Port Melbourne cafe Coe & Coe has established a loyal following since opening eight years ago – and expanding to Cremorne and Yarraville. It’s helmed by former Melbourne Victory (and Australia) goalkeeper Nathan Coe alongside his wife Ann Marie Coe and brother Damo.

Now, in a win for the area, the team has built on their original waterside location, establishing the Fennell Street Precinct, which includes the cafe, plus new Cali-style Mexican street-food joint Cactus Food Club and refined daytime diner Frontside Food & Wine.

The latter, which opened at the end of May, brings some welcome warmth (and style) to the largely industrial area – in a former Red Tulip chocolate factory from the 1950s.

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Here, there’s an all-day breakfast menu by executive chef James Moedt, who staged at Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Alinea. Expect fluffy tiramisu hotcakes with espresso-and-pistachio crumb, red-wine-poached cherries and hot-chocolate sauce; a slow-braised-pork-cheek eggs benny; and mushroom carbonara on polenta. For lunch, double-beef smash burgers, brown-butter cavatelli and hulking eggplant parmas are all on offer. New to the menu is a $55-a-head, three-course roast lunch on Sundays.

“The menu was inspired by our 10 years living in Europe, with a focus on Italy and Copenhagen,” Anne Marie says. “We wanted to create a combination of food that feeds your soul like the local Italian trattorias [and] the simplicity of Nordic cuisine.”

As the name suggests, wine is also a strong focus. The carefully curated list includes local drops from Heathcote and Coldstream, as well as the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Macedon Ranges. Plus, classic cocktails like Bloody Marys, Whisky Sours and Spicy Margaritas are available all day, as is a small selection of local beers and spirits.

The charming interior – designed by Anne Marie herself – also takes cues from Europe, with warm furnishings, marble-topped benches and plenty of natural light. She describes it as “hygge”, a Danish word used to describe cosiness and contentment.

“We fell in love with the charm of the building and the atmosphere on Fennell Street when we first moved to Melbourne,” says Anne Marie. “It’s a destination where you come for breakfast and end up staying the whole day … It’s a hidden one-stop destination with incredible neighbours like Colonial Brewing and Starward Whisky.”

Frontside Food & Wine
1a Fennell Street, Port Melbourne
(03) 5849 1511

Hours:
Mon to Fri 7am–3pm
Sat & Sun 7.30am–3pm

[frontsidefoodandwine.com.au] https://www.frontsidefoodandwine.com.au/)