Cafes

L'espresso

4.5 819 reviews 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM 417 Sturt St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia

Discover this place

At L'espresso, nestled in Ballarat Central, every moment is a delightful experience. This cozy cafe seamlessly blends sumptuous food with a vibrant atmosphere, showcasing a unique collection of vinyl and CDs that enhance its charm. Renowned for its hearty breakfasts and lunches, L'espresso serves a variety of fresh, healthy dishes ranging from almond croissants to confit duck leg. The inviting outdoor seating and friendly service make it a favorite among tourists and locals alike. Here, each dish is crafted with care, ensuring a memorable dining experience, whether you’re savoring a quick bite or enjoying a leisurely brunch. Come for the food, stay for the vibe!

Photos

Amenities & More

Service options

Outdoor seating
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights

Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Great wine list

Popular for

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop

Dining options

Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere

Casual
Cozy
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd

College students
Tourists

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with L'espresso before visiting.

Reviews for L'espresso

4.5

819 reviews

100%

36%

Review highlights

Based on 819 reviews

Reviews for L'espresso consistently highlight its high-quality food and excellent coffee as key strengths, making it a popular spot, especially on weekends. Customers appreciate the attentive and friendly service, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The menu offers satisfying options, including protein-rich dishes and well-seasoned meals, though some note the absence of a dedicated children's menu. The café's interior is described as cozy but somewhat cramped, with lighting that some find too dim. Parking can be challenging due to its central location, but nearby street options help mitigate this. Overall, L'espresso is praised for its vibrant ambiance, flavorful offerings, and reliable service, positioning it as a standout café and breakfast destination in Ballarat.

Tally Pun

Apr 26, 2025

No wonder this place is packed on Sun morning, the food is great, great seasoning, great service, inside is a little bit tight space but all will manage. They dont have kid or smaller menu/ version but the toasty could do. Everything is great!

Jade Rosina McCutcheon

Apr 12, 2025

I love the coffee here. Food is very good. Staff ate great! Parking can be tricky as it's on the main street in town, however side streets always have parking.The only negative for me is the extremely low lighting which makes it feel a bit dark and cold.

Edith May

Apr 09, 2025

Great fun! Loads of vinyl and cds. Good food. I’m on a high protein diet and the scrambled eggs with Parmesan was delicious. Recommend !

Samantha Kaspers

Mar 17, 2025

We stopped in for an impromptu lunch following the Tweed Ride for the Ballarat Heritage festival on Saturday, and even though they were about to finish lunch service, they still managed to fit 4 of us in for lunch. We sat outside in the lovely sunshine and enjoyed some beautiful pasta, gnocchi & and steak sandwich. We would definitely head back there for a meal. The coffee was great and the staff very friendly.

Anthony O'Daniel

Feb 23, 2025

1st time here. The best Eggs Benny I've ever tasted. The coffee was perfect and the service even better. Be hard pressed to fine a better cafe in Ballarat.

edelicious blog

Jan 27, 2025

Definitely one of the highlights of our visit ti Ballarat was this delicious breakfast surrounded by CDs and vinyl records. Vibe here is unmatched, and super friendly service makes it even better. Whether you're into cosy indoor corners or sunny outdoor seating, this cafe has it all. Highly recommend.

Jeremy D'Souza

Jan 25, 2025

Excellent customer service, delicious food and all within a beautiful atmosphere with a jazz theme. Loved it. I had the smashed avocado which was just the right amount. Thank you

Trent Cliffe

Jan 11, 2025

Pretty top food. I had some chilli prawn pasta which was amazing. Such good clean food. Really taste and really fresh. I also had an apple cake and a coffee with was also really great. Worth travelling to Ballarat for! Amazing service staff as well. Super friendly!