The menu was unique and everything we tried was delicious. I ordered an oat flat white with the Big White Rabbit beans, and the coffee was outstanding. Even though it was a white coffee, the tasting notes were very clear and well balanced. It was honestly one of the most memorable flat whites I have ever had.

This is my absolute favourite place to go, usually for birthdays. The food is always great, service is excellent. It is often very busy but fast. The coffee is market lane coffee and is very good. I often have the French toast and they do change their menu every quarter. Staff has been there for a long time so I would also guess it’s a good place to work. I cannot fault them. Just be prepared to wait for a table if you arrive too late.

Great cafe spot with lots of seating and a quirky vibe. Service was excellent and we got seated straight away when we came during a weekday, it seems like weekends are definitely busier. The Croque Madame was good, had a lot of Gruyère and a good amount of ham too but nothing too special. The coffee was excellent and you can tell they take it seriously, as they serve Market Lane coffee. Definitely add to the list of cafes to visit while in Melbourne and aim to come during a weekday!

Visited in Nov 2025 Hardware Societe is one of the most popular breakfast/brunch places in MEL as per multiple online lists. So decided to try it out during my recent trip to the city. We did not have a reservation and did a walk in, and were able to get a table in 5 mins. If you can, I think it’s best to make a reservation as we saw a 15-20min wait queue forming outside while we were eating. For food we ordered the Croque Madame, the Fancy Roast Chicken Sandwich and the Benedict of the Week. The Benedict of the Week came with scallops and was my favourite of the 3 items we ordered. For drinks we ordered some iced coffee and cold pressed juice. All the food items we ordered were decent in taste/flavour, and the portion sizes were spot on for brunch/breakfast. Service was excellent. Kudos to the team here for ensuring good service with the quick rotation of tables, prompt order taking, and low wait times for the food to arrive. Overall a very decent brunch/breakfast place but not the best I’ve tried in MEL.

What a gem! This quirky and inviting cafe has completely won me over. I came for a treat and discovered what might be the best hot chocolate I've ever had (bold claim, but maybe even the best in Australia!). Everything here is top-tier: the food and service are both flawless—a solid 10/10. If you're looking for a great cafe experience, this is it. Cannot recommend it highly enough!