Willis & Anderson — Restaurant in Melbourne

John Fusco grew up in Yarraville, and spent his teen years roaming the very street Willis and Anderson resides on. Much like his café, this pocket of Yarraville evolved over the years, and went from being a quiet street with no café in sight, to a vibrant community hub with the coffee culture entrenched in its very existence.

When John opened this spot over 12 years ago, it was originally named Coffee Edge, and the humble brown bean was the essence of its existence. With the assistance of his mother, John set the foundations for what today is a vital gene in Yarraville’s DNA. Four years ago saw the change of name to Willis & Anderson; a reflection of John’s respect for this once working class area, in which he has built his dream. Being of Italian heritage, drinking great coffee is an ingrained tradition, and daily ritual John has shared with his community over the years. Sharing this goodness was something he had learned from his mother, who has been the inspiration and driving force behind Willis & Anderson. It was this maternal admiration that gave me greater insight into the fabric of this venue’s existence. John prides himself as being the face of the venue, and it’s a familiar face to many. Locals reciprocate the respect with their loyalty to this homely café.

Speaking of respect, coffee is sourced from Reverence coffee - a Melbourne roaster entrenched in veneration for coffee and its origins. John appreciates the commitment to quality and the intense espresso which Andreas and Annie Martinu provide. I was delighted to see the Ethiopian Guji Peaberry as the single origin of the day, which was the ideal espresso shot. It’s dark berry aromatics, and rich body, made for a perfect summer coffee.

It’s wonderful to take the trip out west, and find a café staying true to its core values, and steadfast in the belief that putting love into what you do, will have a...

I wish I could give this place zero stars. We arrived and couldn't tell if it was table service or not, as no waiter paid us any attention. Then people who arrived after us where served, and brought water and menus. We had to walk to the front to order, and ask for water. The food arrived, and we ordered the big brekkie with greens. It was supposed to include avocado, which was missing. Greens were disgusting; rubbery undercooked. Toast was dry and unbuttered. Food was completely unseasoned and bland. We also ordered the brunch bruschetta with haloumi. This was not at all a bruschetta. It was a singular piece of toast, with an undercooked egg, and 3 cherry tomatoes. The bruschetta was described in the menu as containing feta, and pickled onions and these were not on there at all. $30 for some bland food that was not at all as described on the menu, and basically just a raw egg. $30 just for that meal. Juice came half way through eating, and was warm and poorly made. I wish it at least came with the food so we could wash down the dryness of the meal. Really disappointed and wish I never wasted $80 on this experience. Would have refunded but just wanted to be out...

Willis & Andreson is a quaint and homely cafe that exceeds all expectations. We were seated in the beautiful courtyard, located in the back, that is well decorated with plenty of hanging plants.

One of the things I loved most was how convivial it felt. The friendly and attentive staff made me feel like I was dining with old friends. They were happy to chat and offer recommendations, which added to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that allowed for easy conversation.

The food was simply amazing. From the fresh and flavorful wraps to the delicious coffee, everything was prepared with care and attention to detail. The menu had a great variety of options, from hearty breakfast dishes to something more light and refreshing. I particularly enjoyed the Famous Village Roesti with perfectly poached eggs and creamy hollandaise sauce.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a great time, which added to the convivial atmosphere. It was clear that this is a popular spot for locals to come and relax, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a good meal.

This is my new go to...