Pillar of Salt

Delicious brunch menu. Took a vegetarian with me this morning, the menu definitely catered to both of us. Would go again.

This is a bustling and busy café, I arrived early and watched as it got busier and busier. Despite being busy the staff were attentive and friendly. I had the porridge with maple butternut, it was tasty and nicely presented. I’ll certainly go back, especially as it’s right across the street from my gym!

Of all the brunch places I’ve tried to date in Melbourne, pillar of salt is on my top favourite list in first place. Everything is great from coffee to food to service.
My two friends and I arrived here on Easter Monday morning around 8am. We easily got a table inside as the courtyard area though covered seemed cold (they do have heaters there).
I ordered a large extra hot skim cappuccino and got the most delicious cappuccino I’ve ever had. Creamy, chocolatey, hot and with a coffee kick.
The bottle of water on our table was magically filled and replaced while we were not looking. Despite being known to be a busy venue, the wait staff were patient with us as we made up our minds. Having an all day menu made it really hard to decide on options.
We settled on the following:
1. Eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce — two large beautifully poached eggs delicately covered in hollandaise sauce on a crusty dry bread (negative). Though delicious my friend who has eggs Benedict frequently was not impressed. The bread was very tough.
2. Goats cheese with smashed avocado on sesame toast– was quite bland and the toast didn’t seem to add any flavour to it. The goats cheese didn’t have a strong taste
3. Corn cauliflower with kimchi sour cream sauce fritters — the best amazingest fritters I’ve ever had. They were massive and so so satisfying. I couldn’t put my fork down and inhaled most of it. The juniper trout on top though looked like salmon to a seafood amateur like me was amazing. It wasn’t smoky but just had a delicate flavour. Perhaps it was the vodka.
Decent portions. Bring your appetite! amazing service and omg omg they do split bill.
Oh and the counter is dotted with yummo muffins and other sweets.
And affordable. Three coffees and three dishes came to 64 dollars or around 21 each.

Great food, great friendly crew but get super busy with the beautiful crowd all week! Wait times can blow out but just look at how frenetic the crew behind the counters work away. You can forgive them for any wait really. Prices are on the upper side of café prices so be prepared to part with some.
Nice, very noisy atmosphere so whilst it’s family friendly I’m not sure I’d recommend for young children though. Also it gets very crowded thus the really young or the really old may not find it enjoyable as much. You could sit outside the front on a sunny day but again probably not so great for kids. There is a courtyard and that too is very popular.

Worst breakfast we’ve had in Melbourne. Super long wait followed by overpriced omelette with distinct lack of flavour.

Finally managed to get in here (on a weekday) after constantly missing out on past trips home to Melbourne. I figured since it always has a queue out the door on weekend brunch time, it had tone amazing.
But alas…
This is your pretty typical über trendy-​grunge café, with stylish patrons and even better looking staff.
It’s a great space with a nice courtyard to enjoy the Melbourne weather, and has a good menu — with a great variety of (V) and (GF) options to suit whoever happens to be on a cold press juice cleanse detox.
Pancakes and organic porridge were our options, and while they looked as pretty as the waitresses, they failed to satisfy (not sure how the waitresses fare on the latter).
Oats were well cooked but slightly bland, and pancakes were dry and a bit…“unfluffy”.
Coffee is as good as you’d expect for Melbourne, though it was quite a wait for mine.
$ 34 all up. Pretty reasonable.
Overall, great service, nice place, but walk another 200m down the road and go to Top Paddock for proper tasty food.

I haven’t taken the time to write a review in a while but had to do so when I saw this place was getting such mixed reviews. I showed up for a Saturday brunch after looking this place up based on the coffee. A bit of a queue, but it was Saturday brunch, so it was to be expected. After much debate, I went with the Bloody Mary (I think I was the only person in there not drinking coffee) and was pleasantly surprised by its deliciousness. The fact that the hostess set it down with a ‘good choice’ is that instant validation I always crave when ordering. Seriously, wasn’t expecting much but it was spot on, and at only $ 12 a decent price for a cocktail. Went with the cauliflower corn fritter with poached egg. Beautifully presented and delicious. Throw in good service, friendly staff, and great people watching and what’s not to love about this place?

I’ve passed by Pillar of Salt several times and there is always a queue waiting outside. I decided to brave the line one weekend day and was surprisingly seated within just minutes. While I waited for my brunch date I ordered a Jimmy’s Indonesian Iced Coffee. It was a refreshing burst of caffeine and sugar that jump started my palette.
The atmosphere was busy with a clientele ranging from families, couples, and friends, in a casual setting. On a clear summer day the windows and doors were all open and the restaurant extended further back into a covered outdoor area. There was also seating along the alley with smaller tables.
Perusing the menu, I was pleasantly surprised to find a very wide array of options, from healthy, vegan food to savoury breakfast and lunch items. The cuisine ranged from Asian inspired to Latin, and a creative list of ingredients that departed from the typical brunch fare. It was hard to decide on one dish but at last, I went with the Slow Cooked Beef Cheek Tacos. They took awhile to arrive, close to 20 minutes. I was getting quite hangry at this point but as soon as I bit down into my first taco, I forgot all about it. There were three very generous sized tacos with juicy beef, loads of flavour in the tomato and corn salsa with jalepeno. The side of hot sauce was a nice finish to a very tasty meal.
My mate ordered the 15^th Century Cilbir Eggs which came poached perfectly on top of an herb cream and toasted bread. I sampled a delightful bite and would have gladly ordered the dish myself. It was richly satisfying and had a lovely presentation.
The one unfortunate part of the meal for me was the Bloody Mary. Despite looking sassy and spicy upon arrival, it was actually quite bland. I had a hard time telling if it contained any vodka or spice besides the sliced red pepper and ground flakes on top. Sadly, I do not recommend ordering this drink at $ 12 for plain tomato juice.
Overall this is somewhere I will definitely return to again. There were so many items on the menu I can’t wait to try and with a popular take-​away, there is no excuse not to brave the queue.

Quirky café in Richmond, a intercity suburb which is renowned for incredibly high caliber food. We were able to get in on a Sunday morning without too long of a wait which was a welcomed surprise. The smashed ava on toast was really delicious and inventive, boasting volcanic black salt and smoked buratta, which was the star of the dish. I would love to go back mid week when it is a bit quieter and sample their syringe donuts, multiple coffees (5 senses, yum!) and wide arrange of cakes.

Had a great experience here. Yes it is busy and a bit of a wait for food but if you’ve got great company and wanting to great food — it’s worth it.
Staff were friendly and helpful.
We ordered the kimchi fritters and the pancakes! It tasted just as amazing as it looked!

Of all the cafes in Richmond, this is my favourite. Coffee, food and atmosphere are what every Melbourne Café should aspire to. I go here regularly and I’m rarely disappointed; the food is never disappointing, the coffee well and truly up there with Melbourne’s best and the service friendly and unpretentious. If you’re looking for the quintessential Richmond eatery, this is it.
One caveat: if you’re visiting in peak periods and especially on the weekends, be prepared for a wait as it gets a little crazy.

From the outside the pillar of salt looks like a funky place to have a coffee, just sit back and watch the people walk by. On approach I could smell the light aroma of bacon frying and see a steaming quiche on the kitchens window sill. The inside décor showed an exposed brick wall, contempery lighting and beautiful black and white tiled bench top for a delightful old school look. The owners have designed the place well. But regrettably the décor was the only thing that impressed me here.
It seem from the moment I stepped in there was no communication among there servers. It took 5 to 10 minutes just to get seated when there seemed to be plenty of seating at the time. After we were seated we got the menu and some water. It was a warm environment and was very clean looking around :)
we then sat there for 20 minutes waiting for the first person to come by and take a drink order. I then asked someone walking by for 2 extra hot caps. After 5 minutes we received 1 of the coffee’s (not extra hot /​or hot at all) then after another 5 minutes we received the second coffee (Also not hot). By this time we were ready to order! But we were forced to ask a server walking by to take our order since no one offered. My girlfriend ordered the wild mushroom and garlic omelette and I ordered to «new» Korean fried chicken bucket. After our order we were then bombarded by all different staff asking if we would like to order and they constantly interrupted mid conversation to do so. We replied each time with «we have already ordered» but they seem to precise to ask. Seems like a bit of murphy’s law at this stage.
The food, as like the décor looked great but like there service the food was cold and lacking in volume and flavour. I don’t think the staff at the pillar of salt knows what a «bucket» of chicken is. The Korean fried chicken came out in a small steal basket with only 4 small Pease’s. As it was «Fried» Chicken I expected it to be steaming HOT! But it was luge warm at best with a side salad the size of a 50c coin. The hot sauce and aioli were the only 2 things stoping me from sending it back.
The ommlete looked amazing and tasted like a gourmet ommlete should but once again it was not hot and had A odd texture like it waited in the window a few minutes to long. After this we finished up and left. When paying for the bill we were asked how it was, and I honestly told him my issues with the food and coffee. He said he would give the feedback to the kitchen for improvements. but we will see.
I have heard a lot of good things about this place and I wanted to love it so much. But it really fell flat in most areas. My biggest suggestion for them to have a decent manager that knows how to direct staff and the kitchen! Thanks for reading.

As one of my local cafes it keeps drawing me back. If you can’t find a table, you can join an communal table with other patrons. They take pride in what they deliver… food has the flavour and they don’t skimp on amount. Weekends are very busy… but it’s worth it… even for just staring at all the ‘cool’ people.

Pillar of salt is a great café on weekdays & an average café on weekends. They get out of control, crazy busy on the weekends and I just don’t think they can handle it.
On weekends you will wait for a table, wait for food, the coffee is below par & if you ask for changes to a meal there will inevitably be a mistake made which will leave you waiting longer.
On weekdays everything runs smoothly, everything is delicious & you’re having an amazing brunch.
I really like their menu with a lovely mix of traditional & non-​traditional options & a lunch menu that you can have from 8am (I’m not adverse to a morning salad). The space is really lovely & light filled & the staff are lovely when they’re not rushed off their feet.
They’re probably a tad overpriced but when it’s great you won’t care & when it’s the weekend you’ll be outraged, so choose your visiting time wisely.

This place came highly recommended by friends as a «bucket list» café. It is a beautiful summer Sunday and the young people are just refreshing themselves from the night before. First dates to families, this place has some appeal to all. And it is a nice place. We had only a moderate 10 minute wait and sat in the naturally lit court yard.
The other comments are valid. Pricey, perhaps. Limited menu. The coffee was good, not great. The service was not great. It’s the largely ‘we made a mistake’ as opposed to being rude or indifferent. I think just getting the order wrong was made better by instantaneously providing a replacement. However, in her zest to collect empty glasses, arms kept crossing me and at one point the sleeve is in my meal.
It’s clearly popular. It’s good food. I even bet the coffee is better when the crowd is not there. Adjust your expectations accordingly…

The coffee was perfect, I had two coffees against my best judgment because they were just so good. The love heart design in the foam was a nice touch.
I had the eggs Benedict which was served with ham hock the current standard for Melbourne but the meat was well cooked and tasty. I’d almost have eaten it on its own. The sauce was perfect and creamy.
Loved the interior and the atmosphere, really looking forward to visiting again soon!

The coffee is amazing. I usually only have one a day (with perhaps an extra in the afternoon if I’m tired) but I had two with breakfast! That’s how good! Would have had a third, but the brekky was such a decent serve, I had no room.
The food is fresh, and surprisingly tasty for something that is so healthy and has so many superfoods in it. I had (not your average) corn fritters and they were beautifully presented, by 3 wonderful wait staff, in a courtyard with lovely atmosphere.
I would take my friends there quite happily. Even the fussy ones.
And just for perspective, I am a tough reviewer who rarely gives 4s let alone 5s.

This place has dropped a few pegs in my book after my last visit. It’s still a-​ok, but not as good as it was. The current Bircher muesli on the menu makes me mourn the one of old with smashed banana — it was such a winner of a dish and the new one just doesn’t compare! Sad face! Hopefully it improves again in the future!

We just missed breakfast which was a shame.
For the price of the meals I expected to be blown away with our food and flavour and although the chicken schnitzel was well cooked and a good portion size, it did lack a little bit of flavour. The California salad was colourful and lovely and a great size.
The coffee was also delicious but unfortunately came out warm…
The service was pretty good but I think this place is just on the verge of being great.
Probably come back for the breakfast and make sure I ask for hot coffee in future. I’d probably rate it 3.5 stars after today…

Was recommended to this place! Whilst out in Richmond, just moments walk from East Richmond station, you’ll find this hipster café!..
Filled out with a great interior and a beautiful courtyard, this place is buzzing! A must visit café!
I only went there for a coffee. 5 senses coffee, and this was brewed perfectly and hit the spot!
As I was sitting out the back courtyard, with the ray of sunshine setting down in the café. I saw so much food getting brought out to tables, and it all looked amazing, the menu sounded interesting and prices were reasonable!
I will definitely be back to get on top of this menu and try the what looked like amazing brunch!