Babka Bakery Cafe
358 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Tel: 9416 0091
Open Mon 9am-5:30pm; Tue-Sun 9am-7pm
The first ship of Eastern European migrants came to Australia after the 2nd World war as refugees. Since then, many more came and hence we have many little alcoves serving their food.
When I first saw Babka, I kept thinking of Babushka as the exterior was painted with them. I love babushka dolls! I discovered it in early 2007 when I went for a walk on Brunswick Street. Ever since then, I visit Babka once a year. Babka- If you wiki, it might refer to 3 different type of food- a savoury Belorusian dish made from potato or a sweet yeast cake or genus of fishes of family Gobiidae.
Babka is great to enjoy during Breakfast or Brunch. Best thing about the place is that you can voyeur while you eat as Brunswick/Fitzroy is know as the heart of hippy/alternative culture- always filled with interesting patrons. Its not such a big place hence,if you are not there early(9am), you will have to wait in line- a long line of Babka fans. (Melbournians do not really wake up that early for b'fast on weekends... we start quite close to 10am in general.)
The bakery sells all sorts of bread. European Continental types which includes Vienna, Rye, Sourdough and there is even Spelt! These are of course harder and fuller bread when compared the Vietnamese Fluffy white bread and huge. Breads start at about $4-5.
I love eating their Blintz at Babka. Its an Eastern European folded pancake/crepe filled with raisins, apple, cottage cheese and cream with drizzling honey and a slice of lemon on the side, fresh from the pan. I also enjoy drinking Chai anywhere in Melbourne. Their chai is very strong, you can choose to have either spiced or vanilla that comes in a little teapot.
Chris normally enjoys his variety of their freshly baked bread together with their homemade jam and marmalade with a continental unsalted butter. He loves his bread and butter!
In Babka, you really enjoy how they serve you as they really take time to make your food and presentation pretty.
UPSIDE
1) Very beautifully presented and delicious Eastern European Food(good for first timers)
2) Its location is very accessible
DOWNSIDE
1) Long wait on weekend morning/brunch
2) Very small exterior. little leg/elbow moving room. Table and chairs are quite crammed to each other.
Rate:
Price- medium to high
Food- 4/5
Service- 4/5
Ambiance- quirky and traditional
Accessibility- 4/5
**Trams on Brunswick street from the city.Very good Bicycle lanes and ample parking in the surrounding if early.
**Suitable for 1-4 people
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