Babylon Cafe

Don’t read too much into the name of Babylon. It’s not a nod to owner Simon Adonis’ heritage, nor an allusion to the famous hanging gardens of the ancient Middle Eastern city, though the lush and leafy courtyard surrounding this cafe is lovely.

It was named after a Bob Marley album - the same one now suspended over the Synesso machine inside.

The small cafe was converted from the backyard showroom of popular furniture shop, The Rug Studio.

A coffee window, basic kitchen and tables were added, but most else has stayed the same: the verdant courtyard is an oasis of frangipanis, dracaenas and palms stretching over chipped tables and benches, while every manner of rusty receptacle – toy wagon, olive-oil can, bucket – overflows with fat succulents.

Adonis, who previously owned Castro on St Georges Terrace, initially intended Babylon to focus just on coffee (ask him about his meticulously developed blend of chocolate-y, dark roast Fiori), but he eventually caved in to customers’ requests for food.

The vegie slice – a multi-layered tortilla stack filled with eggs, mushrooms, tomato, spinach and cheese – is by far the greatest crowd pleaser.