The smell of freshly ground coffee is a fine greeting to this quiet street alongside Ripponlea train station. The waft of coffee drifts from behind the white picket fence of Yellow Sparrow, a sweet little cafe with a distinct Melbourne quirk coupled with the earthy goodness of Japanese cuisine.

Run by Andrew and Nanako Rayner, everything in this little nest's fit-out comes from within a five-kilometre radius of its door. It makes for a homely mishmash of cutlery, wooden furniture and ornaments. A favourite customer perch is the large front windows, while elsewhere in the cosy space seating takes the fort of yellow benches, allowing for stretched legs or sharing with friends.

The coffee’s organic, as is most of the produce. Customers are treated like friends and regulars’ coffee orders are casually offered upon entry. Japanese-style dishes from Nanako's childhood (the chicken curry is her mother's recipe) give this suburban cafe a taste of Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills.

European-style food is also on the menu, including Firebrand Bakery pastries and cakes that add tempting colours along the wooden serving counter.