SOS Cafe

There’s something calming about water fountains. Maybe it’s this element that keeps the open courtyard at SOS Cafe relaxed, despite commuters rushing past on their way to South Yarra station and impatiently lining up at the small coffee cart parked out front.

The interior is mostly white, but colour pops from elsewhere. Green matcha and golden turmeric lattes light up the tables alongside pink smoothies topped with coconut flesh and berries. With a menu influenced by co-owner Electra Tomasino (Heal.Thy Self Co.) you know anything you order is going to make you feel great.

The most popular choice is the gluten-free tiramisu pancakes. It took head chef and co-owner Daniel Wilhelm (ex-Fifty Acres) more than a week to perfect the balance of the coconut, teff and buckwheat flours. Topped with cashew cream, vegan espresso ice cream, cacao nibs and a steaming maple ristretto shot, they don’t exactly scream “restricted diet”.

For a healthy alternative to a big breakfast, the Primal Plate is filled with caramelised Japanese pumpkin, smashed avo, bacon, poached eggs and housemade harissa.