The lights are on and someone is definitely home at Lights In The Attic.
Situated in Hawthorn East, this local gem is a bit of a surprise to find in a suburb that is mostly residential and a bit of a middleman between bustling Hawthorn and Camberwell.
Located unassumingly at the base of an apartment building, the cafe takes on an intriguing modern industrial crossed with nature design. The low ceiling and floor is grungy concrete slabs with a maze of cables and ducting, colourful pipes and hanging light bulbs. This is contrasted by a sleek white tiled counter, light timber furnishings and a scattering of native bottle rushes and eucalypts throughout the cafe. Seating is a row of small tables looking out onto Camberwell Road, some timber booths and some more small tables in the outside courtyard. The modern industrial design flows through to the tables which are made of timber mounted to what appeared to be shelving frames.
The food menu equally unique with all the typical breakfast options and a short but complex lunch selection that has an Asian fusion influence. Highlights include the “Finding Nemo” (smoked ocean trout with scrambled eggs, fish bonito, flying roe mayo on toast), the “Wild Forest” (chilli scrambled eggs, potato made mushrooms ok toast with bacon, pork floss and crackling) and the “Attic Pizza” (fried eggs, bacon, pomegranate, mixed nuts, blue cheese on a garlic roti base with sweet potato chips and maple syrup on the side).
On this visit, the “Bird Nest” was ordered. Two scotch eggs perched on top of a nest made from thin potato fries all in a bed of a cassoulet-like base of kransky and chilli beans. This exciting dish lives up to its name, resembling a literal birds nest. The crunchy scotch eggs were cooked perfectly and the sausage and bean base packs a gentle nudge.
Coffee is from Atomica with an espresso blend and filter options available. Cold drip comes served in a novel screw top scientific-style vial. Organic hot chocolate and a range of cold press juices are also on offer.
Lights In The Attic is a humble yet exciting cafe that offers a getaway from the neighbouring busy suburbs. The team’s other ventures include Green Eggs and Ham in St Kilda and Nine and Three Quarters in Prahran, all forming a trio of creative venues that tell a story.
Lights In The Attic
38 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East
03 9813 5042