3 stars – Great vibe, but the food and service need to match the price point
Los Friday’s Cocina has a fun, energetic spirit and definitely brings something different to Daylesford, which we really wanted to get behind. But unfortunately, the overall experience didn’t match the elevated pricing.
We ordered burritos and tacos, which sat around $25 each – a price point that suggests a higher-end casual dining experience. However, the food was served in takeaway-style packaging, even for dine-in (sauces in plastic containers etc.), which felt a little mismatched. Even major chains like Nando’s or Zambreros at a lower price point offer a more polished dine-in experience.
The flavours themselves were okay, but pretty mild – the standout was the chipotle-style sauce, which I’d recommend asking for. Unfortunately, our sides arrived well after we’d finished eating and only after prompting staff – which made them feel redundant.
One big issue was misleading signage. The sandwich board suggested vegan burgers, which is what drew us in, but once seated, we were told they don’t actually serve veggie burgers and the “vegan” offering refers to some of the Mexican menu options if you remove certain elements. That could definitely be clearer, as we weren’t the only ones confused.
There’s definitely potential here – a cool venue with a strong concept – but the business needs to choose a clearer direction. Either lean fully into street food and adjust pricing accordingly (e.g. $15 for a burrito), or elevate the dine-in service and presentation to justify the $25+ price point. As it stands, it’s priced like Pancho (Ballarat), but without the same level of food or service polish.
Really hoping to come back in a few months and see it firing on all cylinders!


Amelia Jane