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Restaurant

L'espresso

417 Sturt St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia

Recommended by 34 people

Updated

Find L'espresso

417 Sturt St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 5333 1789
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About L'espresso

Right in central Ballarat, this moody haunt pairs serious espresso with crates of vinyl records and CDs to dig through. Settle into the low-lit timber interior when the regional chill sets in, or grab a sidewalk seat along Sturt Street. The kitchen rolls out scratch-made café plates—from golden sweet corn fritters to sardines on potato rosti—while the baristas pull creamy flat whites with a subtle nutty finish.

  • Music and vinyl racks: Crates of collectible vinyl LPs and CDs line the dining room walls for browsing between courses.
  • Moody interior: Warm timber styling and low lighting create a snug shelter from chilly regional weather.
  • All-day café fare: Scratch-made savoury plates, fresh house cakes, and creamy flat whites pulled with care.
RestaurantCoffeeCafe

What's On at L'espresso

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose L'espresso

Discover what makes L'espresso a beloved Sturt Street destination for coffee purists and music enthusiasts.

  • Melbourne-Calibre Specialty Coffee and Scratch Kitchen

    Crafting rich, full-bodied espresso and Melbourne-standard flat whites complemented by freshly made pastries and scratch breakfast fare.

    The coffee is no less than perfect and you won't be able to stop at just one. Devine cakes and pastry made freshly on premises.

    t clarke

  • Consistently Reliable Dining and Attentive Service

    Delivering consistently high culinary and beverage standards with attentive hospitality even during peak morning rushes.

    Absolutely the best coffee we have had for a long time. It was perfect. Delicious food, great menu and incredibly friendly staff.

    Ornella Tonetti

  • Integrated Vinyl and CD Crate Digging

    Offering a retail music catalog where patrons can discover rare collectible vinyl and CDs alongside their table.

    Amazing cafe with 100s of cds & vinyl. Some definite collectables & mind-blowing finds.

    Steve Davis

  • Record Store Hybrid Atmosphere

    Immersing visitors in a nostalgic jazz lounge aesthetic filled with background music, vintage artwork, and music racks.

    The ambiance of a jazz bar with records and CD available is a cherry on top of an excellent experience.

    Ian Dollery

  • Cosy Sanctuary From Freezing Regional Weather

    Providing an intimate haven from chilly, wet regional weather with warm welcomes and hot meals.

    It was freezing cold outside, but we were warmly welcomed by friendly staff and terrific service. A hot breakfast and coffee were the order of the day.

    Norm P.

  • Moody Dark-Wood Interior Ambience

    Featuring dark timber finishes, soft low lighting, and compact corners that create an inviting retreat.

    the space feels cosy and classy. Beautiful woodworks and small tables are surrounded by music records to browse through.

    Z. Alexiou

Signature breakfast, lunch, and specialty coffee favourites

  • Flat White

    the flat white was very good.

    Boris Kramar

  • Eggs Benedict

    Had the Eggs Benedict, orange juice and coffee. Delicious food and great customer service - highly recommend!

    L L

  • Steak Sandwich

    enjoyed some beautiful pasta, gnocchi & and steak sandwich.

    Samantha Kaspers

  • Sardines with Potato Rosti

    Sardines with potato rosti for me.

    t clarke

Other favorites

House-baked sweets and specialty espresso selections

  • Carrot Cake

    the best ever carrot cake.

    Jane M

  • Cronuts

    they make the best Cronuts.

    Yao Wang

  • Biscuits

    the biscuits were divine.

    Jay Kay

  • Long Black

    Excellent long black ~ full flavoured & rich krema.

    Steve Davis

Before you head over

Practical pointers on timing, seating, and parking for your visit

  • Arrive Early for Indoor Seating

    With limited interior seating and strong peak demand, arrive early to claim a spot inside or opt for the outdoor tables when weather permits.

  • Check Side Streets for Parking

    Sturt Street parking can be tight along the main strip, so look to adjacent side streets for easier vehicle parking.

  • Time Pastry Runs for 10am

    The cafe's signature cronuts are baked fresh and typically become available starting around 10am.

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