Around for just over a year, Cafe Romulus is already an established local in the West Melbourne area. Romulus’ owner and chef, Sophie West (ex-The Gem) greets most customers by name as she starts their coffee, occasionally calling out a breakfast order to the kitchen. There’s a homely feel and plenty of gossip shared between caffeine top-ups of Supreme’s organic fair trade blend.

Organic produce from the Queen Victoria Market prepared by West includes house special Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese inside the sourdough, fried egg on top) and loads of gluten-free biscuits and muffins, fresh from the kitchen. The specials board has put through substantial lunchtime fare such as olive oil pastries with confit chicken and truss tomatoes.

West also once spent a whole year making ice cream during her apprenticeship, so we may soon see some homemade gelato landing to give the Ben & Jerry’s fridge in the cafe a run for its money in the future in the cafe. That said, the addition of the Ben & Jerry’s fridge was inspired by West’s husband. “My husband’s Canadian and when he first saw Ben & Jerry’s come out he got all excited,” she says. “I like the American diner sort of feel to this place.”