The Glass Den

Review by Instagram@Jolyslife. Follow my Instagram for reviews, lifestyle and travel content. The only cafe in Melbourne set inside a former prison gatehouse. Old stone walls, iron bars, natural sunlight and lush greener 🌿 all come together to create a space that's peaceful and full of character. We waited around one hour. The dine in queue system can be a bit confusing. There wasn't much sign or staff (understandable given how busy it gets) and we noticed a few people cutting lines as well. Most of us didn't realise we needed to walk inside and let the staff know we were waiting, we assumed the queue was outside the restaurant and waited patiently here. That said, everything here is beautiful and we were glad we stayed. What we tried: Pulled beef benedict $28.5 Prawn squid ink pasta $35 Iced matcha Hot chocolate (there's a fancier version but I went with the classic and it was already very rich.) Overall, a stunning cafe with a unique setting and history and solid food. A clearer queue system would make the experience even better.

Jolyslife · 2026-01-02

Had an amazing experience here, no wonder why they are on hype. All the food was very fresh, and plated wonderfully. I was a bit sceptical with the prices but when I tasted the food I was happy with it. We had chicken waffle, which was amazing, the chicken was cooked just right, juicy and tender. Then we also had prawn Benedict which was also good, the bread was awesome. For drink i had Blue Ivy which was just amazing, perfect for the summer drink and my bf had tiramisu iced latte, actually it was not very good, it was like regular iced latte. For the dessert we had strawberry waffel and it was just amazing, the waffel, the strawberry mousse, berries and icecream what a combination each items complimenting each other, just right.. All the staffs were very helpful and sweet. We really enjoyed our time there.

Reeya Dhital · 2025-12-28

Glass Den in Coburg is an absolute gem and easily one of the best breakfast spots around. I ordered the Avocado Rose breakfast and it was seriously bomb — beautifully presented and packed with flavour. The avocado was perfectly seasoned, fresh, and creamy, making every bite incredibly satisfying. The salad that comes on it deserves a special mention too; the dressing is so delicious that it instantly elevates the whole dish. Even the beetroot hummus was outstanding — earthy, smooth, and perfectly balanced. What really ties the breakfast together is the freshness of the fruits. They add a bright, refreshing contrast that makes the entire plate feel light yet indulgent at the same time. It’s one of those meals that feels both nourishing and indulgent, which is hard to get right. The Strawberry Matcha was another standout. Not only was it visually stunning, but the flavour was spot on — not too sweet, beautifully balanced, and incredibly refreshing. It’s easily one of the best matcha drinks I’ve had. On top of the amazing food and drinks, the service was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. Glass Den is definitely a place I’ll keep coming back to and highly recommend for a perfect breakfast or brunch outing.

Aanchal Tangri · 2025-12-23

This is a vegan review. Usually when we go to cafes, the vegan "option" has options, instead of stripping back a meal and being expected to pay the same price. The mushroom dish that I ordered as a vegan option for $30 was so disappointing. Here’s why: 1. The burrata was not replaced for any alternative - even an avocado. It just came as mushrooms and two strips of bread. 2. We also ordered a $6 side of mushrooms, which was just about equivalent to the main $30 dish in portion. The only difference, is the bread and the sauce in which the main was made. I don't believe that a sauce costs $24 especially when vegan based. It's ridiculous to justify as such. When expressing the dissatisfaction to two staff members, there was no attempt to compensate or offer solutions. Just because no vegan cheese is available, doesn't mean other options can't be provided. The avocade rose dish we ordered was great, but overall, it was a lack lustre experience, and for nearly $70, we could have had an amazing brunch at less hyped up institutions. Won't be returning.

Dan & Elinor · 2025-12-13

Look I’ll give a realistic review of my experience. I really wanted to try this place, I had seen it all over Tik Tok and Instagram. There was not wait for seating. However, we were sat at a small table, very close to the family with children next to us. I ordered an English breakfast tea, and my partner ordered an ice latte. For food, I had the pulled beef Benedict, and my partner has eggs your way (he chose scrambled on white sourdough). The cup my tea was served in was incredibly fluffy. Quite a few jumper hairs, or strands from a tea towel or dish towel. My partners ice latte was bitter and not pleasant to drink. The food it’s self, was definitely not worth the price. My partner stated his egg was tasteless and hard. He said the toast was cooked, but tasted defrosted. He also found multiple hairs in his toast. My pulled beef Benedict was full to the brim with spinach, and had a semi off taste. Overall the food was nothing to rave about. Before leaving the family beside us, obviously took their small children to the bathroom. When they returned the little child stood in between our tables and shook her hands, the tables are that close the water from her hands was hitting us and our food. This is more a reflection on the parents than the children. However, also a note for the layout of the cafe, about leaving a little extra room between tables. I did inform the staff when we were paying of this, and they stated “you didn’t tell us earlier about the tea cup, so there is nothing we can do”. To which I stated, I understand this, and was not phased, and I would prefer to provide feedback, and support small business. This place is not like the Instagram or Tik Toks you see, and in my own personal opinion, it’s not worth the hype and I would not be returning. This is my experience only, and others will have their own experiences with this cafe.

Ashleigh · 2025-11-30