Melissa Cakes Cafe Bar

Just out of reach of the big smoke, peacefully parked beside Ruffey Creek on Parker Street, is Templestowe’s Melissa Cakes Café Bar. A large garden pot encircled by ferns sits beside a columned entrance, where a theme of warm coloured hexagons contrasted with black tones presents itself, continuing indoors with an overhead cut-out containing more honeycomb shapes. Colourful cakes, in all shapes and sizes, glow from a steel-framed display running the length of this Greek influenced café. Not to be outdone, is a complete all-day menu with offerings like tasty traditional moussaka, well paired with an option from a strictly Australian and New Zealand wine list, or just as tempting, crispy skin Atlantic salmon, with creamy mash, seasonal greens and a saffron and chardonnay reduction.