Levi

Overview

What was once an unassuming textile factory in the easter suburbs, has been transformed into bright and breezy cafe Levi. It's not so easy to miss now, though — along with a complete interior renovation, the Murrumbeena warehouse has a fresh new eye-catching blue and white facade.

Sporting a chipper fit-out of bright white and blonde timber by design studio Ewert Leaf, the sprawling light-filled space now has room for a huge 170 punters both inside and outside under a retractable roof. Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week, it has all the makings of a local favourite.

Simplicity proves key across a contemporary menu from Head Chef Emma Jeffery (ex-Gilson, Mammoth). It's a diverse lineup, featuring dishes like a hot roast chicken and stuffing roll, finished with house-made gravy and curls of fried chicken skin ($19), and the Turkish-style chilli eggs matched with peri peri tomato, hot chilli butter and a whipped herb yoghurt ($19). The omelette comes loaded with XO pork, curry leaf, water chestnuts and kewpie ($20), and you'll even spy a breakfast pavlova starring poached peaches, mandarin granita and a hot white chocolate mousse ($17.50). After 11am, you can go all out with a burger ($19.50) or mushroom pappardelle ($21).

The drinks offering is equally broad, headlined by coffee from co-owner Lucas Sproson's own Hallelujah Coffee label. The espresso's backed by a slew of cold pressed juices, smoothies and shakes.

Due to the sheer size of the venue, there's also an added bonus for parents in the on-site kids' zone, decked out with a mini climbing wall, chalkboard, beanbags and books.

Images: Simon Shiff.