Nesbert Kagonda and Ruby Clark took over Bloom Coffee Bar in July 2019, and turned it into Tanaka just under a year later. Following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tanaka became a neighbourhood grocer.

Most produce here is grown at Tanaka’s farm in South Gippsland. The farm also provides free range eggs for the cafe. Other meat and veggies also come from local suppliers. Fill your pantry with an ample supply of legumes, grains, pasta and spices. There's also a freezer full of Kenny Lover ice-cream.

Tanaka is an African-Australian cafe, mixing Aussie cafe standards with traditional African cuisine. Try the South African boerewors toastie, with cheese and chakalaka (a spicy tomato and bean chili), or a version of avocado toast on African chimodo bread, served with house made apricot chutney and a poached egg with berbere – a blend of spices essential to Ethiopian cuisine.

There's a different sandwich special every day. Sometimes there's a killer porchetta roll, other times you might find a steak sandwich with mushroom gravy.