MelbourneWillow Urban Retreat- plant-based delivery

By Jess Moses @freshlysnapped
28 August '20

Willow Urban Retreat is a wholefoods cafe and wellness spa located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia.

It raises the bar high when it comes to cafés in Melbourne.

The setting

They don’t just call it a retreat for nothing. Willow Urban Retreat is a tranquil urban oasis, where all of your worries are left at the door. From decor, to design, menu, food plating and staff, this place is everything you would wish for in a Melbourne retreat.

Willow Urban Retreat cafe is part of the Willow Urban Retreat wellness spa. The spa offers holistic wellness services, from naturopathy, to massage, osteopathy, wellness coaching and even has an infrared sauna too.

As the spa and cafe are located next door to each other there is a relaxed vibe across the whole Glowcation.

The decor and interiors are state of the art. This café is often used by photographers, brands and influencers for their stunning fit out and design.

Sadly the spa is temporarily closed and the café is not currently open for table service due to the Victoria lockdown regulations, but the good news is, they are still open for takeaway daily.

Whether it’s the jade onyx wall, the ceramic crockery or their iconic arched hallways, it’ll make you stop and stare at every corner.

They even have rose quartz built into the structure of the building too!

The little things

The staff are always upbeat, friendly and caring. There’s always service with a smile.

What I ate

It’s hard to choose when the whole menu is packed with wholefood goodness. I had to try their Wholefoods Bowl as it is a new addition to their menu….

And now I know why it’s their showstopper dish. It’s packed with colour, texture and flavour, and is almost too pretty to eat!

I tried their slow roasted pumpkin, sauteed greens, warm chickpea & quinoa tabbouleh, minted baba ganoush, house sauerkraut, portobello mushrooms, pomegranate dressing and almond dukkah.

I also had to try their Salted Caramel & Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl. It’s rich, indulgent and definitely photo worthy. It has the perfect blend of sweet and salt, plus loads of crunch on top to make it the best texture too.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter, you can’t go wrong with their Superfood Salad or Willow Greens.

All of their dishes are available for takeaway during the Melbourne lockdown. They pick-up or delivery services available. I’ve been enjoying these dishes more recently as I work from home and want to add some extra nutrients to my meals to fuel those long WFH days.

When you don’t feel like cooking elaborate or healthy meals during isolation, Willow comes to the rescue. Although I miss dining in at their beautiful space, I do love that I can have a little piece of Willow at home with me during this time.

What I drank

As it’s winter here in Melbourne, a hot chocolate was definitely in order. Their speciality hot chocolate from Mork is so rich and chocolatey, it’s literally like a hug in a mug!

I also tried their new immunity shots which made me feel superhuman.

It’s a blend of freshly squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, turmeric, ginger root, apple cider vinegar and honey. It definitely packs a punch but it’s so worth the burn.

These are also perfect to grab on-the-go. I often grab them as I’m on a walk during lockdown to brighten up my day.

What else

They support local Australian businesses, put sustainability at the forefront of their business and always have your health and wellness in mind.

They are taking cafes in Melbourne to the next level, adding an elegant twist with a healthy edge.

All of their ingredients are sourced locally, using only the finest premium products.

They are breaking the boundaries when it comes to food presentation and flavour combinations.

The bill

Wholefoods Bowl: $21.50
Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl: $18.50
Hot Chocolate: $5
Immunity Shot: $4.50

What made me glow

The café is filled with neutral colours and tons of natural light, which makes it the perfect place to capture stunning food shots.

They also have a courtyard out the back which is the best place to sit on a summer’s day.

Willow Urban Retreat

1205 High Street
Armadale
VIC 3143
Australia

+61 3 9822 8778
@willowurbanretreat
visit website
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