Lovely Cafe for Senior

I am not a huge fan of coffee shops in shopping centres but I’m happy to make an exception for The Boulevard Café and Tearooms in Woodvale.

After energetically taking part in a line dancing session every Friday, my friends and I make a beeline for the Boulevard Café as we are definitely in need of some light refreshments!

The café caters for breakfast and lunch diners as well as casual coffee drinkers. Lots of items on the breakfast menu look enticing – Eggs Benedict ($17), Avo Smash with Feta ($15) and a Pancake Stack ($12) were just three that caught my eye. Lunch looks good too with a variety of toasted sandwiches, homemade quiches and pies as well as fish and chips, burgers and salads. Milkshakes seemed to be very popular with flavours such as Banana Bomb ($8.60), Acai Energizer ($8) and Watermelon Berry ($8).

On Sunday my husband and I went to the Boulevard Café for afternoon tea. As well as our usual tea and coffee, we also indulged in a sweet treat. It was difficult to choose – should we have the Mars Bar slice, the lime coconut cake, the chocolate éclair or the mixed berry friand? The chocolate éclair ($5.50) was the winner. It was a large chocolate éclair so very easy to split it in half although, to be honest, either of us could have polished the entire cake off in no time at all! It was very good.

My tea was served in a lovely pink china cup – there is something about having tea in proper china, which makes it taste so much better. My husband’s coffee (from local roasters, Jacksy’s) came in a mug but he said it was excellent anyway.

Two groups were having an old-fashioned, vintage afternoon tea when we were there – scones, savouries, cakes and BYO Bubbles – what more could one want? The tables were set with white tablecloths and beautiful china.

China is something of a speciality with the Boulevard Café. There is a lot on display and for sale. As well as china, the Boulevard also sells books, jewellery, quirky clocks and textiles.

The café seats around 40 inside with tables for about ten outside the main area. It’s always busy and I’ve found every member of staff to be pleasant, friendly, helpful and efficient. It also caters for groups as well as casual customers.

Even although The Boulevard Café and Tearooms is a reminder of times gone by, the team are keeping up with global trends: using fresh local produce, happy to serve coffee in customer’s reusable cups eliminating straws and using biodegradable packaging.

Next time you head north of the river, take in this lovely little café – you won’t be disappointed!

Address: Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre, Corner Whitfords Avenue and Trappers Drive, Woodvale

Phone: 0893091665

Reservations: Yes

Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 8am-5pm, Saturday – 8am-4pm, Sunday – 11am-4pm

Gluten-free options: Yes

Vegetarian options: Yes

Restrooms: Clean and accessible, located just outside the entrance to the shopping centre, next to Go Vita health store.

Parking: Loads of parking around the shopping centre including ACROD spaces.