I love this place, it has CHARACTER which is often missing these days. And the good kind of weird…read morecharacter. documentaries and music videos playing on the TV, a great (and weird) range of books on the shelves. Portions are very large which for me is amazing as I love to eat and to feel really full. for the size the meals are well priced. Always hearty classic fare, nothing fancy but tasty. Special mention to the social media presence of the owner, I have never met them but some of the things they say online are HILARIOUS. Love the banter. Keep on being weird.

A shortage of cafes in this area there is not. So to keep your spot you need to have what it takes…read more I think A Fan's Notes has what it takes! It's a funky open dining area with seats and a couch in the windows if you want to watch the world. The breakfast list includes dishes with the current 'in' foods like kale and smashed avocado and the sandwiches and baguettes are pretty rocking! On a recent visit I had the halloumi baguette with beetroot relish and grilled peppers- Yumo! My colleague had the potato croquettes with poached eggs, also great. The team are cool and the background music made it hard to leave.

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.

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.

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!

Best chicken shop in town! I have been a regular customer…read moreat this little chicken shop for about 5 years now. Chickens are succulent, chips super crunchy and salads are always fresh. The ladies who run the shop are some of the loveliest people you will ever come across. Always a pleasure!

Well..... it is all in the name... Super Tasty Rooster......and it is!! I don't really need to say…read moreany more, except, this place is awesome! I will drive out of my way across town just to get their amazing roast fillet burger with chips and a drink for $10.90. I think this place tastes so good cos it's REAL chicken. They also have salads which look good but I haven't tried them. Im only into the STR (Super Tasty Rooster). They have a couple of out side chairs or this place is good for take away.

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.

Thank you to the Zia Teresa staff members who looked after our table of five on the night, and to…read moreLinda whose help was much appreciated. We had a wonderful night with every dish ordered a hit! Delicious

When you seek an authentic Italian meal, Zia Teresa never let you down…read more The staff are efficient, friendly and knowledgeable. You always feel as though you're visiting someone kitchen, it oozes warmth and comfort. From what I understand the lady that runs the kitchen and cooks is that same person that started the business, her daughter runs the floor. Great selection at the bar too. I've told so many about Zia and they too have never been let down.

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.

The food was killer (in a good way). I went with my family--five people--which includes three…read morevegetarians. They were quite happy with the availability of vegetarian/vegan food on the menu. I (not one of the vegetarians) would highly recommend the "Crispy Coconut Cups" (a seafood appetizer) and the "Crying Tiger" (beef flank with a spicy sauce). Make sure you get an order of the roti too. The rice was bottomless with our banquet meals--so while I tried to keep room for the meals--the rice was quite good! Our server was nice and funny, not shy of cracking jokes. The seating is quite spacious and there are outside seats too--many of them covered by space heaters and under a shelter during the winter. Overall, I'd definitely recommend stopping here for dinner. Their "banquet style dining" worked well for us, and the portions ended up being exactly right for somebody who walked in on the slightly hungry side--which also makes their fast service and speedy kitchen helpful!

Absolutely fantastic! We had dinner as a group of 9 (reservation needed) on a Saturday night and it…read morewas so good. Great service and stunning food. I love the banquet style of ordering that feeds everyone at the table. We had 5 different dishes as well as some spring rolls and everything was delicious.

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!