Saw this place on Broadsheet and decided to give it a try. Never had Israeli food in my life so find it very exciting and interesting flavours. I ordered hummus with mushrooms and Chicken Shawarma. Hummus was light and smooth, definitely the best hummus I have ever had! Chicken Shawarma is like a chicken wrap in my understanding with pickles? great punchy flavour! If you are like me have't tried this cuisine definitely give it a go!
Sometimes the decisions are best left in the hands of a more than capable chef when it comes to choosing what to eat. Especially if everything on the menu sounds absolutely delicious, leaving you paralyzed with indecisiveness. We were guilty as charge when it came to perusing the menu at South Melbourne’s Left Handed Chef eatery earlier this year (pre-iso times) but luckily for us, there was indeed a leave-it-up-to-the-chef option with The Chef’s Platter. On the day of our visit, our platter comprised of a carbilicious and incredibly delicious assortment of Israeli goodies. Super generous spread too, I might add. Some of my favourites included the eggplant sabich in a pitta (a thick, fluffy pitta filled with silky pieces of eggplant, fried potatoes, boiled egg and tahini sauce) and the velvety smooth and flavoursome hummus (it’s one of their signature dishes with good reason!). I do also enjoy a good falafel and the left handed chef dishes out an excellent one when it comes to both flavour and texture, not at all dry. Would highly recommend.
Hummus is extremely smooth, pita bread is soft and perfectly soaks up the dip and tabouli. Chicken Shawarma is sooo tasty and all very reasonably priced!
I had been waiting to be able to come to these guys for weeks and you certainly didnt disappoint!
It was definately worth the wait and the 45mins drive home
Thank you so much, keep up the great work!
Jonathan Elizabeth Slade
+5
We had a very yummy meal from the left handed chef delivered to our door. We had the sabich (real Israeli fare), fried cauliflower and chips sprinkled with Zaatar. Included was some delicious complimentary babka-like cake. The chocolate oozed after we heated it. I’m sure it would be even more delicious if we could eat there in person.
Israeli cuisine (essentially originating from Israel with some Jewish influence) is no different from any Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine other than the spices used and cooking style and if you love every bit
Food was excellent, service great, price on point. Delicious food especially the hummus - we will be back stat
Very good Israeli style hummus. Friendly service and simple, healthy, quality food. Not much more to say but this is a must for the hummus lover seeking a treat.
The food here is simply sublime, the service for the staff friendly resulting in an overall positive, above average experience
Left Handed Chef is one of our “go-to” places. They recently changed from breakfast/brunch to lunch-dinner cafe. We rate this place very highly. It’s a must try if you like Israeli food! And a great place to catch a bite to eat in the South Melbourne Market area.
Delicious buttery eggs and lovely crispy rosti! I enjoyed the breakfast here and would love to go back to try other items. Service was quite friendly.
I absolutely love the food here ! The hummous is the best in Melbourne & the hot homemade pita is delish ! Ehud's falafel is fantastic - i dont really like falafel but i like it here !!! I reccomended everyone to dine here its the best Israeli food you can find besides in Israel !! & The service is excellent !
Nice food ! It was my first time to try Israel food. Not too sure this dishes are exactly Israel style but, really good taste to me. Especially, bread was so so good!!
First time trying Israeli breakfast and it definitely won’t be the last. The food was delicious and presentation was pleasing. I really enjoyed the big grand slam and the farmers breakfast. The decor of this restaurant felt so authentic and cultured. Absolutely would recommend this place to others and do intend on coming back.
Oh my god. Delicious!!
One of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a long long time! Traditional Israeli food which tastes super authentic and large servings! Couldn’t even finish! So incredibly yum! The place doesn’t look that exciting, but the food sure is! Will be back!
The Left-Handed Chef served Israeli-influenced brunch meals. I went for the Malawach, a Yemenite breakfast, which was fried puff pastry served with boiled egg, Labneh, grated tomato and green chilli sauce - and it was delicious! Quite basic, but put together, it made a delicious, fresh, hearty meal. Coffee was great, and so were the muffins and various sweet treats on the display case. And although the cafe was quite small, the ambiance was cosy.
I enjoyed one of the hummus bowls here at the recommendation of the friendly waitress and it was perfect. Soft fluffy pita, crunchy side salad and soft silky hummus with flavour filled minced meat. I do think this size portion could feed 2 people though and I wish there was the option for a different portion size. Our coffees were not great either which is why it was 4 stars and not 5. The staff were friendly, the location was easy to park at and I can’t wait until I am back in the area to try more items from the menu though! You won’t regret giving this cafe a go.
😊: Sabich in a Pan was amazing, portions are great, tastes delicious and good service too! Went on a Sunday mid morning and wasn’t too busy - bonus!
Some of the very best Israeli food in town. Made with love, and everything is fresh and delicious. The hummus bowls are my favorite. Definitely worth a visit
3.9 -
Overall good. But Hot chocolate should be better.
Food are big enough : ) Value the money!
想吃这家店很久了,终于在一个晴天的早晨去吃了。不用排队还蛮开心的。
食物和饮品都还行… 但不觉得有很厉害。最失望的是热巧克力,好甜腻 :( 咖啡没有点。
除此之外点了一个蘑菇类的菜和一个Pita,都没有惊艳的的感觉,只是慢慢吃会越来越好吃。
Rarely these days do you experience real food, cooked straight from the heart. However, what we experienced the other night was just that. Love on a plate. This little restaurant oozes charm and the food just speaks for itself. 10/10 will dine again.
One of the few brunch spots that serve good fusion cuisine, and the best Israeli restaurant yet! The food is absolutely delicious and very appetising. We are so glad that this place is in walking distance to us!
5.0 Longstanding South Melbourne cafe The Left Handed Chef is now putting their trademark Israeli food on your dinner plates too! We’re long-time fans of Ehud, The Left Handed Chef’s South Melbourne cafe.
Cute little place. We sat by the front window and it was a gorgeous view. I tried Yemenite breakfast. It was very interesting.
イエメンの朝食はおいしかってんけど、パイみたいなパン?がボロボロして食べにくかったから、次は違うもん頼もうと思う(笑)窓側の席からは古いニット工場が眺められます。
Julius C | TheHummingbird.id
+5
The food was amazing. It is a unique brunch spot as you cannot find these dishes anywhere else in Melbourne. The atmosphere was nice and it feels homey.
Melbourne Lifestyle Blog
+5
Of everywhere I’ve traveled, Israel has some of the best, and vegetarian, food. When I saw Left Handed Chef specialised in Israeli cuisine, I was excited. Set along the main road of South Melbourne, this corner café is quaint without being over-croweded. The little knickknacks give a cute atmosphere and the staff are friendly and obliging. It is like a little local café, whilst being central.
We have been here a couple of times and have been super happy with the food. Service is great and the servers can help you out if you’re not sure about what goes in your food. We have tried a couple of things and specifically remember falafel platter, scrambled eggs. Coffee is yum.
Our new fave brunch spot! Delicious breakfast with great flavours, hearty serving sizes and lovely service. Easy parking right outside and in a quieter area of south Melbourne so not too crowded. Will definitely be back!
The cafe is conveniently accessible by public transport: Tram no 1 – Stop 24 (Park St/Clarendon St, 10 mins walking distance) or Tram no 12 – stop 129 (Clarendon St/Park St, 5 mins walking distance); There are plenty on the street car parks available if you prefer to travel using your private vehicle.
This is great cafe in South Melbourne serving authentic Israeli food. The chef has been slowly changing the menu to incorporate food from his home country.
I won’t comment on the service as this was an invitation.
I had a piccolo latte which was the perfect temperature for me, not too hot, there was a lot of milk froth and the coffee flavour was good. Tick.
On reading the menu I saw an Israeli version of a home made limonana which I was keen to try so I ordered one. This drink certainly woke me up with a smack in the face strong citrus flavour, and a great way, in my opinion to start a meal.
I tried a an open chicken shawarma laffa, (similar to a souvlaki) and the ingredients all worked really well. The chicken was soft and moist, the tahini was a bonus, and the salad was fresh and tasty! Yummy
I had a special yummy bowl served w pitta bread pockets and a salad, called a Hamshuka full of fresh hummus and a golden shamshuka sauce and a poached egg.
This was a great accompaniment To the falafels that were soft and fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and the chick pea texture wasn’t grainy but soft, and this was probably my favourite dish, although in saying that it worked so well with the Hamshuka.
Overall, I was really impressed with this cafe, as I haven’t eaten much Israeli food, and I totally support this concept as it’s nice to experience different cuisines which is why I started reviewing places on Zomato in the first place.
Parking is easy and there are plenty of trams.
VeganeatsM Vegetarian Food Lover Aman Saraf
Went here with my gal today, have to admit this place has the best hummus bowl evaaaaaa! Better than other dining out places :)
I had Hummus Mushroom bowl with gluten free bread 🍞 yum! While my friend had her falafel hummus bowl, was good too! She thought the falafels could be more flavourful, probably need more greens inside or seasoning.
Anyway, it was a good brunch spot!
An absolutely wonderful cafe with fantastic service and delicious authentic food! I had the Sabich in a Pan, which was very flavoursome and cooked with the utmost care. The accompanying pitta bread was beautifully toasted and the portion was very generous and filling. My friend had a hummus bowl with lamb and nuts, which he really enjoyed too. Highly recommend this South Melbourne delight to anyone looking for brunch with an authentic Israeli touch.
Great food and service. First time trying middle-eastern brunch and it is absolutely impressive. Love the combination of chewy bun with tasty minced lamb.
Been searching for Israeli food in Melbourne for so many places after traveling there. If you are into hummus like me this is the most authentic Hummus in Melbourne I ever had so far. The One in the photo is on a special menu dish called Hummus bowl with lamb and pine nuts toppings served with pita bread plus Israeli salad by side.
We come here on saturday lunch. This place offers israel and oz food. Upon my arrival, the place is so crowded and the staff told me to wait to be sit. Me and my friend wanting to get fast lunch, unfortunately it was such a busy and small restaurant where i got to be sit in an uncomfortable area.
FOOD
1. The Piggy
2. The grand slam
3. Lamb hummus with salad
Overall, it was such a good experience for me to try israel food. Also with the lamb, its was cooked perfectly, good aroma, with soft and chewy israel bread. The piggy is bacon with scramble egg and waffle. Lots of bacon, thick and perfect compliment with each other. Its not salty and i can feel the israel spices all over the egg. The grand slam was good too! The rocket salad, the bread and the poached eggs come together in your mouth,creating harmony. Also with the hummus and the meats that balance each other.. couldnt ask for better food than this.
What concern me is that the food was served longer than what was expected. Keep up the good work guys!
#BHAsFoodDiary
A rainy spring day made perfect timing for Shakshuka! Most places offer this as a seasonal winter menu option and I have to share my joy when I discovered it's on LHC's "from home" menu - hoping that means it will stay on the menu!
Despite my excitement I have to mention that the green shakshuka was slightly under flavoured and eggs overcooked (not sure if that's a norm here). Although I still had to salt and pepper the dish a bit the Charizo I added as a side made up for it.
My friend had the sabich in a pan. This was a thumbs up. It may be because i'm more accustomed to a red sauce base but this was rich in flavour and ingredients medled well. The poached egg was also cooked perfectly!
After reading a review on the coffee, I passed on the regular coffee and ordered the cold drip... light in flavour and easy to drink. Good decision. My friend had a cappaccino and found it weak and diluted. (She normally orders a large and didn't even finish their cup).
Service was friendly and quick.
Venue was as expected - small & cosy. Something was lacking in the ambience though, needed something to add to the Isreali experience apart from the Jewish star and Shalom on a blackboard.
Pricepoints were reasonable and menu options vegeterian friendly.
Also, Kudos to the LHC for taking the time to respond to the reviews and continuously trying to improve :) 👍👍👍
Such a great cafe, I must admit I have only had the coffee and muffins. But everything looks delicious. You can get a small coffee and a muffin for $5 and they are so soft! Baked on premises and you can tell. Also all the staff members are very nice and attentive. Love this place!
Interesting flavours and we love what we had, corn fritters, burgers, shashuka and amazing coffees. Massive portion and worth the price! Love the homemade pesto and sour cream, haluomi chips must order
Went here last Sunday as this place has been on my try list for quite a while. It was around 12pm and the place was half filled. My bf had his cappuccino as usual and it was good, i tasted it and it was creamy and not bitter at all. Both of us were looking at the special that day which was hummus bowl with mushrooms and onion. So he ordered this one and I had the piggy, cheesy waffle with thick cut bacon, chilli eggs, avocado and goat cheese. No complain, pretty much everything you want in a brunch dish. The hummus bowl with the mushroom was so delicious, i couldnt stop stealing some from my bf. And the pita bread was freshly baked, really soft and there was some sourness to it which i really love. It encouraged me to try making pita bread at home now. The portion here is really generous so you'll definitely be full, I couldnt finish my piggy but we both were satisfied. This is a really good stop before heading out to South Melbourne beach, you could just take tram no 1, hop off and hop on again for the beach.
This cafe is a hidden gem! The food is delicious, home style and portions are huge! The service is good, no long wait times. Definitely a place to recommend when the market is too busy!
Steven Yuniansyah Suyanto
+5
This place is sick! YOU ARE PERFECT! This is the first breakkie in my life! I never had delicious food like this in my life. Luckily my friend, Shawn brought me here. LHC, you are the real MVP. Definitely will come back with the whole family here.
I tried the newest menu which is consist of fries, vegie and some chicken. its really delicious and taste great. Ehud did well in their menu.
This place is highly rated for a reason. Firstly, the interior is cosy and hippie- very melbourne 😉If you try their takeaway menu (kitchen closed at 2pm on Saturday but we could still pick takeaway sandwiches!), they taste so good+special. Except my boyfriend was still hungry cus to him it was half a sandwich (half of Turkish bread was used to make one so I guess you could call it half?).
If you are wanting the lettering on your drink, you only get one option to choose and that is chocolate.
I better come again to try real brunch menu here 😁 Cheers!
I’d been looking forward to trying The Left Handed Chef for a long time so invited a fellow foodie to meet me there for brunch.
The Left Handed Chef is a cosy little cafe located on Park Street in South Melbourne. Owned & operated by Israeli chef Ehud Malka who brings some fantastic dishes to the menu.
As a savoury lover, I really struggled to choose a dish as there were so many good options. I settled for the Green Shakshuka & my friend ordered the Challah French Toast.
The Green Shakshuka came out piping hot & was served in the pan with pita on the side. Israeli baked eggs, served with spinach, leek, asparagus, kale & parsley and topped with goats cheese. It tasted absolutely divine & I found it a nice change from the tomato based baked eggs that are everywhere. The pita on the side was light & fluffy and perfect for dunking in the eggs. A very generous portion too.
The Challah French Toast was impressive too, served with fresh fruit, soft halva & date molasses. Absolutely delicious.
The service was warm & friendly & The Left Handed Chef also bake their own breads which are available to purchase as well. I took home a chocolate & peanut butter brownie and was glad I did as it was rich and decadent.
A great place to visit for brunch or lunch, some really different options on the menu & I’m looking forward to going back & trying more.
This mouth-watering cafe is a definite must; Of late I’ve had so many awesome culinary experiences and The Left-Handed Chef is now notably one of my top 5!
Nothing to fault, Mr Go-go had visited this spot 4 days in a row and it’s easy to see why. From the smoothie too the two dishes ordered, which were easily shareable, the flavours and originality in the dishes are amazing. I’m already day dreaming about what to try next!
The Left Handed Chef’s fineries are drawn from Israel the chefs homeland. Only open for breakfast and lunch (disappointingly) this is a must pitstop for any discerning foodie.
The left handed chef at south Melbourne. Nice home made bakery cafe with Israel cuisine. Lovely place to dine in for Lunch and coffee is also tasty. Highly recommended for a brunch.
The coffee is some of the best I’ve had in Melbs, smooth and creamy, no need for added sugar. The Israeli twist to the menu offers a different yet delicious alternative to standard eggs and bacon, the food was delicious!!
Perfect meal, so good and fresh. I couldn’t finished it because it was so generous. Coffee is good and the staff will serve you with a good smile even if the kitchen is closing. Go for it.
Visited the Left Handed Chef for the first time last week after seeing the good reviews. It was nice to have breakfast options that were a bit different from the usual, and I definitely did not leave with any food regrets or disappointment! I had the Sabich in a Pan, which I was excited about as I love potatoes and eggplant so was happy to see it as a breakfast option. It was delicious and filling. The pita bread was tasty as and fresh. My friends also enjoyed their meals and we were saying how the food was some of the best breakfast/brunch meals we have had. Not only was the food memorable but the prices were also pretty good. I've been telling other people about this place and plan to go back again soon!
Came by for brunch today since it’s close to where I live, and absolutely LOVED the food here!! Service was fine, and the waiters were prompt in serving us. We ordered the big breakfast, cavich on a plate and French toast with a side of hand cut chips. The side of chips wasn’t in the menu but the Chef was flexible towards my request, which I really do appreciate!
All the dishes we ordered were sooooo good. Firstly, portions are generous and I like how they give a middle eastern twist to the classic Melb brunch food, adding a whole new depth of flavours.
And my god, the EGGS on all the dishes were cooked perfectly!!!! Like a gently poke would result in an explosion of smooth yolk runnin. Oh god typing this made me drool haha. I also really like freshly baked flatbread served with my cavich. I’m going to try the gluten free bread in the future.
The French toast was also not too sweet, and remained crispy and so fluffy sigh it was heavenly.
I’m making it a personal goal to try every single thing on the menu. That’s how much I like this place already. Mmmmmmmmm!!!
The food was too good, and so was the coffee. Best value for money, for brunch. Served generously and food preparation is hearty😋 Had Baklava, which was so rich in quality and not too sweet, a guilt free dessert pleasure😀😍☺️
Lovely cafe, I went there for lunch and the service was friendly and efficient. The menu was great, definitely many more things I’d like to try. I settled on the halumi and cauliflower salad which was so delicious. Generous portions too - I even needed a takeaway for my leftovers haha. Will be going back
I can definitely say that Left Handed Chef is South Melbourne's true hidden jewel. We went there for a lazy brunch and the food was absolutely delicious. The place was full but we got our food quickly. The portions were very generous. I can't wait to go back and try some of the Isreali dishes (btw the menu is impressive!). Overall, a strong 5.
This restaurant is quite small but can still hold a good number of people. If you sit outside, a blanket will be given to you on a cold day. The menu is certainly interesting, there are a lot of choices! What stands out is an entire column of Israeli breakfast choices that would pick someone’s curiosity. We had 2 Israeli choices and one Piggy Breakfast. They were certainly interesting! The strange spice bunches you at first but then once you get used to it, the dish is very yummy. Words of advice, each dish is quite large so be very hungry! One negative point is that we had to wait quite long to receive our food. All and all, it was still a good experience.
I read about this place whilst searching Zomato for something different for breakfast. This dish was tasty, very tasty. Perfectly cooked potato, eggplant and tomato with Pitta to soak up all the juice.
Love how the food perfectly comes together. Portion size is generous. The fritters were amazing!! This is my first encounter with Israeli inspired food and was so good. That being said, I do feel that the customer service can improve
My new favourite breakfast/brunch place! I’d heard they were good, but everything was great. Coffee is some of the best around (and there are some good coffees around) food was awesome. Fresh, perfect sized portions, and really tasty.
Thanks guys! See you again soon
Amazing food & service... will come back from Moonee Ponds for this! Didn’t get to try the Israeli offerings but will next time. Coffee was also good!
Stopped in for breakfast/lunch on way to station pier. Seated straight away and orders taken quickly. Food was excellent with good quality coffee. Overall experience was great and would recommend.
It's a small place but the food is really nice and the portion is quite big. We enjoyed our experience with the restaurant and will probably come back to try more dishes.
The Left Handed Chef is a cosy brunch spot in a peaceful, residential area of South Melbourne. Its menu has a unique addition to standard brunch places, with a growing collection of “Things from Home” – that is, warm and hearty dishes from Israel, where the head chef and owner, Ehud Malka, is from. With friendly service, and generous portion sizes without compromising on quality, LHC gave us a chance to leave with a growing appreciation for Israeli food and very, very full tummy. Not to mention, we found their coffee delicious and aromatic, whilst the watermelon juice a refreshing side to the heavy main meals.
Had The Piggy waffle and it was delightful. That thick cut bacon was amazing, waffles were delicious and everything went so well together. Coffee was above average.
The sister and I headed to South Melbourne market last weekend to grab a few items that we deem necessary in the lead up for our Christmas celebration at home. Nothing extravagant lined up for this year aside from a few blocks of cheese and wine on day 1 and a hearty feast loaded with meat on boxing day.
This is your typical Aussie brunch. I love how simple and classic the menu is. The place is also small and cosy. It's a lovely spot to just chat and it's a very comfortable place too. Not too crowded, just the right atmosphere.
A tiny little gem off Clarendon, it is serving up delicious breakfasts and lunches with a Middle Eastern theme. The place itself is rather small, and so it was hard for us to get a table for four. Mismatching is celebrated with clashing fittings and odd chairs. Unfortunately, it was extremely loud inside with the coffee machine, clashing dishes, music, and then the general chatter or patrons.
The food was delicious with the beetroot bread as part of the Veggie Patch being very light and tasty- not your typical gluten-free bread! The rest of the flavours on the dish were delicious, but I wasn’t fully satisfied afterwards unfortunately. All other dishes did look good and there were positive reports all around.
Has the potential to be amazing thanks to the food. Some more space and an extra pair of hands would help with efficiency.
First of all...loving the tunes, whoever manages the playlist well done!
Less polished than alot of brunch spots but refreshingly so.
My smashed avo was good but mojo's shakshuka was next level.
Try the Isreali dishes and give yourself a week off from eggs benny.
Tried the lafa bread. Fluffy and flavorful in an open souvlaki like dish. The dried pulled beef was tasty. Salad fresh. Hot chocolate creamy. Overall, a satisfying Middle Eastern inspired lunch.
Cute little Israeli-inspired joint in the not-so busy part of South Melbourne.
Homey set up on the inside. Selection of baked goods and pastries on display. Brought a leftie here to make her feel at home :D
Everything on the menu is unique in its own way.. which makes this place amazing!I would have loved to try a carbo-loaded meal but was still full from dinner the night before, so I went for the Superfood Bircher, exactly what i needed.I can see this little joint becoming a frequent spot for my brunch desires.
South Melbourne has a huge selection of cafes, but there isn't quite anything like the Left Handed Chef! Everything on the menu sounds delicious, particularly their Israeli specialities.
As the chef bakes all his own bread daily, they close the kitchen fairly early, but it's worth it for the delicious baked goods.
The piggy waffles are mind blowing & I haven't seen anything quite like it anywhere else. The bacon was ridiculously thick, and the eggs creamy and cheesy. But the dish was overall very well balanced!
The red shakshouka was also really tasty and unlike other shakshoukas. The tomato was more chunky and less saucy, and the eggs more baked than 'poached' - but these qualities worked perfectly served in the sourdough loaf.
As for the waffle doughnut, I've never seen anything like it before. Looks like a waffle and has the crunch of a waffle but tastes like a doughnut, full of cinnamon and sugar flavour!
Great hearty meals - chicken and waffles was very tasty
Staff are good and venue is cosy
Been here for breakfast before and the food is excellent
Homie place, great food and everything tasted fresh, i love their banana bread toast with berries even though it's gluten free (another plus) it was so moist and soft and very bananas 🍌 love their peanut butter brownies (to die for) absolutely will coming back 👍🏻
Followthefoodmelbourne
+4.5
The left handed chef cafe has a fantastic, varied breakfast/lunch menu with a unique Israeli twist on a lot of the dishes.
We chose the banana bread french toast which came with cream cheese, fruit, pomegranate, fairy floss and syrup. The actual banana bread was excellent. Covered in little seeds, it had great flavour and was super fresh. When you took a bite of the bread along with a little cream cheese and fruit it was a magical combo. Special mention to the pomegranate jewels - they always add such great texture to a dish!
My friend ordered the vegetable patch dish which I also got to try. The beetroot bread looked awesome on the plate and the lovely thick slices were very wholesome and filling. All the accompaniments like the cauliflower/hummus/avocado/peas etc were super healthy and delicious - it was clear that so much thought and effort had gone into that dish!
The coffee was delicious and the service was excellent. Definitely looking forward to going back and trying some of their ‘dishes from Home’. Yum!
Great little find in South Melbourne.
It doesn't my look all that impressive from the outside but the food is delicious and generous servings are always a plus in my books.
The waiter there looks like Colin Hanks too. Ha!
Very fresh and hearty food. Will definitely be back to try more.
This place never fails on great quality produce. They make their own Bread and butter - worth going for this alone, it's amazing! I'd be giving this place top marks but have stopped short as had a couple of experiences with broken furniture. They could do with investing in a couple of new chairs!
Headed to the LHC gifts for breakfast with my team yesterday after a bit of a false start a few weeks ago when we attempted to go on a Tuesday not realising they close the kitchen on Tuesdays. I'm glad we finally got there though because the staff were really lovely and the menu choices all sounded sensational. I'll definitely need to make a return trip to sample more of their offerings.
On this occasion I went for the superfood bircher as I'd seen it doing the rounds on Instagram and it looked visually stunning. I'm happy to report it was as delicious as it was beautiful and a very fresh and light way to start the day.
The farmers breakfast proved popular at the table with three opting for that hearty choice all of whom were very satisfied and congratulated me on such a stellar find so close to the office. We also had a smashed avocado which was a different rendition to what's listed here on this outdated Zomato menu. They have plenty of traditional Israeli dishes on the menu too which sounded intriguing and definitely something a bit unique.
I loved that atmosphere with the gorgeously vibrant emerald feature wall and the baskets of bread hanging by the window. The baked goods were on fire too with one of the most delicious and innovative cake cabinets I've seen in awhile boasting some very creative Waffle donuts as well as an interesting looking jam muffin and some very tempting brownies. Not to mention they split the bill too. It's safe to say I'll undoubtedly be back
Really nice friendly service. Its obvious the chef takes care in each dish as all elements were cooked to perfection. We ordered the farmers breakfast with side of pesto mushroom. Was amazing in flavour. Coffees were well presented and nice and hot, fresh water melon juice went down really nicely as well, so so refreshing! Highly reccomend for breakfast or brunch. This place is better than the average. Great variety on the menu as well.
Bit of a sleeper hit this one. Doesn't seem to get too busy, an injustice really given how good the food is. But I'm ok with this, no waiting time.
Usually at a brunch cafe, since I need big meals, my safe bet that I generally go for is the big brekky or smashed avo. Well... here, not only are the big brekky type meals winners, it's the Piggy waffle that seduces me off the tried and true path with it's flirtatious aromas.
& all the portion sizes here are huge as well, I'm tellin ya, you won't be hungry (or disappointed) afterwards.
On a beautiful day, we decided to drop by LHC for brunch. LHC is a quiet and cosy little cafe tucked away at South Melbourne. While the cafe may seem underrated, they have good brunch dishes.
Both of us tried the fried chicken open sandwich waffle and the Shakshukha (Israeli saucy eggs). The fried chicken waffle was very generous in its serving, the portion is so big it's enough to feed 2 adults! While it is a delicious dish, the fried chicken could be hotter as it was more of room temperature and because it's a bit dry, the chicken could be juicier too.
My Shakshukha was served in a cute sour dough bun as shown in the snapshot. The saucy eggs were tasty, filled with tomatoes, spinach and a dollop of feta cheese. If the eggs were too rich, you can slice some of the sour dough as a side dish. This dish is a comfort dish, a dish I would come back for!
LHC's coffees were good, they had a fruity note to it - an acquired taste for us. Generally, wouldn't mind dropping by this cafe again for a cosy Sunday brunch :)
i really love the decor--warm and lively. the staff there was really nice and helpful too. coffee is great! not particularly impressed by the food i ordered bit still would like to try other things on the menu.
Eat Play Live Melbourne
+5
The LHC is the kind of destination cafe that you travel for. The gorgeous interior is cosy and welcoming, with antique touches and a homely vibe.
We loved meeting the fabulous owner and chef, Ehud, who is up at 3am everyday to stock up on the best fresh Market produce, and to make the beautiful breads and bagels that are all made in-house. We just love meeting the owners and chefs of the places we visit, and experiencing their love and passion for what they do. This is totally reflected in the amazing dishes that come out of the LHC kitchen.
The menu is an exciting fusion of Israeli flavors & local faves with a couple of sweet options to keep everyone happy. Breakfast is served all day and they're happy to cater to dietaries with great df & gf options.
The menu us refreshed regularly so there's always something new and exciting to look forward to.
Three staff are incredible! Everyone is so happy and helpful and up for a chat which really makes everyone feel welcome.
We were treated to a beautiful brunch and just had to have the home made banana bread french toast which is gf and topped with Persian fairy floss. Apart from looking instaperfect they've nailed the flavors - the banana bread isn't sickly sweet, balancing out the delicious sugary flavors of the maple syrup.
The superfood bircher is soaked in natural yogurt and coconut milk and sprinkled with freeze dried raspberries. The textures were perfect and the generous serving of fresh fruit and seeds means this dish is just bursting with healthy deliciousness. Such and a perfect and filling start to the day.
The brekkie parma is perfect poppy poached eggs , honey roasted ham, just the right amount of melted cheese and a tomato relish served on a fluffy, buttery, flakey croissant! Omg this dish was amazing and we loved the lightness and texture that the croissant brought to this dish.
We just loved this place and can't wait to go back. Do yourselves a favour and visit the LHC soon. Thanks so much for having us!
No frills with tasty and big breakfast dishes.
We were here on a Saturday noon and got to our pre-booked table right away.
Luke got the piggy which was pretty tasty. We enjoyed the thicker slices of bacon, which made them somewhat resembling pork belly cut. The price was relatively cheap for the big portion we got. The ingredients were all cooked and combined well.
Hannah got the fried chicken burger which was very well marinated. The sauce was not too sweet or salty as well. The fresh veggies does help cut through the thick and rich sauce. The whole dish was a wholesome and fulfulling meal.
Chips were okay. Service was standard and friendly.
I'm a big fan of all day breakfasts, so decided to give LHC a go given the high ratings. I ended up coming here two days in a row, nuff said! Ordered the Farmer's Breakfast on day 1, which was delicious. Had the Fried Chicken Open Waffle Sandwich on day 2, which was quite a big serving. Only thing I would recommend is using chicken Maryland as the chicken breast fillets were quite dry. Staff were very cheerful and friendly. Would definitely return here.
LHC is such a surprise! I initially thought the menu had an ambitious amount of variety for a cafe that seemed relatively quiet. We ordered the "Piggy" and "Veggie Sista" waffle. My only complaint was the mushroom was not ideally sandwiched near the bottom between waffles, as it was really wet and made the waffles completely soggy. Otherwise, the flavours were excellent in both dishes, and the eggs were cooked to absolute perfection. The chef here clearly put a lot of care into cooking every element on our plates well and to order. The servings were also really generous (maybe a bit too large for some, haha). Also the little knick-knacks (especially the books) everywhere made use smile.
Reinventing and relocating has done this one a big favor. Sometimes it's beneficial to follow the roots and tradition and not be a part of the usual cafe business.
Amazing flavours like before, amazing food, lot more casual and quick....loved it then , love it now.
Earlier Rating 5/5
Israeli cuisine (essentially originating from Israel with some Jewish influence) is no different from any Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine other than the spices used and cooking style and if you love every bit
The Left Handed Chef made a really good hummus and falafel. I often order Falafel pita (my favourite) Chicken Shawarma (so good, must try), and refreshing salad.
Very friendly chef and waitress. Food turn around time fairly quick and I always come here for lunch (take away). Highly Recommended.
Great Israeli place that serves a variety of pita based dishes (vegan and non vegan) as well as some Middle Eastern sweets like Balaclava. The foods are served fast and the staff are friendly and nice. Highly recommended.
Absolutely delicious!! The hummus was incredible. We were also served by a total legend!
Will definitely be back again to try more dishes soon.
There is no way I’m traveling to Melbourne and I’m going to miss this amazing food. Every time the chef is supervising me how good and consistent the quality of his hummus .
A great man who running a great show always with a smile and love for the food !
This place is really fantastic. I’m vegan and came here with two meat eating friends and this place didn’t not feel like a compromise at all. We shared five or six plates, which made for a fun eating experience, and all of the things we ordered were delicious. The people working in the restaurant were so friendly and helpful, the ambience was great with what I assume was Israeli music playing in the place. Also a nice selection of Israeli beers which we tried (they were really good). This is a hidden gem in my mind, definitely would go again and would recommend anyone in Melbourne to stop by.
Visited The Left Handed Chef months back with my partner and although I’ve never tried Israeli cuisine before, we were really impressed with the taste of the food and the dips for the bread. Customer service was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and staff were very patient with our order considering that we took some time to choose.
Popped into @TheLeftHandedChef for lunch during the Easter long break for some Israeli fare: Hummus Pirtiyot - Hummus bowl topped with smoked mushroom and onion
Wanted something light and this dish fitted the bill. Nice soft pita but needed a little more cooking on the inside, excellent to sop up the smooth tasty hummus. I like the smoked mushrooms which add a meatiness to the meal as well as the onions for a touch of sweetness. The spices on the mushrooms are yum. Tasty and enjoyable meal.
#Israelifood #pita #hummus #vegetarian #mushrooms #lunch #foodie #melbournefood #southmelbourne @zomatomelb
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