Balancing the elements of quirkiness and comfort, Elektra is one of those Melbourne cafes that is still managing to deliver a genuinely unique take on brunch.
As many of you will know, I love a good brunch with a twist, so the Fitzroy based Elektra’s Himalayan inspired menu looked right up my street. We visited on a busy Saturday and were warmly welcomed into the bustling cafe. The decor manages to be both bright and interesting without it giving you that in-your-face “look at me I’m not like other girls” vibe, and the attentive staff are keen to make your experience a positive one!
With a generous choice of flavourful vegan and vegetarian options alongside hearty, meat centric dishes, the menu makes it difficult to choose just a couple of options. We finally decided on the Namaste Porridge, Gurkhali fritters and Everest Benedict in the hope that we covered all the bases!
Regrets?
My one regret is not starting with their signature chai, but a late night the night before left me jonesing for coffee to perk me up! (Chai is top of the list for next time). Food wise, I started with the porridge and was definitely not disappointed. There’s a subtle sweetness to this dish, which manages to be rich in flavour while also feeling like a light start to your day. As well as being stunningly presented, this fresh option was a strong opener to our meal.
Not quite like you’ve seen before
Both the fritters and the Benedict impressed us by having a “not quite done like this before” element to them. The spices blended through the fritters, combined with the cool flavour of the avocado and the fresh veggies/salad helped to weave the Himalayan heart of this cafe seamlessly into a Melbourne brunch staple.
The chicken patties served with the Benedict made this a much heartier dish than expected and we were pleased Elektra balanced this out by serving it atop a rice crepe instead of bread to ensure it wasn’t overwhelming. The rich flavour of the patties was definitely the hero of this dish and if you’re a benedict lover it’s certainly one to add to your list.
Elektra is everything Melbourne’s brunch scene should be about, and definitely one cafe you should make every effort to visit.
Website: https://elektrafitzroy.com.au/
Address: 268 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Opening Times:
| Mon | 8am to 4pm |
| Tue | 8am to 4pm |
| Wed | 8am to 4pm |
| Thu | 8am to 4pm |
| Fri | 8am to 4pm |
| Sat | 9am to 4pm |
| Sun | 9am to 4pm |
Parking: There is street parking around, just check the signs carefully!
Getting here on PT: The 11 tram stops just nearby, so it’s an easy reach from the CBD.