Now Open: Abbotsford Has Scored a New Bistro, Bar, Deli and Cafe with Neighbouring Venues Molli and Little Molli
These sibling venues come from the minds behind some of Melbourne's best cafes, bars and restaurants.
Ever since the Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine, Liminal, Common Ground Project and Heidi Kitchen) announced it was opening two new venues in Abbotsford, we've been impatiently waiting to try them both out. That's because the team behind the new spots — named Molli and Little Molli — are absolute pros who've been at the forefront of Melbourne's hospo scene for decades.
Even though he doesn't own them now, The Mulberry Group's founder Nathan Toleman started up Three Bags Full, Top Paddock, The Kettle Black and Higher Ground.
These were and continue to be some of Melbourne's best brunch spots. Hazel also makes our list of the best restaurants in Melbourne, Dessous is one of the city's top bars, and Lilac Wine makes a strong case for our favourite Melbourne wine bar.
With such impeccable credentials, the expectations for Molli and Little Molli are incredibly high. And the Mulberry Group seems to have absolutely delivered with both.
Little Molli is a neighbourhood deli and cafe, open from 8am–5pm every day of the week and serving a regularly rotating selection of loaded sandwiches on To Be Frank focaccia and ciabatta, fresh pastries from Backhaus Bakery, as well as coffee from Square One Coffee Roasters.
Cured meats, cheeses and a huge spread of antipasto goodies fill the deli cabinet, for you to take home or have in — either on one of the tables inside or out on the tree-lined street. Mini martinis and wines will be even available for those seeking to fashion their own aperitivo sessions.
Right next door, Molli serves bigger bistro-style meals alongside a stacked drinks menu.
Former Hazel Head Chef and Abbotsford resident Aleksis Kalnins is running the kitchen here, plating up contemporary Australian fare. Plenty of produce is sourced from the building's own rooftop garden, as well as the group's regenerative farm in Freshwater Creek.
The menu heavily features snacking plates like pork neck skewers with date pûrée, potato rosti with sour cream, smoked eggplant with chickpea miso and seaweed crackers with mushroom ketchup. You can come in for a little sip and snack session with these or dive into the more substantial dishes.
Two pastas — made fresh on-site every morning — will always feature on the menu, plus there'll be wagyu rump steak, whole alpine trout with horseradish and pork crackling, spatchcock with preserved lemon and Portarlington mussels with nduja.
Kalnins is big on technique but is keeping deceptively simple at Molli. Instead of overloading a dish with ingredients, only a few thoughtfully selected ingredients will feature in each playful but approachable dish.
Kayla Saito — the brains behind Hazel's and Dessous' ever-changing beverage lineup — has designed a drinks list that's described as "relaxed but thoughtful", with a deep sustainability ethos.
Saito collaborates closely with the kitchen when formulating the funky tipples, which celebrate small-batch, local spirits. The cocktail menu includes a rotating offer of seven cocktails in core styles — such as a spritz, a sour and a house martini — as well as seven zero-proof alternatives like water kefir and kombucha. Punches served in vintage bowls are also available for groups.
The wine list, which comes courtesy of Andre Magneklint (ex-Bahama Gold and Old Palm Liquor), showcases a broad yet accessible selection of vinos. You'll find familiar varietals from well-known regions as well as plenty of hidden gems that you're unlikely to have tired before. Craft spirits and draught beer from Clayton's Two Rupees round out the stacked drinks lineup at Molli.
And to set the vibe within the bistro and bar, the team has enlisted the help of local record store Dutch Vinyl to curate a monthly-changing vinyl soundtrack.
But cue the steak knives, because that's not all. Between the two venues sits a private dining room, plus there's a large rooftop space that can also be booked for private events. The rooftop has its own bar and kitchen, making it primed for summertime parties in Abbotsford.
Abbotsford locals should be rejoicing now that they've scored Molli and Little Molli, and everyone else should rightfully be jealous.
You'll find Little Molli at 66 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, open from 8am–5pm every day of the week. And Molli is located next door at 20 Mollison Street, Abbotsford, open 5–11pm on Wednesdays, 12–11pm from Thursday–Saturday, and 11.30am–5pm on Sundays. For more information, visit the venues' website.
Images: Tim Harris and Kristoffer Paulsen.
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