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About
Fully licensed Spanish cafe, Tapas, Light lunches, Boutique coffee, Sweet treats, extensive Gin List, Spanish Beer wine & cocktails, Unique laneway Culture.
PRICE RANGE
USD 5 - USD 13
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Brunch, Breakfast, Lunch
CUISINES
Cafe, Spanish
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (151)
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151 results
Traveller rating
103
38
8
1
1
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
103
38
8
1
1
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All reviews tapas bocadillos chorizo chai sandwiches salad chancery lane spanish food breakfast was excellent morning tea central bendigo hit the spot friendly service laneway cafes
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

My hubby and I dined here on our final evening before going home feeling refreshed for our wedding anniversary. It was an early celebration, but delicious dishes.

Date of visit: November 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 weeks ago

The best meal of our two week W.Vic trip was El Gordo Bendigo, Shop 3/70 Chancery Lane, Pall Mall. $75 tapas for two people; 5 courses with wine or Spanish cocktail. I, at first, walked on by El Gordo, thinking $75 was too much for...lunch, 'not us' - wrong. Each course was amazing. Coffee was good as well.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad Aldred, Owner at El Gordo, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

Thank you I am glad the team gave you a memorable experience. We look forward to seeing you again.

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

A delicious breakfast this morning. We particularly enjoyed their coffee. Situated in Chancery Lane the staff were very helpful and cheerful. Food was delicious too.

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad Aldred, Owner at El Gordo, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

Thank you for the great review. We look forward to seeing you again soon

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Very disappointed ! 4 seniors for Saturday dinner, never been before so needed some guidance. One waiter run off his feet.he tried but was so busy unable to give us due attention. The food we had was good when we got it ! I was...expecting a wider choice of small dishes to share. Wine very expensive too !! I doubt that we would return in a hurry.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 June 2023

A couple of years ago I moved to Bendigo and my dreams came true... it's a city of vibrant cafes, interesting places to visit and events. I have since had to move on due to employment changes, but I recall those 7 months I lived...there with such fondness as I explored everything the city had on offer. I had stopped here for coffee on my way to work a few times when I lived there, the customer service was always exemplary. Recently I visited Bendigo and caught up with a friend for lunch... I suggested this cafe- she had never, as a local, been to it AND that is a bit of a travesty. But now... she would return. We both found the customer service to be outstanding ( which has been the norm for this business), the waiter who was utterly brilliant talked us through our choices... She was way more adventurous with her choices than I was. Located in Chancery Lane this business is something quite special. ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღ♡ღMore

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 21 May 2023 via mobile

Had breakfast (scrambled eggs) was good. Service and coffee also acceptable. I will be back to try their lunch menu next time we are in Bendigo. Also is dog friendly in the lane which was fantastic.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 24 March 2023

El Gordo is located in the narrow Chancery Lane, Bendigo. We sat outside amidst the colourful wall decorations. Breakfast was excellent, as was the coffee and attentive service. Come here for the food and atmosphere.

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed 28 September 2022

Eight of us for lunch. The staff coped brilliantly with this number. A range of Croquettes, salads, anchovies and lots of Rose . Thoroughly enjoyable experience

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed 27 July 2022

Booked via email, excellent friendly communication. Being new to Spanish food, I was a bit apprehensive. However, we were efficiently guided through the menu by Salin. Perfect service and enjoyable food. Pity I don't live in Bendigo, I'd be back more often.

Date of visit: December 2021
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Reviewed 18 July 2022

We enjoyed a light late lunch here after seeing the Elvis exhibition. El Gordo is set in a quirky laneway (Chancery Lane) of a wide double street across from the Tourist Information Centre. Popular with locals and visitors, with friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff that...makes choosing what to eat and drink an absolute delight! Coffee was great & food is sourced locally where possible.Indoor and covered outdoor lane dining options available. We’ll visit again when the weather warms up to experience dinner. Highly recommended.More

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed 13 July 2022 via mobile

Always enjoyed this cafe but have found lately menu very limited And it’s quite a bit pricey Dont like the surcharge on card even eftpos not good As I have said very limited menu not as good as it was Sadly could not recommend

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed 12 July 2022 via mobile

Quirky little cafe in a lane with graffiti art on the walls. We were just walking past and needed a break. Lovely brewed chai and Anzac biscuits. Would consider coming back for lunch and have since Spanish tapas. Great service.

Date of visit: July 2022
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Reviewed 6 July 2022

El Gordo (which apparently translates as the 'Fat One') is a narrow character-filled cafe in a narrow character-filled and enchanting laneway in central Bendigo. We only stopped in for a mid-morning snack of coffee and a cheese & ham toastie. That was excellent, as was...the service - but it was really the ambience that made it a memorable, fun occasion. Will come back for the tapas next time we're in town.More

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 28 June 2022

We decided to drop in here for lunch prior to going to the art gallery. It was easy to find and while we were sitting outside in winter the heaters provided plenty of warmth. We shared a mixture of tapas and sandwhiches, all of which...was of great quality. Particularly loved the sourdough, olive oil and tomato/garlic sauce combination. The table olives were of great quality too. Service was prompt and very helpfulMore

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 26 June 2022 via mobile

Yummy Spanish sandwich (Bocadillo) just hit the spot with good coffee. Tucked away in the quirky causeway off the Main Street.

Date of visit: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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EL GORDO, Bendigo - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about El Gordo

Yes, El Gordo offers takeaway services.

El Gordo is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5