Thrive on George

Overview

It can be a little tricky finding a quick eat in the city that’s not going to break your calorie counter. Sushi, Maccas and cafe focaccias become dangerous temptations when the lunch whistle sounds. But with a quick trip to Thrive on George you’ll find it’s quite possible to have that mad-dash lunch and eat it too.

Thrive on George is one of few cafes that understands the urgency of CBD lunching, and caters to it welcomingly. You can be in and out with a sandwich in under a minute and don’t have to worry that it’s going to be of 7-Eleven staleness. And if it’s not a sandwich you’re after, grab a baguette, roll, salad, soup, yoghurt, apple, pack of dried fruit and nuts, muesli and DIY toast, all with a side of peace of mind.

It’s worth sticking around and waiting for a smoothie, juice or coffee. The juices here aren’t filled with exotic berries or ancient kale or superfoods; they’re as stock-standard as they come, but that’s what’s makes them delicious. There’s nothing better than an orange juice made from nothing but oranges, or a quick apple and watermelon to fend off Ekka flu.

The latest edition to Thrive's banquet of options is a dine-in menu that shows off everything from pancakes to open grills. If you’ve got some extra time in the morning, give the Breakfast Turkish ($9.90) a go, or if you’re trying to cut down on those types of food, opt for the macadamia and cranberry muesli ($8.90). Prices aren’t as painfully CBD as you might expect — you can grab a coffee during their happy hour for a couple of bucks; sandwiches, rolls and baguettes are never over ten; and every so often they have pretty delightful sandwich and smoothie deals.

There’s nothing overtly la-dee-da about Thrive, but it knows its market and caters to it to a tee. There’s little rush and even less waiting time here, even on a Monday at 1pm. It’s not because Thrive isn’t popular or a lunch staple for many; it’s just they know how to keep the ball rolling and customers happy with food that's fresh, tasty and better than a $2.20 piece of sushi.