If you don’t know the dream team – chef Andrew McConnell and architect partner Pascale Gomes-McNabb – then now’s a good time to acquaint yourself. Why? Because their unique combination of excellent food and interior design has been taking this city by storm.? Cumulus Inc. is a case in point; described as an 'eating house and bar' rather than a restaurant, this is a welcoming and relaxing place to enjoy McConnell’s widely acclaimed food.

Cumulus is set up for your every whim – breakfast, lunch or dinner? No problem. Just want to read the paper with a coffee? Fine. A few drinks at the bar? Go for it. All the while, points are scored for both style and substance.

Start with the ‘Full English’ (including farmhouse slab-bacon) and your day is off to a no-fail start. We call it ‘giving yourself a fighting chance’.

The space is clean and bright, with the kitchen on display behind a white marble bar and high industrial windows collecting light from Finders Lane. And from visual entertainment to the variety of charcuterie on offer, it’s places like this of which Melbourne has to be proud.