Shonan Kamakura, a little Japanese eatery hidden away in Katherine Place away from the bustling main street. It’s small (yep, whatever you see through the window is what you get) but don’t let the size fool you. The service is efficient, friendly and very attentive. It doesn’t matter how small or big your group is, you’ll get the same service. Walking in you’ll be greeted by the bar (who doesn’t enjoy a good drink by the bar) and a mural of Mount Fuji on the side at the back.
The Wanderer Thai Bar and Kitchen, Melbourne
There’s a new bad boy in town and they’re a little bit fancy and oh so authentic. Newly opened, The Wanderer Thai Bar and Kitchen has a very welcoming vibe with a fully stocked bar. It could be for a first date (or 5th or 6th date), catch up with friends after work drinkies, it could be basically for anything and you know that this is the place to be.
Lux Foundry, Brunswick
Lux Foundry, known for their brunches and coffees and always super busy in Brunswick. The venue itself is large warehouse space and it looks oh so rustic. It’s been a few years since I was here last and I’ve always had an itching to revisit. This time around I brought Mr D and we found plenty of parking around the corner and it was free too (SCORE!).
Enter Neighbour, Camberwell
Living in Melbourne we’ve been spoilt with brunch choices and Camberwell is no exception. Enter Neighbour is not only a warm and cosy venue but it does get super busy. Walking in we were greeted by friendly staff, sat our butts down and waited for the food to come out.
Club Colombia Cafe, Melbourne
Since visiting South America, I’ve grown to South American cuisines and when I heard there’s a Colombian restaurant in town, it was definitely on my list to go to because I’ve never had Colombian food before. Located in the CBD and having only opened for 3 months or so sits Club Colombia. It doesn’t look much from the outside but once you step inside, it was vibrant, it was friendly and with super friendly and welcoming staff.
Darling Street Espresso, Moonee Ponds
Located next to a school sits a little cafe on the corner called Darling St Espresso. There’s ample of parking so you shouldn’t fret if you drop by here. Outside it looks quite ordinary but inside it’s real cosy with friendly staff. Walking in we could smell freshly made coffee and it smells so damn good.
Little Byrd, Ascot Vale
On the busy street of Union Road in Ascot Vale sits a humble cafe with a relaxed atmosphere and interior design. Little Byrd doesn’t have a massive sign out front but you know which one it is with locals sitting outside and inside laughing with their cup of
Daddy bear got the long macchiato and holy smokes it was good. It was strong, it was full bodied AND it definitely had a huge punch to it and I can guarantee you that it’ll knock you straight into next week.
Long Macchiato – $4
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar – Japanese Restaurant Melbourne, Emporium Melbourne
Unabara has been on my radar for a while and they’ve opened up a second branch in Emporium (first being in Melbourne Central). Unabara in Emporium is on level 1 and it’s pretty spacious and lets you know that they specialise in lobsters and oysters.
A25 Pizzeria – Lonsdale St, Melbourne
A25 Pizzeria
Izakaya Kuuraku, Melbourne
Mr D and I absolutely adore Japanese cuisine, we can’t get enough of it. We’ve been eyeing Izakaya Kuuraku but never had the chance to try it, until now…BOOM! Walking in, it felt more like a bar with seats – music pumping and heaps of people having after work drinkies. We were lucky enough to check out the omakase menu which means you leave it up to the chef to decide what you’re going to get. We tucked in and let our tummies enjoy the food.