Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Penny Lane Island Cafe

22 Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Penny Lane Island Cafe

22 Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 5900 2962
HoursMonday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Penny Lane Island Cafe

Duck five metres off Thompson Avenue into a breezy laneway for hearty, unhurried coastal plates without main-strip crowds. Longtime regulars lean on the kitchen for big morning plates—think crisp hash browns, smashed avo, and fluffy pancakes—paired with smooth espresso. Midday shifts effortlessly toward comforting chicken risotto, golden flathead tails, and classic chicken parmas, all kept comfortably under thirty dollars. Staff treat tricky dietary requests and tailored kids' plates with genuine cheer, leaving you to kick back outdoors with a cold Carlton Draught.

  • Tucked-Away Laneway Setting: Located just off Thompson Avenue next to bike locking spots, offering an unhurried, calm escape from busy foot traffic.
  • Flexible Dietary Accommodations: The kitchen readily adapts dishes for strict food allergies, custom orders, and children's portions.
  • Sub-$29 Coastal Comforts: From breakfast stacks to crispy calamari, flathead tails, and parmas, every plate sits comfortably under $29.
RestaurantCoffeeCafeRestaurant

What's On at Penny Lane Island Cafe

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose Penny Lane Island Cafe

Discover why locals and holidaymakers choose Penny Lane Island Cafe for relaxed laneway dining in Cowes.

  • Satisfying Breakfasts Made with Quality Ingredients

    Guests rely on generous morning plates made with fresh ingredients, paired with well-crafted coffee that starts the day right.

    Both dishes were delicious, fresh, and full of flavour. You could really tell that quality ingredients were used.

    Jannatul Ferdous

  • Broad Menus with Sub-$29 Island Value

    The kitchen provides expansive breakfast and lunch offerings, from seafood to parmas, keeping every selection under $29.

    Lov'd this place in the alleyway with nothing on the menu over $29

    Peter Knaap

  • Genuine Warmth and Welcoming Local Banter

    Visitors enjoy genuine small-town hospitality where floor staff and owners engage in cheerful banter that puts diners at ease.

    Everyone seems to know everyone here and wants to include you in their little jokes and banter. It’s warm, welcoming and so wholesome.

    Ash Ilsley

  • Total Reassurance Around Dietary Needs

    Diners facing complex dietary needs and allergies find reassurance in kitchen and service teams eager to adapt dishes seamlessly.

    My girlfriend has allergies and dietary requirements and they nailed her order perfectly just like mine.

    Jonathan Triferis

  • A Secluded Alleyway Retreat Away from Main Street

    Positioned off Thompson Avenue, the laneway venue provides a peaceful setting to unwind away from main-strip foot traffic.

    It's tucked away 5m up an alleyway, so don't look for it among the street-facing shops. Added bonus for cyclists was a place to lock a bike up immediately outside on the sidewalk.

    Luke Alabaster

  • Cosy, Relaxing Haven Near the Beach

    Tucked away from the busy strip, the cafe offers a peaceful, cosy space to relax following walks along the Cowes foreshore.

    the whole café has such a relaxed, cosy vibe. Loved sitting here after a walk near the beach.

    Phương Phạm

Signature breakfast and lunch favourites crafted fresh in our cosy laneway hideaway

  • smashed avo

    I ordered the smashed avo and my husband had the pancakes. Both dishes were delicious, fresh, and full of flavour.

    Jannatul Ferdous

  • calamari

    Best calamari we’ve had on Phillip Island Super crispy, fresh and perfectly cooked.

    Phương Phạm

  • Chicken & Mushroom Risotto

    The risotto was creamy and comforting

    dan dinh

  • big brekky

    I ordered the big brekky - wow, it was well presented, huge and very tasty!

    Sarah Westwood

Other favorites

Delightful sweet bites, granola bowls, and specialty warm drinks to round out your visit

  • waffles

    the waffles were perfectly cooked and loaded with fresh berries, chocolate and ice cream

    dan dinh

  • fritters

    We ordered the fritters & pancakes, with extra maple syrup.

    Camille Malloch

  • OG Penny granola

    My partner’s OG Penny granola was well received

    Patrick McKenzie-McHarg

  • Hot chocolate with a marshmallow

    Hot chocolate with a marshmallow and eggs Benedict a definite highlight.

    Kat Webster

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and personalised service touches at Penny Lane Island Cafe

  • Tailor-Made Allergy Accommodations

    Staff actively reassure guests on arrival that the chef can tailor-make dishes, adjusting recipes directly for complex allergy requirements.

  • Customized Kid Meal Adaptations

    The kitchen adapts adult dishes to suit children, offering tailored food suggestions directly from the chef for young diners.

  • Dedicated Sidewalk Bike Parking

    Cyclists visiting off the main strip can lock up their bikes directly in front of the cafe on the sidewalk railing.

  • Welcoming Personal Banter

    Front-of-house staff welcome guests into lighthearted banter and personal conversations, creating a welcoming family atmosphere.

Before you head over

Helpful tips on finding the laneway entrance, requesting dietary adjustments, and planning quick meals.

  • Look for the alleyway entrance

    The cafe is set about 5 metres down a laneway next to the Priceline pharmacy rather than directly facing the street. If cycling around Cowes, bike parking is conveniently located right outside on the sidewalk.

  • Ask for dietary or kid modifications

    Staff and the kitchen comfortably modify dishes and adjust portions for children or diners managing specific allergies, so feel free to state your needs when ordering.

  • Count on swift service during tight schedules

    Even when you are navigating tight ferry or excursion schedules, meals frequently arrive within ten minutes without sacrificing quality.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Browse all Melbourne venues