Box Office, in a shipping container in a residential street, is an exercise in creativity for owner Mark Stawicki. Partly outdoors and proudly dog-friendly, the cafe-slash-wine-bar shows what can be done in a tiny and unconventional space.

The crew here likes to stay away from fad foods. Menu mainstays are a mix of what Stawicki calls “naughty and nice” dishes that blend contemporary Australian ingredients with native flavours. Think pulled-pork eggs Benedict seasoned with native pepper, a loaded pepperberry brekkie burger, cauliflower steak with finger-lime dressing, and spicy sriracha-glazed chicken bao.

Stawicki opened Box Office in 2011, having already served 19 years in hospitality. Axil Coffee Roasters, one of his former employers, provides the coffee. The vibe is fun and colourful, with an ever-changing playlist.