This would have to be one of the hippest most exciting cafes in Melbourne! Possibly Hipster HQ! Pearl Oyster has an incredible ambience fashioned by quirky features, interesting plants, awesome staff and mismatched furniture. There’s four stunning areas to enjoy including two indoor areas, outside on the pavement and then out the back in the garden area.

I’m trying to work out whether this incredible vibe is planned or ad hoc… There must be a genius behind the scenes! Love the retro red chairs! Love the mirror balls strung across the window! Love the Chinese lantern hanging out the front! Elvis poster in the bathroom! Love the cutlery and 50s influences! Love the chaos in the open kitchen!

We went there with a local who told us many of the locals love it here! A great place to relax (almost dreamy) and enjoy the vibe! Love the communal table! Love the counter area and the pastries and cakes behind the dome glass, and quirky items on the counter.

I arrived without a tattoo, with a shaved head and wearing Ray Bans, G-Star and a Ralph Lauren shirt – 500 miles from hipster. Happily I was embraced into hipsterdom! (Tongue in cheek).

The Thornbury/Preston café scene has been on the rise, and Pearl Oyster is a major player. Eclectic crowd here – seemed to be more tattoos on the patrons than the hipster staff. In fact there were more tattoos on display that Saturday morning than a whole season of Miami Ink. Love it! Including an elderly lady with a stunning tattoo who obviously felt right at home… (Not all hipsters are Gen Y).

The breakfast/brunch menu is awesome with interesting offerings such as omelettes with sambal, poached eggs with prosciutto, or poached eggs with salmon and Asian influences of pickled ginger and red cabbage salad. Many people rave about the mushrooms and goats cheese. And a great French toast.

Pearl Oyster offer some excellent ciabattas. Or try a Tokyo Rainbow Salad! So we have Australian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Italian influences. Sensational!

We enjoyed coffees and hot chocolates and juices and a selection of cakes. The mango and blueberry muffins were a winner. The coffee was excellent – full of flavour with nutty characteristics, great crema, and strong how I like it. They explained that they only do one size – but that the one size is rather large! Fine by me!

The service was great (I repeat – great!) with engaging friendly hipster staff. They were wonderful with kids, suggesting kids options and talking brilliantly with them.

Pearl Oyster only accepts cash but point out that there is an ATM nearby. Tattooed up or not, I’m coming back!

Pearl Oyster, 114 Miller Street Preston – Cafe - Food 8.5 Coffee 9 Ambience 9