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There's so many cafes in Melbourne, new ones seem to be popping up every day. We like cafes and we like coffee. This site aims to uncover some of these great places.

Cicalata

Cicalata
323 Lygon Street
Carlton VIC 3053

03 9641 8899

Public Transport: Catch any tram with “Melbourne Uni” on its Front (from City or South of) and get off at Melbourne Uni, the last stop. Walk East and you’ll come across Lygon St.
If you’re in the North, easiest to explain is: go into the city and catch a Melb Uni tram back up, from Swanston St. Otherwise, lucky ones can catch a handy Toorak No. 8 which comes from the North, from Coburg, and it’ll take you within a stones throw: get off corner Elgin and Lygon Sts.

cicalata photo

I’ve been to this cafe three times now, each time I like it more. The first time it was by chance. I noticed Cicalata had taken the place of an average cafe.

It’s a smart cafe, new tables seats and a pull-out awning. Just inside the front window there’s four white bar stools. Most noticeable to me first up were the friendly waiter staff. Then the fair pricing. And considering this is in a great location, near Readings, the Nova, and the rest that Carlton has to offer, this cafe is a good find.

Today I couldn’t sit outside, but there’s seats available inside. Which reminds me of another plus: each time I’ve come to this cafe there was no problem getting a seat. The first two times I sat outside. This morning I take a bar stool. The door is open and a gentle breeze comes in. I’m served promptly, offered a menu and asked what I’d like to drink. Long black straight up, and later I order pancakes.

Outside two old guys sit at a table. One smokes a pipe and the other has a crisp glass of white in front of him. At least two people have books. Bottles of water are at tables.

When the long black comes it has a dark-golden crema. It’s hot and the flavour is a smooth blend not a strong one. Pancakes are not my normal order at a cafe. The pancakes I got today will be a cafe meal I remember. Two pancakes, one on top of the other, blackberries, maple syrup and a dollop of vanilla ice-creme. Not being a great food connoisseur, I won’t try to describe the flavours etc., but it was elegantly presented the whole lot sat together well and it wasn’t over the top. It tasted great.

Total price came to $11.30

Rating, 15/20

27 March 06 by Lawrence Martin

4 Comments for Cicalata

  1. Nice 2 C a more sophisticated modern-designed cafe on Lygon compared with the the more chintzy or traditional Italian looking ones all along the strip.

    — Ling Ling · Jul 1, 08:07 PM · #

  2. Got there by chance also with a girlfriend.
    Coffee (Latte) was one of the best I have had actually. Really smooth. GF had a long black which she was v. happy with too.
    Food was great too. Had the sweet potato and pumpkin gnocchi. Besides the fact that they didn’t look anything like gnocchi, they tasted delicious and the sauce was complimenting.
    Staff was friendly and professional.
    Great all round. will be back.

    — anne · Jun 24, 07:58 PM · #

  3. This review was posted two years ago and the old man who smokes the pipe, you still see him there everyday! I should know, I’m a melbourne uni student and i go to cicalata’s all the time. they have the best lattes in carlton, really quality stuff. but this is so cool, if u wanna see that old man smoking the pipe, jus swing by any morning of the week, around 10am to lunch time. he’s ALWYS there

    — garry · Jul 3, 12:08 AM · #

  4. I see him there too! He’s a Carlton icon that man.

    — Lawrence · Jul 4, 11:09 AM · #