This little gem is tucked away in the quiet, leafy streets of Armadale, located conveniently right next to the station. Like it's name suggests the building was once a Coin Laundry, turned into what I believe is one of the best cafe's in all of Melbourne. Thats right; I said it. If you're a Melbournian or have visited our great city, you will know of our cafe lifestyle and our claim as being a melting pot of culture and cuisines (among a number of other things; #sport). So it's a fairly big call, but it is one that I will make nonetheless.
Coin Laundry is a bustling cafe, always bursting with patrons wishing to get a seat. So a tip is to try go earlier rather than later; so wake up that little bit earlier and get down to snap up a sought-after seat here. If you do find yourself in line, make sure that you see one of the waiters and put your name on a waiting list. I made the mistake of standing in line and awkwardly waited for a long time before knowing that there was even a list! But never fear, while you wait there is an side section with a few wooden stools and the waiters are more than happy to serve you coffee while you wait.
Onto the food! The food here is of generous abundance. Coin Laundry has an extensive list of breakfast options, lunch options, and specials that change regularly.
Despite the vast array on offer here, I always gravitate towards the same dish time and time again. 'The Coin Laundry Breakfast'.
NOTE: in the picture above I chose to add mushrooms to the breakfast, another favourite addition of mine.
It is the perfect marriage of ingredients on the one plate; a combination I have not been able to find elsewhere in my numerous food expeditions. Smashed avocado, roma tomatoes, bacon, beetroot relish, spinach and poached eggs with a generous slice of toast. Could it get any better? For this blogger, no, it cannot.
This dish is my all time favourite combination. It is generously big, and often I cannot finish it, but the combination of ingredients is just too good to pass up each time. It is a simple concept, similar to a 'big breakfast', but it is a concept done right, time and time again.
The bacon is twisted and pierced onto skewers (perhaps for presentation sake) but while the skewers are often burnt, the bacon maintains its crunch around its edges, and its firm chewy saltiness in the centre. The smashed avocado smooth and slightly salty, contrasted beautifully with the sweet relish of finely diced beetroot. The tomatoes are grilled slightly, yet are soft but manage to maintain their shape, falling like an avalanche when cut. And the eggs poached to perfection with the oozing yolk impressing each time. Like I have said (to all that will hear me), this dish is simple, but it is when simple dishes are done to this quality that I am really impressed.
And don't get me started on the coffee here. Every time I have been to Coin Laundry I always order the LARGE coffee (skinny flat white is my poison of choice for those of you wondering) and boy is it huge. The coffee is just how I like it; strong, bold, fragrant and rich in flavour and in size. I will admit that I can get lost in the thousands of coffee types on offer- different types of beans, types of roasts etc- I get so confused. But I can tell when coffee is done right and when its done wrong. Here at Coin Laundry the coffee, in all its enormity, is done right.
The quality of the food here, and the attentiveness of its staff make Coin Laundry a buzzing establishment in Armadale. If you come on a weekend for breakfast or lunch expect to have a wait for a table. The wait is worth it! And the number of dishes on offer, each sounding more delicious than the next, is sure to make you want to go back for more.
I am glad that Coin Laundry is no longer a place for locals to do their washing and laundry. And judging by the number of people that go through the doors, and the popularity of the food, the cafe is surely here to stay.
Coin Laundry
61 Armadale Street
Armadale
