Twenty and Six is an impressive well designed café on Queensberry Street in North Melbourne that shows great culinary flair and provides great coffee supplied by Proud Mary. You haven’t checked out the North Melbourne café scene until you’ve visited this little beauty.

Why the name twenty and six? They get asked that all the time. But cheerily the question was answered by staff. Twenty and six is the number of letters in the alphabet. Beyond that I’m not sure of any greater meaning. Maybe the answer is  hidden in the secret trap door next to the counter.

One is impressed with the architecture of this smallish café as well as the modern design influences. A theme of white pervades including white walls and white stools. The use of milk crates to house magazines on the wall and also for stools is inventive. There is interesting black and white art on the walls from local artist Georgia Cranstoun. Overall the room struck me as slightly minimalist. Just well chosen pieces and effect.

Large windows which provide natural light and high ceilings create a sense of space. The lighting with naked bulbs adds to the ambience. As does the timber floorboards and welcoming counter. A large communal table graces the middle of the café.

The food here is exceptional and interesting. The cakes and muffins are superb including a chilli cheese and tarragon muffin with butter. The Powerhouse muesli is inviting with Schulz organic orange blossom yoghurt and a pear and berry compote. And the Organic Balinese black sticky rice is a fascinating offering.

Anyone for raisin loaf? Then try the House banana, pecan and rum soaked raisin loaf. It will kick start your day.

Popular is The Hulk – smashed avocado with lemon, chilli and mint, Meridith Goat’s fetta, house cured salmon, gravalax, salsa verde on sourdough. Also popular is The Hunter – balsamic roasted Portobello mushrooms, spicy Spanish chorizo on sourdough, finished with crème fraicheand truffle oil. Wow! I could also mention The Traveller with spiced lamb kofta.

The words at the top of the menu Brunch All Day are a welcome sight.

Lunch options also resonate including the Tokyo Salad with oven roasted chicken with soba noodles, lambcress, daikon shoots and pickled ginger. And the Seared tuna nicoise is a hit.

The coffee is top class with Proud Mary coffee from a cream La Marzocca (hadn’t seen a cream one before) and a talented barista.

The staff here are super friendly and engaging. Twenty and Six gives a first impression of understatement  but when you scratch below the surface you are impressed by the culinary and coffee excellence.

Twenty and Six594 Queensberry Street North Melbourne – Cafe - Food 9 Coffee 9 Ambience 9