Just Open: Darling, South Yarra

Sam Seoud has lived on Darling Street since the early 1980s. So when a cafe space became available in his neck of the South Yarra woods, he didn't dilly-dally.

Seoud runs Dundas and Faussett Cafe in Albert Park, where he's been championing modern Australian food with an Asian twist for the past three years.

He's adopted the same winning formula for his new cafe, Darling, scaling the menu to the smaller venue while still covering all the bases: pretty flower-garnished acai bowls, Doughboy Doughnuts at weekends, Fives Senses coffee, and some key wok offerings.

Playful flavour partnerships include the chilli prawn omelette with sauteed piperade, goat's cheese and rocket at breakfast and the Darling burger of soy-braised pork belly, cheese, cos lettuce, tomato, sweet chilli and gherkins served with kipfler potatoes come lunch.

Colourful eats and a crisp, light fitout – it's all impressively Instagram-worthy.

Open daily 7am-4pm.

2 Darling Street, South Yarra, 03 9820 9222, darlingcafe.com.au