I received the first machine for x-mas and had to take it back within 8 months because the seal was unable to hold the pressure and sprayed coffee went everywhere. The same has now happened with the replacement model. Whilst they look classy for the buck, Breville really need to re think this model... redaing this forum is enough to understand why. I have taken great care, I clean it every day and this simply isn't good enough.
Don't waste your time or money.
look
keeps breaking.....

Had a Breville Cafe Roma which produced great espressos and americanos. However it packed up after 6 months and was given a Cafe Venezia as a replacement. The coffee was always luke warm even though I pre-heated the cups and stainless steek filter. I tried 3 different coffee blends (including Illy) and always ended with the same result i.e. very weak coffee with no body to speak of. Was a disappointment compared with the Cafe Roma. After 2 days the machine "exploded". I will be uploading a video of the "exploding espresso" in a day or so.
Looks good
Serious design flaws

Overall, this product is extremely good, great value, works fantastic and have not had any problems, would recommend this product to all.
This is a fantastic coffee machine we purchased it a month ago for $210 on special, it works very well no water leaks, or any problems, providing the instructions are read thoroughly to begin with. Before making coffee the group handle should be flushed with hot water and the cups soaked aswell to ensure the coffee stays hot :) and make sure you rinse the jugs and steam wand after every use.
absolutely nothing! we drink too much coffee now :)

This machine, in my experience, makes goood coffee. The group head needs to be pre-heated as do the cups. 'Empty Me' indicator floats into view too late really. Just be prepared to empty the drip tray frequently.
makes good coffee
occasional leaks

EDITED: Just noticed this machine is now over 7 years old and still makes a good cup of coffee !! ---- Makes a yummy cup of coffee. Looks good. Love the big water tank. Only need to fill it once in the morning. Excellent crema! Bottom drainer tray seems to fills up too quickly (from where, I don't know) but other than that, it's been an excellent machine.

Had a replacement machine now for over a month and have gone through about 2 kilo of beans. it makes great coffee and the exchange machine has not dissapointed. its comforting that it comes with one year free replacement warranty. only drawback is its not hot enough. need to heat up the cup and strainer or else its luke warm coffee.
price, appearance, large water tank and cup warming tray
the first machine failed within a matter of days

I don't recommend this product at all. It looks sturdy but one small design flaw lets it down. Never got a great shot of coffee from it and now what I can get is barely satisfactory.
Looks nice when it's clean. Holds a lot of water. The Little red indicator says 'Empty me!'
We've had a reoccurring problem with the plastic/rubber seal around where the water comes out. This part cracked, we got a replacement and it's cracked again. The machine is unusable when this happens, as soon as the pressure builds, water and coffee grinds spray out all over the kitchen.
The only way to prevent this part from failing seems to be to use a coarser grind of coffee, hardly tamp at all and drink weak-as coffee. Yuck!

I have had two Cafe Roma units and one Venezia over the last number of years. The first Roma broke down (pump) in about 18mo and it was replaced by Breville out of warranty. The replacement unit also packed it in the same way. We have had the Venezia unit for just as long and it now has a leaky pressure unit that will not hold pressure.

I will not be buying another Breville Expresso Maker, but don't want to pay more than $400.
good coffee bu tnot worth the extra price compared the Roma
breaks down catastrophically/ soon after warranty

It worked well while it was working good crema good overall coffee quality froth in the milk was perfect, but Don't Bother with it,Once bitten twice shy !! Not getting a replacement !!
I was so pleased to bring my Cafe Venezia home, made my first espresso and was impressed by the quality of the crema and the overall flavour of the coffee it produced.
Turned out to be a total lemon, had the machine 2 weeks and then one morning it decided not to work. The on/off button had failed. Then got a replacement, used it to make 2 coffees it was on for a total of 20 minutes, I then turned it off as the manual had stipulated not to leave it on. Went to make another coffee 10 minutes later and it would not turn back on.

If you pre-heat the cups and flush the group handle so its hot before you start this machine will knock out cafe quality espresso coffee day in day out. You could pay three or four times the price and not get any better coffee than this machine can make. Sure the steam pressure could be more powerful for quicker frothier milk but hey, what do you expect for under $250. With a little practice you can whip up silky white foam, it just takes a bit longer than a commercial machine. Love it!
Love it! Quick to heat up, simple to use, accepts tall mugs.
For less than $250 there is nothing to complain about.

Had it a while and use it a lot, but have already had it repaired once and having to constantly clean up the leaking water, not good. On/off button very tricky and can take a while to turn on. Would not buy one again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Makes really nice coffee and is very easy to use
Leaks constantly, the empty me indicator doesn't appear until it is too late.

Produces a very nice coffee with excellent creme. Easy to and looks great, my wife loves the styling so it can live on the kitchen bench. Only drawback is preheat time to produce a hot cup but I guess thats a personal preference.
Water tank is a good size- infrequent filling. Quick brewing time. Easy to use and a smooth operation."Empty me" warning on drain tray works well.
Needs a good preheat to produce hot coffee. Retains too much liquid in the coffee strainer, messy to empty.

Average machine based on the function of the tray not performing. Stainless steel looks great, but majority coffee machines are now stainless steel. If I was choose again, I would not pick this model.
Looks great, large water storage, makes good coffee - barista dependant.
1st machine I got leaked water through the tray (while tray was empty) water started to build up under machine, on my benchtop. Returned it, got exactly the same model again, thinking the 1st one was faulty, only to find the second one did exactly the same thing.

Got this Machine in our rewards program and i love the coffee.The water tank was damaged but however we got a replacement for it from Breville.Sometimes last coffee shots are not as great as the first ones.Milk frothing is also good.Works well with Nescafe blends.I use it 4 times a day and never regretted buying this model.
Love the cino's-Compact-filter empty indicator-does 2 mugs at a time-good capacity water tank with clear cup measurements on the side
Steam wand needs frequent cleaning-Does not come with many accesories other than spoon and jug

Bought this after a lot of shopping around for a value for money expresso machine which will produce a decent crema. Apart from the messiness of the excess liquid in the coffee strainer, so far so good, but only had it a few days. Perhaps the excess liquid issue relates to the coffee grind but will investigate this further.
Looks good. Perhaps a little big to fit on some domestic bench tops without being obstrusive. Does produce a good crema if machine is warmed up thoroughly. Recommended retail is $269 but we got it from David Jones for $220 which matched other stores.
Retains too much liquid in the coffee strainer, messy to empty. Milk frothing arm has a sleeve which is of dubious value. We just took it off.

Build quality seemed to be very good for the price, but it may not be such a bargain after all? Myers has offered a replacement so will see how long this one lasts?
Great buy from Myers $199, seemed to work well at first
Totally STOP working only after one month light work