Harper's Kitchen in St Kilda

Harper’s Kitchen slipped under our radar for a while there but we’re relieved to have discovered this small cafe on Inkerman Street just down the road and across the street from Mr Wolf. Owned by Hana Proven who formerly owned the Cross Cafe on Wellington Street also in St Kilda, Harper’s is a hive of activity with very friendly waiters swiftly shimmying through a handful of tables inside and out and a long communal one down the middle. The interior is fitted out by Izzi & Popo in South Melbourne and the communal table was literally built around a long ruler found at the interiors store that serves as permanent runner along the tabletop.

Emphasis here is on lots of fresh sandwiches and salads, there may be a salad brown rice, tuna, capers, beans and sumac or an organic soba salad which sit alongside baguettes and pides as well as a generous and simple breakfast menu: eggs with the usual extras; avocado and ricotta on toast; porridge and the well-made coffee is Supreme. Bread from Port Melbourne’s Noisette tops off a cosy community cafe that clearly has local support for delicious reasons.

Harper’s Kitchen

78 Inkerman Street, St Kilda

(03) 9537 0450

harperskitchen.com.au