ISIT IS NOW PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Try Fourth Chapter or MOM Cafe instead.
ISIT is a cafe in the heart of Prahran, serving up breakfast, lunch and coffee. Situated on Izett street, it’s a calmer, more laid back alternative to the hustle and bustle of both Chapel Street and High Street. ISIT allows you to sit back, enjoy your coffee and feel a million miles away from it all.
There’s a lot to like about ISIT, from it’s cleverly thought out name, to it’s cute homely feel (helped by the fact it’s a converted house). Every time I’ve visited, there’s a nice, relaxed atmosphere.The layout of ISIT is well thought out and works wonders to help with this. There’s a “front garden” with a covered area, a “front room” with some tables, higher up benches (which act as a great workspace), a “back room” which feels like it’s own separate cafe away from the people popping in for take away coffee and a lovely “back garden” to enjoy the sunshine. It allows the cafe to feel very small scale and intimate and is great for brunch and a catch up.
We’ve been here several times now, and the service is great. I wouldn’t say it reaches the dizzying heights of Melbourne’s top brunch spots, but it definitely attentive, friendly service. We are always seated and served promptly and staff make the effort to ensure you are comfortable and have everything you need. We have no complaints.
We both ordered eggs on toast with a variety of sides. The portions here are pretty generous, and while it can get a bit pricey once you add a few sides, you certainly won’t go hungry. Again, the food, like the service, is great. The sourdough is crisp, but easy to cut, my eggs were well poached, tomatoes were soft and the hash browns full of flavour. Even my other half will branch out and order a variety of sausage, bacon or hash brown with his eggs on sourdough so this is testament in itself to the quality of the food. Their coffee is pretty good too, and it always comes at the perfect temperature. But again, I just find it’s lacking that magical something that makes me go wow, I want to tell everyone about this place.
Overall, ISIT kind of reminds me of one of those kids from high school, the ones who worked hard, did well, but didn’t have that stand out thing they were exceptional in. It’s somewhere I can imagine people look back on with fond memories, and when asked why they don’t go back more often, probably can’t put their finger on it. In a city overrun with brunch spots ISIT is unfortunately, and unfairly, quite forgettable. It’s a great, consistent and often overlooked little eatery that just needs to find it’s spark to really put it on the map.