Mietta's Review
The room is serious 60's retro, the food is cafe style, hearty and tasty and offers good value for money. At breakfast and at lunch locals fill the seats many come in groups but the lone diner is made to feel just as comfortable. There are bird's eye views onto Gertrude Street from the seats at the window, and a colourful courtyard out back. Service is efficient, and if your a regular, very warm.
Other published opinions
The Age Cheap Eats 2009 "Arcadia doesn't rest on its laurels - no way. It frequently reinvents its blackboard menu to exploit seasonal ingredients, keeping even the regulars guessing"
The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "Neat-casual Arcadia is the kind of place you'd happily bring mum for lunch, a 'special' friend for brekkie or the boss for coffee"
The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "KITSCH serving trays, old English china, penguin table lamp: Arcadia does retro-chic to perfection. Sun streams through louvres during the lunchtime bustle"
The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "THEIR casa is your casa at coolly kitsch, warmly welcoming Arcadia. Pull up a '50s kitchen chair and scan a menu"
Herald Sun, sundaymagazine, eating out, Sally Fisher. Occasionally unfriendly service but serves lovely food.
The Age (Epicure), 03.03.99, author unknown. "A great example of the mismatched theme. Dishes such as black bean tortilla and a very good porridge are as good to eat as the decor is homely, while the service fits perfectly."
The Age, 1/6/2003, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, John Lethlean, 'Part of the Laminex-retro revolution of the 90s, Arcadia has proven to be a stayer.A global menu includes sushi, Turkish pide, past and burgers.'
Or perhaps ...
Arcadia Cafe Restaurant (03) 9416 1055, 193 Gertrude St, Fitzroy - The room is serious 60's retro, the food is cafe style, hearty and tasty and offers good value for money.
Babka (03) 9416 0091, 358 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - This is a very womanly restaurant. You are enveloped by its warm homely atmosphere and tempted by comfort foods
Birdie Num Nums (03) 9380 1950, 745 Nicholson St, Carlton North
Cafe Quince (03) 9482 4180, 43 Spensley St, Clifton Hill - Neighbourhood cafe in a cut off part of Clifton Hill. Cheerful noisy vibe.
Cafe Rosamond (03) 9419 2270, Rear, 191 Smith St, Fitzroy - Hidden behind Smith St (enter from Charles) is a lovely welcoming little daytime cafe.
The Commoner 9415 6876, 122 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Filter (03) 9416 3752, 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Friends Of The Earth (03) 9417 4382, 312 Smith St, Collingwood
The Green Grocer (03) 9489 1747, 217 St Georges Rd St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North - Surrounded by organic fruit and vegetables and an open fire, breakfast or lunch here is a healthy, warm, domestic experience.
Handsome Steve's House of Refreshment (03) 9419 5255, Level 1, Abbotsford Convent, St Heliers St, Abbotsford
Houndstooth 0411 404 374, 36 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Ici (03) 9417 2274, 359 Napier St, Fitzroy - A corner blue stone cafe that has locals giggling with glee, at the mixture of joy and the free flowing champagne at Ici.
Julio (03) 9489 7814, 171 Miller St, Fitzroy North
Min Lokal (03) 9417 0333, 422 George St, Fitzroy
Mitte (03) 9077 7379, 76 Michael St, Fitzroy North
Mixed Business (03) 9486 1606, 486 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill
North Cafeteria (03) 9348 1276, 717 Rathdowne St, Carlton North
North Island (03) 9486 8864, 111 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North
Old Post Office Market & Cafe (03) 9417 1655, 296 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Shire (03) 9417 3788, 69 Victoria St, Fitzroy
Suede (03) 9417 1860, 284 Smith St, Collingwood
Templebar Precinct (03) 9417 5811, 98 Smith St, Collingwood