Have been going for a daily coffee for weeks now but unfortunately the service is getting lazier and lazier nice coffee but a shame the hipster attitude takes over. When you just want a coffee and sit down puts you behind the takeaway customers that’s it.
Wei S.
Place rating: 5 Melbourne, Australia
Hands down one of the best coffees you can find in Melbourne CBD, even in the Paris end of town where good Cafes congregate. Tom Thumb has become my daily haunt, often more than once a day. I am a straight up latte drinker, so that’s what I order every day without fail. And believe me, when you order lattes all day everyday, you want to know you will be getting a good latte. The most impressive feat Tom Thumb achieves is the consistently good quality of coffee they pump out, despite the different baristas who stand behind the coffee machine! Speaking of baristas, these guys are also one of the friendliest bunch of caffeine-addicts around town! They know most of their regular customers by name, know their usual orders, and are always friendly and upbeat despite the long queues! For those of you who love a treat or two along with your coffee, Tom Thumb regularly stocks donuts that are to die for, scrolls, and peanut butter cookies(oh god). Just to name a few of my favourites. In terms of savoury options, they also have bagels with schmears(think: maple glazed bacon spread). Amazing little gem, do check them out!
Dave C.
Place rating: 5 Melbourne, Australia
The peanut butter chocolate chip cookie is amazeballs! Love grabbing one on my lunch break, even when i have to share it at the office!
Jean B.
Place rating: 4 Melbourne, Australia
Tiny Tom Thumb is well worth an express visit to. Now currently acting as my daily dealer. The staff are friendly and super efficient pumping out coffees to variety of inner city folk. Serving up some user friendly inoffensive Clementine beans. As part of the greater coffee mafia St Ali family you’ll always finds a reliable and delicious selection of treats on offer. Also now proudly stocking 5&Dime Bagels and Dr Martys crumpets. The service, quality and friendliness is reliable and always appreciated!
Bob C.
Place rating: 4 Melbourne, Australia
Nice little find, this one. I was walking down Flinders Lane when I noticed the clement logo in the small hole in the wall. I had to stop in for a visit. I got myself a takeaway with a bean that tasted suspiciously like Candyman, although I’m pretty sure it came from Clement so that’s got me a little bewildered. The coffee is excellent. The staff are friendly. It is everything you want in a small, Melbourne hole-in-the-wall café.
Jennifer N.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
My first Unilocal ‘Office hours’ event experience was hosted here. The name of the place certainly is a good name. It is small but it has an upstairs area where you can have a coffee with a mate or a small catch up/meeting on possibly the quieter days of the week. Natural light in a warm cosy environment. You might be lucky enough to see a dentist and his patient in the building next door! It’s a pleasant place with friendly staff :)
Max T.
Place rating: 4 Mont Albert North, Australia
In a similar vein to Flipboard Café in LaTrobe St, Tom Thumb is small in stature but a lovely place in the city to enjoy a quick coffee and a small bite to eat in the Parliament end of the CBD. There are many delicious donuts(I don’t know why more cafes don’t sell great-quality donuts to compliment a good coffee), slices and pastries to try too. Understandably not suited for big groups, but the small upstairs area does allow you to sit down and enjoy your coffee, to read the paper or catch up with a friend.
Anthony R.
Place rating: 4 Melbourne, Australia
Really good coffee folks. As this was my first Unilocal event, I took the time to enjoy the facilities upstairs. I did win against the temptation from ordering the Matt Forbes delicacies available — oh my, peanut butter and jelly doughnut? I would have been on the treadmill forever! Don’t get me wrong, this place is an excellent coffee destination; a stones throw from cumulus and definitely a place I will visit again soon!
Hugh M.
Place rating: 4 Northcote, Australia
Pretty good and as an CBD approximation of it’s siblings’ property; Tom Thumb Espresso is pretty on key. It’s about the same size and uses the same qaulity. I’ve only been there once, but the staffer on that occasion was quite lively and funny. Good coffee down the Spring street end of the city and accessible too, if you’re after a grab and go coffee and only want to get that, and not a seat and breakfast etc. Good city coffee destination.
Yots N.
Place rating: 4 Melbourne, Australia
Proudly brought to you by beans from Clement, Tom Thumb Espresso is a cute little hole in the wall café that does good coffee and tasty treats for us peeps located in the Paris end of the CBD. You will notice that some of the tasty treats on offer are exactly the same as the ones in Clement in South Melbourne — chocolate and peanut butter cookie I am looking at you #swoon Rumour has it they do simple lunches as well, but I have only been here for coffee and breakfast. Their coffee is excellent and they have a range of brekkie items to choose from like croissants and raisin toast with butter/jam. I avert my eyes when I come in here for morning coffee as I am trying to not have cake for breakfast — I don’t think that’s a great habit to develop. Recommend you pop in for your morning coffee if you are on this side of town. They remember your order too!
Terrence L.
Place rating: 4 Manhattan, NY
Tom Thumb Espresso: 1. Beans from Clement(Blend & Single Origin available) 2. Pastries by Matt Forbes(Donuts, Cookies, Cakes etc.) 3. Food brought to you by the lovely people behind Duchess of Spotswood What is there not to love? Take the staircase to go upstairs and soothe your tired legs and have the best cup of coffee you can find on this side to town.
Mel P.
Place rating: 4 Melbourne, Australia
Anyone that has visited Clement coffee at South Melbourne market will quickly spot some familiar faces, pastries and beans at Tom Thumb. A very similar offering, Tom Thumb is a tiny, tiny hole in the wall offering great coffee and sweet treats from Michael Forbes(yes, *those* donuts and lamingtons). The difference here is that there is also a tiny little staircase to another tiny little room where you can grab some other lunch or breaky items. Cheap, small plates designed for the city worker are on offer. If you’re on your own and need a quick coffee and a bite, Tom Thumb is perfect. When there I did grab myself a small bowl of porridge(with little quince squares — so tasty!) and noticed some very unhappy diners alongside me. It seems two groups, a couple and a party of three decided to come here for a breakfast hangout and seems bitterly disappointed. This is not that kind of café. If you appreciate it for what it is, you’ll love it. If you’re here expecting a Melbourne brunch in a big warehouse fit out and doting service, you’ll leave annoyed.
Fiona W.
Place rating: 5 Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
A cute hole in the wall at the Parliament end of Flinders Lane lures me over to take a look, with a name like Tom Thumb how could you not — it’s so whimsical for the parliamentary zone. A collaboration between Clement Coffee and Duchess of Spotswood, you know the standard of coffee is going to be high. Two blends were on offer this morning. After selecting one, my barista recommends a change as I’m having a large coffee and the flavour wont be as strong. Fair enough. I must admit it was a damn fine cup of joe — smooth, strong and drinkable temperature(I hate getting ‘burn your lips off ’ hot coffee in the morning). Being pushed for room, there is a long wooden bench outside to wait on. Otherwise you can perch on two stools, but be warned, they sit directly in front of the cake cabinet. There are some concoctions in there I have never seen before but I fully intend to try ASAP. A lamington with a hole straight through the centre filled with cream and a dollop of raspberry jam jauntily perching on one corner… Oreo sandwiches(looks just like the ice cream version)…ginger and coffee cookies so large they’ve become a ball. It’s a sugar junkies heaven. There are also sandwiches, crumpets, porrsoge, beans, museli, raisin toast and some other bits & pieces. The toastie i ordered was a perfect golden colour and had capers for added interest. Compostable Planet Cups are the guilt-free takeaway option, though I’ll remember my Keepcup for next time. If you want to get some beans or coffee gear, there is also some for sale on the shelf. There is some seating upstairs in a room that really would suit Tom Thumb — small with low ceiling. It’s rather cute. Friendly service, great coffee, delectable cake. I think I’ve found my new local near work! i