The Petty Officer

This has become my new go to breakfast café on the weekends, I am actually a little bit in love with the place. The staff are always so very friendly, full of good recommendations and always smiling. It is not the cheapest place so be prepared to pay a little more than you usually would for brekkie but I think it is totally worth.
Plenty of seating outside which works for me as we always take Thor there and he loves it because the staff bring him a side of bacon to enjoy. You will noticing a running trend with my good reviews, nice to my dog then you have generally made me pretty happy.
A must try after a nice long walk along Albert park beach.

Breakfast here is a special experience, so many choices. The Bircher muesli is beautifully done and ‘The Chief’ is full of avocado, mushrooms, bacon & lots of yummy sides, with tangy relish to dip it all
in. Coffee is great with pretty pictures to delight your eyes. The staff are friendly & efficient. It is hard to try other places when this place is so good. Give it a go.

Bright and light café The Petty Officer has all the makings of a brilliant café. Nice, but only reaches about halfway there.
The coffee is good (Axil coffee with espresso and filter options). Breakfast is served all day and there are also some lunch options after 12pm.
I first visited during lunch on a weekday and the place seemed quiet but most tables were in use. I opted for the lamb wrap, which was 90% olive oil. Dripping everywhere, all I could taste was oil by the time I was done. Not great. I would have happily given them this feedback if anyone asked me how my meal was, but they didn’t. If anything the staff seemed a tad bored and disinterested.
My second visit was just a few days later on the weekend at breakfast time. Very different vibe, packed full of local families. I don’t know that they are specifically catered to, but that is the area and you wouldn’t feel out of place if you brought little ones with you.
Coffee was even better on the weekend and I ordered a dish of mushrooms and broadbeans. Well presented, but again — SO oily! I know mushrooms soak up a lot of oil, but there was a lot of extra and unnecessary oil added to the plate for presentation. It looks like someone was getting a little creative and forgot how it might taste.
All in all a ‘not bad’ experience, but I probably wouldn’t eat here again until they ease up on the oily food.

I absolutely adore this place! I’ve been here for breakfast & lunch & the food is always amazing. They have a good little selection of wine on the menu too. I’ve been here by myself, with friends & have brought my dog as well. The staff have always been super lovely. On one rainy windy day, that was sunny to begin with, the staff even moved out table under the awning as we couldn’t move inside with my dog. I have a great experience every time I come here. Best mix of great food & great customer service I’ve found anywhere.

Love it. This place has a great feel to it. Only a couple of minutes walk from the beach. Right near Albert Park lake. Close to South Melbourne. The location is perfect.
These guys know what they’re doing when it comes to coffee. They’ve got Axil and they do the name proud. I quite enjoyed my caffeine fix today.
They place has a nice open feel with the classic white paint and light wood look. Decent art up behind the counter and friendly staff who love to chat.
The food looks absolutely delicious and it makes me wish I hadn’t already had lunch. I would’ve killed for the smashed avocado on toast I saw.
It’s great that Middle Park has got a café like this to compete with the big leagues. Give it a go, I’m sure you’ll love it.

Meh, take it or leave it for breakfast. The fritters were good and so was the coffee. Other than that, there was nothing that really blew me away.

This is a good café if you’re in the area.
The interior was clean, fresh and modern, and it really sets a standard for the up and coming cafes in the area.
The coffee was really good, menu options plentiful and the servings were very generous. And the best bit about it, everything was really cheap, even for main meals.
The staff were friendly ‘hipsters’, but who doesn’t love a hipster barista? After all, they do make pretty great coffee!
The avocado smash on thick toast was really fresh and tasty, and looked great on the plate.
Check this place out and avoid the queues before the word gets out about it!
Tip: These guys don’t put chocolate on their cappucinos, so remember to ask for it if you like your cap with choccy!

One world — brilliant.
This site has failed twice before — formerly an Asian restaurant then a café. Petty Officer is the first success story at the site and indeed the first new café that has survived on the strip in the last couple of years.
The café itself is stunning — simple, light, clean and comfortable. The young staff are all a bit model-​ish to look at, but surprise with their excellent, friendly, easy going service.
The menu is simple but excellent — I’ve brunched there twice and I always get food envy looking around. The brunch specials tend to be sweet and do not disappoint (today’s had homemade rose water jelly as a side to a chocolate pancake). The coffee is reliably excellent (and they have all the fancy siphon options, special blends etc if that’s your want).
Word has definitely spread fast, so expect to wait a little while (but no where near as long as nearby MART and with none of the snotty attitude).

Patience is a virtue at the newest café on the block.
Only open a few days and The Petty Officer is already packing them in.
The breakfast menu is small, something that Gordon Ramsay would like. The focus is clearly on doing a few things well. My corn, zucchini and mint fritters were light and delicious and beautifully complemented by the very clever Bloody Mary salsa and crème fraîche.
The fit out is open, airy, clean lines, blonde wood and slate floors. Some bakery type treats sit atop the counter, the poppy seed and orange cake caught my eye for next time.
There a few tables curb side that will be joined by more once the permit comes through. Some umbrellas and a wind break would also be a good idea.
I am sure that once the staff find their rhythm this will be a café that runs like a well oiled machine. A real 4 star potential.