Chef Josh Murphy and partner Priyam Chovhan (who own West Footscray’s Harley & Rose) run Beautiful Jim Key on Wilson Avenue in Brunswick, right by Iris the Bakery. It’s a light-filled space that’s full of character, largely down to the couple’s focus on art and the large, north-facing windows.

It’s also a place with excellent breakfast and lunch options, thanks in part to Murphy’s experience cooking at the Builders Arms Hotel and Cumulus Inc. Expect the usual brekkie staples done well – a broccoli toastie with pecorino, chilli and lemon kicks early – with more substantial protein-leaning dishes served from midday. Plus, plenty of cocktails, beer and wine to carry your long lunch into the afternoon.

In the early 1900s, Beautiful Jim Key was dubbed “the world’s smartest horse”. He was owned and trained by a former slave and self-taught veterinarian Dr William Preston Key. Key is said to have taught the horse the alphabet, how to count to 30 and solve equations, and answer questions by writing responses in chalk or by using letter blocks.