Or perhaps ...

Alfio's Caffe (03) 9482 7800, 86 Station St, Fairfield - A very popular spot for breakfast on weekends with its cute sun soaked paved nook out the front.

Atomica Caffe (03) 9417 4255, 268 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - Expertly made coffee, using house roasted and blended beans. A dim lit, lovely room with seats on the footpath too.

Bayleaves (03) 9417 4555, 106 Hoodle St, Abbotsford

Brandon Hotel (03) 9347 2382, , 237 Station St, Carlton North

Cafe Bagatelles (03) 9349 3422, 687 Rathdowne St, Carlton North - Described by locals as the "gossip corner cafe", Cafe Bagatelles is in a happy spot overlooking Carlton Square.

Carlton Paragon (03) 9347 7715, 651 Rathdowne St, Carlton North - Charming corner position, nice open room and popular meeting place for Carltonians.

Charcoal Lane 9418 3400, 136 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

Cibi (03) 9077 3941, 45 Keele St, Collingwood

Dantes (03) 9417 2468, 150 Gertrude St, Fitzroy - Dante's is popular throughout the day for lunch or a drink in the afternoon. The menu is cheap and cafe style, with many options for vegetarians.

Doctor Java (03) 9416 1431, 87A Smith St, Fitzroy - Doctor Java pays homage to the tropical coffee growing regions of Ethiopia, Papua new Guinea, columbia and Brazil.

Element 03, 438 Derby St, Collingwood - It's too cool to be hot so signage is kept to a minimum and if you need to ask directions perhaps you're looking for the wrong place.

Empress Hotel (03) 9489 8605, 714 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North - A local with big pub meals at bar prices, live music, pool, TV and even conversation. Oh, and there's beer too.

Fairfield Nursery Cafe (03) 9269 8907, Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield

Fairfield Park Boathouse (03) 9486 1501, Fairfield Park Dve, Fairfield

Figs (03) 9388 1911, 787 Nicholson St, Carlton North - A North Carlton neighbourhood cafe with courtyard garden sheltered by a spreading fig tree.

The Fitzroy Pinnacle (03) 9489 3044, 251 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Foo-Doo's (03) 9417 4299, 336 Smith St, Collingwood

Gold & Noone (03) 9410 0080, Gold St cnr Noone St, Clifton Hill

Gypsies Cafe (03) 9419 1231, 102 Smith St, Collingwood

Gypsy Bar (03) 9419 0548, 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - This long time Brunswick St cafe/bar is open late. In fact it's open all day too. Great feeling, intimate space, good coffee and reasonable prices.

Hektor Woodley's (03) 9421 6762, 4/663 Victoria St, Abbotsford

Loafer Bread (03) 9489 0766, 146 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North

Mezina (03) 8415 0955, 176 Smith St, Collingwood - The old Fitzroy Post Office has been replaced by a big slick cafe. Well priced cafe dishes.

Newtown S C (03) 9415 7337, 180 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - Newtown Social Club does what it sets out to do, serve the best coffee on the stree

Organic Gertrude (03) 9417 7755, 238 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

Red Tongue Cafe (03) 9415 9244, , 275 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - Its corner position affords Red Tongue Cafe a large outdoor pavement area. It's a favoured spot for hungry people watchers.

Riz (03) 9417 3220, 144 Nicholson St, Fitzroy

Station Street Foodstore (03) 9482 5433, 134 Station St, Fairfield

Stefano's Food Store (03) 9481 1040, 161 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

Tin Pot Cafe (03) 9481 5312, 248 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy - A relaxed, reliable and comfortable cafe where every one is made welcome.

Tomorrow Food & Design (03) 9419 7651, 122 Johnston St, Fitzroy

World Wide Wash (03) 9419 8214, 361 Brunswick St, Fitzroy