The delicious nexus that is North Melbourne and West Melbourne just got brighter with the addition of Lumen People, a cafe that's set to be an all-day venue with drinks by autumn.

Two coffee professionals, Emma Sheahan and Marichi Clarke, are behind the petite spot around the corner from smash-hit Manze. The pair love the area and its flourishing line-up of eateries, including Moon Mart, Udom House and Benchwarmer.

"We want to be really refined and interesting but not too serious," says Sheahan, who says the name is a reflection of their light-hearted approach.

Starting small, the weekday menu is just four items, including muesli with Morello cherries, and Bread Club rye (baked nearby) with Ortiz sardines.

At weekends, choices expand to milk buns with tamago (egg omelette) and cheddar, or stracciatella with nectarines and tomatoes.

By April or May, they hope to add an evening service with a no-bookings policy and a stripped-back menu with oysters, pasta and "two or three things done well".

Sheahan comes from Wide Open Road and Clarke from Seven Seeds, but it's the latter's beans you'll find in cups at Lumen People, plus a handful of special roasts from Wide Open Road and Brisbane's Light Coffee.

Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm

Shop 2, 520 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, Instagram @lumenpeople