Major Mitchell

   An eatery in an original 1950s post office has been delivered

 Step inside one of Melbourne's original 1950s post offices, and you'll enter Major Mitchell's pink paradise which many have already stamped "priority mail".

Beyond the iron gates and manicured rose gardens lies a converted 1920s Victorian house where diners will indulge in a refined foodie experience full of playful, globally inspired riffs on classic dishes along with grab and go bagels, scones, pastries and cakes while sipping custom roasted coffee, champagne and cocktails.

Major Mitchell's bright pink door is a beacon for the coffee hunters in Melbourne's southeast, but the real fun is in the kitchen: Nutella French toast with banana brulee, cinnamon toast crunch, vanilla bean ice-cream and caramel sauce, and the prawn gumbo brioche roll with cabbage, chorizo crumb and chimichurri aioli. And let us introduce our newest edition of the beef brisket on sourdough crumpet with vegemite hollandaise and onion rings.

Not be outdone is a mushroom extravaganza that is among its most popular dishes - king brown, porcini and field mushrooms on a truffled potato rosti with mushroom ketchup, parmesan, herb salad and poached eggs. Then there is its popular take on chilli scramble eggs with hoisin mayo and eggplant sambal.

Major Mitchell is the brainchild of Katie Devic who has 16 years' experience in setting up cafes internationally, including Dubai and Singapore, and throughout Melbourne.

"I wanted to bring something new to the area and deliver a point of difference from our food to creating a welcoming neighbourhood charm, Major Mitchell is the perfect mix of a family-friendly oasis and a place where people can catch up for a long boozy brunch," she says.

"Our menu draws inspiration from Modern Australian, Middle Eastern, Asian and European cuisines, combining ingredients, colour and techniques from each continent to create beautifully plated creations which hero local, seasonal ingredients."

For breakfast, the Ube hotcake is one to note – served with seasonal fruit, mixed nuts, toasted coconut and honey whipped ricotta. And then there is the roasted pumpkin and zucchini with lentils, freekeh, frisse, pita chips, lemon yogurt, and pomegranate dressing. For lunch, options include chicken confit in a red wine tomato ragu with fresh pappardelle pasta or the fried chicken bao buns. The perfect winter  dish of slow cooked lamb shoulder with smoky baba ghanoush, spiced carrots, feta, fried chickpeas, pistachio zaatar and herb pita is also a taste sensation.

The crowd favourites all carry a Major Mitchell twist including the smashed avocado on pumpkin sourdough, semi dried tomatoes, mint, salsa verde and beetroot hummus, the Turkey bagel with cranberry and apple relish, brie, dill and horseradish cream cheese and the Shakshuka with fried chickpeas and garlic tahini.

Each day the cabinet gets loaded up with fresh pastries and cakes. With a large focus on vegan and gluten free cakes.

While customers take in the food and sit back with their drink, they'll do so in a beautifully styled venue including pink dried floral arrangements, gold leaf patterned wallpaper and vibrant foliage amongst the blush-coloured seating. Every detail of the space has been carefully considered, from the stunning pink terrazzo benchtops flecked with pink and grey, neon signage and feature rattan lighting which hangs from the custom-designed wooden roof. 

The manicured garden is dotted with outdoor seating and wrought-iron furniture on the mosaic tiled veranda, and there are chairs scattered under olive and lemon trees and near the café's vegetable garden. There is also a replica cubby house of the venue for kids along with other play equipment letting parents enjoy their time in the sun.

For a more intimate experience, diners can sit in the cosy private dining room, known as the Champagne Room, which is adorned by a chandelier, candles and natural sunlight. By night, Major Mitchell transforms into a stunning function space for christenings, bar mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays or hens parties.

Coffee is by speciality coffee company Daly St Roasters with its custom Major Mitchell blend The Chosen One. And again, Major Mitchell is mixing it up with its rose latte – homemade rose syrup, choice of milk, with the option of adding a shot of coffee to it.

Major Mitchell is fast becoming a must-go-to café whether it's those looking to broaden their coffee horizons with new blends, discover the delights of the globally inspired menu, or enjoy a few cocktails in the garden, there is something for everyone.

Major Mitchell has signed, sealed and delivered a foodie and venue wonderland.

Major Mitchell is located at
122 Grange Road, Carnegie VIC 3163

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 7:30am - 3pm

Saturday & Sunday: 8am - 3pm