This place has been open for about a week. I spotted it on a reason strut up Nicholson and…read moreearmarked it for a visit. We arrived at about 7pm on a Saturday night and it was empty. We were warmly welcome when perusing the menu outside and opted for a table indoors. The staff were friendly, attentive and efficient. The decor is tasteful with black tables and solid white chairs. Their drinks menu is reasonable and we opted for a Pinot Noir and a Cab Sav, both of which were lovely. The food was delicious. We started with a dip - warm bread and three dips. We were offered more bread if we finished it before the dips, which we thought was a nice touch. For a main course, we chose a Paella Valencia and a risotto. There were three risottos available (chicken, duck & garlic prawn) and I went for the prawn. Servings were generous and the food was delicious. We couldn't get through it all and took our remainders home in Tupperware containers, offered by the table server. This being their first week, we were also offered complimentary desert, and we chose a slice of chocolate cake and ice cream. Divine. Nik@nicholson is the best new place to eat on this side of town. They're open from 8am and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were really pleased with our night and it's earned a hearty recommendation.

Came here without much expectation for a lunch-time special and was shocked at how good it was…read more The food was great. The Calamari just melted in my mouth. The slow cooked lamb shoulder with beetroot relish was everything I hoped for and more when I ordered it. The dessert was great too. The decor felt clean and crisp without being over the top or too edgy. Just comfortable. I've paid three times as much as this place cost me and walked away half as happy. At $30 for a shared entree, two mains and two desserts it's almost foolhardy to want to be wowed but we were. I know it was a special, but the quality and value was astonishing, honestly. If I lived nearby, I'd be a regular regular, for sure. My partner and I came back a few weeks later to see if we just got lucky but they served up more of the same. Delicious Food. Reasonably priced. I paid an extra $5 to get rib-eye with my lunch-time special and I have to say it was the best steak I've had in a while. Perfectly cooked. The cook and the wait staff seem genuine and deserve to make a go of it. I have no idea how busy it is at dinner but at lunch it was great and it is on my repeat visit list for sure. It's not silver service, so don't be confused by the 5 star rating I gave it and expect linen table cloths etc, but this place is an absolute gem nonetheless.

Babajan has an interesting menu with lots of options but their exorbitant prices and elitism is a…read morebit much So my friends and arrive to a very busy crowded cafe. We are seated outside on little stools. It's a hit day. We feel like salads. Their counter salads look great but come with a catch. You can't order a salad as a main only as a side and you can't mix two. And it's a small side place of 13.50. Or you can get takeaway for two salads for 13.50 is a small sumo sized salad cup. Why because they're promoting something called responsible cafes so apparently cardboard takeaway containers and plastic spoons are responsible. Yes the waiter thought it was a bit much too but what can he do. 13.50 for a small salad takeaway is already overpriced. Yes I had the fish bulgur salad which was sensational and their eggplant tahini salad was to die for but I had takeaway walked 10 minutes to Edinburgh gardens with better seating less noisy and a nice atmosphere. Also their small sized coffee is 4 dollars and weak. Recommend getting takeaway only. You won't be saving the environment but you will definitely make less of a hole in your pocket. Menu is definitely to die for and staff are lovely despite the insanity that prevails.

Best breakfast I've had in a while! I kinda don't want to tell you all how amazing it was so I can…read morekeep this place to myself! We got greeted with smiley and friendly staff - always a good start to the day. Place is small but the turnaround was pretty fast! We got a table straight away. The cuisine is turkish-greek and the dishes are absolutely delicious and full of flavour. We tried a bit of the spanakopita to start, which was no less than my greek grandmother's homemade pita! We had the baked eggs and avocado ezme with a side of sesame koulouri and no joke we licked the plates clean! So much flavour and very generous portions. There are so many options for those who want a takeaway - a cabinet full of delicious pitas, salads, boreks and little bites! Oh coffee is from code black and perfect! Can't wait to try some more dishes!

Omg, the things you find in Melbourne when you go looking. I've been keen to try The Bell Jar for…read morea while. Every time I've looked at the reviews it's sounded interesting and well worth checking out. In my mind I was going out for a Melbourne style brunch which we're all familiar with. Instead, I got an unexpectedly wonderful taste of French cuisine. My head's still spinning from this experience. After we sat down the server/manager recommended the beef bourguignon, one of the listed specials for the day. I've had this dish a number of times including in France and most recently at France Soir in Toorak Road. It's a favourite of mine. I love a nicely constructed beef stew, basically. The server basically asked me to trust him while also informing me that the chef was French as he appeared to be himself too. To cut to the chase, the dish was absolutely superb. Easily the best beef bourguignon I have had anywhere. The meat was in roughly cut chunks and so beautifully tender but without any danger of being over cooked. The red wine sauce was luscious as well and with some equally well cooked carrot and potato, the dish was utterly wonderful. The perfect dish for a cool Melbourne day. Just so delicious and so hearty and that I carefully mopped up all the sauce with the bread provided. We were very kindly given a complimentary taste of the stewed fruit they serve here. That was superb as well. And, our coffees to finish were fantastic too. This is one of my highlights of the year coming to The Bell Jar. You don't come here for the decor which is impressively lowbrow inside. You come here for the food, and what I was lucky enough to have here today was completely superb.

Unlike the Sylvia Plath novel I assume this cafe is named after, this little eatery is not about…read moredepression or madness. In fact it is my favourite cafe and brings me happiness and joy every time I frequent the place. Not because it is the ultimate cafe. It doesn't do the best poached eggs, the best coffee or any such. But it does do all of these things very very well. No. The reasons I like this place are much more subtle than this. I like the laid back and simple but well thought out seating, decor and vibe of the place. I like the fact that it is founded and run by a young guy who is clearly passionate about what he does. I also get the feeling that this place is cool - not trying to be cool like so many cafes - it just is. But most importantly for me is the menu. I really like the fact that not only is everything really tasty, it is also slightly original. You will not find any baked eggs with chorizo or avocado, poached eggs with dukka on sourdough here. Everything on the menu is well thought out and subtly different. My favourite is the green eggs and ham - with pesto scrambled eggs, free range ham on an english muffin with tomato relish. Yum! In light of such, I believe this place should have been named after a far more happy and joyous novelist - Dr. Seuss.

Ever since the change, green park used to be Saint Ali North. It has been gutted, revamped and just…read moreincredibly put back together. When they first opened they had a pianist whom played during lunch but because it's a very busy time they have changed it so that a band plays on Sunday nights where it is calmer and the music can be more appreciated. The food is a great variety of people's favourites with a twist of awesome and then you have their more exotic plates where the chef gets to let loose allowing customers to have something different. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and now even dinner... Green park opens for dinner. Having only a small portion of the restaurant open in the evening along the bar, it's an intimate affair. Here the menu options are truly explored with a selection of beverages to match. As for staff, they know their stuff and if you take a second to get to know them they are really great people. As for the decor it is incredibly up to scratch... The seating area has been designed to have one end for individuals eating alone with booths for small groups and as you work your way toward the back the seating becomes more family friendly with seating outside for mothers with prams so that they can see their kids in play area right outside. The discrete soundproofing in the ceiling makes a great difference to dropping the noise level when it gets really full. I loved it before... I love it even more now!

Green Park is quite easily one of my favourite venues in Melbourne. I have been there for…read morebreakfast, lunch, dinner and just drinks and have never once been disappointed. Last night was my first time indulging in dinner and BOY did we indulge. We started with a charcuterie board, which if you have any interest in charcuterie you simply *must* try. It includes four different meats with the highlight being the lemon and salt cured pork belly. I drool just thinking about it. On the particularly evening we dined I had a serious hankering for steak, so naturally I went for the Wood-grilled Murray Grey sirloin and braised short rib. It was so incredibly tender and juicy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious that I would happily have it for dinner for the rest of my life. We finished up with an apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Now I am not normally a tart kinda gal but for some reason it leapt out at me from the dessert menu. I am not even kidding, we licked the plate clean within three minutes of the tart arriving in front of us. THREE MINUTES. The staff were both shocked and impressed by our efforts. Green Park has the perfect mix of relaxation and sophistication. It simultaneously makes you feel like you're at a fancy venue for an expensive dinner while still remaining casual and affordable.

The name definetly of this place caught my eye while browsing places for lunch. We were greeted…read morewith a smile and headed to a booth. Staff were friendly offering menu's promptly and ensuring we were aware of the specials. The two of us shared a Cheese burger and Pulled Pork burger with a side of fries. The food was delicious with the serving sizes quite generous. They also serve a variety of desserts including ice cream sundae's and cakes/pastries/donuts. Great find on a mid week food adventure!

Moving to the High Street area around the Thornbury / Northcote border, this place originally…read morecaught my eye because of its name. That was back in June and I've only just had the chance to check it out. Not being a fan of eggs or avocado (blasphemy in Melbourne, I know!), I rarely venture out for brunch but with an interstate visitor in town, it was time to test out this awesome sounding cafe down the road! We were lucky enough to arrive when there were a lot of free tables (NOT the case by the time we left!) and chose to sit at one of the booths. After drooling over the menu and specials offering I was left with two options and sought assistance from our waitress. Here I encountered the honesty you don't expect from an employee - she informed me that one of the options I was choosing between was actually quite a large serving and therefore if I wanted to share with my dining companion, that would be enough to satisfy the two of us. However, my friend had her heart set on her own different menu choice so I thanked the waitress for her advice and went with my other choice which was a delicious bagel. As it was, I couldn't even finish half of it and ended up taking the second half home for a late lunch / afternoon snack (and it was still so tasty the second time around). I loved the staff, I loved the food and I loved the coffee. I'll definitely be back!

Do you know how hard it is to find a perfect soy latte in Melbourne? Bloody hard. Baristas often…read moretreat soy milk the same as dairy, leading to burnt soy that can ruin your precious caffine shot. Annoying Brother make the perfect soy latte. It's fluffy, creamy, and just a little sweet. It's mixed in with their house blend which is one of the best I've had. Their coffee is on point! The cafe itself is a sleek and modern affair with hardwood timber countertops and a neat and tidy decor. The staff are friendly and with an open window bench top and street-side sitting, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sunshine during the warmer months. Annoying Brother loses some points due to their menu. I'm not the kind of vegan that demands that cafes cater 100% to my needs, but the menu here completely lacks diversity. I can only see one vegetarian option, and there is nothing that could be made vegan. Considering the number of great breakfast places that cater to all diets in the area, it is a little disappointing. If I'm looking for a caffine hit while I'm in the area though, I will definitely find myself sitting by the street, enjoying the rays.

Every Saturday morning, without fail, I will find myself grabbing a coffee from Annoying Brother…read more Despite living painfully close to MANY awesome coffee shops, before we head out to do our Saturday chores, my partner and I simply NEED to stop by. Nope, we've never eaten there. In fact, we've never even sat down and had a coffee. We've only ever popped by for a takeaway and have never EVER been disappointed. The magical barista will take your order, give you change and make your coffee ALL AT THE SAME TIME and my GOD it is a good coffee. Highly recommended if you're in the area and in desperate need of a caffeine hit.

From the outside it may not look like a pumping a cafe, but head on in and a charming environment…read moreawaits. Go further in and find the green oasis in the courtyard at the back - perfect on a sunny day. Feeling a little worse for wear? Grab a Bloody Mary or some strong coffee from Seven Seeds. The fresh OJ is delicious, but at $6.50 the "large" wasn't all that generous. It was mostly ice and foam. The bircher is legit. Oats mixed with with almonds, nutmeg, loads of berries and rosewater spiked yoghurt. The $12 pricetag and pretty pink hue makes me want to eat it every day. The smashed avo on sourdough ($11) comes with the option of an additional tomato salad or broadbeans/ goat cheese combo for an extra $4. We went with the broadbeans in attempt to get more roughage, though it was more cheese than broadbeans. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? With a great booze list and loads of brunchy options available until 3pm, I can imagine this as a great Sunday session location when you need just a little more than a hair of the dog.

Oh Carolina! A group…read moreof colleagues and I ducked in here for a quick work lunch recently and there were no regrets! It's a funky little venue with nick naks on the walls to keep you occupied while you wait for your meal. The food was fresh and vibrant. Between us we sampled the Fritters, Vietnamese chicken salad and the Avocado toast. Service is friendly and efficient and the overall vibe is relaxed.

Wonderful small quaint courtyard in a quite neighborhood. Good variety breakfast and lunch itemsread more

Red the colour of passion and love. Well I am both passionate and love the Red Door Corner Store!…read more If there was ever a cafe worth going out of your way to check out, it is this place. The coffee is superb - with ever changing options of single origin blends to choose from, as well as the usual house blends that most cafes have, which are always extremely tasty. Their menu is on the unique and very very yummy side of the cafe spectrum. And their many baked goods are all superbly crafted. In fact there is little that the Red Door Corner Store doesn't do well. Their staff are all knowledgeable, friendly, happy and attentive. And they sell a range of home made jams, conserves, chutneys and sauces that you can buy to take home with you. They also sell take-away freshly baked bread, if you are still feeling a little peckish are a veritable feast of Corner Store delights. I really can't recommend this place enough. I even like the fact that it is situated in a back streets of Northcote - not another shop in sight.

I went to the farm cafe during the farmers market. The cafe was really busy but the food was well…read moreworth the wait. All the ingredients were very fresh and delicious. The Café really represents well the concept of farm to table. The Bacon was one of the best I've ever had. The food at the cafe was better than what I had at the farmers market. Definitely should pay this place visit if you are in this area.

Warning it can be very busy on a sunny day especially with family and kids. If you don't like…read morenoisy, screaming children or animals, this is not a place for you. Great news for family with kids, this place is perfect for you. After or before your lunch, you can visit the farm to play the animals and the farmer markets around the corner. Another plus point is they provide kids menu. Overall food prices is very reasonable, all dish below $20 with the ingredients are fresh, organic, free-range, homegrown from the farm itself or local produces. The Farm Cafe is a unique experience and the staff are all friendly and attentive. The only let down on summer days there might be flies and wasps flying around

Fantastic brunch place and true to its reputation. Had the Potato Hash which looked deceptively…read moresimple at first glance but was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time. Paired it with an iced matcha which was top tier as well. Excellent service and great vibes with all the wide windows, exposed brick and lush plants.

Great food, super nice staff, cool vibes. Was walking around Collingwood and randomly popped in for…read morebreakfast. Glad I did.