The Herbert Cafe

Northcote has its fair share of great cafes, and The Herbert Cafe is a welcome addition to the community. Slotted in beside Northcote station, this quaint and friendly former garage has all the charms of its older and larger peers, whilst remaining cool and calm.

Co-owner Tobias Münch, from Umbau Design Studio, created the fit out and has hand crafted the furniture from recycled pieces obtained from an old Girl Scouts hall in the area. The stools match the sandwich boards, the communal table has a herb garden growing in the middle of it and there are planter boxes lining the inner walls.

A glass cabinet of sandwiches and sweets can be found at the counter and there is a select menu including bircher muesli, chorizo baked beans and a chickpea and avocado smash. Despite the limited kitchen space, the food is good value, tasty and made from local produce.

Keeping with local ideals, coffee is supplied by Brunswick roasters, Padre, and shots are pulled through a gleaming La Marzocco machine sitting on a heavy granite bench. Retail bags of coffee adorn the shelves, ready for you to take home.