Mr Brightside and Hendrick's Burgers & Salads

Mr Brightside and its counterpart, Hendrick's Burgers & Salads, are a few doors apart on Booran Road. Owners George Redwan and Tait Crespin spent a good chunk of their lives in the Melbourne hospitality industry and knew the venues were just what their suburb needed. Named after the ever-popular Killers song and the brand of gin respectively, both offer simple food done well.

At Mr Brightside you’ll immediately notice the mock-timber house frame tracing the walls, part of the design by Sibling Architecture. Caged light fittings hang from the ceiling, and pot plants sit in the middle of the high and low tables.

The staple menu provides consistency, while five “something different” items rotate every two months to provide some variety. The food is what you’d expect from a cafe – fritters, French toast, avo smash and eggs Benedict. Match with one of two blends from Coffee Supreme, or Calmer Sutra chai.

Hendrick's Burgers & Salads formerly Hendrick's Food Store) was the answer to Mr Brightside not being open at nights. No prizes for guessing what's sold here. There are seven options on the burger menu, including beef, chicken and veggie patty variants. What the name doesn't give away is the panko-crumbed schnitzels; thickshakes and jalapeño poppers also on offer.