Operator25

Good breakfast but i have to say i've seen better. Their green tea was a regular one in sachets and their options not as original as the rest of the food scene in melbourne!

Another great Melbourne food immersion. When Melbournians talk about good food and coffee, they mean business, and Operator25 in the heart of Melbourne CBD certainly lives up to the hype! Intrigued by the bustling line outside, I knew I had to explore what the fuss was about. Let me tell you, Operator25 did not disappoint.

The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a chic yet cozy atmosphere, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was irresistible. The staff was not only efficient but also exuded a genuine passion for what they do. The menu offered a delightful array of options.
Melbourne is renowned for its culinary scene, and Operator25 effortlessly aligns with the city's high standards. Whether you're a local, just passing through or a local visiting home from the US (me) this cafe is a must-visit for a quintessential Melbourne dining experience.

Great place for breakfast. Worth the wait! Great ambiance. Would definitely go back.

The Miso Pork Benidict had a perfect poach and a wonderful Hollandaise Sauce, but the pork was dry and inedible straw. The Ube Pancakes were incredible, moist, flavorful, with a perfect compliment of sautéed fruits, creams, and ice cream-every mouthful was delicious. The staff was slammed with high demand leading to long wait-times if you wanted to eat inside. On patio you got immediate service and just had to brave the intermittent cool and rainy weather under the umbrella.

Had to share tables with randoms. Food was average. Service was good but a little slow. Music was good and coffee was good but I would not return.

Great food find! Friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended for foodies visiting Melbourne

Great breakfast. Conveniently located to the CBD. I would go back without hesitation.

This was a little challenging for me to find. The street it's on isn't a main one and I didn't see that it was marked. There also isn't a lot of signage outside the restaurant. It's a coffee cup with Operator 25 written around it in a way that's not visible when you're passing by. The opposite street did have s sign-Frederick Way.

It's a casual place and you can either grab something to go at the counter or sit at one of the (mostly) communal tables.

I got the Kaya French Toast and it was very good, but no one checked on me after I got my food.

There was about a 45 minute wait for a party of 6 when we got there at 10:30. The host taking names was super chill, gave us clear updates and let us know we can explore around but come back in 30ish minutes. We did and when we returned they were preparing our table.

I ordered the teriyaki salmon ($21 AUD) with matcha broth. I had some hesitations with this as I'm not too big on teriyaki, but they made it to perfection. It wasn't overly sauced with teriyaki but kind of a marinade. The salmon was grilled and the flavors were really brought out without the need for excess saucing. The salmon wasn't overly cooked and came apart easily. The matcha broth was ok I guess? The server said to pour it right into the bowl with the salmon and so I did. I guess it made the entire meal more light but either way I didn't think it added (or took away) anything.

The rest of my party knew I enjoyed it, as I'm usually the last to finish but I was done with it quick. Portions were perfect and everything was fantastic.

Highly overrated.

Operator25 is a popular brunch spot that has been a darling on social media lately. Situated in an old heritage building that formerly housed a telecommunications centre. It's a beautiful venue, but getting to the restaurant, however, was somewhat tricky. Situated on a less travelled path, in a small Melbourne alley way with no obvious signage.

I came here on a weekday morning and this place was already bustling. Even for a solo eater, like myself, I have to wait approximately 30 mins to be seated. Once seated (on the counter)... I can't deny the fact they have awesome looking space - just rustic with an industrial vibe to it.

As for the food. I ordered their BBQ Pork Benedict; it was a beautifully plated dish consists of Filipino pulled pork on brioche bread, poached eggs, Asian herbs hollandaise and wonton crisp. As much as I wanted it to be good, it was not. The pulled pork was extremely salty and the Asian herb hollandaise sauce tasted just too weird...And halfway in I have reached my peak, I stopped myself to prevent going further into dissatisfaction.

For my drink, I had the kaya latte, which sounded like a creative concoctions and I was excited to try them out. Huge disappointment; it tasted just like regular latte and a bit on the milky side *Sad*

Overall, my experience here was very disappointing, glad to have crossed this place off my lists, but for the price they are charging, not sure if it was worth it. And if you are wondering about the rest of the food that you spot on their social media... Please see the first sentence of my review.

This is a very trendy restaurant that has a warm feel. I came here twice for breakfast. On day one, I tried the multigrain toast with fried egg, greens, and slow roasted tomatoes, and the Teriyaki Benedict. Both dishes were rich and delicious. There was no need for any additional sauce. On day two, I tried the multigrain toast with scrambled eggs and mushroom, and the Cured Kingfish. The mushroom was okay, nothing over the top. The way the eggs were made was very light and buttery, and very different from most restaurants. The Cured Kingfish was delicious (sort of like a poke bowl). I also tried the raspberry rose donut, which was super sweet, but heavenly.

The wait can be long and it is not unusual for the hostess to ask people to move seats when larger parties arrive. On day two, a Saturday, it took 45 minutes for my meal to be served. The restroom is located in the back and is jointly combined with men to the right and ladies to the left. Customer service was friendly.