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Restaurant

Monk Bodhi Dharma

Rear, 202 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183, Australia

Recommended by 73 people

Updated

Find Monk Bodhi Dharma

Rear, 202 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 478 932 556
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Monk Bodhi Dharma

Tucked down a rear Balaclava laneway in a converted garage, Monk Bodhi Dharma pairs precision espresso with inventive plant-based dining. Six tables, a shared communal bench, and zero pretension. Espresso regulars swear by the rotating single origins and rich pour-overs, while the signature dirty chai gets an unmistakable boost from fresh house-made almond milk. In the kitchen, the focus stays squarely on wholesome, deeply savory cooking—think hearty umami mushrooms spooned over polenta bread with house vegan almond feta, or golden zucchini hotcakes balanced with cooling coconut cream. Exceptionally coeliac-friendly, entirely vegetarian, and relaxed by design, it leaves the noisy street far behind and simply lets the food speak for itself.

  • Hidden Laneway Setting: Concealed off Carlisle Street with no front street signage, offering six tables and a communal bench in a rustic converted garage.
  • Dialed-In Coffee & House Chai: Rotating single origins, batch brews, and a celebrated dirty chai textured with fresh in-house almond milk.
  • Inventive Plant-Based Fare: A strictly vegetarian and vegan-forward menu with ample coeliac-safe options, anchored by umami mushrooms on polenta bread and zucchini hotcakes.
  • Warm Community Vibe: Unhurried service from a welcoming team that treats regulars and newcomers like neighborhood familiars.
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What's On at Monk Bodhi Dharma

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Monk Bodhi Dharma

Six reasons diners choose Monk Bodhi Dharma for specialty coffee and plant-based dining

  • Inventive Plant-Based Comfort Dishes

    The kitchen crafts hearty, inventive vegan dishes including umami mushrooms on polenta bread and light, fluffy banana dharma pancakes.

    The Umami mushrooms on polenta bread, with their in-house made vegan almond feta was very delicious and the Banana Dharma pancakes served with vegan vanilla icecream were so light and fluffy.

    Vanisha Shah

  • Nourishing and Hearty Flavors

    Dishes are designed to be wholesome and deeply satisfying, providing robust warmth and comfort without feeling limiting.

    Loved the umami mushrooms! The chili oil and the sauce was giving such warm and fuzzy taste! Loved every single bite!

    Nutriessence

  • House-Crafted Fresh Almond Milk

    Espresso drinks and chai are paired with in-house prepared fresh almond milk that elevates beverage texture and flavor.

    Fantastic coffee on house made almond milk. Food is delicious. Lots of gluten free options.

    Mathew Bacsik

  • Specialty Single-Origin Coffee Program

    A dedicated specialty coffee program highlights roasted beans, single-origin varietals, and spiced chai.

    Coffee. Go here for the coffee. Disciple beans, 3 single origins on every day, all incredible.

    Kieran Malloch

  • Concealed Laneway Sanctuary

    Situated in a converted garage off a rear laneway, the tucked-away setting rewards diners seeking a tranquil local retreat.

    This is about us discovering one of those truly hidden gems that you really do not want to miss.

    Boris Stojanovic

  • Destination Worth Discovering

    The unassuming rear location allows the venue to focus entirely on culinary craft and exceptional brew quality.

    If you didn't know it was there you would never find this place. But it makes up on the inside for their lack of exterior decoration.

    David Kaminski

Beloved brunch staples and handcrafted drinks that define the cafe experience

  • Umami Mushrooms

    the Unami Mushrooms which were incredibly tasty and a generous portion size

    95frose

  • Zucchini Hotcakes

    Zucchini hotcakes are a must try too! Flavour in every bite.

    Nutriessence

  • Banana Dharma Pancakes

    Banana Dharma pancakes served with vegan vanilla icecream were so light and fluffy

    Vanisha Shah

  • Signature Chai

    Their signature chai was insanely good - it’s officially the best chai I’ve had.

    Em

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches and house-crafted details that elevate the Monk Bodhi Dharma experience

  • House-Crafted Fresh Almond Milk

    Drinks and specialty chai are prepared using freshly made, in-house almond milk crafted on site rather than standard packaged milk.

  • Scratch-Made Vegan Artisan Pantry Items

    Savory brunch plates are built with scratch-made plant-based components like house-crafted almond feta and pumpkin polenta bread.

  • Curated Single Origin Roasts & Geisha Pour-Overs

    Espresso and filter offerings feature daily rotating single origins—such as washed Geisha beans—alongside batch brew and pour-overs from dedicated roasters.

  • Thoughtful Leftover Care for Generous Portions

    Team members proactively offer takeaway containers for oversized portions like massive bowls of porridge without guests having to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you find the cafe?

Monk Bodhi Dharma is tucked behind Carlisle Street in an unassuming converted garage space off a laneway, adjacent to the Woolworths/Coles car park area. Look closely as there is no prominent storefront signage.

What dietary and plant-based options are available?

The menu is entirely plant-based and vegetarian, offering a wide selection of vegan dishes (including house-made almond feta, hungry jumbo, and vegan ice cream) alongside coeliac-safe gluten-free choices like buckwheat pancakes and polenta bread. Note that dairy milk is still available for coffee alongside plant-based milks.

What are the most popular menu dishes to order?

Signature favourites include the Umami Mushrooms on polenta bread, Zucchini Hotcakes, and the sweet Banana Dharma Pancakes made with buckwheat.

What coffee and chai options are featured?

The cafe offers Disciple specialty beans featuring multiple single origins, pour-over filters, batch brews, and espresso drinks, alongside a signature spiced chai crafted with house-made fresh almond milk.

Is seating limited during peak times?

The cafe is intimate with around six tables and a communal dining table, meaning it can get busy during peak morning and weekend brunch hours. Visiting off-peak makes it easier to secure seating promptly.

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