As champions of the local organic industry for some time now, The Green Grocer has become a cafe institution in Fitzroy North. Offering fresh organic food with a local and seasonal focus, rustic charm and a sunny courtyard out back, it’s no wonder.

There is a market feel up front with an organic providore selling fresh produce like fruit and veg, and a larder with pies, pastries, organic cheese from near (like Piano Hill Ironstone) and far (try Papillon Organic Roquefort from France, produced from raw organic ewes milk). Other items to take home include ‘slowfoodfast’ packs, with easy to cook pies and rissoles and biodynamic, preservative-free and organic wine.

Down the back is the cafe, offering breakfast and lunch in dishes such as kefalotyri saganaki, roasted fennel with artichokes, as well as some of the aforementioned selection from the providore and larder, not to mention a neat local beer and cider selection. Their Jasper coffee is organic and they use biodynamic, un-homogenised milk.

Being organic and straight from the garden, this place can be a rather expensive in comparison to other local cafes, but it all comes down to ethical eating here, so you get what you pay for.

They also host cooking classes, conducted in their very own kitchen, featuring guest presenters from all walks of organic cooking life. Bookings essential.