New cafes to try in Melbourne’s east
FROM Balwyn to Lilydale, Kew to Croydon, these are 17 of the coolest new openings to check out in Melbourne’s east.
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EVEN the winter chill isn’t enough to stop Melbourne foodies from following their tastebuds to the latest new coffee shop, cafe or restaurant.
And, for food lovers in Melbourne’s east, there are plenty of new places to add to the bucket list.
17 OF THE HOTTEST NEW OPENINGS IN MELBOURNE’S EAST
BALWYN
One of the best things about the cooler weather is being able to eat all the comfort food. So, if you’re out and about in Balwyn and find yourself with a hankering for some pizza and a glass of pinot, look no further than Cheeky Rabbit (3/190 Belmore Rd).
The woodfired pizza restaurant, wine bar and whisky dealer opened on the Belmore Rd strip in May and is fast becoming a local family favourite.
For a more all-day affair, check out new cafe-come-foodstore, Polly (rear, 403 Whitehorse Road).
The little sister of homewares store and garden centre Town and Country, Polly is bringing a more refined offering (as well as a selection of divine-looking baked treats) to the Balwyn backstreets.
BOX HILL
There is a lot to love about Box Hill’s new two-storey, Asian-style brunch bar, high tea dealer and restaurant, Whitehorse Chloe (T1, 850 Whitehorse Road).
On the menu are hearty day starters such as breakfast ramen bowls, smoked salmon croquettes and sesame seed panna cotta.
MORE: WHERE TO EAT IN BOX HILL
BLACKBURN
In case you missed it, Little Things conscious cafe and roastery recently opened in Blackburn (78 Railway Road).
They’re pouring specialty, small-batch ethical coffee and plating seriously Instagram-worthy brunches. All proceeds supporting World Vision.
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CAMBERWELL
A low FODMAP, gluten, nut and allergy-friendly cafe has open up in the space which was previously home to gluten-free cafe Red Robyn.
Foddies (393 Camberwell Road), which also has outposts in Albert Park and Moonee Ponds, is great for people with allergies and intolerances and, as well as the cafe, also offers pre-packaged and read-to-cook meals and meal deliveries.
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood’s latest burger joint, Foxxy Dolphin (60 Smith Street) boasts original builds including a Vladamir Poutine burger that’s made with layers of beef, American cheese, maple aioli, poutine fries and bacon, and Le’ Big Mac.
The menu is made all the sweeter with a selection of supercharged schnitzels, fries and cold brews that round out the experience nicely. You can even supercharge your Bloody Mary.
A little further along Smith Street you’ll find newly opened coffee shop come Sichuan street food cafe, Steam & Wall (8 Smith Street).
Stop in for freshly squeezed juice, croissants or lunch curries.
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CROYDON
If you’re looking for a lovely local in the outer east, add Croydon newcomer Blackwork Cafe (22 Hewish Road) to the must-try list.
The wholefoods cafe is brewing premium, Proud Mary coffee and specialty tea and its mostly plant-based menu is a modern interpretation of (mostly) vegan breakfast fare.
Think potato and rosemary terrine with buttered mushrooms, macadamia cream, a poached egg and a side of chipotle jackfruit, or buckwheat and cinnamon porridge with grilled banana, hazelnut crumble and chocolate.
There are also plenty of non-vegan options, including nasi goreng with pork belly, coriander, lime and a fried egg, or house-made Sujuk sausage, silverbeet and goat’s cheese borek with olive tapenade, labne and a poachie.
MORE: IS CROYDON THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN MELBOURNE?
HAWTHORN
The inner east has seen a spate of new openings over the last quarter and, from cosy wine bars to vegan cafes, Hawthorn has been at the centre of the foodie action.
For a cup of specialty coffee, single origin tea or all-day breakfast, head to Supernova (1/701 Glenferrie Rd).
Make sure you arrive hungry so you can have a crack at their baked butternut pumpkin stuffed with crabmeat, sunflower seeds, smoky pork belly, spiced couscous, onion and asparagus, and topped with a 63 degree egg and parmesan.
Looking for a plant-based feast? Head to Ubuntu Vegan Cafe (460 Burwood Rd).
It might be 100 per cent vegan, but their menu still features all the breakfast trimmings. Try the big breakfast with sunny-side up eggs, triple cheeseburgers, vegan halloumi and waffles.
Friday night wines are sorted at Luton Lane Wine Bar (8 Luton Lane).
As well as a stellar wine list, they’ve got plenty of ideal side kicks, including fresh burrata, antipasto plates, wagyu rump sticks and chargrilled chicken or saltbush lamb cutlets.
Also, coming soon to the Glenferrie eat scene is Naxi Folk (723 Glenferrie Rd), the latest project from the cafe crew who brought you Bluff Town in Sandringham, Stepping Stone in South Yarra and Ashburton’s The Resident.
Naxi Folk’s share-style menu will draw inspiration from the flavours of the Yunnan province in China, with many ingredients imported from the region to ensure diners are treated to an authentic Yunnan experience.
MORE: A NOD TO NORDIC AT HAWTHORN NEWBIE MR & MRS ANDERSON
KEW
If fine dining is the new breakfast trend, then Kew newbie Hiatus (117 High St) is bang on. One of the standouts of the menu is its showcasing of local and native ingredients, like plum, wild fennel, Rooftop Honey and Nagambie olive oil.
Their brussels sprouts breakfast with bacon, chestnuts, green apple, horseradish and a fried egg is a great way to start the day.
Other options include crab omelets and pumpkin hot cakes.
For a new dinner date option, check out Il Faro Pizzeria (321 High St), which is slinging woodfired pizza, handmade pasta and all manner of things sure to make you want to loosen the belt buckle by a few rungs.
How often do you get to eat homemade spaghetti bolognese made with slow-cooked beef rib and wagyu mince or pizza bianca topped with pistachios, mortadella, parmigiano and smoked scarmozza, made from 72-hour fermented dough.
MORE: Best Italian restaurants in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs
LILYDALE
Seven (7 Castella St) is the latest to join the Lilydale cafe family and is bringing with it specialty beans and a plant-based ethos.
The vegan/vegetarian menu features buddha bowls, spiced chocolate porridge and raw slices, as well as hearty options like minestrone, roast veggie lasagne and sweet potato quesedillas.
MOOROOLBARK
Mooroolbark’s backstreets are a little brighter with the addition on Khob Kun Cup Thai Cafe (38 Brice Avenue), which is open from breakfast through dinner.
Start the day with options including Thai-style fried eggs with minced pork and sausages on sourdough, and end with a massaman beef curry or some drunken noodles.
MORE: Best coffee in the Yarra Ranges, as voted by Lilydale Leader readers
RICHMOND
Richmondites may have noticed Horse to Water (104 Bridge Rd) trot onto bustling Bridge Road.
The espresso bar and toasted sanger dealer has Veneziano beans on pour and baked goods (sandwich bread included) from the masters over at Dench in Fitzroy North.
And keep an eye out for Veneziano Coffee Roasters’ new flagship Richmond cafe, which is set to open in July.
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