Code Black

What: Code Black Coffee
Where: 15-17 Weston St, Brunswick, 3056

Another cafe has popped up around the corner from my abode - so naturally I had to give it a try. And I am very pleased to say that it did not disappoint - great service (even though it is very busy), great coffee, slightly noisy atmosphere, but fantastic food.

We ate:

Smoked ham hock croquettes w cauliflower pureé, baby spinach & a poached egg

THE BIG BLACK BREAKFAST BURGER #1 (Truffled mushroom, provolone, aioli & roquette w/ a coffee infused egg (fried only) with polenta chips)

Delicious and worth the wait (which on my last two visits has only been 5-10min).
Lush


P.S. They also have a great logo!

South of Johnston

What: South of Johnston (aka SoJo)
Where: 46 Oxford Street, Collingwood

SoJo is another one of those classic new Melbourne breakfast places – well worth the visit.
Perfect for those unpredictable weather torn weekends ahead.

Twenty & Six Espresso

What: Twenty & Six Espresso
Where: 594 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne, VIC

Another breakfast place in the north, they just seem to be popping up everywhere. Good coffee and an inventive menu seem to be the hallmarks of North Melbourne, and this place definitely delivers.

Quirky décor, inventive menu, nice wait staff, and conveniently located. Well worth the wait which we experienced on the weekend when we had brunch.

ICI - a Hidden Breakfast Treasure

What: ICI
Where: 359 Napier Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Hidden on a sunny corner off the busy streets of Fitzroy, this quaint little bluestone café transports you to that quite place you have been seeking after a busy week at work. From the velvet curtains and wood paneling, to the blackboard menu and tiny tables, this semi-well kept secret is well worth the trip.

The tantalizing pastry display case, catering options for those with special diets, and the use of local and organic ingredients when available, further enhances an appropriate sized menu.

Silo (by Joost)

What: Silo (by Joost)

Where: 123 Hardware Street, Melbourne 3000

 

Silo is the newest ‘zero-waste’ café in Melbourne by the eco-advocate and artist Joost Bakker.

Food

• A very small menu (available online) – but the coddled hen eggs (with mushrooms) are amazing.
• Plus the home-made lemonade is amazing (very fizzy though)

Highlights:

• A waste free menu that changes with the seasons.
• Food is from all local and organic suppliers
• All fresh produce is delivered in returnable, recyclable, reusable crates
• All organic waste is treated in the café’s own food waste dehydrator
• The café has a 15 seat communal dining bar

With only one communal table and the kitchen literally behind your back, the room is a bit cramped for me,  but I love the concept overall and the coffee.

Suggest going on a clear day and sitting outside.

Lush

Di Bella Baby!

What: Di Bella Coffee

Where: 19-21 Leveson Street North Melbourne VIC 3051

Another amazing coffee and breakfast place – and just a quick walk from Vic Markets.The perfect place to have breakfast (or brunch in my case) before you go shopping for those local fresh ingredients.

The menu is full of delicious staples and breakfast classics. Get there early though – as it is a busy hot-spot for the locals – especially on the weekends.

Breakfast:

2 Poached eggs on Sourdough with my choice of sides

• Roasted Tomatoes
• Marinated Feta
• Smoked Bacon
• Sauteed Mushrooms

And of course – COFFEE, COFFEE & COFFEE

Review:

I say you can always judge a place by how they do their eggs – and these are some of the best in Melbourne.

Lush

Sweetness @ Pope Joan

What: Pope Joan
Where: 77/79 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East VIC 3057

All the blogs and food magazines are full of praise for the wonderful breakfast/brunch place Pope Joan and for good reason; it is amazing!

I could spend all day blogging and talking about the cornucopia of food at Pope Joan, but what really took my fancy last month when I was only a little bit hungry in the morning was their homemade Jam Doughnut, with Berry Jam and Cream – YUMMY!

The menu is constantly changing and keeping me guessing (but you can preview their latest menu on the website if you wish to be less surprised in the early hours of the day). I have personally been there several times and amongst my all time favorites are:

• Coffee, coffee and more coffee (of course)
• Boiled eggs, soldiers, bacon bits, herb salt
• Poached eggs w/ whatever they are serving them with this month (never been disappointed)
• The Cuban Sandwich: pulled pork, pickles n cheese (unbelievable)

Recent recommendations:

• Heirloom tomatoes roasted, basil, smoked mozzarella rarebit
• Spanner crab omelette, coriander, chilli salt

Make sure you do try it – you will not be disappointed.
Be warned it's busy, but well worth the wait.

Lush

Three Bags Full

What: Three Bags Full
Where: 60 Nicholson Street  Abbotsford VIC 3067

My Order:

• Skinny Latte
• One Big Breakfast: eggs, bacon, tomato, spinach, cheese kransky, tomato relish + toast

I had hollandaise added to my meal - since after all I was saving calories by having skinny lattes (either way, nothing like welcoming that early heart-attack)

Review: The breakfast was literally huge, but very delicious, perfect for the morning after a big night out, especially if your eyes are beginning to feel like lemons. The line outside can seem intimidating, but we put our name on the list and fifteen minutes later we had a table - definitely worth the wait.

Lush

Breakfast with Soul

What: Marmalade and Soul

Where: 162 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North Vic 3068

Breakfast:

Cornbeef Jaffle - A toasted jaffle sandwich, filled with baked beans and cornbeef, with a side of ‘salted egg yolk marmalade’. Tasty and filling.

Can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

Review: This quirky redevelopment is great, trendy but not ostentatious. The wooden spoon chandeliers are fun, the seats comfortable and practical, the décor is appropriate. Definitely a neighbourhood institution in the making, specialising in Modern British Food.

The coffee served here is decent (not quite competing with the rest of the neighbourhood's very high standards), and the desserts are all made in house (I just had to get a raspberry marshmallow takeaway – delicious).

It is soon to be open for dinner (selective nights), in addition to the existing lunch and breakfast.

Lush