My first visit to Light Years was for breakfast; a delicious and unforgettable meal it was…read more The location was off the beaten path, it took me about 15-20 minutes walk from the nearest metro. I was wondering why such a popular spot would be so isolated? But all is well worth the effort to get here. The venue is brimming with natural lighting, classic charm and warmth. For my breakfast, I ordered the Pixelated avocado (on a sourdough toast) because it just looked so darn intriguing. I didn't expect anything else to be honest, and turned out this was GOOD!! Every single element in this dish has complex flavors that compliments each other. The chili dried air kale, diced pixelated avocado and the soft shell crab was especially stunning. The dish certainly performs to its Instagram ability. For my drink, I ordered their matcha latte; it was strong tasting yet smooth. I could drink this all day! The Light Years is certainly not disappointing in any way, from the beautiful venue to the outstanding food, supported with service and ambiance for days. Easily, my favorite brunch spot in town at the moment and much to recommend you :).

Went to Light Years for Sunday brunch and was relieved to find that, although very busy, the wait…read moretime was only a few minutes. Recently opened at the bottom of a new apartment block just along from the Camberwell tram depot, it should not be confused with Lights in the Attic cafe which is a bit further down Camberwell Road. The fit out is the now common scandi/minimalist affair with a smattering of potted greenery. Coffee is from Dukes, but the star of the show here is the food. All the dishes I saw coming out looked great and were good sized portions. I had the bircher and it was a generous serve, looked pretty and tasted even better. Overall a good value and tasty option for brunch/lunch in the leafy inner east.

Summary: 4.2. Very good contemporary Melbourne cafe. Equal to many or most highly rated places…read more Food, coffee and service are all excellent. Simplicity is the key here. Everything is done well. Nothing is over complicated. Review: The cafe is on the north side of lower Heidelberg road. It's a pleasantly laid out establishment. There are nice wood featured chairs and tables throughout. A wood covered front counter as well. Brick walls throughout too with one small tiled wall. There's a reasonable distance between tables. Nice lighting is also featured. Conventional music playing on the sound system, a bit prosaic for me but I could have just scored the wrong rotated playlist. Maybe needs something a little softer. Overall the space has a nice warm cozy feel that was very likable . I scored a pleasant greeting on arrival. It was hard not to notice the manager and staff interacting well with patrons, which enhanced the nice feel of the cafe. I had a beautiful coffee first off which came out quickly after I ordered it. It was a rich, dark, well made brew with impressive length. No half measures were taken on this long black. It was a beauty. The food is the key though, eh. It's a smallish menu here for all day breakfast and lunch. I found that an advantage as too many menu items can befuddle a simple soul like me. Nothing was overcomplicated and this menu offered ample choice I thought. I ordered the curds and beets dish off the lunch menu. This consists of goats cheese croquettes, heirloom baby beets, beetroot pesto and a frisée salad. It's a rustic looking dish but wonderfully so. It made for a gorgeous lunch that gave me all the freshness, health and flavour I was after when I walked in. The goats cheese croquettes were soft, delicate and exquisitely flavoured. They were really lovely. The heirloom beets of various kinds were excellent too. Tasty with just the right amount of give. Lovely greens with a good dressing as well. The side of peas and broad beans was really delicious too. I could barely fault these dishes which were very good. Maybe a tiny bit more seasoning on both dishes, although maybe many people want to control this themselves. I found myself preferring this cafe to a few of those in the inner north. The concentration here is on substance not style. I thoroughly enjoyed the cafe which has only been open a few months. Based on this experience, it will do very well indeed.

The menu was great, was nice balance of tradition and innovation and delivered on expectation. The…read morevenue itself is lovely. Courtyard is available to dogs which is pretty cool! Coffee was great I will definitely be back.

honestly, not impressed. we had a party of 6 for a 60th birthday party, spent close to $600 but…read morecould not sit at the "chefs round table" although it remained empty the whole time we were there. The eggs Benedict I ordered was fair. The scone it was served on was cold, the eggs were barely poached and there was a slight "sprinkling" of crab meat on the eggs. the French pressed coffee was very good and thankfully the group of friends that I came with was delightful. I would love to recommend this place to people I know because it's ambiance was very nice but unfortunately considering the price and the quality of food I would probably not put it on my list of places to revisit .

The bakers wife, you walk into a large industrially fitted room, with the open brick walls and…read morependant lights. It's a huge space with lots of table space and lots of different seating options from lounges to communal tables and the basics. The service is the only thing that stopped the bakers wife from getting 5 stars! For how big the space is they didn't have enough waiters/waitresses to cover the room meaning your wait for service at times was long! Unfortunately for a first impression as well when your friend gets the wrong dish delivered to him and he has to get up to talk to the waitress, it doesn't leave the best taste in your mouth. It's saving grace was it's quality of product! The coffee was great, a really nice latte that really did the coffee beans justice. I had the French toast with the additional bacon, it was served with cinnamon, maple syrup and berries. The contrast of flavours was heavenly and Devine, leaving me satisfied, hooked and content to leave on that note. Overall it's a winner and it's new, do maybe by the next trip to the bakers wife it will be perfected! By golly tho don't pass it up!

A cafe that has a range of delicious food options for all, including any vegan / vegetarian folk…read more There is great coffee on offer if you're in need of a caffeine fix, and milk alternatives, including (but not limited to) soy and oat mylks are also available. If you've not had the chance, go get your Little Woodpecker on, you won't regret it!

Driving around the residential streets of Blackburn North, you'd probably never guess that a gem…read morelike this was tucked away! Little Woodpecker is a cute little cafe that only the locals seem to know about - most of the customers appear to be on first name basis with the staff, and everybody is friendly & smiling. With a menu that caters to the major groups of customers (vegan, veggie, GF, etc) you can't really go wrong if you pick this place as a brunch destination! All day Breakfast & Lunch, great variety & yummy flavours (not to mention, totally Instagrammable presentation!), great coffee & smoothie options...what's not to love? Plus it changes with the seasons, so you know everything's fresh & delicious! I came with a friend and we got the shareplate (The Last Supper) which was an AMAZING tapas board with baked eggs, grain salad, falafel, dips, roasted mushrooms, fresh sourdough....man, it was quite the smorgasbord! The shareplate for 2 seemed enough for 3 people to split, because we couldn't eat it all (and we can really pack it in, folks. No namby-pamby nibblers here) Honestly, it seemed like the way to do it, because you got to try a little of everything! If you don't choose to go that way though, don't worry - the serves are all generous & every mouthful is bliss :) Also, before I forget - they also have a countertop CHOC-FULL of freshly baked sweets! I was eying off their orange poppyseed muffins & their Doughnuts/Cronuts/danishes/croissants/omg it all looked so good I can't even list it all So yeah! If you're around, get your butt to Little Woodpecker for an awesome meal!

This place is home to the best breakfast in Melbourne ladies and gents…read more That's really all I need to write if you value my option, but some people might need a bit more persuasion. The crispy eggs at Mr H actually made my eyes roll back in my head. I called people on the phone after I finished eating to discuss it.... so ya, it's that good. The sweet potato purée is the perfect nest for the crispy fried poached eggs. The fresh cos lettuce salad with homemade ranch cuts through the luscious ham hock perfectly and the sliced sourdough toast is an excellent tool to tie it all in. I'm drooling just typing about it. I went back a second time, but made sure to but take my husband because I wanted to share the love. While he ate, I snapped a photo of him that is cringeworthy, but you can see the expression on his face while shovelling the remnants of a crispy egg that he is indeed in food heaven nirvana. I decided to get the brocolinni salad my second visit which was outstanding as well, really high caliber food and so healthy and fresh. My only, only complaint would be smoking outside on the patio. In 2016, and that is a huge turnoff while enjoying a coffee or a splendid meal. Love ya Mr Hendrix. Mrs Hendrix is a lucky lady

Took us a while to get here from some really good word-of-mouth, but glad we eventually did, and…read morehave been back a few times since. Yet to circle in on a firm favourite - always torn between the breakfast and lunch menus too - but everything is great, service is good, and make sure you try to nab a seat in the courtyard to enjoy some of Melbourne's summer weather while it lasts.

One of my favourite local places to drop into now. Just for…read morea coffee??? No! I love it all and I can't wait to taste more of their gourmet offerings. Looking around the shop makes me want to have a party just so I can try it. I love cheese platters and the likes and I'd take one of theirs in a heart beat. Service is friendly and I've met both the owners who have been lovely. Lucky for them it's not a huge space as I'd be bringing my work and eating them out of house and home.

Loooove this spot. Super cute with heaps of fresh, yummy food and an awesome range of deli produce…read more- literally, this is your cheese and charcuterie HAVEN. Nick (the owner) is super friendly and always up for a chat, and all the staff will remember you by name! They make a great coffee (soy latte lovers, they cater to you too!) and have a variety of foods to fit dietary requirements like Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free and the like. PLUS they do takeaway, so you can come on in and grab a box of fresh-made Napoli meatballs for dinner while you grab a hot chicken and leek pie for lunch! (So yummy) I also love their deli range, with all of my favourite cheeses and an awesome range of cured meats, dips, and such beautiful, crunchy-crusted fresh breads! Yummmmm. Honestly, you should make an effort to come here. So worth it.

Maybe I have been suffering a bit of brunch fatigue of late but not much has really stood out for…read moreme. Everything in Melbourne is just a bit samey and call me grumpy, but why has everyone accepted the fact it can take up to an hour to even get a table at most places for the same old avo on sourdough? My weekend visit to The Maling Room was such a refreshing change that i walked away feeling happy, full and wondering when I can pop by again. We were greeted by friendly staff who were quick to bring out a pretty fabulous tasting latte while I looked through the menu. The variety was great and although i ended up going for the special of warm grain salad with lamb (amazing!), the brunch offerings looked delicious. The vibe was friendly, relaxed and efficient. Definitely worth a trip to the 'burbs.

Perfect coffee, atmosphere and staff - you can't want for anything else! The light and airy post…read moreoffice-come-cafe is a reliable haven for those times you just need a no-nonsense perfectly-crafted latte close enough to the city to be convenient, yet far enough away in leafy Canterbury to feel like you've just slipped away to your favourite cafe at your weekend home in some yet-to-be-discovered nook of heaven! Friendly, knowledgeable, personable staff, sunshine teeming from every crevice - you won't be able to tear yourself away from the place until you have the coffee-jitters from too much Costa Rica cuatro mujeres or the staff slowly coax you out the door and turned the "closed" sign in the process. If you're contemplating it, just go experience it already - you're missing out!

3.7. First impressions good. We attempted to stop here for lunch around 12pm but no tables were…read moreavailable sadly. We went to Loc's cafe up the road instead and that was terrific. We returned to Hello Sailor later though for a cleansing coffee. I must say we very much liked what we saw here. It's a really lovely fit out. Bright and stylish. Wonderful greenery around. Good playlist on. A great feel overall was our strong impression. A lovely pkace. They're at best practice here with water with free sparkling water on tap. Exactly as it should be. Onto more important things. The coffee here is superb. Smooth, silky and substantive. It was expertly made and we loved our long black and flat white respectively. Add a salted caramel cookie and all was good with the world. Nice place. We'll make it for a meal here next time. The dishes other people were tucking into nearby looked good.

Hello Sailor is already proving to be a popular little spot in Hawthorn. I stopped by for a quick…read morerefuel breakfast after a gym session. Given it was only me, I was able to nab a spot along the counter. Wanting something light, I choose the crumpets and asked super nicely if they'd change the honey to vegemite and the answer was a super friendly of course. Happy girl. My coffee arrived in potentially the biggest cup I'd ever had a long black in, but the size didn't ruin the flavour, and I actually really enjoyed cradling it soaking it all in. I loved my food and when I have a bigger appetite, I'll be back in to try something a little heartier. Going to turn into a popular little spot.

In a last minute decision to go out for breakfast which turned into brunch, out of the nearby…read moreplaces, Three Monkeys stood out as somewhere to spend my Sunday morning at. It's right on the corner, with plenty of parking nearby. It's very quaint, painted brick, like it belongs outside, it's a small cozy cafe, but it was bustling for brunch time. We got seated in the back patio area, which was again, very cute and cozy. Ordered was the Beets and Thyme Salmon, a Sweet Monkey and a Vanilla Cronut. I had the lemon grass and ginger tea, which was very spot on with the salmon. It came out like a work of art and was so yummy, the flavor matched the presence. It was best getting a little bit of everything on one forkful, the salmon, the thyme, the egg and potato rosti. The Sweet Monkey delivered just as well, the roti was crunchy and soft, and all of the toppings went well with it, nothing over the top that masked the others, it just worked. The Vanilla Cronut was good; yes, I've had better ones, both for the purpose of having a cronut, it did it's job. I didn't catch our waitresses name, but every single person here was more than friendly. All of their menu items look creative and tasty. I eyed some of the burgers other tables ordered, they were good portioned and looked good. And skimming over the lunch menu, it definitely is a place to come back to. I think I read that breakfast is all day here, but don't quote me on that one.

Nice little cozy cafe with very nice food. We are well attended once we walked in although all…read morestaff seems busy at that moment. The Coffee is better than those big coffee chain but you cannot expect speciality coffee grade (proud Mary, 5 senses, st Ali, etc) - but it satisfy my caffeine dose for the day. Food (4 stars)- I've ordered Porky Pig, myself with an Asian background I am very picky with Pork smell and how they cook. Three monkey cooked this tender soft n caramelised with sweet tamarind. The salad at the side compliment it well. Jeng

If you love having your breakfast sprinkle with a creative dust, then head over to White Mojo…read more Where the food and beverages takes a very interesting direction, offering a unique brunch menu alongside hand-roasted speciality coffee. I was excited to finally try this place as I have been in love with their catchy name, social-media-friendly food, minimalistic design and lovely interior. We came here on a non-busy weekday, got seated immediately and ordered: * Signature Croissant Burger: First of all, presentation was immaculate and taste-wise it was just as perfect. It consists of crispy soft shell crab, chipotle mayo, smoked eel, chorizo crumbs, fried egg sandwiched in between buttery croissant. So delicious, flavor-wise and texture-wise was spot on...This made my palate dance. * Green Tea Matcha: The matcha latte arrived in a cute latte art presentation, but taste-wise it was common. The milk was too watered down for my liking, and there is just a very subtle hint of bitterness from the Matcha. * Black Latte w/ Bonsoy (Vegan): The black sesame latte caught my eyes and it performs a bit better than the Matcha. Unique tasting, although I find myself missing the sweetness and the nutty, creamy intensity that usually comes from black sesame. But plus point for creativity. Overall, White Mojo is such a breath of fresh air among Melbourne's cafe scene. Their pricing may be a little on the high side, with my meal plus 2 cups of lattes costing around $37, but the entire experience is certainly worth the price. I will most definitely be back and recommending this to you.

3.8. Nice space, nice food, nice service. A winning combo…read more Good menu with an impressive range of choices. I chose the breakfast brunch platter. It had salmon tartare with avocado served on what was called a potato rosti but was in fact more of a croquette. Add to that a poached egg and caviar. The dish was slightly under seasoned but was still very nice. My partner has the roast smashed pumpkin served on toast with one poached egg. They enjoyed it too. The decor here is very smart. The staff here are terrific as well. The coffee to finish was excellent as well. Compliments to the barista. Good place. They're on top of things here.