20 & 6, Don't Worry, It's Not A Math Question...It's Way Better

If you live in Melbourne, chances are you've been to at least one quirky and kinda hipster cafe...unless your some kind of coffee hating, non-brunch eating freak. In which case, get out of my city. So, the big question is, when we're so completely spoilt for choice in a place where good coffee runs as freely as hippies on a nudist beach, how do we find the ones that have really nailed it? The ones who've ticked all the boxes in terms of coffee, food, ambiance and adequately hipster staff. The unassuming little cafe, 20 & 6, tucked away on Queensberry Street in North Melbourne, has been on my radar for a while and definitely ticks all my boxes.

The first thing I love about 20 & 6 is the layout. It may be small but it's open and light, with cute (though quite random-an elephant?) little drawings on the walls. The second thing I love about this place is the coffee, served in powder blue cups which match the Marzocco machine. Of course it's not all just about good looks when it comes to the coffee here, the Proud Mary beans make certain of that! And the third thing that makes me want to camp outside this place in a sleeping bag every night (just to make sure I get a table of course) is the menu. It's not huge, but the dishes are so very well put together and awesomely presented. When I went we had the insanely good cold smoked salmon omelette with braised leeks, fennel salad and beetroot purée, as well as the delicious muesli with orange blossom yogurt and jammy fruit compote. There was even an orchid on the muesli. AN ORCHID!

That seems to be the thing about 20 & 6 that makes it so special. It's the attention to detail, the flower on your breakfast, the matching of the coffee cups with the machine, the perfect 60 degree latte. So, when you're out and about and you're looking for a great cafe, try out 20 & 6. I guarantee it'll convert any coffee hating, non-brunch eater. And if it doesn't...then seriously, leave now.