the pickers union

this cute little gem of a cafe was the best find when we ventured down to geelong for the day.

they serve up a beautiful breakfast/ brunch and we went with the eggs benny and avocado toast!
the avocado toast was one of the best i've had as i loved the addition of sweet potato! i'll be having all my avocado toasts with sweet potato from now on 😉

love how fresh the food was, and they these guys know what there doing when it comes to portion size- the perfect balance leaving you wanting more!

it has such a relaxed, calm ambience and beautiful people who were just filled with happiness. thanks for thegreatfood and positive vibes guys!

out to geelong we go! so worth the drive to arrive at this absolutely beautiful cafe. i loved this cafe from the moment i walked in. warm and friendly staff with agreatwinter warmer menu. mac and chesse on the menu you had me. everything was absolutely beautifully presented and tasted delicious. fresh home made drinks a winner. i would drive back to geelong to try this place again. make sure you check out the neighbouring antique markets they are justgreat**disclaimer: although the restaurant has generously invited me to their restaurant this review is still based on my genuine opinion.

as we entered this bright cheerful eclectic space with the music pumping, we thought what agreatvibe to start our easter sunday.

we ordered a couple of lattes as we pondered the menu, my strong almond latte was smooth and creamy with no trace of bitterness.

we ordered the smashed avo with bacon and poached egg and the black lava bowl.

the black lava smoothly bowl was delicious and refreshing, the fresh fruit was a lovely tart inclusion and the muesli adding an awesome sweet crunch. i enjoyed each mouthful having different tastes and textures, a very satisfying bowl.

the smashed avo is one of the most flavoursome ones i have ever had, from the awesome citrus punch in the avo, to the harrisa oil adding a subtle kick of heat. i enjoyed the inclusion of the seedy grainy bread too bringing in that crunchy element.

now i’m looking forward to checking out the antique store next door to walk off breakfast!

thanks sev and the team for inviting us in.

stopped over here to give this place a try, customer service isgreata good spot. the bao wasgreatbut the breakfast meal wasn’t that great. i usually get big breakfast and expect more but on this occasion for a fraction of the price i can get more on the plate it just didn’t do it for me on this one but good customer service.

we were invited to picker’s union so decided to take advantage of the last week of summer and head down to torquay for the day and pitstop into geelong for lunch. we were super impressed with the interior but the outside was equally cool with those hanging chairs i’m always too scared to sit in.

the inside actually connects into the vintage market via a side door so we took the opportunity to check that out afterwards too. food wise there were many things to tempt, loaded banana bread, donut muffins and black forest waffles to name a few, but we stayed on the health path today (withgreatdifficulty) selecting the buddha salad with honey salmon, the black lava bowl and the smashed avocado.

the smoothie bowl was coloured with activated charcoal which is something i quite enjoy (although you do need to do a quick check to ensure your teeth aren’t black!) and was rather pretty to look at. the flavour was spot on so they should consider offering smoothies as drinks too. as it stands they have boozy shakes and a whole host of other options.

i was able to take the salmon from my partners buddha bowl and pair it with my avo which was very yummy. as far as smashed avo dishes go this one was thoroughly enjoyable. the addition of the romesco sauce on the plate gave it a little kick and really elevated and differentiated it from the typical offering this classic dish generally is. definitely worth checking out, even if you aren’t local we all love a good road trip

awesome place for brunch with a friend. gets super busy on the weekend but they are always accommodating. had the eggs benedict, was made well and not drowned in hollandaise like you find sometimes. also had some slices/cakes to follow it up and all tasted beautiful. definitely one of thegreatbrekky spots in geelong!

love the food and service here. next to a vintage market, the cafe has a retro look and staff was very friendly and warm. my salmon salad was delicious as well as the mushroom burger we had. my baby had agreattime too!

the *best* coffee in geelong. these guys beat the coffee cartel at their own game with the coffee cartel's own beans. the food is pricey, and the menu changes often but it has been good togreatmost times we've been there.
update 2018: the last few times we have been, the coffee hasn't been quite as good - different baristas than when i initially wrote this review.

we came here on sunday past after previously coming here around 6 months ago. between then and now it's obvious the establishment is going a much more modern and trendy theme which personally resonates with us quite well. first of all to quickly knit pick before food is touched on, please don't make patrons get their own glasses, water and menu's, bring it out when you take the orders.

to start off coffee was great, lots of complexity but unfortunately my (nic) order for two coffees (yes snob i know) was interpreted as one coffee, but it wasgreateither way.

my eggs benedict was delicious and would happily order again. 

zoe's beef brisket burger we ordered from the menu was upon arrival a chicken burger which according to management should have been advised when we ordered as the beef brisket wasn't very popular. grey chicken, soggy crumbing, sinewy, boring mayo and slaw and a really soggy bun. in my opinion as we love chicken burgers, get rid of it or adjust it accordingly and match what everyone else does with their chicken burgers would be our harsh but needed criticism.

despite this, i can not fault management in picking up our queues of dissatisfaction and advising me that i was to not pay for the chicken burger as he knew a) it wasn't we ordered and it wasn't up to scratch. i can only show how much that means by saying that despite this unfortunate dining, we will be back. had the situation be handled differently, i wouldn't be back.  many upon many applause to a manager (owner potentially) who holds themselves to a standard.

great little cafe next to the vintage market. peanut butter hot choc is so satisfying. very health conscious restaurateur andgreatuse of activated charcoal.

breakfast, brunch, lunch, if you are driving to geelong this place is a stop over for a good fix of coffee and bite to eat.

3.5/5 food - good selection on the menu, allot of healthy options, something for everyone. only thing i personally think could be better was the seasoning. portion sizes were okay.

3.5/5 coffee - nice coffee, tasted good. we had couple, caffè latte. they were good but comparing to other good places they could be more creamier and stronger.

5/5 service - friendly, welcoming, attentative - excellent. accommodating to babies and kids. it was busy but didn't have to wait long for orders to come out.

5/5 atmosphere -greatfitout, funky feel and vibe to the place. seating inside and out, heaps of carpark and easy to find.

suitable for families (baby/kids friendly), couples, singles or takeaway. the owner seems nice and takes pride /custodial you will know who he is as his voice is quite adamant (keeping his staff inline on the go) . good to see a place like this out in north geelong. 100% recommend this place if you are in area

i was on the brink of starvation and in the distance was my saviour the pickers union. awesome staff,greatfood, good times. highly recommended.

solid breakfast -greatcoffee. smashed avocado always excellent. staff ok. shop is a bit dirty - but your eating in a car park. tends to be inconsistent. but worth a look.

the cafe has agreatlook and feel and the coffee is fine however i ordered the waghu burger and i couldn't eat it. the bun was sweet and it came with a mac and cheese fritter (wtf) that couldn't be eaten in the burger. i seldom find a burger that isn't enjoyable but this was one! disappointed!

friendly staff, they made me feel special. huge & filling beaky of mushroom & poach egg on toast.greatcoffee before a wander through the vintage market next door