Convoy Moonee Ponds

The minds behind Northcote's Tinker, Collingwood's Terror Twilight and Smith Street sandwich spot Hi Fi have made a foray into the inner-northwest, creating this bright daytime diner overlooking Queens Park.

Convoy boasts a retro-leaning, timber-filled fitout by female-led practices Studio Esteta and My Friend Tom, with a spacious streetside deck and garden, and plenty of natural materials used throughout.

My Friend Tom

Executive Chef of Convoy's sibling venues, Dale Kemp, is also guiding the food offering here, plating up both familiar favourites and exclusive new creations. It's expectedly creative and considered — perhaps mushrooms on toast with a Calabrian chilli butter and 'corn crackle' ($23); a brekkie muffin sandwiching curried scrambled eggs and grandma ham ($18); the steak frites roll ($27); and cinnamon scroll-inspired pancakes made with sweet potato ($21).

The kitchen's take on eggs benedict features toasted milk bread and smoked pastrami with a pickled daikon and apple salad ($25); the Turkish eggs are elevated with sujuk and a lemon yoghurt ($21); and there's an okonomiyaki waffle finished with miso mayo and a kimchi crisp ($23).

Along with your usual coffee options, you'll find a boba-style drink with sweetened coconut cream and tapioca pearls that have been soaked in cold brew ($6.50). Or you can amp up your day with something from the cocktail list, where classics like mimosas ($16.50) and bloody marias ($18) sit alongside a breakfast martini and the Melbourne Mai Tai ($18) — a blend of orange, pineapple, Amaretto and dark rum.

My Friend Tom

Images: My Friend Tom.