Melbourne, MOM

If you’re looking for an urban oasis in the midst of bustling Melbourne, then MOM, or Market On Malvern, is your place. MOM  is centered around well-being and thinks health at the core of everything it does. From ingredient combination to decor and ambiance, MOM is one of Melbourne’s most tranquil plant-based cafés.

The space

MOM is all about pastel colours and bright natural light. It had pale wooden tables, lots of cosy corners, an outdoor courtyard with exposed brick walls and  comfy sofas for those relaxed days.

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of Finn cold pressed juices and home made smoothies.

So I may have just opted out of the green juice and gone straight for the banana almond smoothie, blended with cinnamon and coconut ice cream. It was delicious … can you blame me?

What we ate

We went with the waiter’s suggestions and they did not disappoint. We started off with their Super Green Breakky which was a bowl of steamed greens including broccoli, asparagus, kale, green beans. Plus, some grilled halloumi, a free range poached egg, fresh avocado and crushed almonds. There are vegan and low FODMAP options with it too.

We also tried their Matcha, Raspberry and Coconut Pancakes.

These were completely vegan, gluten and dairy-free and were an absolute taste sensation.

And the pancakes were topped with CoYo ice cream, crumble, fresh apple, raspberries, apple chips and a drizzle of maple syrup!

Finally, we finished with the Beetroot Cacao Latte. Not only was it served in a beautiful rose ceramic cup, bursting with vibrant pink colours, but it also tasted phenomenal too.

This latte wasn’t too sweet or too rich, just the way I like it.

The little things that make a difference

The staff at MOM café stand out for their welcome and being on hand to answer any questions. They do an amazing job of explaining the menu and go above and beyond.

What else?

The menu at MOM Café was designed by nutritionists to make you feel good.

It’s 100% gluten-free. Each ingredient has been carefully planned out to ensure it balances the rest of the meal.

They’re all about the ethos of ‘food is medicine’ and I’m all for it.

What we’d go back for…

That banana almond smoothie…. just like dessert in a cup.

The bill

Matcha Pancakes  $19
Super Green Breakky  $20
Beetroot Cacao Latte  $5
Banana Almond Smoothie  $12