Yellow Bird Cafe

On an evening mid-week, when so many places south of the Yarra are dead, you can count on Chapel institution Yellow Bird to have its doors open, its kitchen serving and its taps flowing with cold beer.

Open every day of the week, Yellow Bird is on for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. It’s a reflection of the attitude of its owners (and Windsor locals), Dean Bowden and Clint Hyndman, who have always wanted to provide a friendly, accessible and comfortable space to hang out in – at any time of the day.

Having landed on the scene in 2007, Yellow Bird is a hotchpotch of retro tables, seventies seating, bold colours and quirky objects. It’s cheap, funky, loud and casual.

The menu is extensive, ranging from Death Benedict for breakfast (hash browns, bacon, eggs and hollandaise) to salt and chilli squid, chicken enchiladas or funghi risotto. It’s overwhelmingly a drinker’s menu; with hearty, cheesy, carb-fueled options to delight midnight snackers and hung-over patrons alike. Caution: the servings are very generous.

The bar fits the bill, sporting a huge selection of wild Mexican cocktails, classic concoctions, local beers, cider and wine. If you’re looking for something one rung up, check out The Woods, the boys’ newer venture five doors down.