In trendy East Belfast - although well out on the Stormont end of Upper Newtownards Road (A20) - this Austrailian inspired café took Belfast's casual dining scene by storm when it opened in 2015 and, thanks to its success a sister restaurant has since opened on the Ormeau Road.
Simple and high-ceilinged, with bare brick walls, mismatched furniture and a big map of Australia providing a great conversation piece, it's become the cool hangout that seems to please all ages and all walks of life.
Open all day every day from early breakfast time, and on into the evenings in the second half of the week, it's a busy spot where friendly and effiicient staff in T-shirts are always kept on their toes.
Regulars drop in early for the trademark Melbourne Breakfast (toasted three-seed bread, Vegemite, smashed avocado, parsley, capers, seeds, pickled red onion and lemon and poached eggs) or proper Bircher muesli made with organic oats soaked in apple, Clandeboye yoghurt, seasonal fruits, almond praline, seed and mint.
Everything's very tasty and the menu is a bit different from other cafés, although visitors may well be bemused by some specialities such as the Pancake 15s, for example. These buttermilk pancakes served with digestive crumble, condensed milk caramel, cherry jus, marshmallow and toasted coconut are a reinvention of one of Ulster's best-loved sweet treats, the '15'. (Also one of the unhealthiest treats, no doubt, so don't let the clean eating brigade in on this)
Brunch is a highlight for many regulars - and there are plenty who just drop in for the great coffee - but there are 'real meal' specials too (a hearty lamb stew, served with butter beans, chickpeas, thyme and honey yoghurt, and house made pitta bread perhaps) and some predictably wacky desserts - anyone for a peanut and jelly sandwich panacotta?
It's great fun and has oodles of atmosphere - all this and good value too, what's not to like.
