The Hardware Societe - Melbourne

French style cafe in the alley! Continuing Melbourne's creative uses of laneways, this place is located down one of them - just look for the rooster statue

Great little place down an alleyHowever, the soy milk Long Mac I received was split.

The Hardware Societe is wonderful! In Melbourne cafe scene, their popularity is second to none and no matter which day of the week, you would always see

Prepare for a bit of a wait as this place is popular but it's well worth it! Staff were very attentive, took our names for a table and we were seated within 20 minutes. Great service and the food did not disappoint. Would highly recommend the baked eggs and the hot chocolate was to die for.

I arrived on a weekday and there was a 15-20 minute wait. I really wonder what happens on weekends. It is obviously a very popular place. I am happy that it wasn't too long a wait. I was contemplating leaving the line when a staff member came and put me on the list. I had a lobster Benedict and a latte which was good. I love my Benedict, and my hollandaise slightly tart. The hollandaise wasn't as tart as I would like it. In my mind I was expecting a lobster tail on my Benedict. Would have made a great instagram post. But, sometimes, life doesn't happen the way you imagine it. It was nonetheless good. The service was prompt, and a tip, perhaps go early to avoid the queue.Would I have gone elsewhere if the queue was long? Perhaps. I can say that because I've been there before.