All Things Equal Cafe

263-265 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183, Australia
+61 3 7036 6621
$$$ Cafe
(266 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Welcome to All Things Equal Cafe, a charming gem nestled in the heart of Balaclava, VIC. Located at 263-265 Carlisle St, this vibrant cafe is more than just a place to grab your morning brew—it's a social enterprise dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities, making every visit meaningful.

As you step inside, you are greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that is amplified by the friendly and attentive staff. The space is bathed in natural light, creating a sunny ambiance that's perfect for enjoying a leisurely brunch or catching up with friends. The layout encourages both communal experiences and intimate conversations, making it a versatile spot for all your dining needs.

Let's talk about the food! All Things Equal offers a delightful menu that showcases fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a particular focus on Kosher options. Start your experience with the tantalizing Smashed Avocado served on rye bread, garnished with a zesty lime-infused dressing, refreshing mint, and colorful radish—each bite bursts with flavor at just A$17.50. If you're a fan of hearty breakfast classics, the Eggs Your Way (two free-range eggs on sourdough for A$12) delivers a comforting and satisfying start to your day. For something truly unique, try the Roasted Mushrooms (A$18.50), elegantly prepared with almond cream and pickled enoki—this dish is a true celebration of umami flavor.

Kids are also treated like royalty at All Things Equal, with kid-friendly options like the Toast with your choice of jam or the Free Range Egg on Toast, both reasonably priced to make family outings enjoyable and affordable.

But it’s not just the food that keeps patrons returning—it's the ethos behind the establishment. Customer reviews highlight the cafe as a perfect blend of purpose and quality. One visitor, Sarah Van Der Meer, beautifully encapsulated this sentiment by saying, "I adore the mission of this social enterprise to provide equal employment opportunities." The positive energy resonates through the experiences shared by many, including Yosy Christy Natalia, who noted the 'beautiful concept' of the cafe, paired with great coffee and a warm ambiance.

Become part of the All Things Equal experience and support a cause that truly values community. Whether you're a local looking for a cozy nook or a traveler seeking something unique, this cafe is a must-visit destination in Balaclava. With their commitment to excellent service and delicious offerings, your time spent here will be both enjoyable and impactful.

So why wait? Grab your friends, bring the family, and head over to All Things Equal Cafe. You'll leave not only well-fed but with a sense of having contributed to a worthy cause! You can reach them at +61 3 7036 6621. See you soon!

Service options
Outdoor seating
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Coffee
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Tuesday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Wednesday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Thursday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Friday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

266 Reviews
Yosy Christy Natalia

02 Oct 2025

Very nice cafe with a beautiful concept itself. The coffee is really good but the salmon bagel that I ordered wasn't that good, it was too much cream cheese and too sour. I definitely come here again to try another ones

Matthew Aitken

27 Sep 2025

I’m not a local to the STK / Balaclava area however met up with a friend and paired with ATE via open table. First impressions were warm and inviting, both in the space layout and staff greeting. They accommodated my corner table request and service was prompt and efficient. Supporting a social enterprise just made the visit more worthwhile. Thanks team!

Hannah M

13 Aug 2025

Love what All Things Equal is doing! Even if the food wasn’t great I’d probably come back to support, but it was delicious! Amazing service from everyone working there and everything was very reasonably priced (especially considering it’s Kosher!). Great vegan options too.

Sarah Van Der Meer

26 Jul 2025

I adore the mission of this social enterprise to provide equal employment opportunities for people with disability. All staff are very polite and offer wonderful service. Space is very clean, nice and bright and sunny. Food is delicious and a great menu with lots of options. Thank you!

steven parson

19 Jul 2025

Forget the laudable goal of helping those of us who need help. This is noble and worthwhile but when you're buying food you want good food, and that's exactly what this cafe delivers. First class food, a welcoming atmosphere and the gent who served us was the nicest guy ever.

Denise Kain

11 Jul 2025

Unbelievable food, coffee and service!! Already planning our next visit!!

Simmyeats. melb

28 Jun 2025

‘We are all different and we are all equal’ A cafe that’s different than the rest and a cafe worth visiting. All Things Equal is a cafe that provides purposeful employment for people with and without disability. What a beautiful concept which we really need to see more of. A lovely menu and a wonderful spread, we shared the Atlantic, salmon benny, French Toast and the nourishing bowl. Each dish looked and tasted wonderful, coffee was spot on too!

Eat Play Live Melbourne

23 Jun 2025

All things Equal are a NFP business which employs both neuro-typical, and people with disabilities providing "purposeful employment ... in a ‘mainstream’ work environment." The staff contribute to their community in a meaningful way while earning an equal salary, regardless of whether or not they have a disability. The business is still fairly new but we found the environment to be hugely welcoming and all the staff seem super happy to be at work. They have a really extensive menu of all your brunch faves plus excellent coffee, smoothies, DIY brunch bowls and a kids menu. The service was friendly and upbeat, meals were yummy and beautifully presented and we thought the portions were really decent too. We just love the vibe and the ethos and will definitely be back regularly! It's great to enjoy a delicious brunch and see so many people getting an opportunity that they otherwise might not.

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