Getting a decent meal in Melbourne is never a struggle. We are spoilt for choice. This is also true if you’re after something that ticks both the delicious and nutritious box. Everywhere you turn, there is a health focused place that is serving up dishes that your mum probably didn’t make at home. Here are some of our favourites.
Green Cup
Green Cup, found on both Chapel Street in South Yarra and High Street in Armadale is all about blended goods. The space is small, but floor to ceiling windows, white and wood interiors, and plants make it feel big enough to sit and eat.
Acai bowls and smoothies are the main attraction. The Acai bowl three is a combination of acai, banana, and almond milk, topped with peanut butter, banana, strawberries, and cacao nibs. A winner everyday. There is also avocado toast, coffee, raw treats, and rotating specials depending on the season.
SMAK Food House
Tucked into the back streets of South Melbourne, SMAK Food House, designed by Studio Ole is mix of pastels, light, and wood creating a beautiful space that transports you to Scandinavia. Which makes sense as SMAK means taste in Norwegian. Breakfast is Baked Eggs with lentils, beans, kale, goats cheese, almond dukkah, and life loaf, Buckwheat Matcha Crepes with lemon curd, sorbet, and nuts, Forbidden Black Rice Porridge, and Smashed Avocado on life loaf. Lunch is created around protein and salads. Traditionally healthy.
Like Minded Projects
Like Minded Projects is the coming together of a handful of good things. The clean, light, and open space is filled with different things all with the same ethos. Healthy and hearty meals come from Fred Gets Friendly, tasty raw cookies come from ACE, while the caffeine hit comes from Coffee Supreme. It’s the best of all words, under one roof.
Admiral Cheng Ho
The Admiral is a cute hole in the wall in Abbotsford that loves coffee as much as we do. Plus they love eating healthy as much as we do. Chai lattes are served with house-made hazelnut milk and the entire menu (all onion and garlic free) is great for those avoiding animal products or gluten. Plus their nutrition bowl is worth a return all on its own – think mixed grains, steamed greens, pumpkin, avocado, pickles, kraut, seaweed, miso, and almond feta and/or boiled egg. Get both.
Little Big Sugar Salt
Little Big Sugar Salt. This one has always been up with what’s healthy and what’s not, but when you walk in you wouldn’t know. It’s a beautifully rustic homey atmosphere, with rooms turned into eating spaces. Nestle in as you eat your spiced pumpkin pancakes, bowl of greens and toppings, or a huge double decker sandwich.
Fresh Organic Goods
No surprises here, this place is all about organic foods. But also about sustainable and local where they can. The cute exposed brick filled space on Church Street in Richmond feels like it slows down when compared to the rest of the world. In the best way. Want a big hit of nutrients? The HHH – Healthy, Happy, and Hungry is the go-to. House made cornbread with cashew cream, sautéed kale, turmeric roasted cauliflower, pickled beetroot relish, and fresh avocado.
Feast of Merit
Feast of Merit does good for the world while you eat you eggs. It’s a good arrangement. The not for profit café, owned by YGAP is filled with love and care. And the menu is filled with flavours, spices, and vegetables. Avocado with black olive salt, citrus and herb ricotta, on gluten free bread with poached eggs is good at breakfast, while proteins, salads, dips and breads are great for dinner.
Pana Chocolate
Sometimes you want chocolate. And Pana is the answer. On Church Street in Richmond, Pana is a chocolate lover’s dream. Raw chocolates are made into bite sized treats, slices with fruits and nuts, full cakes, and a range of hot chocolates. Bring a friend and order double. It’s a sample everything kind of place.
Kitty Burns
Great design, an all-day creative food and drink offering, and a little personality and charm. Kitty Burns is giving the ‘Victoria Gardens’ end of Abbotsford exactly what it deserves. The space is a stunner, huge high ceilings, light, soft pastels, and hanging golden lights. And the food is too. The Kitty Greens – a mix of seasonal green vegetables with house grains, toasted nuts, and poached eggs is a nice hit of vegetables.
Patch Café
Patch Café is all about the Paleo life. Breakfasts are heavy on the good fats and protein and low on the carbs. But they do have bread and Paleo toast options for those who life bread in their life. The pork has is served with sweet potato, avocado, eggs, broccolini, and hollandaise, while the pumpkin, banana, and coconut pancakes are served with coconut ice cream and house-made paleo Anzac crumble.
