Chef’s Guide: Where to eat, drink in Ripponlea

From a bustling Kosher bakery, a Middle Eastern inspired brunch spot and some of the best coffee going around — here are the best places to eat and drink in Ripponlea.

From a bustling Kosher bakery, a Middle Eastern inspired brunch spot and some of the best coffee going around. Here are the best places to eat and drink in Ripponlea, according to Attica and Attica Summer Camp’s Ben Shewry.

ZELDA

Zelda is a wonderful new community sourdough microbakery run by Maaryasha with some of the most delicious breads in Melbourne using ethical and sustainable ingredients under Kosher Australia. Be prepared to line up and line up early as Maaryasha has built up a strong local following through pop ups the past few years. It’s great news for those of us who live and work in Ripponlea and beyond that she has opened a permanent bakery. Only problem for me is the constant temptation to duck down the street to grab a loaf.

54 Glen Eira Rd

SPOT ON

Spot On is a really great kosher daytime cafe which is meat free (they serve seafood) and run by great people. They do lots of events at night and are always busy. A favourite for many Attica staff’s morning coffee. The owner actually has two businesses in Ripponlea; the other is a night-time restaurant called Next Stop which is kosher and dairy free.

132 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick

STAPLE STORE

We use Staple Store products for the restaurant and a lot of our staff love their selection of nut butters, dahl jar, oat mixes and beauty products. Katie and team have been here for years and also sell a myriad of sustainable plastic replacements, as well as dairy-free/gluten-free and vegan sweet treats. Honest with tonnes of integrity.

19 Glen Eira Rd

SPOUT

A great place for brunch or lunch.

This cafe is always pumping and for good reason; delicious coffee and the food is incredible with a Middle Eastern slant. I always go for the lamb pita filled with tahini, salad and grilled lamb. They also serve a few different versions of shakshuka with pita and delicious cold drip coffee.

48 Glen Eira Rd

VICTORIA FRUIT PALACE

Brothers Con and Bill Maglis are second-generation fruiters who took over the family business more than a decade ago and have taken it to new levels. Their selection and quality is always first rate — I adore the clingstone peaches that the boys source; the best in Australia I reckon. This is also a community minded business that generously supports many local initiatives.

Pro tip: the footpath stalls of fruit out front are often excellent quality and value.

51/53 Glen Eira Rd

FOLLOW THE LEADER

This is where I grab my coffee each morning as the service here is so friendly and their coffee is quick, delicious and consistent. I have been known to order their pastrami bagel for lunch when I spy it on the specials board. A true local cafe with the lovely the owner Ash and a team of staff and who have big hearts and who really care about their regular customers.

65 Glen Eira Rd

FIREBRAND

A second generation baker and a Ripponlea stalwart with a rotating roster of bread each day and pastries, cakes, biscuits and little custard tarts. Make sure you nab one of their fruit loaves; it is heavy with fruit and absolutely delicious.

69 Glen Eira Rd

Attica Summer Camp’s Ben Shewry. Picture: Mark Stewart.

FYI Attica Summer Camp is a relaxed, casual, coal-fired outpost of Shewry’s acclaimed fine diner in the Yarra Valley. For bookings: attica.com.au/summer-camp