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CUISINES
Cafe, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
features
Is this restaurant good for business meetings?
Details
CUISINES
Cafe, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
155 reviews
Excellent
95
Very good
38
Average
10
Poor
8
Terrible
4
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne12069 contributions
June 2022 • friends
Lilydale is on the up-and-up food wise.
After the town being in a lull for many years, things are starting to change and thankfully, Round Bird Can’t Fly is part of the rise in culinary delights in this town.
A friend invited me and between us we drove 50kms to get there (it was halfway point) and so glad she recommended this place.
We’d booked a table on a cold Sunday lunch and with the rain teaming down, it was lovely to walk into a full café with a friendly, warm atmosphere. The décor is recycled industrial with the warm of homemade produce on the shelves and local artwork on the walls.
The menu isn’t huge, so the choices are easy to make.
After a hot chocolate (with handmade marshmallow square) and latte each, we ordered two meals that were superb.
The meals arrived and served on stunning pottery which seems to be a theme at Round Bird. The gnocchi with heirloom tomatoes, stracciatella and prosciutto and basil ($25) plus the bento bowl with miso rice, teriyaki tofu, avocado, broccoli, edamame, pickled carrot, vegan kimchi and my friend ordered mushrooms as well ($25)
The gnocchi was handmade and the texture was light without being too cheesy, which often happens with cafes. The prosciutto was thinly sliced and not overloaded on the plate, giving the taste a combination of salty, creamy and delicate puffy gnocchi. My friend’s bento bowl was refreshing with an abundance of fresh vegetables and ideal for the vegetarian or vegan. Which brings me to another tick in their favour – they cater for dietary requirements of their guests. So just let the staff know if there is something on the menu that you’d like without the ‘this’ or the ‘that’.
Takeaway coffee appears to be a roaring trade and with the exceptional cakes display, there is something for those that have a sweet tooth.
Local food wares available for sale at the front of the cafe plus, the pottery that the meals are served on are also for sale at the front of the cafe.
If you were coming for dinner, there is a small wine list with reasonable prices.
Nicely, there is a private dining area that has the decor that’ll
Appeal to everyone.
There is outdoor seating as well and once the warmer weather comes around, it would be the perfect place to sit with family or friends and pass the time with drinks / meal.
Parking is pretty good out the front but there are time limits, so beware.
Access into the café is very good. Seating can be accommodated for a wheelchair or if someone needs more space / accessability..
Disabled toilet which also includes a change table plus one other toilet.
Staff were friendly, helpful but also discreet, not interrupting our long overdue catch-up, filled with joyous memories and tears.
Summary: 10 out of 10. A must visit in all seasons and explore the rotating menu.
Written 6 June 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.
Biddy133
Melbourne10 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
We had the mushroom gnocchi and satay tofu noodles bowl. The gnocchi was clearly housemade and were light and fluffy. The mushroom ragu was rich and full of flavour. The tofu was crispy and the satay sauce was not too sweet (as they often are in our experience). The noodle salad had a perfectly balanced asian dressing. My flat white was also perfect and the OH hot chocolate was "the best [she's] ever had, not too sweet, and properly hot". The visual presentation was several levels above what we expect from a cafe. Highly recommend.
Written 25 March 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.
Chaylee K
Sydney11 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
Fabulous produce-driven breakfast of scrambled eggs, roast tomatoes, mushrooms and local bacon on sourdough. Simple ingredients perfectly executed... just what I needed. Husband ate croquettes with halloumi & avo & poached egg. Also delicious. Service was stellar and speedy.
Written 21 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.
vicki c
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • friends
The food and service leave a lot to be desired.
I understand grunge, but this place takes it too far.
The chef needs to back off the salt content, and learn about blending flavours.
Such a disappointment.
The only positive thing I can say is that we didn't have to pay for the burger (or should I say the salt mound in bread)
Written 4 January 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.
Robin C
249 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
This place used to be very good now not so.
Today poor service, my wifes meal was wrong so we ate separately.
My poached eggs were about the size of walnuts??
My wifes fruit toast was so so not enough butter and ordinary jam.
No one offered any salt & pepper for my meal, there were no condiments on our table or near by to use.
We asked for extra hot coffee although nice was only luke warm
Written 23 November 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.
704karinaw
24 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
I had read about this cafe 2 years ago in a magazine and until last weekend had not had the chance to visit as we are 4 hours away. Its a lovely airy, plant filled space with some great ideas to store plants in home made rio stands (I think i might even pinch the idea) anyway getting off track....back to the food. We couldn't make a decision so decided to go with the breaky buffet OMG we needed a bigger table and even had to use the table next to us for the last dish that came out. Food was amazing, coffee was great and the staff were really lovely, we will be back.
Written 8 February 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.
Judy
50 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Came here for a Birthday lunch and was not disappointed. The menu is always varied, so you can try different things every time you come here, which I do, today I had the potato and onion tortilla which was a very delicious and filling, I especially loved the white anchovy fritters. Yum!! Great range of produce that includes vegetarian and vegan. Friendly staff and reasonably priced.
Written 25 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.
Beegee307
Melbourne50 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
Used to be a great place with fabulous food for breakfast but has gone downhill. Food was average at best. I thought it had changed hands that’s how different the quality was but they said it hadn’t. Sorry but we left our food. So many other places to try in Lilydale.
Written 19 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.
PJOK
Kyneton14 contributions
Dec 2024 • solo
I’ve dined here a few times. The food is always exceptional. Just had the calamari with pear and ginger salad. Wow!!
Great coffee, great service, great food and relaxed setting.
Written 26 December 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.
Michael C
1 contribution
June 2024 • family
Great spot for lunch as always.
I had the Curry with rice roti and pickles.
My wife had the vege option cauliflower with Chemoula.
Coffee was spot on.
Written 4 June 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.
Pascale R
Melbourne3 contributions
May 2023 • couples
We went here for Mother's Day today, we had a booking for outside, and it took a little bit to get the order taken. The menu on the website is their old menu but they also had their old menu in the restaurant, but you couldn't order off of it, but it was given to a few tables by mistake and some tables were annoyed. Just remove the menus and take them out the back?
Anyways, there are a few vegan items on the menu, the item I wanted was the 'vegan option' so I asked what the vegan option was and the waiter said 'I actually don't know, I'm quite new here'. When I worked in hospitality we were not allowed to tell tables we were new as that is a poor excuse for not knowing something, just say I will find out and come back. He went to ask and came back and said they just remove the poached eggs. Which the vegan community hates because why should we not get it replaced with something if we are paying the same price, the eggs are $7 but we are paying the same, uh no thank you, so I asked if I could have them replaced with the scrambled tofu and he said that should be fine. He was very nice just needed more training.
The food tasted delicious and definitely made up for the service, although the scrambled tofu was small, like a 1/4 cup worth, so that was very disappointing. for $7 I'd expect a minimum of a cup worth as tofu is cheap.
The restaurant was poorly organised today, staff seem to need more training, there was a very long wait to pay and there were 4 staff members just hanging out at the coffee machine.
I like the area the cafe is in and the interior is modern and there are a lot of nice little things to buy for home.
It is a 25-minute drive from my home so if the service was better, prices aren't bad, a little on the higher end, would adjust prices for vegan options or have a replacement for non vegan food. I'd definitely try again because the taste of food is worth it.
Written 13 May 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.
Nila K
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • none
Food tasted great. The only thing is we ordered 3 salmon and when we got our order, one of them is half the size of the other 2. Everybody was staring and saying how small it is compared to the other 2! I felt a bit cheated😦 When they plated it, they could see it but didnt do anything about it.
Written 1 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.
Rachael951
Melbourne1053 contributions
Jan 2021 • family
Eating here recently for breakfast was a pleasant surprise. The menu was interesting and caters for all types of eaters. The service was quick and efficient and our meals came out quickly despite them being quite busy with both diners in house as well as take always. A great selection of cakes as well as a huge range of jams, preserves and the like for sale as well. The food was fresh and delicious and I be happy to return here again and try the lunch menu. The homemade smoked cured salmon was an absolute standout and went superbly with poached eggs and grainy toast.
Written 1 January 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.
MrDavetheSarks
Melbourne19025 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Breakfast menu not that fantastic, but tea was nice. Liked the atmosphere as well, and staff were quite friendly too. Not too bad.
Written 3 May 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.
Garry B
Melbourne1674 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Popped in here this morning for takeaway coffee. Not heard of the beans before - 4 Stones?. Service was quick, temperature good, flavor OK, but lacked some body.
Written 9 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.
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