Cafe review: The Farm Cafe

One of the most enjoyable places in Melbourne is the Collingwood Children's Farm. A peaceful slice of rural life just five kilometres from the city, its paddocks, orchards, gardens and animals feel a world away from the skyscrapers of the CBD. Children can see the cow being milked, feed chooks, or pat goats and guineapigs.


An additional bonus is the well-patronised Farm Cafe, which forms an integral part of the site. Fresh farm produce is a major staple of the menu, which offers breakfast favourites such as farmers' breakfast, granola, eggs and bacon and zucchini fritters. On a warm, sunny morning, with our trolley waiting to be filled with goodies from the Collingwood Children's Farm Farmers' Market, I can think of no better place to be.

We arrived early, in order to secure a table before the mid-morning rush of Farmers' Market shoppers. Our coffees, sweet and nutty lattes, are served quickly and our meals arrive shortly after that, which is always a welcome bonus when dining with small children. We both order the
'green stack': two softly poached free-range eggs with sunshine-yellow yolks, served with roasted tomatoes, pesto, avocado, baby spinach and parmesan on sourdough toast. It is an excellent and fortifying combination.

The children are particularly taken by a cupcake decorated with soft icing and lollies. I'm always dubious about bought cakes, which are often dry and crumbly, but this cake has a buttery and moist textured crumb and we eagerly eat the leftovers.




Breakfast is served and devoured quickly and we head off to stock up with supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables and to wander around the farm. A visit to Collingwood Children's Farm is one of Melbourne's best weekend treats.

Collingwood Children's Farm,, St Heliers St, Abbotsford
The Farm Cafe is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am-5pm