Sloane Ranger

The Verdict

Sloane Ranger’s industrial aesthetic feels kind of appropriate for Cremorne. A forgotten warehouse suburb, where Melbourne keeps its ad agencies, auto garages, mysterious yet trendy offices and architecture firms.

Given the crowd, Sloane’s polish concrete, high ceilings, b-fold windows and exposed pipes feel bang on-trend. A modern brunch bar, tucked down the (aptly named) Cremorne St, just near Richmond Station.

‘Sloane ranger’ isn’t a term you get much in Australia. It refers to young, upper-middle-class Londoners, who swan through Sloane Square in informal but ridiculously expensive country clothes. Your guess is as good as ours. For co-owner Shri Bhagwandas, the name was a playful class jab—a nod to Cremorne’s surrounding garment district.

Bhagwandas was one of the first baristas at Dukes Coffee Roasters, so 10 guess what beans are stocking the matte black Arduino coffee grinders. Obligatory greenery comes courtesy of nearby Glasshaus Florist, while Cobb Lane provide the counter sweets (go the lemon curd sugar-duster doughnut, we double dare you).

Brekky highlights are many, and you’ll have a hard time while your inner demons battle over the Apple Bircher Muesli (with fresh berries, labneh and flaked almonds) or the Philly Cheesesteak (a braised beef behemoth, served on a brioche bun with peppers, aioli and fries).

Personally, we’re coming back for more of the chilli scramble. One of the best we’ve tried all year. Buttery free-range eggs, with manchego oozing out the sides, laced with crispy bacon, feta and chives, then dusted with grated pecorino. Absolutely ridiculous.

Image credit: Griffin Simm