Switchboard Cafe

So tiny. So much energy. It’s a buzzing little place to drop in for a much needed coffee fix.

Switchboard makes amazing good coffee.
This is a simple fact.
As a result of this fact… it is often very busy.
Switchboard typifies Melbourne hidden secrets, as it is a hole in the wall that is hidden in the back of an arcade and can be accessed from a laneway.
Actual seating is on the slight side, in fact this is obvious from the majority of their custom being take away. Switchboard has a lovely vibe even though it is genuinely built into something that may have once been a cupboard. There is something that makes you feel like you’re in old Europe.
Pick up a little sweet treat, and enjoy some of the best coffee the city has to offer

Holy hipster haven here at Switchboard Café. If you are having trouble finding this place, look in the closet located in the lobby of the apartment building next to the theater. If your search is fruitful, you will find a rad barista making great coffee in said closet.
The place is tiny — like one person can fit inside of it, tiny. There is no need for any more room because customers drink their coffee and eat their breakfast treats in the hallway to the alley located out back. There is also a small seating area in the closet opposite the ordering closet.
The staff are very nice and love to talk as the coffee is being made and ordered. The prices are great as well (3.5 for a macchiatto). This seemed very cheap for the quality of coffee that was being slung at this establishment. I was extremely impressed. I would highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for an extremely unique coffee experience in the Melbourne CBD.

This place is the best — my favourite place to get coffee in the cbd on a weekday.
Tucked away, you feel like you have stumbled upon a little secret. The fact that these guys operate in the space the size of a cubby hole blows my mind. There are two people, one making the best coffee you can get in melbourne, whilst their colleague whips up delicious breakfast and lunch options and another person takes orders.
Sadly I only get to come here from time to time but if I worked in the cbd, I would be all over this place like a rash. It’s that good.
You can eat here but seating is limited, it’s more of a take away joint.
The guys that run this place are awesome, hats off to em’.

This is Melbourne. Such a cool little café. Located below Manchester Unity building. Really cool and quirky. Serving supreme coffee, and they serve it well.
The breakfast options here are also really good. The toasties are yummy and for about $ 8 they are worth it.
Went here for the first time, and will definitely be back here. For quick on the go coffee and food in the city, this one is now on top of my list.

You know how Melbourne’s famous for its hidden gems?
Switchboard epitomises both the hidden and the gem aspects of Melbourne’s café culture.
Tucked down an alleyway, essentially on the ground floor of the Manchester Unity Building (my fave building in all of Melb!), the team at Switchboard must REALLY like each other as they’re essentially working in a cupboard together.
From their cupboard, they manage to pump out some of the best espresso on the block, I *think* they still use Supreme beans.
You can also get a limited amount food to order (toasted sandwiches last time I checked) and counter food like muffins and cakes.
There’s seating in the adjacent alley way which is smoker friendly and also a pretty fab display cabinet that you can prop yourself up in and watch the wondrous harmony of the staff in their cupboard!