Local Cafes · Victoria

The General Food Store

Buzzy cafe crafting seasonal brunch and fair-trade coffee aromas.

Discover The General Food Store, a buzzy cafe offering seasonal brunch, fair-trade coffee, and vegan fare in Emerald, VIC. A local favorite for breakfast and lunch.

4.7 · 568 community voices
377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782, Australia
$20–40 Cafes Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in · No Delivery +61 3 5968 3580 377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782, Australia
From the menu

Signature picks from the menu.

A few community favorites from The General Food Store

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About this place

The General Food Store: a buzzy Emerald cafe experience

Nestled on 377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd in Emerald, The General Food Store is a lively cafe celebrated for its art-adorned walls and seasonal brunch dishes. Drawing a diverse crowd that includes families, tourists, and locals, it’s especially popular for breakfast, lunch, and solo visits catering to those working on laptops. The atmosphere feels casual, cozy, and trendy, with standout highlights like great coffee and an excellent tea selection sourced from fair-trade producers. The menu offers a varied mix of healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options alongside small plates and quick bites, featuring items such as the beloved Varabesques, Breakfast of Champignons, and a variety of toasted sandwiches and croissants. Beyond onsite dining and takeout, the welcoming space also supports LGBTQ+ inclusivity and is a dogs-allowed spot with outdoor seating. With a 4.7 rating from over 560 reviews, it’s a dependable hub where great coffee and friendly service meet thoughtful, organic dishes.

Great vibe, friendly staff, and coffee that keeps locals coming back.

— A Foodyvo community impression
  • Exceptional coffee & tea selection
  • Ideal for quick or relaxed visits
  • Dogs allowed outdoors, family-friendly
  • Fast Wi-Fi and workspace-friendly
  • Diverse menu with vegan & organic options
Voices from the table

Real diners. Real moments.

A community wall of food memories from The General Food Store.

K
Kyal Woolnough

I frequently come to the general for breakfast/brunch sometimes with friends and sometimes with my kids (they love the food). Today i went by myself, I was seated fast like usual, ordered my coffee and arabesque with avo. Food was served quickly. I was just sitting there by myself, enjoying the vibe and thinking how bloody good the coffee and food was. Honestly the coffee had to of been the best coffee I have had in a long time and the arabesque was just spot on. The service was amazing like usual, they are all so happy. Ill be back in the morning to get another coffee.

T
Trevor Macleod

(Update) I returned here for brunch today and tried the “Layer Slayer” croissant. Wow! Absolutely amazing - most delicious croissant variation I’ve ever had. It’s a must try if you come to The General and you love Chorizo. Fantastic cafe with a long history of excellent food and coffee in the local area. I’ve been here multiple times off and on over many years and it never disappoints. Excellent range of menu options, most using local produce. Meals served fresh & hot with super friendly and efficient service from the cafe team. I had the “Fire In The Hole” breakfast with corn bread and a side of halloumi and it was amazing - tasty and filling accompanied by delicious coffee. This venue is highly recommended!

P
Paul

Definitely worth a visit. Coffee was superb and tea was real tea leaves. Great service with chatty, friendly staff. Use of local produce was welcome and tasty.

D
Daniel Gilliland

Just had a really nice Breakfast and Coffee.....Very friendly staff and food was spot on.....local produce...even bought some home made Tomato Jam...yum !!! Thank You Very Much

G
Greg B

We came up to the General Food Store for brunch, with a toddler and newborn. The shop front itself is quite small, but there is also seating out in the back. This is a fairly open addition, but there are some very effective heaters to keep it cosy in the cooler months. We had the Arabesque and Colonial Crunch, as well as some coffees, which were all excellent. There is a kids menu, too, which has some excellent options. I've included a picture of this, as it isn't readily available online. Overall, the food was fresh and delicious, and the service friendly and efficient. Really recommend it if you're in the area!

N
Nanling Liu

We stopped by this small cafe on our way to Emerald lake. Their coffee was rich and creamy, their food was surprisingly good! I particularly loved the egg & bacon burger, the ratio of protein, sauce, and bread was excellent, I enjoyed every single bite of it! That also added a thick layer of house-made tomato jam to the burger, which was a great addition to bring some freshness to the dish. My partner also enjoyed their toasted croissant with cheese and ham, it was simple but rich and flavourful. I would definitely recommend this cafe to anyone who loves simple but quality food!

J
James Song

Loved the simple, honest flavors! Great coffee! Plenty of car park spaces at th rear of the shop.

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Location

Visit this local food place.

One unique address — slow food, wood-fired oven, neighborhood vibe.

The General Food Store · Cafes

  • Address 377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782, Australia
  • Open today 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Daily
  • Services Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in · No Delivery
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Open hours

Opening Hours

Open daily offering breakfast and lunch with dine-in and takeaway options.

Closes at 3:00 PM
Monday
07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Tuesday
07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Wednesday
07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Thursday
07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Friday
07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Saturday
08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
Sunday
08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Breakfast & Lunch
People typically spend 15 min to 1 hr here.
Brunch reservations recommended; accepts bookings.
Offers takeout, dine-in, and outdoor seating.
Free and paid parking options available nearby.
Popular for breakfast, lunch, and solo dining.
Hours are kept up to date by the restaurant. For private bookings or large groups, call ahead.
Good to know

Little things worth mentioning.

Breakfast & Lunch

Seasonal brunch dishes and vegan fare available.

Coffee & Tea

Fair-trade coffees and great tea selection served.

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi for guests to work or relax.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and seating.

Family Friendly

Good for kids with high chairs and kids’ menu.

Pet Friendly

Dogs allowed, including outdoor seating areas.

Payments

Accepts credit, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Location

377 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782, Australia.

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Taste the story

Ready to taste the story?

Browse the menu, get directions, or share The General Food Store with someone who loves wood-fired pizza.

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