Snow Pony

The place to be seen! Groovy café offering colourful & delicious dishes. Situated on a fairly quiet strip with lovely surroundings

A pioneer in trendy brunch venues - Snow Pony is part of an excellent family of cafes locally which serve great breakies and lunch, and have the funkiest, coolest staff. Love coming here, whether for a coffee or a meal.

Was very excited to try this cafe however was left disappointed. The food was nice however was not outstanding, and staff were not very friendly.

Food has always been fresh and tasty. However the service of late has been terrible. Our waitress seemed completely bored and impatient. In fact even rolled her eyes when my elderly grandmother asked a few questions about the menu. The cash only policy does bother me, especially for a large and busy cafe such as this. I will continue to return, as the food is good... hopefully we will get a different waiter next time.

Approximate cost: $15

After reading mixed reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect of Snow Pony. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised. I had the avocado smash with mushrooms, which was pretty good along with a standard tasting coffee. The real deal was the banana bread, which was so yummy and full of flavour and texture. Pity the sweetness really makes it more of a dessert than a main, although I'd return to eat it for lunch any day.

Approximate cost: $15-$25

Had lunch here today. The waitresses were very friendly but food was very expensive. Their grilled vegetable baguette was $12, on their website it said $9.99 obviously still old and it was fairly ordinary with not much filling inside. The place seems to be quite crowded though.

Based on prior reviews it would seem this place has gone downhill of late. I went in today and was immediately horrified to notice that their menu stated "Cash only". How many cafes out there are arrogant enough to place such an unreasonable expectation on their customers? I mean, its 2012, seriously. I understand limiting the amount one can spend on their card, as its inconvenient to have everyone putting their take-away coffee order on EFT, but I think when I've spent $30 at your business, the least you can do is provide me the opportunity to pay with card, particularly when there are no ATMs on the shopping strip at all. As I had come unprepared for this (as I'd imagine many would) I had to borrow money off a friend which I felt quite embarrassed about, but didn't exactly have a choice when there was no way for me to pay or get money out. I find this shows a real lack of consideration for your customers Snow Pony.

The experience didn't get much better, it took about 20 minutes for a waitress to take my coffee order and the wait staff weren't exactly friendly.

The food was ok, nothing so amazing that I couldn't go to one of the other thousands of cafes in Melbourne (the majority of which accept eftpos) and get something similar.

Very disappointed as I have heard such rave reviews about this place. Clearly another trendy fad cafe that will fade out soon enough.

Approximate cost: $15-20

I met a friend there for brunch one Saturday afternoon and it was packed out. We were seated at the back corridor of the cafe and there was literally 30cm between one table and the next. It was too noisy, we felt rushed, the wait staff hurried and inattentive (understandable since I'd estimate the ratio of staff to table was 1:8).

The food and coffee was decent but nothing I'd wait in line for (which we did). This was rather disappointing as I went there after hearing rave reviews about the place. The reality was that I could've eaten the same thing at any other decent cafe in Melbourne.

Approximate cost: $10-20

The food was tasty, the place was a little crowded, there isn't really a lot of seating, coffee was warm and slow to come out, as was the food. But it all tasted good at least! From memory it was cash only, but I can't be sure. Staff were tolerable I wouldn't class them as friendly but they certainly weren't rude or abrupt.

I have been coming here for approx 2-3 years. I love my strong coffees however lately they have been inconsistent. Even though I ask for a strong skinny latte (and often repeat it so the wait staff take it down correctly) I have had to return my coffee as it was weak, hot and or had hardly any crema. What makes it worse is the wait staff give you attitude- as if you shouldnt be questioning the coffee you get. When I have ordered take away coffee it was very slow- seems like all other dine- in orders had to be cleared first- the whole idea of take away is because your passing through or dont have time to dine it etc. I also feel some meals are pricey for what you get. I hope the owners take note of this and focus more on customer service as it is a nice cafe and overall cosey ambienc. I think they have become complacent of late and at times, they act as if they are doing you are a favour serving you.

Food is top quality and delicious. Nice, clean and cosy cafe (although can feel quite cramped if seated in the courtyard). Would come here again.

Hands down the best cafe in Balwyn. Great food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere and the best coffee i have had. It has started to get busy over the past 12 months so make sure you avoid arriving from 11-12 as there is usually a line.

Approximate cost: $15

great food, really cosy atmosphere. its great because its really close to me, a great little suburban cafe with all the charm of inner city melbourne. AWESOME COFFEE, one of the best lattes in melbourne.

Approximate cost: $25

cool little place. but beware the crazy mums in there in the morning. they bring the whole atmosphere down. its like when you hear that high frequency squeal in your ear that wont go away. but after 10 seems to be pretty cruisy.

great coffee, not sure of what brand it is, but never the less my coffee was ace!

Approximate cost: $8-19

This is a great cafe with a great range of delicious food. What I loved most was the atmosphere. I especially enjoyed sitting outside in the back. They turned the heater on and there was all this great music playing.

I was lucky to find Snow Pony - walking past it after a gym work out today. I am ecstatic to find a place that does such fabulous coffee and great food near me! I couldn't rave enough about it to my husband and will be raving about it to my sis very soon. Hope it doesn't get crazy busy so I can always get a table - I plan to go there very often!!!

Approximate cost: $10-20

Like most people......we found out about this little piece of nirvana via a friend of a friend of a friend.....its all very word of mouth which makes this place that much better! We had an amazing breakfast here with my wife enjoying the smashed avacado (mushed up avocado with mushrooms and feta on toast), while i went sweet and devoured their amazing banana bread! All in all I have to say this was a real find in Balwyn....its more Fitzroy, CBD or somewhere else a lil more funky! But we are so glad these guys did it, the place was buzzing, coffee to die for, great music (though while we were there we did overhear a few of the 'balwyn types' requesting that the music be turned down.....perhaps they are not quite quite ready for a cafe that viabrates with energy - maybe it throws out the botox?) and amazingly friendly staff in a place you might expect alot of attitiude (take note liar liar, these guys know how to interact with custiomers!) Snow Pony is fantastic and I will be sure to only tell a select few about it as its a small space with a great courtyard, and I can just see it getting very busy very soon (it is busy enough already) Thank you for saving Balwyn!

Approximate cost: $15.00

friends told us that there was a new 'cool kid on the block' in Balwyn - and living in Balwyn (a STARVED area for cafes..) we were very excited as they had raved about it... OMG, it is a SAVIOUR!!!! haha. minimalist styling, almost industrial but warmed up with leather banquettes and artwork. the owner is obviously the chef, as you could taste the love, so simple, fresh and well SEASONED.. the key i think. Coffee was super, though my second flat white was not as impressive as the first (it was made by a different barista than the first).. anyway it did not hinder our experience, we have been back a couple more times, and the main thing is the food, service and coffee is consistent.. long live the pony!! i hope it does really well, it is already very busy which is great to see.

Approximate cost: $12