The wife and I were in the CBD during the week to watch a midday stage show so we decided to have brunch beforehand and found our way to 16 Oliver Ln off Flinders St where this hidden gem of a café called 'Bowery to Williamsburg' is located. The cafe looks and feels like an American diner with a cool laid-back vibe with a small outdoor terrace area and sub ground floor area. Greeting and service by the staff was genuinely impressive who also didn't mind giving us a wrap on how long the cafe has been in operation and the type of food on offer. It feels great to see the 3x chefs strutting their meal cooking and prep skills and the barista pulling coffees in very close proximity to the indoor seating area We decided to order 3x different types of toasted sandwiches (refer to attached pics) that were absolutely delicious, and filling with great coffee as well. Now that we have discovered 'B2W' we will make it our go to brunch spot in the CBD as we do tend to see a lot of shows which are located in the immediate area. Highly recommended..!

We originally just ordered one of their famous Reuben, but we are so glad that we ordered one more beef brisket burger because this is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST Beef brisket burger I have ever had in Melbourne! Definitely gonna come back and try more dishes here! We love this place❤️

Service was great, attentive staff. Had high hopes based on the good reviews but unfortunately the food was poor. Ordered chicken & waffles and brisket & eggs. The waffles were chewy and not made to order. Chicken was nice but barely had any maple syrup and was hard to eat with the chewy waffles. Was charged $1.50 when I asked for some more maple syrup. The brisket was very dry and the cornbread had a really strong baking soda taste. Not sure if we came on a busy/bad day but the place was quite empty when we put our order in.

Tucked just off the main road, this hidden gem of a café feels like something straight out of a stylish American side street – effortlessly cool with a touch of industrial charm. The vibe is laid-back yet sharp, with an interior that invites you to linger and a staff that makes you feel instantly welcome. Service here is genuinely impressive. We were shown to a table right away, and everything flowed smoothly from the moment we walked in. I ordered one of the towering sandwiches I’d seen raved about in reviews, and it still managed to exceed expectations – about 1.5 times larger than I imagined, packed with a generous, juicy portion of meat. It was so hearty that I couldn’t finish it all, but the staff offered a takeaway container without me even having to ask – a small gesture that really stood out. The coffee? Exactly what you’d hope for in a café like this – bold, smooth, and served just right. It’s the kind of place that would easily become part of your daily routine if you lived nearby, offering not just great food and drinks but that rare feeling of comfort and consistency. A true local favourite waiting to be discovered.

The soy froth on the soy latte was just perfect. I even checked who the barista was(the Asian guy who made my coffee — you did amazing!) And the food? Absolutely amazing. Seriously, so good!! Don’t expect much from the service though. If the weather’s nice, I recommend getting takeaway and eating nearby.