John Gorilla

Homie, cozy, delicious! There’s a farmstead feel here that’s just right. It warms my heart and my belly! Self-​serve mason jar water area, home-​baked goods and display, and the funky art portraits of strangers staring at you while noshing scrumptious lox and bagel sandwich, feels classic. This place is a farmstead style home with a twist of weird. I fit right in!

Is it just me or does $ 5 for a large coffee that is only ¾ full seem a bit ridiculous? I thought my coffee was a bit light then I sipped it and it needed sugar — which I haven’t added to coffee in 10 months and when I looked it was ¾ full. Coffee wasn’t to my taste.
Also, there were 3 dogs in the café sleeping. It doesn’t make me want to eat there, which is disappointing because I have enjoyed their food in the past.

There are two reasons this place does not deserve a 5. Firstly, it is a tad over priced, annoyingly so. I mean $ 2 for a babycinio? Really?! Sure, you get a couple of tiny biscuits with it but $ 2? I have three kids and I’m paying $ 6 for tiny cups of milk and 6 cookies! The second reason is the staff are not welcoming. They are all a bit too cool in that ‘yeah, I’ll take your order, if I must’ kind of way. I have been in on numerous occasions and apart from the owner, who is lovely, I have not struck up one conversation, which, if you know me, is down right weird. However, all that said and done the food at John Gorilla is always excellent, the coffee mostly good (there is one inconsistent barista, but the rest are excellent) and the atmosphere is cool and comfortable. It really is a great place, I only wish I didn’t have to wince each time I bought the kids a drink.

This would have to be one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a while! We arrived early on a Sunday morning and found a seat outside amongst all the amazing dogs! There was also plenty of room inside given they take up two shop spaces.
We were immediately given a couple menus, water, asked what coffee orders we wanted and read out the specials.
The coffee was great, no complaints and arrived in record time given that we barely read out what we wanted and it was in front of us. I ordered the special of toast with horseradish cream, potatoes, salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise. My partner opted for the poached pear brioche French toast.
Both meals were incredible but the salmon and poached eggs were another level. Generous portion size with such delicious flavours. I couldn’t stop saying how amazing it was!
All in all a five star breakfast, great staff and cruisey local feel. We will be back very soon.

I want to love this place, I really do. It’s super close to my house, the staff are really friendly and it looks great. But it just isn’t as good as it should be.
I ordered the bagel with halloumi and mushroom. They had run out of bagels so I had it with toast, which was fine. There was nothing really wrong with it but nothing really exceptional either. My long black was much the same.
It’s a fine place for breakfast but if you want to be really impressed there are many more amazing places nearby.

I’m not sure what it was about this café, but I really loved it! It’s really casual and comfortable, with great décor and friendly staff. Really friendly in fact. Some of the best customer service I’ve received in a while.
They have a great range of food. I went with the toasted banana bread special, it was almost perfect, I just had to add a lil salt to get that delicious salty-​sweet flavour perfect! I also downed my usual hot chocolate. It was good, not great, but the overall atmosphere and service really makes this place special :)

Brunch is great whilst on holidays.
I had the big john breakfast as it has black pudding, this is an English style n was nicely cooked with a bit of crunch which I liked.
Tomato was well cooked to my perfection n the poached eggs had the correct ‘run’ for me. It definitely a big breakfast.
I couldn’t resist to try the special sweet sago pudding on offer, that’s one thing great about brunch timing, it allows u to have a sweet without feeling guilty
The sago pudding had coconut milk n cream swimming around the pudding, sago was cooked to perfection n not gluggy, served with fresh pineapple pieces gave a nice tang to the not too sweet pudding.
The topping of a dollop of whipped coconut cream was just superb n the crunch of sesame praline compliment the whole dessert, sufficient with every mouthful
The only complain was it was a large serve, enough for 2 to share n well worth it
Would love to come back to try the other specials on offer

This cute little place was an easy walk from where I was staying in Brunswick West — not in a spot you’d necessarily expect a café. It was bustling when we got there at 11, but didn’t feel overcrowded. Loved the long table in the first room — created a cosy, communal vibe. Loved all of the quirky/​retro fit out. It was rather amusing to see so much memorabilia of Charles and Di’s ill fated union, and the long rulers that lined the base of the main counter were rather inspired. Overall lots of fun little details that created a warm and comfortable atmosphere. I decided to be adventurous and went with the special — an omelette with an Indian inspired filling of spicy potatoes, cauliflower and peas. I was a bit disappointed I couldn’t get a coke zero — they’ve gone with organic sodas, but in the end it was good to stay with water on account of the food spiciness! My niece chose a lamington and hot chocolate. The inside of the lamington was chocolate cake, which was an interesting twist, and one which got my niece’s seal of approval. The sweet treats were all modestly sized, which I thought was a good idea — allows for indulging without overdoing it. Service was friendly and it’s a space in which you could easily spend some time reading, chatting and relaxing if you weren’t in a hurry to be anywhere else. It’s not the cheapest place — the total for the omelette, a hot drink and a lamington was $ 24, but for a thoroughly enjoyable brunch it was well worth it.

Went in for a 9am Sunday breakfast. Place was relatively quiet, and we took one of the seats in the side room in the corner.
The staff were friendly. Note, like other random Melbourne places there’s only one coffee size. The menu was small but good, included blood sausage, black rice pudding (special) and goats cheese. Plus, the menu is all day so I had lunch breakfast.
I’ll note that the food is pretty heavy. Neither of us could finish our meals — but they tasted great! It’s quaint, it’s not in a busy area, there’s plenty of street parking and the coffee was good. Very much enjoyed the experience.

Love it! Great menu, food, coffee and outdoor/​indoor interior! Very quirky

I am a fan! I can’t say anything else…
John Gorilla is a great place for a Sunday breakfast, a coffee or just a break from the world
Hidden away it in suburban West Brunswick, a block back from Melville road and its trams you will have to look carefully; blink and you will miss this little gem.
Why is it so good?
* It is just laid back.
* Nothing happens in a rush, they all just happen at their own pace… the right pace.
* The food is good, dependable and just right (there is even egg and soldiers!)
* The coffee! Yes, the coffee is just what you need!
So rock up, grab a table outside, inside or even out the back with the dogs!

John Gorilla looks prettier than it tastes.
Arriving at 11:30am, we were seated quickly in the nice-​ish open area out back. The café dogs are friendly, and one of the staff made sure we were cool with them being around us. There are a few vegetarian options on the menu, but not as much as some others in the area (on the fringe of the hipster triangle). Service was attentive and welcoming, without any pretension or over-​familiarity.
Food and coffee arrived speedily, with no fuss at all. However, the quality of these was below what the look and feel of John Gorilla deserve. The espresso was middling; quite long, without any real distinctive flavour or, seemingly, care put into it. A large plate of mushrooms was full of flavour, but the size of the chunks was a little overwhelming. Tomato and peppers baked beans lacked seasoning and tomato flavour, missing out on any real punch to what should be a flavourful experience.
John Gorilla is, at the time of writing, a new venture, and hopefully the quality of its food and coffee will improve with time. However, it faces some stiff competition, within relative distance of Sydney Road. Beyond the service, which is truly excellent, it lacks a distinctive flair or high quality food and beverage; it is a struggle to see why one would choose to go there given the other options.

There’s not much to not like at John Gorilla.
Cute name, great menu, reasonable prices, welcoming outdoor tables with take away coffee counters.
inside you find comfy corners, communal seats, loungy bench, don’t forget lap cushions, and sweet table decorations.
There is alfresco seating at the back, and you will find all day breakfast options along with your lunch and kiddie menu.
The food are fresh, tasty, and has a lovely feel like it was made with happiness and love (aaah)
The only downside here is that waitresses don’t appear to be too happy to accommodate dietary or veg requests when you ask if they can vary a meal on the menu.
Like i said though, With not much else to not like here, nothing will stop me coming back next time :)

This will be my favourite place to have breakfast after finding I today. Anyone in the Inner North should seek it out. If you’re anywhere else, cross town to get here. Hidden in a little back street is a decent sized café with more tasty things on the one menu that I’ve seen in a long time. Prices very reasonable and servings generous. Coffee great too. Make it a regular.

Haven’t tested the food yet but the coffee was excellent. Nice, bright atmosphere (helped by the sun being out) with attentive staff. Looking forward to testing this place further.