The Hatter and the Hare

In the industrial pocket of Bayswater, packed with pubs, sits one of Melbourne’s quirkiest cafes: The Hatter and the Hare.

The family behind it started out supplying cakes to top hotels and cafes from a commercial kitchen in their Mum’s garage. It’s clear they know a thing or two about baking. The cabinets are filled with a huge variety of cakes and pastries, with new ones created every few days. Take a seat by the patisserie window and watch the treats get made. If you want to learn more, just ask and the staff will invite you in.

The menu has an Alice in Wonderland theme, which lends itself to some real theatrics. Try the Down the Rabbit Hole acai bowl. Or perhaps the Knave of Heart’s Treat; a chamomile custard-soaked French toast, with spiced berries, blood orange, candied orange cream and pistachio fairy floss.

Zwei Interiors Architecture is behind the fit-out, which converted the old warehouse to keep some of that industrial feel but mixed in subtle hints of Alice too.