Black Toast

It may not look it from the front counter but Black Toast is a bit huge. Out the back the room opens right up, furnished with what looks like every reclaimed dining table to pass through Vinnies in the last five years. This means you're pretty bloody likely to get a seat without too much of a wait. High-five for real tables and chairs! And another high-five for not having to squat awkwardly on milk crates or having to balance your coffee on your lap.

Big open windows looking out over the laneway provide a literal breath of fresh air, while the music makes for easy weekend listening – you're all but guaranteed never to be surprised with a Skrillex track: TLC and Arrested Development are more their speed.

Hungover? Feed the booze monster with a cheese and bacon burger that comes with a little pail of chips on the side. If things are really bad you may need a chocolate thick shake too. It takes them a little while to make because they jam it with so much ice cream that the rotors on the milkshake maker have trouble turning. But when you get it you can stand a spoon up in it.

They also do a chicken salad with pecans, green apple, mango and a honey dressing. Or you can aim for the middle ground between burger and salad and go for the Caesar. Sure, it may look like a salad but once you add bacon, chicken, boiled eggs, crisp croutons and creamy dressing it tends to lose the nutritional high ground. There is no discernible anchovy flavour in the dressing either – sad for us but if you're not a fan of salted fish then you are in luck.

The front part of the café is dedicated to foot traffic. Grab a coffee and something cakey and be on your way or sink into one of the few armchairs provided if it’s still too early for walking and drinking at the same time.

Even if you day has gotten off to a crumby start, brekky at Black Toast will see your day land butter side-up from thereon in.