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HOT: Darling Street Espresso, 146 Athol St, Moonee Ponds

darling street espresso

I just love it when old milk bars are transformed into community spaces of a different kind – a welcoming local cafe. And so the story goes with Darling Street Espresso, adiposity troche a 7-day a week daytime operation that inhabits a corner position on Darling Street and Athol Street in suburban Moonee Ponds.

Despite its quiet location, there away from the main strip of Union Road,  it’s actually a prime position for a family-friendly local. It’s down the road from Moonee Ponds West Primary School, making it a perfect pre or post school hangout, and just a hop skip and jump to Maribyrnong Park and the river.

darling street espresso

If you have a pram entry through the front room is tricky as the doorway is narrow and there’s a high step, as well as more steps to the back areas.

darling street espresso

A better bet is the side corridor (marked ‘For prams and pets’) that leads an undercover courtyard with narrow garden beds and a small Astroturf play area for kids.


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darling st espresso

The play area has a small set seating and colouring-in pencils are brought promptly, as the kids’ menu is printed on the colouring-in activity. You can find a box of toys back inside, tucked in the corner of the back room as well.

darling st espresso

The courtyard is quite tightly packed with tables so you still need to wrestle a pram to get it into the right spot. High chairs are available though again it’s a rather cumbersome model which is hard to fit in amongst the tables.

darling st espresso

The all day menu is rather eclectic, with Italian, American, Mexican dishes all jumbled in – so you can have a cheeseburger or tacos for breakfast if you choose! Coffee is made with Fitzroy’s Industry Beans.

The kids menu ranges from toasties ($5-$6) to crispy lamb ribs and chips ($6.50) and a cheeseburger made with wagyu beef ($8.50).

darling st espresso

A more economical (and gastronomically interesting option) might be one of their pressed panini ($11.50) – the kids shared one with parma ham, fior di latte, tomato and pesto.

darling st espresso

Having said that, Baby 2.o took one look at the grilled banana bread and took the whole plate away to the kiddies’ table to enjoy! For $14.50 you get two slices of soft banana bread, a puddle of activated chia and quince pudding and lots of crunchy paleo granola.

darling st espresso

I also ordered beetroot-tinged cured salmon, two poached eggs resting atop two potato and preserved lemon pancakes and avocado puree ($16). The mini pancakes were an interesting twist on a traditional breakfast dish though I couldn’t detect much citrus in them.

darling st espresso

To finish I couldn’t resist one of their puddings ($9). The dark chocolate pudding came with frozen honey custard and chocolate popcorn. It was a bit too sickly sweet for my liking and the messy presentation wasn’t terribly appealing, but the kids loved it (naturally). I think the custard would be better off being churned into ice-cream for textural and visual appeal.

The service at  Darling Street Espresso was very friendly and helpful and I liked how they had a buzzer at the entry of the courtyard to call out a waiter if necessary. While the inside of the cafe is cosy and beautifully decorated, the outside courtyard is where to hang out if you’ve got kids in tow.

Darling Street Espresso, 146 Athol St, Moonee Ponds

Monday – Sunday 8am-4pm

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About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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