Pillar of Salt is epic in biblical proportions! It is one of the best cafes in Melbourne. Come here for great ambience, gourmet food and amazing coffee!

First impressions are key. We rolled up as a group of 8 on a Sunday afternoon and had to wait 20 minutes for a table. The staff were good about it, saying there was a 20 minute wait but “are you happy to wait 20 minutes?” I like that – it’s not presumptuous but polite. No sooner had we ordered coffee to consume out the front, when a table became available.

I love the fact the waiter called me by my name the whole time. Even when we left he thanked me by name. As the place was packed and he was serving many tables, I was amazed by this. A sign of excellent service.

In fact all the staff were friendly, attentive, even chirpy.

Upon entering the café I was impressed by the ambience of a bustling café. I loved the counter area and the syphon coffee stations. These guys take coffee seriously and also offer single origins and cold drips. I had a latte and it was brilliant.

As we moved through the café I noticed awesome dining areas, including a long communal table with funky lighting and walls of exposed brick.

We were taken into the fabulous courtyard! I love this place! Great ambience with timber booths, tables and brickwork/plants along walls.

Funky music at all times adds to the ambience.

The menu is highly impressive in terms of breakfast and lunch options. I was tossing up between the chilli scrambled eggs or the beans. Or on the lunch menu I was recommended the spiced fish taco or the lamb burger.

I ordered the Pillar Lamb Burger – which came with red onion, cos, feta, an amazing cumin aoli and some of the thickest hand cut chips you will ever see!

The burger was one of the best I’ve had. The thick lamb patty (though I could detect some mint) was sublime and cooked to perfection. The hand cut chips were great and the aoli top class. The bun itself wasn’t massive, but this seems to be the trend. The star was that lamb pattie.

The chicken baguette was also a sensation. It came as a generous serving with great fresh bread and full of chicken that had been marinated (detected garlic).

Even a friend who ordered a toastie raved about that – great bread and delicious filling.

I’m so impressed with Pillar of Salt at every level. Every aspect excels and pleases. Will be back!

Pillar of Salt, 541 Church St Richmond– Cafe – Food 9 Coffee 9.5 Ambience 9.5