Riddik

Riddik is inside an old ANZ branch among a collection of restaurants, takeaway stores and grocers that have been residents of Macedon Square in Lower Templestowe for decades.

Husband and wife Andrew and Michelle Wagner, and Michelle’s brother George Kelzi, are the eatery’s owners. The trio used to own Penny House cafe in Richmond, and prior to that Andrew opened Richmond’s 7 Grams.

A mural of a woman by street artist Tarek presides over the spacious, polished diner, which Melbourne’s Studio Equator has fitted with lots of natural stone and gold accents.

Head chef Adam Robbins, who has come from heading the kitchen at Penny House, has designed a menu of simple dishes and more elaborate options. The dinner menu is expansive, with everything from pulled-chicken nachos and charcuterie, to penne bolognaise.

There’s strawberry-cheesecake-stuffed French toast for breakfast. Eggs come in numerous forms – on rosti; in a smoked-duck omelette; with garlic and herbed mushrooms; with crispy soft-shell crab and slaw on sourdough. Ingredients on the breakfast board change daily.

At lunch, try the coffee-rubbed beef burger – the patty is marinated with Code Black grinds.