Vulcan Cafe

Really great experience at Melba. We’re visiting from NY and my toddler absolutely adored the iced chocolate, French toast and also tried his first ‘fluffy’ (frothed milk with choc sprinkle and marshmallows). The French toast was beautiful to look at but also so tasty. The combination of the rhubarb, berries, compote and custard was so good. Also amazing customer service from our server. He recommended food for us to order, was so accommodating and genuinely lovely. I never write reviews, but this experience was too good not to write one. Highly recommend!

When I’m in Auckland for an overnighter it’s a no brainer where to go for breakfast. Dear, sweet, Melba. The Favourite Husband and I stumbled upon Melba years ago, completely and utterly by mistake. Which goes to prove; I have a guardian angel. I have never, ever, been disappointed with an offering here. So much so that I took the risk of all risks last year and bought my incredibly fussy daughter here and she ate. A miracle. This Saturday I was pretending I wasn’t hungover; so needed to be cautious. I’d think even the Favourite Husband surely must suspect it when I order orange juice as any other time I literally hate fruit. The orange juice was the size of a small country, fresh and delicious. The Favourite Husband had his usual big breakkie and I went with creamy mushrooms and bacon. I didn’t cancel the bread (see earlier note re: hangover) and boy was I pleased I didn’t. The big breakkie was “stunning” and the sausage declared “outstanding.” Top marks for using a proper butcher’s sausage not a pseudo sausage imposter. My mushrooms came in the tastiest, creamy sauce. Garlicky but still remembering that it’s breakfast. Now I’m not a bread person. But whatever buttery, crispy but pillowy, sweet but savoury delight of carbs came with this dish needs to be certified. I ate the lot AND it cured my hangover. Gawjus, friendly, professional, friendly staff to boot. If only they could get more tables …

Wonderfully fresh breakfast. I had the breakfast burger on the freshest brioche bun I've ever had. Coffee is freshly made and perfectly prepared. The store is small but that only adds to the atmosphere. There are outdoor tables but it was a little too cold. The staff is friendly and never rushed us. It would be our pleasure to visit again if we are ever in town again.

Really good food ! Glad we stopped here for brunch. So refreshing to find somewhere that sells eggs bene with an actual vegetarian option not just salmon or ham ! Only thing I could recommend would be to have bread with the eggs bene, it had a potato uuuhh … pattie type of thing, but to me bread was needed ! (You may be able to buy this separately though!)