El Gordo: Bendigo's Spanish Secret

If there’s one thing I had to choose about Bendigo which I loved above anything else it would be Chancery Lane, a beautiful little alley hiding some of Bendigo’s best kept secrets, one of which being El Gordo. Stopping for a quick coffee doesn’t have to mean finding the easiest café to swing in to. This place alone is practically in the heart of the town and boasting a million fliers for future and past events it’s like a rejuvenated quirky information post.

Although the actual café is probably smaller than your bedroom there is ample seating outside where the walls are decorated with plants and weird little sketched art pieces. Even more predominantly local bands, folk music and one-man guitar solos casually play outside making the café possibly one of the smallest venues ever. One of the reasons El Gordo is such a hit with the locals (and the tourists who stumble across it) is the ambiance and sheer character of the laneway. Stumble down a few more meters and you’re met with clothing stores from thrifty to high-fashion, salons and even a rest stop for your pooch.

With a mix of delicious food and fine beverages it’s a great place to unwind and relax without having to be situated right in front of a road. Light lunches range from pastries to --. Even if you have a sweet tooth white chocolate muffins and macaroons await. The drinks are coupled with strawberries instead of marshmallows, a welcome change from the sloppy sweet substance you have gooing up the bottom of your mug after the milk has gone. One more thing I must add in about the hot chocolate, it tastes like a bloody hot chocolate, not warmed up milk with a little bit of a sprinkle, actual heated up chocolaty goodness. I’ve had better so I’ll try not to hype it up too much but compared to a lot of the places in El Gordo’s vicinity it’s your best bet if you like your drinks made with sense.

All in all I have a single golden nugget of advice for you, go there. Even if just for a quick snoop it’s one treasure of Bendigo that you can’t afford to miss.