Overview
The minds behind some of Melbourne's best breakfast destinations — Terror Twilight, Convoy, Tinker and Hi Fi — is opening a cafe-cum-wine bar on Westgarth's High Street this August.
But unlike the above-mentioned cafes, the new Ophelia will focus less on eggy brunch bites and more on Euro-inspired lunchtime dishes. The team wants this to be the kind of place where a coffee and light bite with mates can easily turn into a long boozy lunch.
Yolk Group Executive Chef Dale Kemp will be sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers, while plenty will also be made from scratch. Expect the likes of french toast, galettes, tartines and a regularly rotating market plate when dining in, and deli sandwiches, homemade cakes and hearty salads to take away.
When it comes to drinks, you've got classic brews and more experimental caffeine concoctions — like a miso caramel iced latte — as well as house-made fermented sodas, cocktails and natural wines.
All of this will be enjoyed within Ophelia's newly designed digs in the site that formerly housed Barry. Designer Kate Durham has worked on the fitout, centering everything around a long curved bar where guests can pull up a stool and sip through sundown.
The space also boasts a restored red terrazzo floor, walnut timber furnishings, sage green interiors and velvet banquette seating. If the sun makes an appaerance, you can also park yourself on one of the outdoor tables on High Street, doing a spot of people-watching as you make your way through the Ophelia offerings.
"We want Ophelia to feel like the friendly neighbour who always has a record playing and bottle opener handy. Where you're welcome to sit back and do your own thing, but know you'll be equally well looked after," says Co-Owner Bec Moore. "And while we're creating a space people can retreat to for breakfast and lunch, it's also an in-betweener — ideal for snacking, picking, sipping and all the good stuff."
Tinker in Northcote
Ophelia is slated to open in late August at 85 High Street, Northcote. For more details, visit the group's website.