Rat the Cafe

72 Wales St, Thornbury VIC 3071, Australia
$$$ Cafe
(251 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Welcome to Rat the Cafe, a delightful gem nestled on 72 Wales St, Thornbury VIC 3071, Australia. This charming cafe perfectly captures the essence of local culture, boasting a warm atmosphere that draws in a creative crowd. Whether you stumble upon it by chance or are a local regular, you're bound to be enchanted by this trendy spot.

Step inside and soak in the ambiance that effortlessly blends quirky decor with a relaxed vibe. As you make your way to the order counter, the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen will pique your appetite. The cafe's menu features a fusion of exciting and wholesome options, with standout items like the saffron-infused 'Slightly Sausagey Roll'—a savory combination of ground beef, pork, and fennel wrapped in a flaky pastry, served with fresh greens and their house chutney for just A$16. Your taste buds will meet a fiesta of flavors as you indulge in the vegan delight of the 'Not At All Sausagey Roll', a Moroccan spiced red lentil roll presented with a delightful assortment of greens, available for A$14.

Craving something lighter? The pulled chicken or jackfruit tacos (A$18), accompanied by lime, pickled onions, and a vibrant salsa verde, provide a refreshing taste of zesty goodness with every bite. Pair your meal with one of their famous milkshakes, such as the delectable chocolate offering for just A$10, for a truly indulgent experience.

For those seeking a health boost, the Rat Juices are a must-try. These 375ml servings are packed full of nutrients; the Botanical Apple blend combines apple with a medley of greens for a refreshing cleanse (A$7), while the Tropical Bliss invites your palate on a sun-kissed adventure with orange, mango, and passionfruit (A$7).

But don’t just take our word for it—customers rave about Rat the Cafe's inviting atmosphere and scrumptious offerings. One delighted patron, 'Princess Consuela BananaHammock,' shared, "This place is such a cute little hipster cafe which seems to attract a very creative crowd. The flourless orange cake we had was absolutely divine!" Similarly, 'B' noted that it features “the best sausage roll to date” and is a “neighborhood gem worth a little trek.”

If you're looking for a space that goes beyond typical cafe offerings, Rat the Cafe also provides a fantastic venue for private events, as highlighted by 'Jacqualine Le Gassick.' The cafe's flexibility and attention to detail create memorable experiences for any gathering.

With its dog-friendly outdoor seating, engaging menu, and charming staff, Rat the Cafe stands as a testament to Thornbury's thriving local scene. Whether you're popping in for a quick lunch or planning your next private event, this quaint spot promises to leave an imprint on your culinary heart.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Sells prepared foods
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

251 Reviews
Princess Consuela BananaHammock

27 Sep 2025

We were only in the area by chance but I'm glad we stopped here. This place is such a cute little hipster cafe which seems to attract a very creative crowd. Service was lovely and the flourless orange cake we had was absolutely divine and crazy moist. We'll definitely make the trek back for breakfast.

Charley Shaw

25 Sep 2025

Rat the cafe was lovely enough to allow us to use their venue for a fundraiser for our childcare center. They had set up the venue beautifully for the event. We had great feedback from parents in regard to the food and delicious cocktails. The toasties were a big hit.

Jacqualine Le Gassick

03 Sep 2025

We were lucky enough to host a private event at The Rat a few weeks ago. They went above and beyond to make the venue look really beautiful in the evening and the food was delicious. Fab venue for a private event with lots of flexibility around the groups needs. Thank you so much!

Jacquie Byard

31 Aug 2025

Relaxed street-side seating area which was great with our dog. Easy ordering with a QR code. Food and coffee were good. No complaints, but we weren't blown away either.

B

11 Aug 2025

Absolutely charming spot with lovely staff, pup friendly outdoor seating with an area under the shade of a leafy tree or on the sidewalk out front. This was the best sausage roll to date and a generous portion. Neighborhood gem worth a little trek.

victoria newdick

24 Jul 2025

Great cafe, really good batch brew and amazing pupchino 2 paws up from my dog. Really love the quality of pastries they have available had this fig one back a few months ago now I still think about haha

Xavier Andrews

22 Jul 2025

A great cafe in the nice and quiet corner of Wales Street and Clyde Street. I come here mainly for snacks or a coffee. The Jam and Nutella doughnuts are delicious as well as the croissant and chocolate croissant. This place has really friendly staff as well. Been going there lots of times since January 2019 and not a single mistake was made in my personal experience. Would highly recommend going there.

Ciara G-H

21 Jun 2025

SO YUM! The coffee was lovely, and the food, although the menu is without frills, is of fantastic quality. The sourdough and butter was delish!! Such great quality ingredients and good portions. We blooming loved it and will be returning for probs the best brekky in Thornbury!!!!

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