[Melbourne] Down in North Melbourne is Auction Rooms, a café that some consider one of the pinnacles of the coffee capital.
They were once named “Melbourne’s Best Café” in The Age Good Café Guide awards.
The building that houses Auction Rooms was originally built in the 1800s, and it still retains many of its historic features today.
Those who know the café scene would be familiar with what made Auction Rooms what it is today: its coffee.
Behind Auction Rooms was Small Batch, a coffee roastery that wanted a café space to serve brewed cups in addition to their beans.
Today, Small Batch is one of the leading coffee wholesalers in the city. While they no longer own Auction Rooms, the café still sticks to using the well-sourced and delicately roasted coffee beans provided by Small Batch.
Much like how the original owner of Auction Rooms first tinkered with coffee in his backyard, the established café keeps a rustic vibe by turning an old warehouse into its home.
It also takes its name from the previous tenant of the shop space, which was the WB Ellis auction house.
Outside, the blue bricks, rusty corrugated steel, and faded letter prints are easily identifiable.
This stands in sharp contrast to the more polished interior.
With a high ceiling, the natural light is aplenty, and the vertical cylindrical tube lights are reduced to aesthetic purposes, since the café closes by 4pm.
The kitchen is tucked to the side while the bar counter takes center stage. Although seats are in excess, there is a high demand to match it at any time.
That being said, even if it is just a takeaway, the espresso is a must.
Their cup of White (AUD 5) is brewed with the Orthodox Blend by St ALi, which carries a chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch profile. It is basically designed for the milk-based coffee.
The opposite would be the Black (AUD 5), made from the Feels Good Organic blend by ST ALi, that has a pronounced sweetness and balanced acidity.
On a single page all-day menu, Auction Rooms delivers a mix of sweet breakfast, savoury brunch, delightful mains, and simple sides, both heavy and light.
Of note is the Baked Eggs in capsicum, red onion and spiced tomato sauce (AUD 26), served with a number of root vegetables, cheese, and garlic bread. It is akin to a shakshuka, turned more deluxe.
I had the Corn Beef Hash with Slow Cooked Beef (AUD 25) and switched the poached eggs into scrambled.
The cured beef brisket is slow-cooked overnight, complemented with pickled vegetables, shredded potatoes, pita bread and topped with a splash of homemade Sriracha hollandaise.
Else, there are the likes of a Breakfast Board (AUD 26) is served with rosti, smoked salmon, egg, granola; Brioche French Toast (AUD 25) with nuts, berries, raw cacao, and maple syrup.
Fancy a hearty lunch? Take a Chargrilled Beef Burger (AUD 24), which is a BLT with cheese here, orang Chicken and Mushroom Congee (AUD 25), Szechuan-style.
Auction Rooms is a welcoming destination in North Melbourne, offering good coffee and brunch food in a historic and beautifully restored building.
Auction Rooms
103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia
Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 4pm (Sat – Sun)
Google Maps – Auction Rooms
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* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
