Arlo

133 Ormond Rd
Elwood, VIC 3184
https://www.arlocafe.com.au/

I’m really over brunch these days; not only do I have to get up on a rare weekend off, most popular cafes are way too overstimulating in the morning. But Arlo actually makes the ordeal pretty worth it. With plenty of interesting food offerings and excellent coffee, the sun-filled space is bright and welcoming, even if it’s a loud and busy one. And if things become too overwhelming, it’s nothing a post-brunch stroll along the nearby beach can’t fix.

Rating: 13/20 – beach town vibes.
Check out: The Grumpy Swimmer. it’s an adorable book and homeware shop just across the road. i got me a leather anchovy bookmark.

I thought the Turkish Eggs ($24.9) was going to be your usual baked eggs biz, but they managed to surprise me. Instead of a tomato base, the poached eggs sat in a swirl of thick labne, drizzled with spice-infused butter. With the addition of charred broccolini and a side of Bacon ($5), this was a rich, bold dish that was nevertheless not too heavy.

I’m sad that they no longer have their chicken and waffles, but I’d argue the El-Mex Almuerzo ($25.9) is just as tasty, and definitely much more balanced. The corn and spinach waffle was crispy and light, whilst the combination of creamy guacamole, roasted pumpkin, and salty feta made for a delish stack full of contrasting flavours and textures.

Not that I’ve had a lot outside of hospital coffee recently, but the Flat White ($5) here is the best I’ve had in a while. The milk was really well-frothed, adding a smooth sweetness to the darker chocolate notes in the beans.