Nelson

12 Nelson Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia
+61 3 9898 2078
$$$ Cafe
(191 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Welcome to Nelson, a charming cafe located at 12 Nelson Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia. This delightful spot is more than just a place to grab a quick cup of coffee; it’s a refuge for weary travelers, busy parents, and anyone looking to savor a moment of tranquility.

The atmosphere at Nelson is uniquely inviting, with its warm, cozy decor and bright double-glazed windows that shield you from the hustle and bustle outside. People from all walks of life, from hospital visitors to locals, gather here to unwind, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy some peace while working on their laptops. Customers rave about the friendly staff, who are always eager to assist and create a welcoming environment that makes you feel right at home.

The menu at Nelson features an enticing selection that caters to all tastes. Start with one of their refreshing soft drinks or opt for something a bit more sophisticated from their alcohol offerings, such as the delightful Aperol Spritz or the invigorating Elderflower Gin & Tonic. For those with little ones, the Kids Menu includes treats like a delectable waffle topped with fresh strawberries for just A$10.00 and a comforting One Egg On Toast for A$9.00.

But it’s the coffee that truly steals the show. Many customers have noted the exceptional strength of the brews at Nelson, making it a perfect stop for coffee lovers. One customer, Shayan Soroush, noted, “Good coffee around Box Hill hospital—the cups for a large are small but on the flip side, the strength is excellent.” The almond latte is a standout as well, leaving a memorable impression as shared by DoveGigi, who found delight in its rich and delightful taste after a long day.

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, dive into their scrumptious breakfast bowls or try the pulled pork on waffles, which is both flavor-packed and visually stunning—a sentiment echoed in Simmyeats.melb’s review. Diners rave about the way the plates are put together, with every dish crafted to be a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Nelson is not just a cafe; it’s a gathering place that transforms the mundane into something special, even during the busiest of days. Whether you're looking to fuel up before an appointment, meet a friend, or simply enjoy a moment alone, Nelson offers a piece of solace in every cup and every bite. Make your way to Nelson today and experience the joy of good coffee, delicious food, and warm hospitality.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
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 alcohol
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
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
Free parking lot
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours

Monday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

191 Reviews
DoveGigi

19 Sep 2025

After spending a significant part of the day at the Box Hill Hospital’s emergency room with my son, I decided to visit this cafe for a much-needed coffee break. I was delighted by the delectable food offerings, and their almond latte left a lasting impression with its delightful taste.

Theory Nightshade

09 Sep 2025

Honestly this little cafe should get more attention than it does! Fantastic food and coffee, friendly staff, and a good place to sit and work or chat with friends for a while.

Bernard Liu

21 Aug 2025

A quaint little café located a short walk from Box Hill Central near the hospital and apartments. Despite traffic and lack of parking spots, the double glazed windows enclosed a warm and relaxed environment for an enjoyable weekend brunch. Although the tables were a little small, service was fantastic; staff are energetic and eager to help wherever possible. The wait-time for the orders were reasonable. Strong matcha latte was made very well with a hint of sweetness at no extra costs, while the latte was light and not overly strong. We ordered a raspberry white chocolate muffin in the past; although it tasted great with plenty of raspberries inside, it was a little soggy when it was heated prior to serving. Steak Sandwich - For its price, it was very nice. They were not stingy with the meat at all and it was not overcooked at all. The pairings of onion rings, rocket and sauces was done well, not making the sandwich overly dense and soggy nor insubstantial. It was lovely to have for brunch, however, the side of fries could be a little more with less salt. Churro Waffles - Ordered it out of curiosity and was mildly surprised. Presentation was great and not overly staged, with simple ingredients and flair. The chocolate sauce at the bottom was not overly sweet, however, as the name suggests, the Churro Waffles were generously coated in sugar. The raspberry icecream and fairy floss were a good addition to the hot waffles, which added to the sweetness overdose. The dish itself was a joy to have, however it feels a little too sweet for a brunch. Overall, we had an enjoyable time here with great food and a relaxing atmosphere. For its price, the service and food are reasonable. I would definitely come back and try more of their menu.

Simmyeats. melb

17 Aug 2025

My friend and I visited here yesterday and what a beautiful visit it was. The decor and vibe is great, I particularly liked the choice of music too. A stand out menu, we didn't know what to order. We shared the breakfast bowl with mushies, pulled pork on waffles and the fig and mascarpone on sour dour. WOW, everything was so flavoursome and excellent in presentation. I wish I lived closer so I could pop in more often, the food was so impressive. Our coffees were divine and I even tried a coconut water which came out in a coconut and it was lovely. Staff were happy and friendly, a great addition to this lovely cafe. Thank you for the invite, we had such a great time.

Shayan Soroush

08 Jul 2025

Good coffee around box hill hospital - the cups for a large is small but on the flip side the strength is excellent unlike many other places that dilute coffee with too much milk. Would come back. Thank you

Faa Papon

26 Jun 2025

brunch in boxhill acai bowl eggs benedict waffle toast with bacon & avo : @nelsonboxhill : Box Hill : Haven’t been back to Nelson Box Hill in a while, so didn’t mind a nostalgic visit when we were in the area. : Loved the delicious Granola Bowl (especially the chewy granola) and acai blend base, topped with fruit slices. And can’t go pass a signature like the Benedict Waffle nor a classic like a good old toast with bacon and avo.

Toki Nguyen

24 Jun 2025

modern and neutral esthetic with great hospitality - Nelson really is intriguing and inviting at first glance! and there dishes are to the same standard! good points: food and hospitality is top notch and well priced! great for catch up with friends, weekend chills or even for a business meeting over coffee n meal! negative points: parking is a bit tough as its nearby the hospital which means very limited and time restricted parking. you are better off parking at the shopping centre area and walking over. they also attract a weekend surcharge so dont be surprised at your bill

Espy Eats

14 Jun 2025

We popped into Nelson to pick up our click and collect order of Inglewood coffee and ended up celebrating our first brunch sitting in after Melbourne lockdowns eased. Felt so great to sit down and select items off the menu. We ordered a strong latte each and I opted for the Nutella Hong Kong Waffles while KD chose the Smashed Kabocha Pumpkin. We shared both and the flavours were standout. The pumpkin dish had so many different elements... poached egg, beetroot hummus, crispy kale, feta and dukkah. Quick efficient friendly service to which is always what you want. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Previous Review I have been slow to embrace Nelson’s arrival into Box Hill (and within walking distance of home). That has a lot to do with this cafe groups policy of charging diners a 10% surcharge over the weekend (15% on public holidays). While no one is a millions years can convince me a weekend surcharge is reasonable I put this aside this-morning ( on a public holiday) as we were is desperate need of a caffeine fix that wasn’t from a Nespresso coffee pod machine (self isolating for the past 3 weeks). Nelson has a lovely bright minimalist interior and although we couldn’t dine in their cabinet display was impeccable and everything was still shiny and new. The cake cabinet tempted us with monster sized choc chip cookies to accompany our skinny & almond milk lattes. The sole staff member was friendly and chatty and coffee was done in a jiffy. Verdict: the coffee was undeniably good thanks to Inglewood beans and a great extraction. Would definitely be up their among our top coffee picks for the Box Hill/ Blackburn area and I can see that KD will want more walks in close proximity to Nelson in the future. The choc chip cookies were both hit and miss for us. I loved this chunky giant sized cookie and it’s slightly salty taste (perhaps salted butter?) but KD was less of a fan... so I got to finish hers. Would definitely consider a visit in the future when we are again able to dine in as the cafe group that Nelson belongs to do have some stellar dishes in their repertoire.

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