Porgie & Mr Jones

On a sleepy little strip in Hawthorn, what seems like a diminutive shopfront opens up into a multi-roomed café.

Bursting at the seams on a weekend, this eclectic café set itself up with dishes such as smashed avocado on toast, the McPorgie (an English muffin stuffed with ham, Emmental and eggs), and scrambled eggs with herbs grown in the courtyard.

The front counter is crammed full of baked goods from Noisette, while green eggs and Tom Cooper's smoked items dot the menu. Quality and attention to detail is clear – not surprising considering Mr Jones (who also owns Snow Pony in Balwyn and Friends of Mine in Richmond) has been in hospitality for over 20 years.

The warren of rooms covers everything from a sunny front-window bench and recycled street signs, to leather wing-backed chairs and low-hanging exposed light bulbs – it’s an artful ensemble, mixing nostalgia with mod warehouse conversion.