Operator25

Operator25's owner/chef Valerie Fong (ex-Bacash), brings a fine-dining flair to brunch, that humble in-between meal that’s become a staple in the Melbourne diet. Hidden down Wills Street in the business grid around Flagstaff Station, the space is a trendy hideout from the rest of the CBD.

The rustic brick interior serves as a reminder of the heritage-listed building the cafe resides in. It was the home of Melbourne’s first telephone exchange company. The modern furniture and lush flower arrangements set a cosy ambience in the sleek industrial setting.

The menu by head chef Felipe Guedes, another ex-Bacash chef, boasts options such as pressed lamb shoulder and belly with Romesco sauce; a soft-shell crab salad with quail eggs; and vanilla custard sago with rhubarb compote. This is brunch with class, without the hefty price tag.

With a standard this high, it’s only apt that Operator25 uses coffee beans from Code Black, as well as award-winning Cartel coffee, with ex-Manchester Press barista, Mikael Jasin at the helm.