Higher Ground Melbourne

There's been a lot of buzz around the new cafe/restaurant, Higher Ground, in Melbourne's CBD. Brought to us by the team behind Top Paddock and Kettle Black, no wonder there's such hype.

The venue itself is something to behold. Set in a 300-square-metre former power station with soaring ceilings, this immense space feels surprisingly intimate. The dining area is split up over several areas and a mezzanine level. You can eat breakfast at the communal table, meet for a cocktail (AM or PM) on the mezzanine lounges or position yourself on a bench for dinner and people watching.

Roasted And Pickled Seasonal Mushrooms Soft Polenta , Hazelnut And Sourdough Crumble , Thyme

I was very impressed after my breakfast visit on the weekend. The menu is different from the other two cafes, Kettle Black and Top Paddock, incorporating a bit of Italian, French and Japanese, and with an evening offer, it's a nice addition to the Southern Cross end of Little Bourke Street.

Tip: Arrive early for breakfast on the weekend. I arrived for breakfast at 9am on Sunday morning and we were seated straight away. When we left after 10am, there was a long line. Luckily there's a coffee cart positioned outside making the wait more than bearable.

Higher Ground is the first place everyone should take visitors as soon as they arrive from the airport. It's the perfect representation of Melbourne - the impressive design, amazing coffee and food culture.