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.More

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!More

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

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

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

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.

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

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!More

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.More

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.More

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.More

The General Food Store provides excellent fare for breakfasts and lunches. The menu changes monthly, offering seasonal fare to make the most of the bountiful fresh foods on hand. There are of course a few 'old favourite' items which remain on the menu at all...times and is no doubt testimony to their popularity. Staff are always helpful and friendly and have a good understanding of the menu. As everything is cooked to order there is plenty of opportunity to and or subtract ingredients to any particular menu item. There is usually a good selection of pastries and cakes in their patisserie cabinet which caters for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. You may finish your meal with your choice of a variety of speciality teas or coffees. The only drawback t the General is its small size which sometimes makes getting a table an exercise in patience. But do be patient, it is worth the wait.More