THE GENERAL FOOD STORE, Emerald - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

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CUISINES

Cafe, Australian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Table Service

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4.5

105 reviews

Excellent

73

Very good

23

Average

4

Poor

5

Terrible

0

Sherry M

Brisbane372 contributions

lovely place to stop for lunch

Jan 2020 • none

Hubby and I were down south on hols recently, and headed to Emerald for lunch one sunny day. We popped in to The General for a quick meal before heading further afield. Service was pleasant and prompt, and happily we didn’t have to order at the counter. (You know what I’m talking about, Brisbane!) I went for Chicken Adobo a go go, with added avocado. Hey, that rhymes! There were strips of tender, spicy roast chicken, with anchovy crumb, capsicum, fresh, crunchy fennel, olives and mayo. I enjoyed this healthy and tasty dish, especially with the added smashed avocado. I reckon that I was doing my body some good, so I felt virtuous and satisfied while eating it. Hubby had the ham and cheese baguette #1. There was smoked ham, Maffra cheese, zucchini pickle and spinach. He loved the tangy, soft, sourdough baguette, with the crispy crust, and enjoyed the ham and cheese filling. He had ordered ginger beer but ended up with ginger kombucha. The waitress offered to replace it, but hubby was very happy with this serendipitous mistake. He loved the kombucha, which he said was very adult and not too sweet – a bonus. I stuck to plain water (see? I was being healthy). The atmosphere is convivial, service pleasant, and we liked the seating with a long wooden bench running down the café. They use local and seasonal foods, as evidenced by the poster on the wall showing this month’s harvest. And they support the local community by providing wall space for artwork and written pieces, and by hosting a new artist and writer each month. I love this place, and just wish I lived closer!

Written 22 January 2020

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.

Rooboy2014

Emerald399 contributions

Village atmosphere

July 2022 • none

Had breakfast here recently and enjoyed a very enjoyable Arabesque. Kept me going for the rest of the day. Not too much on the plate nor too little but just the right amount. The coffee was great too. Maybe due to covid there is less squashed in as I had felt once before. There was a bit more space. It is one of the better eateries in the Emerald area and certainly the Dandenong Ranges. Looks small from the outside and it is in actual fact but it packs a punch with the quality of the food and atmosphere. The chefs work nearby, you can see them behind a counter and waiting staff come to you and after ordering, bring you the meal. There was in a corner someone reading the newspaper, another spot had a couple chatting and some of the people knew each other from other tables and there was conversation going on throughout this small but cosy place. One could feel at home in this environment.

Written 11 July 2022

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.

Larnie

3 contributions

Beautiful food; good atmosphere, amazing staff

Mar 2023 • solo

This place is the best breakfast/brunch cafe anywhere in the area. They are a bit pricey but worth the extra cost. The menu is always seasonally aligned, the food is prepared with care and attention to detail, the flavour combinations are beyond delicious. The owners value treating their staff as well as they treat their customers. Cannot speak highly enough of them, their cafe or their food. Feel grateful and privileged to be able to enjoy this place regularly. 😊😊😊

Written 8 April 2023

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.

The General Food Store

What an absolutely lovely review, thank you so much for your kind words! Thank you also for your continued support and custom. We look forward to seeing you again soon! Have a wonderful week.

Written 10 April 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dennis P

Melbourne2248 contributions

GO THERE, GO THERE

Oct 2024 • couples

This was a wonderful find in the small town of Emerald The external is nothing exciting, and the interior is probably functional and thats all. Its once you order and receive your meal that this place takes on something special. The service we received was first class, friendly, prompt and inobtrusive. Our order consisted of a simple toasted sanwich with cheese, local ham, and jalapeno. The ham was plentiful and the taste excellent. The second order was Fruit and nut toast with home made ham. It too was reported as excellent. An iced coffee, and Iced chocolate, both with ice cream completed our meal It was not a cheap meal with the drinks costing $9 a piece, but the meals were well and truely worth the money. When next in the Dandenongs I fear the car may "inadvertantly" change direction foR Emerald so we can again visit this place

Written 22 October 2024

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.

Chris M

Melbourne44 contributions

Quality and Quantity

Dec 2021 • couples

Delicious food and very friendly and helpful service. Waiter showed us some great local walks. Eggs were free range from happy chickens and we ate the best gf bread of all time. Would rate 6/5

Written 21 December 2021

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.

David

Victoria3 contributions

Lovely Staff. Great breakfast

Jan 2022 • none

Popped into here as there was an odd unpleasant smell from the larger cafe nearby.. Lovely little cafe with an enticing aroma inside it, smells like a home kitchen. Ordered some basic breakfast items. Firstly, the staff were absolutely lovely, I was taken back a bit a how friendly they were it is that surprising.. Then the food came.. It was incredible and it was just simple fare but I found out they sourced locally and had standards to keep up so everything is monitored and boy does that help! Seriously, try their bacon and the Sourdough! Coffee was a little strong for my taste but well made none the less.. Wonderful!

Written 5 March 2022

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.

Toni V

Melbourne46 contributions

Deliciously different cafe menu choices

June 2023 • couples

A lunch stop here between bush walks proved to be an excellent decision. The food is innovative, delicious and best of all supports local producers. Very cosy and a limited amount of tables especially at the busy time we dropped in, but definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Written 6 July 2023

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.

John M

8 contributions

Licked out plates clean.

Feb 2023 • family

You absolutely knocked it put of the park. 10/10 on service, culture, quality of the food. Tried the new menu today & can’t say I’ve ever such a dynamic mixture of tastes & textures.

Written 4 February 2023

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.

Dougie, Owner/Manager

Wow! Thank you so much for your fantastic review John! We're so pleased you enjoyed our new menu! We hope to see you again soon, thank you so much again!

Written 6 February 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pam L

Melbourne501 contributions

My local choice

Feb 2021 • friends

I had lunch here with a friend. Great menu choices. Fresh local ingredients. My friend was pleased to have her preferred lactose free coffee. Friendly service . Support this great local business.

Written 12 February 2021

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.

meggi2travel

Melbourne12 contributions

Great little find

Dec 2021 • none

A great place to stop for coffee or a meal. Friendly service and delicious homemade food. We enjoyed our brunch and will be back.

Written 29 December 2021

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.

Nicole S

Frankston21 contributions

Incredible Cafe

Apr 2021 • none

The food & coffee at this little cafe were amazing and the staff were even better! The variety on the menu was great, fellow vegan diners were very impressed with options Prices great

Written 5 April 2021

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.

OuterAdelaideDot

37 contributions

Really enjoyable lunch

Mar 2020 • none

Great food with very interesting combinations (including vegetarian) and good coffee. Service was attentive and very friendly.

Written 25 March 2020

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.

Natasha C

1 contribution

Fantastic! Best cafe in the hills.

Jan 2020 • couples

We live locally and have tried every cafe in the area, the general food store is hands down our favorite spot. The food is incredible, and their menu changes with the seasons. You can always garantee on a fresh, well prepared and thought out dish. Some of my favourites the past few months have been the green eggs and ham ( poached eggs, prosciutto and salsa Verde on toast - love the name too!), tummy time (salmon, feta, avocado salad bowl), and how smashing (smashed avo on toast with feta and tomato). Their menu also always has vegatarian and vegan options too. The staff here are always friendly and welcoming. The store can get busy on the weekends - once when there was no seats available a staff member took our number while we took a short walk. He phoned us immediately when a spot opened up - very thoughtful and much nicer than standing around waiting. We've also booked in for one of their dinner events, where they serve a four course meal made with local and season produce - can't wait to try it - if my many, many visits to this place are anything to go off, it's going to be supurb!! Highly recommend checking this place out - an absolute gem.

Written 10 January 2020

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.

Samantha M

Melbourne31 contributions

Wonderful coffee, food and service.

Dec 2019 • couples

A great cafe, and a must-visit if in the area. Great coffee, really delicious meals and friendly service. The General Food Store also sells a range of house-made products, so if you enjoyed it with your meal you can take some with you! Best brunch for miles and miles. If I lived in the area, this would be my local go-to.

Written 5 December 2019

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.

littlemar2

Melbourne257 contributions

Excellent

Sept 2019 • none

Have just returned home from a 5 star breakfast experience at The General Food Store in Emerald. My husband and I could not fault it. Excellent, attentive service, great coffee and a varied menu of dishes from which to choose from. We had the brisket and the smashed avocado with poached eggs. Both delicious. We sat out in the back courtyard, which had overhead heaters to take off the morning chill. Highly recommended.

Written 21 September 2019

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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