Little Common

The compact and appropriately titled Little Common at the Footscray Market is the sister venue to Seddon’s upmarket cafe Common Galaxia. The space is tiny and decked out with white recessed timber benches, a grey kitchen splashback to match the grey floors, and rustic piping holding up the shelves. The fit-out is by Yarraville’s Reno Works, whose goal was to open up a dark and dingy space. It’s a hole in the wall with limited seating inside, but it doesn’t feel claustrophobic.

Little Common is owned by former AFL umpire Troy Pannell, who took the reins at Common Galaxia in 2018 when injuries caught up with him. The focus here is strong coffee (the beans are by A+ Coffee) with the aim of fuelling busy workers like Pannell (who’s still doing his corporate job).

Little Common’s short menu is designed and prepared by chef Nanette O’Connor at Common Galaxia and delivered daily. The options in the small glass cabinet include O’Connor’s versions of cafe classics, such as caramel slices, brownies and banana bread. There are mini bagels from Noisette with either smoked salmon or pastrami, and puff-pastry cups filled with spinach, tomato and goat cheese or truffle, mushroom and manchego.