Strange Servant

When Sam Elmazi (Dosage, Second Wife, The Foreigner) opened Strange Servant in December 2017, he wanted to give Dingley Village locals something new. Something strange, even.

This, he has delivered.

While the menu brims with Melbourne classics, there’s a twist to each. There’s smashed avo, of course, but Strange Servant’s is “bashed”, then smeared with baba ganoush and chargrilled corn salsa. There’s also sticky black-rice Bircher, and house-cured salmon with beetroot, pickled zucchini and dill goat’s curd.

The cafe is in a small suburban pocket, but the baristas work with Fitzroy’s Industry Beans coffee. Mad As A Hatter chai and Golden Grind turmeric lattes are almost as popular, along with the selection of freshly squeezed juices.

The space is small, but doesn’t feel cramped. The bright interior contrasts with the dark facade. There are exposed white brick walls, dangling light bulbs and touches of teal throughout. Splashed across the rear wall is large mural by WA WA WA Designs and Danielle Weber. The anonymous face is inarguably the centrepiece of the venue.