“We wanted to really stand out and make ourselves known,” says Bella Tzanidis, co-owner of Elwood’s eye-catching new cafe Arlo. “Especially on such a competitive strip.”

The venue – which opened at the end of last year near popular local spots Combi and Plain Sailing – is almost impossible to miss, with its bright aquamarine window frames and neon signage.

It’s on hallowed hospitality grounds, in a space that housed Geoff Lindsay’s Vietnamese restaurant Dandelion for more than a decade (it closed in 2021). Step inside today, and you’ll find a warm, inviting brunch spot with a vibrant energy. The rustic, light-filled space, with a lush vertical garden, required minimal renovations when Tzanidis and her team took over.

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That team includes co-owner and Tzanidis’s fellow venue manager Jack Franklyn, and executive chef Mahesh Adhikari. The trio, along with partner Daniel Dick, also owns Leaps and Bounds, an Albert Park cafe where Adhikari also heads the kitchen.

While the two venues have some menu items in common, Adikhari has crafted several new dishes for Arlo, with Mediterranean and Asian influences, and interesting flavour combinations. “There’s a lot of kimchi throughout and a lot of different spices,” says Tzanidis.

A favourite is the Chicken Bang – a crunchy waffle with cinnamon-sugar-tossed fried chicken and streaky bacon, topped with kimchi butter and maple syrup. The fritters are another highlight, combining sweet potato, mung beans and kimchi, and served with spiced-lime-and-cardamom yoghurt, charred broccolini and poached eggs. As are the Turkish eggs, on a bed of spiced labneh with charred broccolini. If you’re after something more familiar, you’ll also find takes on breakfast classics like the smashed avocado with feta, red chilli, pomegranate and charred corn.

On the drinks list are classic smoothies, milkshakes, and coffee brewed every which way from Inglewood Coffee Roasters, as well as chai, matcha and turmeric lattes.

Arlo
133 Ormond Road, Elwood
(09) 9317 3278

Hours:
Mon to Fri 7am–4pm
Sat & Sun 7.30am–4pm

@arloelwood
arlocafe.com.au