When Mary-Jane Daffy and husband Jim Marinis (of St Martin’s, and previously Glovers Station purchased the historic space that now houses Carter Lovett, they decided to do some research on the place.

The pair discovered that the building had been a drapery run by a Ms Carter in the 1880s, while a Ms Lovett owned a florist across the road. This informed many aspects of the cafe’s design, which contrasts modern touches such as textured grey concrete walls with homey wooden chairs and bronze accents throughout. In a nod to Ms Carter, large linen drapes in earthy tones separate the indoor dining spaces. Floral arrangements, meanwhile, show up regularly on both tables and countertops. There are also benches outside that are perfect for an outdoor spritz.

The menu, by head chef and co-owner Brett Hobbs, sticks with the old-meets-new theme: the range of dishes are all classics with a British lean. Past dishes have included eggs Royale – poached eggs and ocean trout on an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce – and a rich-but-airy smoked salmon mousse served with eggs, asparagus and Yarra Valley caviar.

Coffee comes from Duke Coffee Roasters. There’s also a range of juices, turmeric lattes and chai to choose from.