it our rights and choice as well?

Regarding the "rudely attitude", when the other senior staff attended us and asked if we want to have another meal, I sincerely think that she is not showing enough compassion and understanding when addressing the issue.

Original post We came in the morning, waited for more than 5mins, no one served us nor asking what coffee we like.

After the food arrived, there is a wire in the egg, so we stopped eating and ask for someone over. The person noticed us and walked to others and we had to ask again. Then they brought the food into the back stage, came back and first told us the food was all good, and we can choose to continue or make us a new one. We refused, and the lady still keep saying she can re-make one for us.

While the negotiation process, she didn't show any sign of apology for our dissatisfaction of the food and services. The way the lady handles the complaint was not satisfactory and welcoming.

Overall, the services was not good, the food was original and not worth the price. The overall experience is...

It's not a bad place, but I wouldn't rate it particularly highly. It's basically one of those Melbourne cafes that could be described as being a little bit too inwardly focused to the extent that they forget that their business is not about running a cafe, but actually serving customers. I only ordered a coffee, which was about a 7/10 or so (good initial flavour, but that slightly sour aftertaste which comes from poor technique with the extraction). I might have ordered more, but after dropping off the coffee, I didn't see a staff member until 20m later when she stopped by to pick up the empty coffee cup. But the thing that really crossed it off my list for anything but an early Sunday morning coffee (it opens at 8am) is that I got the "American reaction". I mean, I could understand that if I came from New York (yes it's a joke New Yorkers), but I'm from San Francisco -- we're scary on an entirely different scale. It's this little "jerk" some Australians give, followed by a remarkable reduction in the level of service you receive. I kind of still expect that in, say, Bendigo, or Colac, or Traralgon, but not in an inner-city suburb of Melbourne. So they're hipsters at this place, but very parochial hipsters. Which seems like a contradiction, but then it's Melbourne, so anything...

If I could bottle the feeling this café gives me, I’d carry it with me everywhere.

From the very first bite of their chicken focaccia, I knew I’d stumbled onto something special. It's not just food—it’s comfort in sandwich form. The focaccia is crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and the filling? Juicy, flavour-packed, and clearly made with care. It’s honestly the best I’ve ever had. No competition.

And then there’s the coffee—smooth, rich, and made with the kind of precision that only comes from true passion. You can taste the love in every sip.

But what makes this café unforgettable isn’t just the food or coffee—it’s the people. There's a warmth here you can’t fake. Everything is made with motherly and daughterly love, and from the second you step inside, you’re treated like family. You’re not just another customer—you’re seen, you’re welcomed, and you’re cherished.

The atmosphere is like a warm hug on a cold day—cosy, vibrant, and full of soul. It’s the kind of place you come for a coffee and end up staying longer just because it feels that good.

Without a doubt, this café has earned its spot in my top 3 in all of Melbourne. But honestly? It’s more than just a café. It’s a little slice of home...