The Maling Room
The Maling Room
Crn Maling & Canterbury Rd
Canterbury
Lovely old building, great natural light… but the praise might end here. Spacing of tables was not thoughtful; for instance, to look at the cakes etc. on display one has to squeeze behind chairs and tables. Service was not entirely clear. We had to order at the counter, but I saw some folk being served at their tables(?). The coffee was quite good, but not up to our expectations*: the long black lacked density and depth – although our cappuccino tester was happy with her coffee. There was no music, which was a plus.
The atmosphere was not one which we at cafesmelbourne.com enjoy. I like a cafe which is not too busy, but has a buzz, perhaps even a sense of excitement. However at the Maling Room the atmosphere was somehow indifferent. We felt as though it didn’t really matter whether we were present or not. Wait staff seemed to drift or float around without providing even an occasional attentive eye.
12/20
- A placard stuck onto the front counter advertises the The Maling Room is ranked very highly by Crema.
Hi – i read your review. Harsh but true!
Thanks for you honesty. ‘Everyone’ says this cafe is the best in the world, but it’s not!
— Jill · May 6, 11:43 PM · #
Coffee’s variable, but usually quite good. Unfortunately, the food is largely a disaster, and the service totally clueless. A shame, this could be a real highlight of the ‘burbs.
— Gnyd · Oct 23, 11:28 AM · #
I’ve been very impressed by Mailing Room coffee – on four visits. The milk texturing is sublime and the the coffee itself definitive. Re set up and atmosphere well it seems to suit Canterbury which I don’t dig… until Mailing Room.
— E · Nov 4, 12:19 AM · #
I posted about them in October, but returned last Saturday for a much improved experience. Seemed to be a better choice of food – the breakfast platter that arrived next table looked good. My muffin was stale – definitely baked yesterday.
The service was also much better, though still patchy (not sure how so many servers can provide so little service). Payment process is a schemozzle, slow with frequently a queue, and very stingy that they don’t accept Amex.
Coffee was good, though the tiniest single espresso I have ever had. Partner’s latte was very good.
The improvements were worthwhile, though it still doesn’t quite live up to the good reviews I have read about it, and feels too “suburban” compared to the best in Melbourne, like St Ali’s.
Will go back, to see if improvements are just luck, or more permanent.
— Gnyd · Mar 11, 12:11 PM · #