Middletown Is the New Insta-Worthy Cafe from the Operator 25 Team

Operator 25's stunning dishes first started flooding Instagram feeds and inspiring weekend CBD brunch trips back in 2013. Now, almost three years later, owners Randy Dhamanhuri and Valerie Fong are again wowing Melbourne café crowds with beautiful eats, opening the doors to their latest venture in Prahran, last Thursday.

Located on High Street, Middletown packs a serious visual punch, from the chic, blue-and-white interiors, through to the artfully plated fare landing on the tables. The team have created a downright beautiful space in which to enjoy luxe food — all royal blue wall panelling, charming curves and Art Deco fixtures.

This is brunching at its most sophisticated, Fong's menu marrying classic flavours and seasonal produce with her signature flair for technique. Each dish here is dressed to impress, and about as close as food can get to being too darn pretty to eat. The likes of a pork pastrami eggs Benedict, drizzled with aerated blood orange hollandaise, or coffee-laced waffles, scattered with strawberries and truffle honey, are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the tastebuds.

Of course, there's caffeine aplenty. A dedicated Brew Bar is serving up beautifully executed Code Black coffee and picture-perfect matcha lattes.

Find Middletown at 229 High Street, Prahran. Open Mon to Fri 7am–4pm and Sat and Sun 8am–4pm.

Images: Peter Clarke.