North & Eight

You’ve got to have a distinguishing mark to set you apart from the brunch options in Melbourne, which is a target North and Eight have nailed it on all fronts: a distinct location, a quirky yet clear menu and a sharp service offering.

It’s a standout in area peppered by low personality services. The white building stands out at the crest of a hill in Aberfeldie, just back from the Maribyrnong River. The floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant allow for streaming natural light to show off the cracked concrete floor, painted brick walls and soft wood furniture. This combination lends a strong Scandinavian feel, accentuated by the heavy, grey industrial aprons worn by the exceptionally friendly staff.

The menu hits multiple Melbourne marks, catering to the masses and their many intricate foodie needs. You can walk in hungover as a horse and drown your sorrows in everything sweet, salty and fried. Shimmy in with a post yoga/cycle/power walk sweat to feed your temple with zucchini noodles, poached eggs and almond milk. Bring the family and plant yourselves around one of the large communal window tables for your little ones to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over the fantastic plating and sinful desserts. The Northella Houseshake, a chocolate hazelnut milkshake adorned with a Nutella doughtnut, is sure to entertain and delight.

There’s a couple of cultural influences, coming from all corners of the world. Choose from a Vietnamese chicken salad, almond French toast and Korean fried chicken waffle to get a taste of something new and different.

It’s tough not to lose a little control over our senses as the food hits the table, from the fragrant foodie scents, abundant colours stealing our sight or the litany of camera clicks. Whilst it’s all well and good to get excited over what is in front of us, it’s nothing compared to how we fare once we get to taste the feast.

As a confessed fried chicken fiend, I immediately gravitate towards the Korean fried chicken on egg waffle with slaw and chilli mayonnaise. Around the table, zucchini, sweet corn and quinoa fritters are thrown on avocado, herbs, lime and tahini yoghurt, and we add thick, crispy bacon and juicy hash browns for extra indulgence. There’s an indulgent looking plate of pancakes decorated with Oreos, fat polenta chips with a lime mayonnaise and light chilli oil and a bright, beautiful bowl of poke to tickle your tastebuds.

No matter what mood you enter North and Eight in, you’ll leave happy – cheered by the service, comforted by the homely feel and full of fresh, fabulous food.

North & Eight 
285–287 Buckley Street, Essendon
Open 7 days, Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 4pm
northandeight.com.au