The Main - 30/10/2020 “Calamari Salad & Linguine Marinara” I have been here a few times before a long time ago and it’s always put out very respectable meals compared to others offered in Eltham. Tonight’s experience was really hurt by the lack of Covid safety while there, some staff not wearing any mask at all including customer facing staff clearing tables, taking orders & even sanitizing without a face mask or permanently under their chin, I know the numbers are low but with the fear of going out for so many so strong you’re not helping your own cause! It really took away from the otherwise great experience. My calamari salad was great really big serving and couldn’t finish it. My partner had the seafood linguine & the bug was a decent size and prepared perfectly as was the pasta itself & the rest of the generous serving of seafood in the dish. We also had some wine and cocktails which were also good. Overall could have been perfect if not for the unease of the non Covid conformance. All the staff in the hardest working positions (chef etc) seemed to never drop their masks so I couldn’t completely smash the staff score. Food - 9/10 Staff - 7/10 Environment - 8/10 Overall Combined - 4/5 “Calamari Salad” Flour Dusted Calamari with napa cabbage, red cabbage, mixed lettuce, fetta, spanish onion & carrot with lime & chilli gazpacho dressing “Linguine Marinara” Black tiger prawns, scallops, calamari, Moreton Bay bugs, King Prawn & muscles sautéed with garlic schallots in olive oil & white wine with fresh basil & parsley

Ordered a zaatar veg and chicken wrap for an exorbitant price of $18, ask for it to be lightly toasted. I then saw them pull it out of a microwave steaming hot. I asked did you just microwave that, she goes yes otherwise the insides will be cold. I said no I asked for it lightly toasted. She then grabbed a chicken schnitzel wrap out of the fridge and said that it would be a couple of minutes I said no I asked for zaatar veg, she said yes. I said the sign says chicken schnitzel she said this is a chicken schnitzel in a tone that implied I didn't know what I was talking about. I asked for my money back, what they happily did. But it was so awkward, who microwaves a $18 wrap or any wrap for that matter. If I wanted microwaved food I would go to 7/11 .
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

checked it out a while back with my mum and - to sharp memory - things like bolognese were around fifty bucks. if you've less than eight or nine digits on your balance, pick somewhere else for food. ordered a coffee to go instead and it took a solid ten minutes. got hassled by the owner (I think?) while waiting because they wanted to know what my coffee order was even though I could see clearly that they weren't playing any role around the coffee orders. I've been a barista before and confess I struggle finding a need to turn an oat latte order into an episode of hot seat. add the father's day surcharge mentioned by another reviewer and I'm inclined to think it's marketed toward the upper end of eltham, already a firmly upper-end suburb. fifty australian dollars for a pasta main is eye-watering.
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

My mum and I visited the Main recently and we absolutely loved our visit! The restaurant is fitting out nicely with great decor, plenty of room and beautiful lighting which gives it a real cosy feel. We sat by the window and enjoyed the ambiance of inside. Staff were incredible and went above and beyond which was appreciated. The menu here is so good, you'll be sure to find a winner dish to suit your taste bud needs. We ordered the warm beef salad, linguine marinara, chocolate brownie and the creme brulee. I honestly can't fault anything, each dish so tasty with it's own different flavour combinations and the presentation was definitely on point. My short mac was made nicely too and was the perfection combination with the delish desserts. A must visit if you are in the area. Thanks for having us, can't wait to come back!

So I actually enjoy going to this place with the kids. The staff are great and super accomodating. Went in on fathers days for a milkshake with my daughters and it was great. Went to pay and I see they have a surcharge for Father’s Day. As a business owner I respect and understand the concept of the surcharge to cover increased costs etc but what are the extra costs here? I asked one of the staff if they were getting paid more and they laughed. I would actually be really fine with the staff getting paid extra to cover working on Father’s Day but if they are not - what’s the objective here? Just make a little extra profit? Do better guys
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3

This place is consistently good in all aspects. Whether you’re coming here for a bite to eat, a full on lunch or just takeaway, everything is great. I’ve dined here with my kids many times at the restaurant part that overloooks Main Road but today was just a quick takeaway coffee and vanilla slice that is to die for. In fact all the cakes on display look amazing. Staff can make or break a place and at The Main, I’ve always found the staff to be friendly, efficient and helpful. Kudos to you! If you have dietary issues just let the staff know when ordering. High chairs are available for kids. Wheelchair friendly. Good parking at the rear in the main carpark.

At the last minute we had to race into town before we could have breakfast and decided to stop at Mains, not disappointed and it has been a long time between attendance I have to say. We definitely enjoyed our breakfast, my scrambled eggs on sourdough and a side of bacon, yum, and the bircher muesli was wholesome and tasty with both being substantial and as mentioned very tasty. It's also been awhile since we had a mains coffee, it was perfect, the right strength, good flavour and hot as requested. Definitely have to go back of course.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Went for a Mother’s Day dinner and was absolutely astounded by the pricing & surcharge. I’ve been going to the main for years and was shocked to see some of the price increases on the menu. $32.90 for a Caesar salad? And $7.90 to add chicken to it? This might have been ok were it not for the 10% “Mother’s Day” surcharge, which brought our four person meal - one meal and one drink each - up to $230. What a ridiculous money grab, for not even a public holiday. The food was lovely but absolutely not worth the price. Won’t be returning
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

Wow just wow at the rudeness, arrogance and condescending tone of the owner. Extremely long wait time and Such poor customer service. Seems like his business is too big for his boots and no longer valueing customers. Front house wait staff girl was no better with really rude dismissive tone and I can see where she gets her example or lack of from. So many better cafes in the area like second home, Ms Pryor, Third Chapter - don’t bother with this one! Wont be back for sure
Service
Take out

The woman in management with the curly hair is rude to uber drivers for no apparent reason. She also encouraged this treatment by her other staff. You forget I am a consumer also. Never spending another cent at your place again. The last meal I had from you on Feb Valentined day this yearwas extremely oily and not worth the $$. Would not have commented unless she wasn't so needlessly rude to other people just trying to earn a living too.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

The food is really good and WAS appropriately valued but the main is completely unaffordable now. I understand some rise due to inflation but with the new menu change you are looking at paying $40 for a chicken ceaser salad and $27.90 for the cheapest pizza. Sadly we won’t be returning until the prices are corrected since there are many other great dining options in eltham at half the price.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$40–60

Top spot for coffee - consistently great quality coffee and food. Food is varied and tasty, of excellent quality, and the selection is much broader than your run of the mill cafe fare. Great opening hours too, from early to late. Efficient and most of all friendly service - what makes this place special is the atmosphere, which is always friendly among the staff and you can see people like working there. That kind of thing spills over to customers easily.

Was charged $5 extra for A SLICE OF HAM on my $30 Parma (which was very ordinary) Kids meals were $20 dollars each - For a couple of nuggets and and handful of chips. Terrible garlic bread -$14 EACH! Also the arrogance on not providing prices on the sweets windows. Iv lived in Eltham my whole live - it pains me to have these sorts of businesses here. Avoid
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3

Went in today (Mother’s Day) to pick up some afternoon tea. This was just some assorted desserts to take away. When we were about to pay, they said it would be incurring a 10% surcharge for Mother’s Day. 3 slices at a cost of >$30. Never in my life have I been ‘surcharged’ on a) Mother’s Day, and b) getting some desserts to take away from the counter. Never returning.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–20

Awful and disgusting service to Uber drivers forgetting that we are representing customers who have ordered online and that we are also customers who are more than able to dine in ourselves. Have told all my friends never to frequent this place or support such a business with a terrible owner. Will never pick from this place again and also reported the abuse to Uber
Service
Delivery
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

Went out to dinner last week - bought one pizza, a bowl of chips and a small side salad to share between my friend and myself. Also had a glass of house red and a glass of Prosecco and cost came to $ 98.00. It was over $ 30.00 for the two glasses of alcohol. Have been going for years - but that was the last time I will ever go there - could have bought two full bottles for the price of half a glass - absolute robbery. Waitress was lovely.

Went on Mother's Day and found the prices overboard for what you got and no-one really liked the meal. Overall very disappointing and thought the surcharge was opportunistic for a NON-public holiday. Won't be returning in a hurry....
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 1
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Chicken Parmigiana & Chips

WOW! $52 for a wrap a sandwich and a sausage roll for which we had to wait 45 minutes for. Eventually due to time restrictions and not being able to wait any longer we had it packed up as takeaway. Staff were not welcoming at all and bordered on rude. A very expensive lesson learned. Will not be returning.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

Was out Eltham one night and we needed somewhere to eat. I followed my nose and we ended up at Main a modern Australian restaurant / cafe. The wood fire pizzas we got were quite tasty. The volcano was flavoursome and my favorite however it's not something you'd call spicy. The service was lovely, the lady was friendly and attentive.

The most most amazing fresh food and beverage and some of the nicest staff we have ever encountered. Can not recommend this place more highly. Exceptional in every way. If you had a 10 star rating they would receive it. Thank you so much for making our trip so much more enjoyable. Sylvia and Karin (the crazy sister's)

The best restaurant in Melbourne. Every dish I have had is superb, not only in dining but my Uber delivery bolognaise was amazing arriving piper hot and in a great quality dish and was like the most delish home cooked meal. Calamari salad and butter chicken delicious. Coffee is a A plus plus. The main you rock !!!

Outstanding service! After an Uber driver messed up our order, the restaurant organised a delivery themselves to help us out. At this busy time of day/year, I’m so grateful & impressed. Plus the food/drinks are always fantastic ☺️☺️. Thanks Main!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Everything is great - the coffee, food, presentation. But the main (excuse the pun!) attraction is the service. The staff are so friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble for them. We have lots of very good eateries in Eltham, but I keep coming back to The Main because of the service.

Great location. Watched the sunset :) service was great as well. Food came out quite slow and the seafood banquet was quite oily and mostly fried food. Otherwise, a good experience
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The Main Cafe in Eltham is an absolute gem! Every visit is a delightful experience. The staff's friendly service and attention to detail make it a standout in the community. Whether you're grabbing a quick coffee or enjoying a leisurely meal, The Main Cafe exceeds expectations

Excellent coffee, staff are wonderful prices are standard for local area. I always love the calamari cooked to perfection. Their breakfasts are fantastic & it is great that they serve this until 3pm daily. However if you bring the kids their milk shakes are awesome as well.

Had a sign up yesterday, a regular Monday, stating there was a 10% surcharge. It's not a weekend or public holiday and you aren't paying your workers penalty rates so what is the reason for this? Boycott businesses who charge these ridiculous surcharges.

This is some of the best food that we have encountered. Two of us had the lamb shanks and one had the salad with an extra of grilled chicken. There is a good selection of drinks and the service is very good - friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.

We have ordered chicken scallopini three times now and keep getting served rice with it instead of what the menu says (chips and salad or potato roti) very disappointing after 3 attempts so no more which is a shame as the other meals the kids enjoy !

Very tasty food. Good size serving. Nice atmosphere. Has a heated balcony which can open up in summer. Friendly staff. 10+ beers cans bottles. Extensive wine list. Crown Lager $9. Slightly above Average prices overall, but worth giving it a go.

LOVE IT HERE. Always so consistent. Great food and even better service. Although overpriced, the smoothies and juices are delicious. Açai bowl could be thicker but still yum. Great dips!
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$20–40

This cafe has a great atmosphere and the owners and staff are very good. They do however charge absolute top dollars for meals/coffee and impose surcharges at every possible opportunity.
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

$25 for a BLT with minimal filling was a bit of a rip. Nothing special, food was mediocre for the price.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

Very expensive for what you get. If the food was magnificent I wouldn't have minded. Just average.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Best iced mocha in town. Warm hot chocolate always served perfect for my 5 y.o ( with marshmallows) Always so friendly!!!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Brunch
Food: 5
Service: 5

Great food good atmosphere- parking is easy Note - not cheap
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$60–80
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

We stopped here for some late afternoon tea and cake and this is really an impressive place with good menu and service. Presentation was cherry on the cake which was worth every dollar we spent.

Love this place! We are regulars and now they have live music on a Sunday afternoon!!! Thank you for making my weekend better
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The food was very good I came here with friends and we all enjoyed it lots
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

3.5 stars. Food is quite good. Though drinks and food is fairly pricey. (E.g., $4.5 to add ham to a $25 + chicken parma; cider $10 ish) Still good for special outing.

Clean great staff friendly meals anytime book Greater numbers nothing is to hard for staff love the place
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The best service the best food the best waiter. I came back always❤️❤️❤️ thank’s Nancy
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Great food great staff we visit from WA every year to see family and always go there
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The gnocchi was amazing. The garlic bread was ace. They could work on service
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

Haven't had a bad meal here yet, so would highly recommend, great starters, good choice for mains and fabulous deserts to finish.

Tasty food, huge serves, fast service. Great place to go for a quick but good quality meal. The ribs were great and not fatty.

Great local restaurant in the heart of Eltham. I would definitely recommend the restaurant and the fisherman's basket.

Incredible food at decent prices. The staff are always lovely and welcoming when we rock up without a booking too!

All thats missing is an outdoor area!! Amazing food! Amazing sevice! Massive portion sizes.

Lovely food and atmosphere. Really enjoy looking down and watching the world go by.