Federal Coffee Palace

Cute little café that’s completely outdoors (but undercover). It’s tucked next to the former GPO on Burke st (currently H&M). What they lack in space they make up for in people watching opportunities. Sitting on the corner of Burke street and Elizabeth st mean there is always someone or something happening.
Food is not really a thing here — it’s all about the coffee which is well made and tasty. Good place for a catchup with friends with or a quick take away on the way to work.

$ 4 for a small coffee; $ 5 for a large. Wasn’t too bad, but a little on the weak side. Tasted mostly of milk towards the end of my cup. Okay I guess.

Set in the cloisters of the historic GPO building, this little gem is right in the heart of everything. It’s a favourite with many who work nearby for their speedy and delicious takeaway coffee (never had a burned brew from Federal) and their delicious food. It’s a tad pricy, and when it gets busy it can slow down service a little, but the staff are lovely people and they do their best to look after you even when it’s packed. If you don’t like crowds, avoid the breakfast rush in the late morning and probably lunch time. Do yourself a favour and order the avocado/​mint/​feta smash with a poached egg on top. Perfect breakfast.

I really like the location of this place, being under the verandah of the old GPO building (you know, the one where you can find H&M). I quite enjoy sitting down here, out of the way of the pedestrians, sipping a cup of tea (or coffee, if I’m in the mood). Their pots of tea are also pretty huge, so you definitely get your value for money here (if you have tea that is). I can’t comment on their coffee, but I don’t mind it all that much. However, if there is a gripe it is that they tend to be quite slow, to the point that I have been waiting for my beverage for so long that I end up being late for work. Still, it’s a pretty cool location.

One of my more frequent haunts, I love this place for its undeniably convenient placement and relaxed atmosphere. What a challenge it must have been to create such a calm space so close to the busy commotion of Elizabeth St.
The coffee is quite nice and though I’m yet to try the food, I’ve heard its not half bad either.

the gpo building in melbourne is located at the centre ofthe city and would have been a popular meeting place in the 1840s where many a deal would have been done its retains the same popularity only now you can do a spot of shopping meet with a few friends and slp a few expresso amid architechural grandeur
sell gevovses

I had a meal here the other day and it didn’t even consist of coffee however, the meal was amazing. My girlfriend and I try to always eat as organic as possible and we had the burger and man it was an amazing burger the taste was so healthy and the patty practically fell apart in our mouth the buns where slightly sweet which added beautifully to the overall taste. The only downside to the restaurant is the tables very small and wobbly, my girlfriend and I could barely fit and my fork fell off the table twice because it was so wobbly. But service and food was great. 4 stars.

Tried the coffee here for the first time on Wednesday when showing some people from interstate around the city a couple of us stopped here for a cup of coffee. I had gone past it plenty of times before this I must say I liked it and will return

I’ve been coming to Federal Coffee Palace for years now, even before I was really a fan of coffee. It lives in a really cool location and has nice purple cups but when you start to look at this history of the name that is what will keep bringing you back.
They use Genovese coffee and they have peak periods where they get flooded by local suits and tired shoppers. Definitely worth checking out and don’t get confused, they have a shop front and a smaller cart around the corner.
The Federal Coffee Palace which exists in Melbourne’s infamous GPO refers to the temperance movement of the late 1800s where popular hotels were built and named Coffee Palaces. In Melbourne they either completely abstained from alcohol or encouraged moderation.

I was in town the other day, had some time to kill and desperately needed a coffee so… Unilocal you’re up — Talk to me! Oh there we go — Federal Coffee Palace, it’s got good reviews and apparently the coffee is quite nice and it’s close to where I am!
I get there and wait. there’s no seating inside — oh nooo… It’s freezing!!! No problem, they’ve got heaters outside… that’s so much better!
I had a Flat White and (although I shouldn’t have!) had a Mandarin & Polenta cake as well — they were both great.
The staff were very nice, friendly and cool.
If you’re in the city and you find yourself close to the GPO, give this place a go.
I will definitely return and I can’t wait to try the Chocolate Brownie because, according to one of the guys there, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Damn, I should have had one when I was there!

Lovely, creamy coffee. Attentive, friendly service. Conveniently located if you are in desperate need for change in order to hop on the 96 tram. Expensive ($ 4 for a regular), but I would still come back.

I rode my bike into work the other day in Carton and through that I would get on my bike again and head into the city for lunch. Knowing that Federal Coffee makes great coffee I thought that it was time I checked out the kitchen. As I sat in the beautiful surrounds of the Melbourne GPO listening to Carla Bruni over their sound system whilst I sipped slowly on my freshly squeezed orange juice I was trying to think if lunch in the city could be any more peaceful.
Being a lover of all things Spanish I could not resist the Spanish eggs. So full of flavour, it was gone to quickly, so delicious, I needed more. The brownie at the counter when I went to pay defiantly took the cake.
Scrumptious.

If you find yourself walking around Bourke St Mall and you are in need of a good cup of coffee then make sure you stop off at the Federal Palace Café.
If you are in the city early then opt to sit outside by the kiosk (or corner cart).
On the corner of Bourke St and Elizabeth the little kiosk hides between pillars of the old post office and is the perfect place to get your morning brew.
The space is quite intimate and warm and a great place to watch the comings and goings on the busy strip.
If you are around later on in the day then head towards the café proper.
Like the kiosk it’s set between the pillars but the view down the corridors of stone and out onto Elizabeth St are always enjoyable as you tuck into a focaccia or salad.
The food isn’t spectacular, but it’s a good place to fuel up and have a decent coffee if you are in a central location.
The baristas work fast and pump out great quality coffee and the service is friendly.
The Federal Palace Café offers solid, consistent and well-​made coffee and when your rushing through the city, there’s not much more you can ask for.