Church of Secular Coffee

If you're on the Monash Clayton campus and after somewhere to sit down for a proper coffee, Church of Secular Coffee is a cafe in Clayton, Victoria that students and staff seem to have made their own. It's a cafe rather than a bakery in the strict sense, so think of it as a spot for coffee with a bite alongside, not a place to pick up a loaf or a tray of pies.

The coffee is what people talk about first. Flat whites and takeaway coffees are popular choices, and locals describe the drinks as good and the setting as laid-back. We've heard it's a favourite for a long catch-up, and one regular says they used to order a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant here every day while living across from the venue. There's loose leaf chai too, with a brewed-in-the-cup version for staying and a pre-brewed honey and vanilla one for taking away, which helps when you're short on time.

On the food side, the menu runs across breakfast, brunch, lunch and dessert, with vegetarian and vegan options. Chilli scrambled eggs and a good ciabatta have both earned a mention, and an affogato served in a cute cup-in-a-cup has caught someone's eye. One person felt the food was just okay, though the coffee won them over. You can dine in, sit outside, take away, or have it delivered, and they also do catering.

The staff come up again and again, and in a good way. People describe the team as friendly and engaging, taking the time to learn their regulars. Two of the managers, Christian and Meagan, get a warm shout-out for making each visit feel welcoming. It also has a reputation for fair prices, which matters when you're a student. One visitor had a drink order go wrong on a busy day, so if you're racing to a class, it's worth double-checking your cup before you leave the counter.

It sits just a minute or so from the campus centre, which makes it easy to fit in between lectures. The cafe is open on weekdays and closed on weekends, so check the hours before you head over.