Even though it’s named after the German word for bones, Knochen Joint (say it like “kuh-nok-en”) is about as close to Hawaii as you’ll get without leaving Melbourne.

This cafe and good-times bar was inspired by a trip co-owner Charlotte Tizzard (former co-owner of Hard Rubbish bar) took to the tropical American state, where she fell in love with the local culture and cuisine. Therefore, Knochen Joint specialises in, among other things, loco mocos: a modern Hawaiian dish of rice topped with a beef burger patty, a gooey fried egg and lashings of mushroom gravy.

The menu also reflects Hawaii’s love affair with spam via the Spam Musubi, a Hawaiian sushi-style snack of grilled spam and rice wrapped in a sheet of nori. There’s also a convincing vegan alternative made with Splam, a plant-based version of the tinned sandwich meat.

Knochen Joint is a popular spot for coffee, but it also has summer arvo sessions covered with both local and Hawaiian beers, fresh cocktails and a leafy courtyard hidden out back. Classic Hawaiian concoctions are joined by house cocktails such as the Tijuana Tyre Fyre, a spicy tequila, maple and lime number with a chilli rim.

Mexican beer and hot chocolates are a nod to the pastel pink "Mexican Milk" fit-out and skeleton motif that runs throughout the venue, painted by co-owner and mural painter Constance Hunter. Combined with regular DJ sets on weekends, this place will have you hula’ing in no time.