Melbourne’s old restaurants: Billabong Family bistros, Holly’s Kmart

From Ben and Bindi at the Billabong bistro to hot chips at Holly’s Kmart, reminisce about Melbourne’s gone — but not forgotten — restaurants.

Whether it was a trip on the train to visit the Myer cafeteria or tucking into a frog in the pond at Holly’s, many people have fond memories of Melbourne’s old restaurants.

Take a walk down memory lane and enjoy these old photos.

BILLABONG FAMILY BISTROS

Koala mascots Bindi and Ben with Billabong staff members. Photographer: Jim Stirling

Bindi and Ben on a procession float during the Moomba Festival in 1984. Picture: Rennie Ellis, courtesy State Library Victoria

Many families frequented the Billabong family bistros, based at seven hotels across Melbourne – The Club Hotel, Ringwood East; Doncaster Inn Hotel; Essendon Hotel; Ferntree Gully Hotel; Mountain View Hotel, Glen Waverley; Sandown Park Hotel, Noble Park; and Shoppingtown Hotel, Williamsons Rd, Doncaster.

The Sunday Herald Sun reported back in 1990 that Billabong bistros were popular venues for parents to take their children along for an entertaining meal.

Koala characters Ben and Bindi entertained the children, especially if there was a birthday party to celebrate.

“I had my 13th Birthday at the Billabong Bistro – I still have my billabong bear 31 years later,” Julianne Polak wrote on the Knox Leader Facebook page.

“I remember the koala, having dinners there and playing in the ball pit. We used to love that place as a kid,” Amanda Wright said.

HOLLY’S KMART

Hundreds of shoppers have fond memories of visiting Holly’s Cafe at Kmart.

The cafes were so popular, a campaign was launched to try and convince Kmart management to bring them back.

Who doesn’t remember a trip with mum or grandma to enjoy a bowl of chips and gravy, a milkshake, frog in a pond or sandwich at Holly’s?

“Best egg and lettuce sandwiches … was my favourite as a kid to go with mum for a shopping day and lunch,” Kim Smith said.

Staff at Holly’s cafe.

“Remember it well,” Dawn Potocnik said.

“Did the shopping and then a cuppa, The girls loved the hot chips and tomato sauce.”

Monique de Kroon remembered working at the cafe wearing the standard uniform of yellow dress, brown apron, and little brown hat.

MYER CAFETERIA

Myer's cafeteria packed in the crowds in 1952. Argus file photo.

A trip into the city to visit the Myer cafeteria was a highlight for many children growing up. The nearby Coles Cafeteria, inside the Coles Variety Store in Bourke St, was also a hit.

“(I remember) going to Myer’s cafeteria in Chadstone way back in the 70s, went every school holidays with mum and nana,” Ngaire Mackay said.

“Coles cafeteria at the rear of the Coles Variety Store in Dandenong was also another great place.”

THE CUCKOO

Gilbert Langford, chef and smorgasbord supervisor cuts some roast pork for a patron in 2001.

Thousands of Melbourne families have memories of celebrating birthdays or special occasions at The Cuckoo Restaurant in Olinda.

The German-inspired tourist mecca, which pioneered the smorgasbord concept in Australia, traded successfully for 62 years until COVID hit, forcing it to close its doors after 62 years.

Manager Andrei Koeppen, whose parents Karin and Willi Koeppen started the restaurant in 1958, said the loss of international tourists, combined with lockdowns and restrictions on buffet dining, made it too hard for the business to survive.

HARRY RAMSDEN’S

China Bar Signature used to be home to a Harry Ramsden Fish and Chips. Picture: Janine Eastgate

Before it was China Bar, the huge restaurant on the corner of Burwood Highway and Springvale Rd was home to a Harry Ramsden’s fish and chips, where Postman Pat used to drop into children’s parties.

PIZZA HUT

The dine-in experience at Pizza Hut was unforgettable as a kid, from the all-you-can eat buffet, to the incredible dessert bar.

HARTEE’S HAMBURGERS

Many readers also have fond memories of Hartee’s Hamburgers, which was based on the corner of Toorak Rd and Camberwell roads in Camberwell.

DANDENONG AND FRANKSTON PANCAKE PARLOURS

The old Dandenong Pancake Parlour. Photo: Wayne Taylor.

The Pancake Parlour in Dandenong closed in 2017, after 31 years in the community.

The restaurant opened in 1986, just days after the Chadstone Shopping Centre parlour opened, and the large, colourful building in the Princes Highway is a local landmark.

The Frankston Pancake Parlour also closed several years ago.

YUMMY’S CAFE

The beloved Waverley Gardens cafe, known for its $1 cheeseburgers and potato cakes, closed earlier this year after 30 years of operation.

Locals said the cafe was known for decades as having the centre’s best take away food including fresh potato cakes and sandwiches.

SMORGY’S

Many Melburnians still have great memories of visiting the smorgasbord restaurants, which were dotted around the suburbs, including Bundoora and Burwood.

“Best place ever miss it so much wish it was still there so I could take my kids to it,”

Kristen Ray said on the Whittlesea Leader Facebook page.

“Favourite place of the 90s,” Tys On said.

DRAGON BOAT KNOX

The Knox Ozone favourite, which offered all day yum cha, played host to countless birthdays and dinners over many years before sadly shutting its doors in 2017.