A former stable has been transformed into a new local staple, South Melbourne’s Nine Yards serving up innovative dishes with that familiar Australian spin; the café-restaurant’s warm and sophisticated interiors providing an atmosphere as good as the nourishment.

Inspired by the modern menu, Melbourne-based interior design studio, Golden, have created a destination eatery that marries raw and natural materiality with unexpected finishes such as stained Tasmanian oak veneer and rattan banquettes paired with custom printed ‘Australiana’ upholstery from Louise Jones. The colour palette that combines yellows and greys evokes senses of the bush and the sea; the quintessentially Australian hues drawn from the country’s native flora and terrain.

Transitioning seamlessly from daytime café to restaurant come nightfall, diners are welcomed with coffee in the morning before perhaps moving onto something stronger later. Set among the leafy streets of pretty South Melbourne, start your day the right way—be that with a mango and banana smoothie bowl; ‘eggs your way; or the indulgent wattle seed and honey-glazed bacon slab benny with poached eggs, apple cider hollandaise, grated apple and fennel slaw, and bacon crumb.

All of that is on offer before midday, when the menu leans to larger plates such as the fried chicken burger on brioche and crispy skin Northern Territory barramundi, caper aioli, slaw, sesame, sweet potato wedges, pepper berry salt and lemon. Boy, they sure know how to throw together some ingredients.

For friendly neighbourhood vibes paired with great scran, Nine Yards is another fine addition to a city famed for its foodie offerings. Tuck in.

@nine_yards_southmelb
@designbygolden

Nine Yards Melbourne Photography, Sharyn Cairns.