Store Sixty One - Traralgon Cafe

We’ve been coming here on and off for a couple of years now. The first time we visited, I was so impressed that I left a 5-star review. The food was excellent, and the range of dairy and gluten-free options was genuinely impressive. Unfortunately, over the past few visits we’ve noticed the food quality slipping. Our most recent visit (since the renovations) left us feeling mixed. The new fit-out looks lovely and modern, but the booth seating opposite the counter is awkward. The built in booth is too high, I could just fit my legs under the table, and felt like I was towering over it once seated. I'm not even a tall person. We were seated so close to other customers that it felt more like banquet table. And you're in the middle of the thorough fare as customers come and go. It made it hard to relax and enjoy our breakfast date. Food-wise, the biggest disappointment has been the hash browns. It’s the second time in a couple of months we’ve ordered meals centred around hash browns, only to be served the frozen packet kind you’d expect from a fast-food chain. When you’re paying $70+ for brunch for two and ordering from a small, curated menu, you expect the food to reflect that standard, not the convenience of a takeaway venue. There’s really no excuse for not serving freshly made in-house hash browns at this price point. Similarly, as someone who often orders gluten-free and dairy-free options, I’ve found the quality has slipped there too. My recent meal, which was meant to include hollandaise, was served completely dry, the sauce was just removed rather than substituted. At this level of dining, you’d expect a chef to be able to provide a simple in-house dairy-free alternative that mirrors the standard dish, rather than leaving the plate incomplete. It comes across as careless and, honestly, a bit lazy when it would be easy to do better. I was not offered an alternative or aware it would be served this way. I really want to love this café again because it has so much potential, a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and a beautiful renovation, but the attention to detail and quality just don’t currently match the price or the reputation it once had.

I've been here twice when visiting Traralgon. The menu offers some very healthy fare, while also providing well for those who are vegan or have gluten issues. Definitely value for money. The staff are delightful, giving cheerful service with a smile.

I can say without hesitation that this was my favorite café during my entire stay in Victoria. The dishes were flavorful and full of personality, the ingredients were fresh, the portions were adequate, and the service was very friendly. I also tried one of the gluten-free desserts and loved it. The texture and flavor were delicious, and the coffee was equally good. I would return a thousand times. Highly recommended.