Well hello mango jello! I don’t know about you, but the fresh spring breeze and sporadic sunshine of September in Melbourne always makes me feel perkily peckish! As I was in the CBD for work stuff anyway, what better timing to stalk visit my favourite cafe in the whole wide world: Cafe 53 on Finders Lane…

Camera shy owner Michelle and her spunky team always make fabulous fresh soups and scrumptious salads in time for a luscious lunch break – more on that later!

Check out their too cool for school wall installation by fellow Melbournian Jess Hynd on entrance wall #industrialchic

Can you believe their light fitting is from Ikea?

Sooo excited to find out they are now stockists for the very nutritious and oh so delicious activated mixed nuts by Star Anise Organic Wholefoods #nibblicious

Cafe 53 is also a perfect brunch date with lovers that require ‘man-sized’ brekkies (some hubbies can be soo demanding!)

Do you believe in love at first sight? *Sigh* soo does not do them any justice!

For those who love a bit of meat in their sandwich I highly recommend the Carlos *wink wink*

They renovated the upstairs area last year and I’m loving their golden ochre walls that light up the very meterage challenged space (some may describe it as ‘intimate’).

The framed vintage posters are treasured souvenirs from a whimsical road trip to Red Hill Community Market. I wished my hand bag was big enough to take home the beautiful birds of paradise in recycled bottles as keepsakes of my own, but my genie must have chucked in a sickie today. Can you spot the soo haute right now sky planters from Design Dispensary?

Here’s a close up as requested (Hi Nirma!)

I can personally recommend every single dessert if you’re wondering #justsayin

Sure doesn’t take long for Cafe 53 to get cray cray around midday, wonder why…

Getting my tan on their Jak+Jil outdoor seating by Tait, whilst basking in caffeine cuddles with soy mocha in hand #aaaaah. Warning: Cafe 53 makes the yummiest coffee ever. Period.

I know you don’t usually make friends with salads but their fresh to death greens are highly coveted at the Paris end. Loyal patrons shake their chassis up Flinders Lane as early as they can on their lunch break to ensure they do not miss out on Cafe 53 goodness! After intensive research, I have concluded that a threesome is the definitely best way to go – it is way too hard otherwise to choose just one! Made my tummy soo happy with the following combo:
1. Green bean and tofu stir fry with spring onions, chili, bean shoots, coriander, Thai basil and mint served on coconut rice
2. Spicy meatballs with yoghurt dressing, tabouleh, parsley, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onion, lemon and cucumber
3. Roasted pumpkin and BBQ chicken with cous cous, cherry tomatoes, mesclun, fetta, caramelised onion, pine nuts and mint

For a happily ever after ending, my mouth whispered sweet nothings to their dreamy creamy caramel and macadamia cheesecake #bakedbliss
Ciao for now green cacao, happy drooling xoxo
Cafe 53 03 9662 1655
55 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000
Open Mondays to Fridays 7:00-5:00pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-53/21816749658
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