Burger? Vegan rice bowl? Fitzroy's New School Canteen covers both

You know those days when you feel like a vegan rice bowl but your mate wants a two-handed burger? No, neither do we. But should that occasion arise, New School Canteen has you covered.

From the team behind Lolo & Wren cafe and Rude Boy Burger, both in Brunswick West, this backstreet Fitzroy corner canteen is a hybrid of the two: banoffee porridge and 7 Seeds Coffee or hangover-busting boat noodles for breakfast, beers and sauce-dripping burgers at night, and plenty in between. And this being Fitzroy, vegans and vegetarians will feel the love.

New School Canteen, which opened just before Christmas, aims to be a place that locals can visit several times a week, says co-owner Karen Ascui-Rodriguez. "We hope our simple formula of making people feel welcome and offering them top-quality produce prepared with love and attention to detail will keep people coming back for more."

Inspired by last year's MAD Syd food symposium Tomorrow's Meal, Ascui-Rodriguez and husband Franco Caruso say they decided to champion local produce, such as Yarra Valley salmon roe, Holy Goat cheese and Golden Plains pork.

"Also, we've been noticing through the years the change in people's eating habits, with many edging towards more vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes but still maintaining that love affair with burgers."

Open Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm.

379-381 George Street, Fitzroy, 03 9417 1199, newschoolcanteen.com.au