Naomi & i — Restaurant in Soldiers Hill

UPDATED: We have seen the many responses to our review on social media and the comments from people assuming who we are, offering opinion and in some cases, harsh judgement. We offered our opinion of the experience, and reviews are only opinion. This portal exists so people can reflect on their experiences. We exercised our freedom to do so. We suffer from anxiety and ASD. We are without judgement because we live life with our own set of challenges. Our review was about how we were made to feel and the experience was overwhelming and challenging, and felt very confected. If we were regular customers, we would appreciate the warmth of the welcome but it was our first time. Its about reading the room. We stand by the fact that our coffee was only ok and this is the very thing Naomi and I do, along with selling mostly other people's products (cakes and sweets). Our review was honest, and I expect we will cop more vitriol from others, but that is how this works. So much hype and self love on the socials for such a poor delivery. Called in for coffee and a snack, and while we love some self promotion and are totally without any judgement, we were completely overwhelmed by the guy with the tatts and the hair - he was all over us like old friends and it was our first visit. It was too much and unnecessary. It felt very fake. The coffee was fine but nothing to get too excited about. The cakes and cookies are delicious but when the only thing you make is the coffee, it should be your hero. Seems all the focus is on the people who supply the lovely sweet treats.

There is so much on offer in this part of Ballarat that is really good, and perhaps the owners need to focus less on themselves and more on the product they hang their hat on. ...

Wanted to check out Naomi & i after seeing the pictures on instagram. As soon as we walked in, the disappointment started to hit.

1. The cafe was extremely small, they have a very spacious kitchen, but the actual waiting/ordering area for customers can maybe fit 2 people. It was even more crowded with all the flowers and other items that were stuffed into the small area. It made ordering really uncomfortable as there was literally no room to look at the menu

2. the lady taking the order was a bit rude. She seemed really impatient and didnt really bother to assist us with what the cafe had to offer. Again, because its was so cramped, I couldnt even see the menu so I had to ask the lady, and she wasnt helpful.

3. the options on the menu were extremely limited. They dont offer anything that isnt mentioned exact on there menu- no customised drinks. i ended up ordering a turmeric latte- and it was honestly the worst turmeric latte I had tried. It was extremely sweet for some reason, and very strong of turmeric. I couldnt even drink it and had to throw it away.

4. it would be nice if they had some outdoor seating or even a bench outside. We came with a toddler and there was no where to sit with her.

Overall, pretty disappointed, its definitely over hyped, wont...

Frazer, Eddie and Team, thank you for bringing absolute magic to our day. The coffee is consistently exceptional, the hot chocolate is rich and indulgent, and the pastries especially those unforgettable cinnamon scrolls are so popular they sell out fast (for good reason).

Our family has been visiting since the doors first opened, and every time we walk in, we’re greeted with warm smiles and a genuine kindness that feels rare these days. Your remarkable ability to remember names makes the experience feel truly personal.

You’ve created something special here, not just a cafe but a hub for the community. While waiting for coffee, it’s common to strike up conversations and meet friendly locals, all drawn by your top tier coffee, welcoming vibe, and consistently great service.

The queue out front says it all. This isn’t just a pit stop, it’s a place that adds joy and connection to our day. Thank you for everything you do to bring people together over a...