ICI Cafe
359 Napier St,
Fitzroy 3065
03 9417 2274
Google map
Renovation is almost done. It is just the bathroom rails and replacing the window in the dining area. We have moved back and is living quite shabbily but at least all 3 of us are home. Nothing beats home! 
Home Sweet Home 
ICI Cafe
This little bohemian style cafe is tucked away on Napier Street. They serve organic rainforest alliance coffee and support local produce. This explains why the prices here are a little pricey for the food that they serve. I have to say the coffee here is pretty good. Perfect temperature and a lovely deep aroma and flavour. I will be glad to come back just to have a nice latte, sit in one of the little tables and read the papers. It is such a ‘lazy’ place to hang out.
ICI latte
I ordered the french toast with berries, cinnamon mascarpone and maple syrup. I quite enjoyed this dish. The tardness of the berries were very well balanced with the cinnamon mascarpone and maple syrup. But for $15, it is rather expensive and one would expect a little more?
Frrench toast with berries
Mister ordered the Mexican baked eggs and home made beans on toast with bravas sauce and topped with rocket and a side of sliced avocado. It was suppose to be tortillas but they ran out and so had a replacement of toast. It would be better and more Mexican if it was tortillas. Home made beans were great with the sauce but we felt that there was too much rocket. It was not a pretty dish but it is not too bad. And again at $16.50, we would have expected a little more. But then again, it is all local sourced produce.
Mexican baked eggs and beans on toast
It is a nice little spot for a lazy Sunday breakfast or brunch. This seems to be regular place for the locals to come and the staff knows many of the punters by first names. We will pop in for time to time but maybe not for a meal.
Do you have a little cafe in your area that supports the local community? How do they do it?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
The french toast looks really amazing. But i'm not sure about a $15 one. Sounds pricey, but I don't know the comparable price in your country. Mexican toast also looks yummy. Two ethnic cuisines in one post:)
Congratulations on your renovations! I totally feel for you
And the food looks pretty good although that is a lot of rocket! 
wow…more good food. I always enjoy sitting in cafes for some light food and do some reading or chatting with friends. It's so relaxing.
Can't stop laughing at the name of this cafe. Reminds me of the popular ICI paint sback in Malaysia and Singapore. lol!! Absolutely love this sort of small cafe close to home where the waitresses knows you by names.
The word 'Ici' means 'here' in French.
Last year Lou the owner donated a $50 meal voucher for a silent auction at the local school. My sister who is from out of town looked at the bidding and said to me "What lunatic would pay for a voucher to eat at a factory cafe ! ?
that is too funny!
Oh wow, everything looks amazing but a lot of rocket. Congratulations on the renovations. I can't wait to see it. So far, I haven't been to a cafe that supports local community. It only means, I should go out more.
Your photographs are wonderful! Thank you for sharing this place.
Hi Penny, I'm back! Hopefully still be able to catch up what has been missing! Jolly good, you've to show us your kitchen brand new look, ok! Btw, love the presentation of that french toast with berries. Looks soooo delicious! I'm a big fan of coffee. Can't live without it! haha…
Just talked about Melbourne is a city of Cafe culture with my daughter. So good to live here.
That is an awful lot of rocket on that dish – it seems like it would overpower everything! A lot of places have closed in Baltimore thanks to the economy – one place that was all local shut down and didn't even tell the employees! So one really has to wonder how sincere they were in the first place.
@Cheap Appetite – It is pretty normal to have a breakfast or lunch that costs over $30 for 2. It is not cheap to eat out all the time which is why we tend to try to cook more. Which is why I am always amazed to read about your cheap but good finds!
@Lorraine – It was too much rocket.
@MaryMoh – Having a nice cuppa with friends are always welcomed.
@Ellie – I know. I thought about that myself!
@Divina – I bet you can make better though
@Cajun Chef Ryan – Thanks dude!
@Kristy – Welcome back. You have done such a great job. How was the trip?
@Christine – It sure it and it is growing so fast. And many great new places with really good coffee. Come for a visit!
@Trix – Gosh… that is shocking for the poor employees!
I am just drooling over that luscious french toast! I bet it tasted amazing too
I like french toast with berries so much….
That latte looks amazing and the french toast – to die for! Though you are right it looks a little on the small side for the price. Hey – who's all three of you???
Thanks for sharing this post with us. I hope they put up an ICI Cafe here in the Philippines. That french toast with berries look very delicious and would really go well with coffee Great pics too. Thanks again!