Harper's Kitchen

Just down the road and across the street from Mr Wolf, is this small cafe on Inkerman Street. Owned by Hana Proven (formerly of Cross Cafe), Harper’s is a hive of activity with very friendly waiters swiftly shimmying through a handful of tables inside and out as well as a long communal one down the middle. The interior is fitted out by Izzi & Popo and the communal table was literally built around a long ruler found at the interiors store that serves as permanent runner along the tabletop.

Emphasis here is on having lots of fresh sandwiches and salads. There may be a salad of brown rice, tuna, capers, beans and sumac, or an organic soba salad sitting alongside baguettes and pides. There is also a generous and simple breakfast menu: eggs with the usual extras; avocado and ricotta on toast; porridge and the well-made coffee is Supreme. Bread from Port Melbourne’s Noisette tops off a cosy community cafe that clearly has local support for delicious reasons.