Major Mitchell

Overview

Influencers assemble: Major Mitchell Café has opened its doors on Grange Road in Carnegie and it's very, very pink.

This is the latest venture from sister duo Katie Devic and Melissa Glentis, who started their wholesale brand, Daly St Coffee Roasters, during Melbourne's lockdown (or one of Melbourne's lockdowns, anyway).

No prizes for guessing which beans are running through the white San Remo espresso machine. In fact, you can taste your way through the whole Daly St range at Major Mitchell, including the girls' signature 'Candy Shop' blend, aka "the coffee version of a strawberry milkshake."

The cafe's brunch menu will make decision-making tough: For those with a sweet tooth, a classic bircher muesli ($17.50) is elevated with dark chocolate, berry gel and spiced hazelnuts, while the Pina Colada panna cotta ice-cream on waffles ($24) is sure to kick any sugar craving you throw at it.

If you're more of a savoury persuasion, it's a series of menu classics taken to new heights. Think chilli scrambled eggs ($19.50), sautéed mushrooms on truffled polenta ($22.50) and zucchini fritters ($24.50) — although you'd be hard-pressed to find other fritters on a bed of gingered kale, with buratta and lavender honey.

The drinks list is the sort that sees you come for a morning espresso and end up settling in for a slightly boozy afternoon. Bottomless batch brew filter ($6.50) is on hand, as are a series of fresh juices and a variety of lattes: golden, matcha and beetroot ($5). But if you want to settle in and stay a while, all of the usual cocktail suspects are also available —  including the extremely summery-sounding 'Chandon Orange Garden Spritz' ($16).

Of course, the main drawcard is the aesthetic. Claudia Bradar from The Renovate Avenue has done a cracking job with the interiors here, and Major Mitchell draws a steady stream of young families, southside foodies and Brighton influencers. There's even a private Champagne Room that seats up to 15 people.