Exceptional location. Good service.
I had one of best chai latte in my life, as they made it with fresh herbs. Great range of sweet treats.
Probably come back for breakfast.

The atmosphere is great, especially on one of those cold days where you want to rug up and embrace something warm. The soups are great here as are the desserts. The staff can be hit and miss. I have had times where there hasn't been an exchange apart from the essential information and other times they have been all smiles and friendly. Overall it is still my favourite cafe in Sassafras. Also a big community table sits in front on the fire place, a lovely addition to invite small talk among its patrons.

This afternoon my Wife and I, along with our two kids, drove to the Dandenongs and had a lovely time walking around Sassafras, much to the horror of the children. Anyway... we were hungry and decided on Ripe Cafe as that's where my Wife took me when we first met many years ago; nostalgia got the better part of us as we thought what a terrific opportunity to create new memories. Well, unfortunate for us, food-wise the experience there was quite pedestrian as in ordinary.

The lunchtime meal order was nothing unusual: smoked salmon baguette, salami baguette, two cheese toasting, and two small chocolate milkshakes. Service was good as the place was quite busy with the throngs of visitors during Cup Day so we were happy to wait. It's when the food came out that left us wondering what happened to the Ripe Cafe we knew and loved.

My salami baguette was fine and passable and honestly would order again. The kids' cheese toasties were... well, quite bready with what seemed not to be much cheese but they didn't complain. What really got me was the lacklustre performance of the smoked salmon baguette. Just a single slice of salmon on buttered bread and four capers which the Wife doesn't eat so I was the lucky recipient of those. For a $10.00 sandwich we were quite surprised at how poorly the actual item was in comparison to the worded description in the menu. I was actually eyeing that one myself but was saved by the mere fact of having a far better homemade version of it this morning I made for breakfast. Needless to say we were most disappointed in not experiencing a better sandwich selection.

I like Ripe and would give it another go as who knows if it was the person preparing, they ran out of rocket or salmon or whatever... it's not enough for us to swear it off for life, it's just one of those things you file in the back of your head for future reference. Hopefully you'll have a delightful time when you visit and not leave with the disappoint we just had.

Approx. dining cost for all meals: $42.60.

Approximate cost: $10.00

I dropped in here with a couple of mates while out for a ride on our motorbikes. The staff were friendly and our Coffees were hot and strong just the way we had ordered them. If we are in the area we will drop in there again.

Very friendly laid back atmosphere,great cakes and food,large deck at the rear for children to play,deck has weather screen on,protects from hot and cold weather.

Approximate cost: $20.00

Great food at reasonable prices, excellent service, staff who care, and lovely atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor seating, some communal seating on the deck. I love it here!

Approximate cost: $10

Small cafe in the Dandenongs with a warm feel. The hot chocolates made from Lindt choc you can get white milk or dark and they are to die for and the coffee is also really yummy! Good service also. They sell chocolates, some soaps etc. Nice cafe.

Admitedly, it was a glorious Sunday when our group of 11 went for lunch (we booked) but this place is not well set up for large volumes of customers.
Staff were light on and thoroughly disinterested. Our meals - mixture of cooked and baguettes were out within 35 minutes so that was good. Cooked meals were ok - bit dry and chewy (chicken breast and pork). Baguettes nice and fresh.
Trying to pay was a nightmare - same queue for ordering and no system.
I would recommend this place for a quick bite or coffee and cake rather than as a destination for a meal - and you'd probably have a better experience during the week.

Approximate cost: $10-20

Headed up the mountain one day and this was the only place that was open that had some spare seats. We wandered into this house that had been converted into a small restaurant/cafe which had a small kitchen being run by what looked like one chef. We ordered baguettes which there were an assortment of, between the 3 of us we shared a nice selection including one with local prosciutto. All well delicious! The bread was crisp on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside. Definitely recommend them for the baguettes.... and the coffee!

Four generations visited today for a wonderful lunch. Clean high chair provided and very obliging staff. The outside belies what's inside - like the Tardis. Wish we had more places like this in England! Soup - outstanding, Rocky Road - yum, yum! All at a very reasonable price. I'll bring my husband to visit in November.

Approximate cost: $9