Thru the Gate Cafe - Smythesdale, Victoria

Thru the Gate Cafe: A Charming Lakeside Retreat

Thru the Gate Cafe is a highly-regarded establishment located in the picturesque town of Smythesdale, Victoria, Australia. Situated at 42 Brooke St, Smythesdale VIC 3351, this charming cafe offers a delightful experience for visitors and locals alike. With a phone number of 490145364, it’s readily accessible and a welcome addition to the area. The cafe prides itself on being a women-owned business, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Specialties at Thru the Gate Cafe encompass a wide range of offerings, primarily focused on the cafe and coffee shop experience. However, the true magic lies in the quality and care put into each item. Patrons can expect a diverse menu featuring breakfast, lunch, and a tempting selection of desserts. They cater to a variety of dietary needs with vegan options and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone can find something to enjoy. Furthermore, they offer quick bites and small plates, making it a suitable spot for a casual meal or a light snack.

Key Features and Amenities

Thru the Gate Cafe has meticulously crafted an environment designed for comfort and convenience. It boasts outdoor seating, allowing guests to savor their meals al fresco amidst the beautiful surroundings. For those preferring to dine indoors, a fireplace adds a cozy touch, particularly during cooler months. The cafe offers both takeaway and dine-in options, providing flexibility for different preferences.

Accessibility is a priority. The premises feature a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible seating, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors. An assistive hearing loop is also available, demonstrating a commitment to accommodating individuals with hearing impairments. The cafe accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, streamlining the transaction process.

Location and Surroundings

Smythesdale, the town where Thru the Gate Cafe resides, is a historic area located in the heart of Victoria’s Western District. The cafe’s location on Brooke Street provides easy access to the popular rail trail, attracting cyclists and walkers seeking a refreshment stop. Free of charge street parking and a free parking lot are readily available, eliminating parking concerns. The cafe also welcomes dogs, both inside and outside, creating a pet-friendly environment.

A Culinary Journey

Numerous reviews highlight the exceptional quality of the food and beverages. Many customers describe the scones as being made exactly as their grandmothers used to, emphasizing the light, fluffy texture and unsweetened whipped cream. The homemade jam is a particular standout, consistently praised for its delicious flavor. Beyond the scones, the cafe is renowned for its great coffee, great dessert, and great tea selection, catering to a wide range of tastes. The cafe also recognizes the need for comfort and convenience, offering high chairs and catering to solo dining patrons.

Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere

Thru the Gate Cafe strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all. Gender-neutral toilets are available, promoting equality and comfort. The cafe is considered casual, cosy, and family friendly, making it a suitable destination for a variety of groups. It's also recognized as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space, fostering a sense of belonging for all individuals. Reservations are accepted, ensuring a comfortable dining experience. The cafe welcomes tourists and is designed to be good for kids, further enhancing its appeal.

Customer Feedback and Reputation

Based on 122 reviews on Google My Business, Thru the Gate Cafe consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback. The average opinion is a solid 4.3/5, reflecting the high level of customer satisfaction. Patrons frequently comment on the comfortable lounge chairs, ample tables, and the thoughtful provision of bike parking. The cafe’s dedication to quality ingredients and exceptional service clearly resonates with its clientele.

👍 Reviews of Thru the Gate Cafe

Rohan M.

5/5

Great Cafe with good range of gluten free, comfortable lounge chairs and plenty of tables. Off street parking for your bike, if you're doing the rail trail.

Amanda M.

5/5

Scones jam and done just like my Grandma use to make. Light, fluffy, warm, not sweet, unsweetened whipped cream, delicious homemade jam. I can't stop thinking about them. 🤤

Renae

2/5

Don’t go if you’re time poor.
To be fair the food tasted alright, and there was plenty of places to sit. However, upon ordering we were told there was a 15 minute wait for a toasted sandwich. Sure thing, thats fine. Finally got the toasted sandwich after 30 minutes of waiting at the counter.

Beverley E.

4/5

Charming little cafe with indoor and outdoor dining the only thing vegan was the sourdough bread unfortunately she did offer to make me a toasted sandwich but if I’m going to eat out I want it to be special not a sandwich 🤷‍♀️a vegan pie or pastie or even a muffin something I can’t easily make while traveling 🙃 the lady was lovely and the bread delicious

Paul A.

5/5

We stopped here for a break after walking the Ballarat-Skipton rail trail from Haddon.

Exceptional service, good strong coffee and delicious freshly baked scones with homemade rhubarb jam and fresh whipped cream.

What’s not to like?

Makayla M.

1/5

Went into this establishment for a plan cheese toasty, and was given a small to medium sized toasty and not only did it not have that much cheese, it also was with grain bread with seeds……and the worst part it was $12.95 I feel I have been robbed. Wendy’s $5 toasty was better then this sorry

Jo M.

5/5

finally got to have lunch there today with my husband and son and we enjoyed it very much. my son loved his home made sausage roll with home made tomato relish and salad whilst my husband and i had the toastie with ham cheese and tomato. a relaxed atmosphere with country charm

Emm D.

5/5

Absolutely love this little cafe! Stop in every week to get a coffee on the way to netball training and always buy more. Support lots of local peoples businesses. Staff are always friendly. Couldn't speak higher of this cafe and it's staff.