Alongside the hotchpotch of boutique stores, kosher delis, an artisan baker, a stained-glass-windowed chemist and three-hat restaurant, Attica, in Ripponlea lies a cafe that continues to satisfy the locals' itch for classic Melbourne cafe fare.

Owner Jonathan Dvash (former waiter at The Pound, has made Spout bright and busy, with an open kitchen, inside and outdoor seating and a communal bar that's always filled with newspapers and people waiting on take-away coffees. The pared-back space has a rustic feel, with exposed brickwork and minimalist furnishings.

The menu, designed by co-owner and chef Ferris ‘Zul’ Khamsani puts a gentle Middle Eastern twist on old favourites, with dishes like shakshouka (Israeli eggs poached in tomato), homemade beans and sumac eggs. The beans are Allpress which results in some very good coffee.