The Boulevard Cafe at Poynton’s Nursery provides a fun shopping and dining experience if you have a green thumb and kids in tow.
Poynton’s of Essendon is a large garden emporium on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. The winding, uphill trails lead to many levels containing a huge assortment of plants, ornaments and garden furniture and there are helpful staff to guide you around every turn.
At the top of the hill is The Boulevard Cafe. The uphill hike with a pram is hard work but the view is worth it as the window tables have an enviable vista over the river. There is an indoor area plus a covered balcony with clear cafe blinds which is heated, though it’s still quite cool in winter. Both areas have room for prams and there are multiple high chairs to use.
The menu was very large and I didn’t expect too much from the food as it rang warning bells of ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. I stuck with something safe – a panfried potato gnocchi with roasted pumpkin, spinach, pine nuts and garlic ($23).
It was surprisingly good and generously proportioned, with pillowy soft miniature dumplings, slightly crisp and dosed in a fragrant (and I suspect buttery) sauce. It was also quite reasonably priced when you consider some of their focaccias were reaching the $16-$17 mark.
There was a kids menu with most menu items around $9. Almost everything on that menu had chips with it – schnitzel and chips, burger and chips, nuggets and chips – and while I’m not a chip nazi I thought I’d go with splitting a spinach and ricotta pastry with salad instead ($9). As expected the kids ate the pastry but wouldn’t touch the salad – but it’s always worth a try, right?
They also shared an adults milkshake ($6.50) which was split and brought out in two takeaway containers with straws. Better value than getting a kids milkshake each for $4. A quick glance at the cake cabinet indicated overly large, overly decorated refrigerated cakes which didn’t inspire me.
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Overall the service was efficient rather than friendly but at least the food came quickly and as requested.
After lunch we went into the small gated playground on site. The kids loved it, especially the old-fashioned hopscotch squares.
 
You could also walk to nearby Riverside Park and run around the Pirate Ship Playground.
The Boulevard Cafe is a nice place for a rest stop if you’re strolling the Maribyrnong River or in need of some gardening supplies. The food is fairly basic but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed my lunch. In general I think the prices are high for what you get (captive audience I guess) but with the Entertainment Card you can get 25% off, bringing the bill down to a more acceptable price point.
Features:
- pram access (though uphill);
- high chairs;
- kids menu;
- standard menu suitable for kids; and
- playground on site and park/playgrounds nearby.Â
The Boulevard Cafe, Poynton’s Nursery, Cnr The Boulevard and Vida St, Essendon 03 9337 8111
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm
Sun/Public holidays 9am-5pm
