Scintilla Cafe

Café Scintilla is just one of many cafes on Burgundy Street, Heidelberg. Mr Pen likes to eat here due to its immediate proximity to our local supermarket.
The interior has a slightly cold, sterile feel which is in part due to the blue and cool, deep red walls but also the stainless steel tables. This is in part mitigated by the constant chatter of fellow diners — it’s nearly always busy.
As a newbie to Melbourne, my first visit here I learned the hard way that smoking is still permitted in outdoor eating areas — there doesn’t seem to be a non-​smoking outdoor eating area.
Beans are supplied by Merlo, so you’re guaranteed a decent caffeine fix. Cold drinks on the menu include juices and a range of milk/​thick shake flavours, including the hard-​to-​find blue heaven. For a trip back to childhood joy, I suggest ordering one of these unnatural coloured, mystery tasting beverages. A small range of alcoholic beverages round out the menu so no matter what your thirst you should find something that appeals.
The food is middle-​of-​the-​road. A large menu covering breakfasts, light meals, pasta, risotto, burgers and mains (including the mandatory chicken parma) spoils you for choice. I think the food is a little too salty — for example — my most recent meal was gnocchi with salmon and capers and all the capers had to be picked out because too much salt. The burgers are a good choice — try the New York Knockout. There are chips on the burger.
Breakfast is severed daily until 3pm, so if you’ve had a late night, there is somewhere local a for that greasy fix.
Overall, I’m still undecided if I like it or not. May have to visit again to make sure.

This place is noisy & cold. Outside is smoky. If you’re looking for a good, cozy place to chat — this isn’t it. I agree with previous reviewer about the tables. Having said that, coffees are fine & food is ok.

The atmosphere at Café Scintilla is always buzzing. The outdoor area is nice when it’s warm but when the sun isn’t out I prefer an inside seat. You have to order at the counter and pre-​pay which is alright, but the staff aren’t overly friendly which makes this a little daunting. Water is self-​serve, so don’t ask the waitress or you’ll get told with attitude to do it yourself.
The food is good, but the kitchen closes at 3, so make sure you order before then. My favourite thing about Café Scintilla and the main thing that always keeps me coming back is the iced coffee. It’s original and unique — I’ve never tasted anything like it — in a good way. If you are planning on coming here, make sure you order an iced coffee, you won’t regret it.

This café is constantly bustling. There’s plenty of tables inside from two seaters to four seaters and it’s the same alfresco.
There’s a variety of food served here and the breakfast items run until 3 pm everyday so that’s great if you’re hankering for eggs benedict at lunchtime.
Food is cooked really fast, I had the New York Knockout Burger which was pretty substantial size and with it came a heap of wedges and also had chips between the beef pattie and bun (note to self: watch those carbs!). It was filling but didn’t jump out at me in terms of taste. Where were the pickles?
Because they have no table service apart from serving your order, I saw a lady come in, sit down and peruse the menu at the table and waited to be served. Ten minutes later, after what she thought she was being snubbed by the wait staff she got up and left in a huff. Perhaps this café could make it more clear to customers with a honking huge sign at each table asking to order an pay at the counter?
Popular with the locals this. And it helps that Leo’s is right next door.

Great location on Burgundy Street, and excellent place to soak up a bit of sun. The coffees are nice, and I love the Mediterranean Breakfast, delish. The french toast is a bit too thick, and a bit dry. The hotcakes are also a bit of a miss– again, too dry, not enough sauce. Someone needs to take a tip from the French and get some butter into those pans and on the grill! The sauces are overly sweet, without enough tang on the french toast and hotcakes.
The staff aren’t overly friendly, which is a bit of a bugger. Outside tables are nice, but it would be nicer if there was no smoking permitted under cover.
The inside tables are a bit squished in the space, and they have funny bar underneath the tables that make it difficult to cross your knees under them. I know– a bit of a funny complaint, but if you want to kick back and read the paper whilst sipping a coffee, it’s good to be able to sit close to the table.
All in all, a nice spot. Wish they were open past 3pm– I would certainly be there more frequently!

Walk by Scintilla Café on a warm day and one thought will strike you «Wow, its loud» The terrace on a sunny day is a popular place to soak up the bustle of Burgundy street as well as the rays. Heidelberg locals know this and flock here to enjoy the «best Iced Coffee in Melbourne» as stated on the café window!
Scintilla is a great place to reward yourself with brunch after grocery shopping or a central place to meet up with friends and family for lunch. The breakfast menu is great, and my favourite dish is the Mediterranean scrambled eggs.
The coffee here is pretty standard, so those who view coffee as a religion (I totally understand) may be unimpressed. It does the job though. However the iced coffee is excellent so give that a whirl if you want a coffee fix!
The service Is friendly and fast paced and on a busy Saturday morning if your local you will run into someone you used to know!