Mietta's Guide to Australian Restaurants
LocationFlavours Of Lakhoum
Ph: 9425 9805; 175 Swan St, RICHMOND 3121
Middle Eastern-cafe, $$ -
Open Tue-sun 9am-4pm; Unlicensed, BYO, Corkage $5 bottle; AE MC V
Mietta's Review
Moorish decoration, elaborately patterned copper tabletops, multi-coloured lanterns and wallpaper provides the street cred to authenticate the Middle Eastern menu provided which is augmented by decorated lattes, Lebanese and Turkish coffees and a selection of teas.
Other published opinions
The Age Cheap Eats 2009 "When venerable Lebanese House in Russell Street closed, owner Rafic was set adrift"
The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "Mint tea is the drink of choice at this seductive, low-lit den, with coloured lamps hanging like jewels from the ceiling"
The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "Start with a silver pot of refreshing mint tea and admire the Moorish lamps in Lakhoum's low-lit, atmospheric hubbub. Then, sample a plate of chicken shish with paprika-spiked yoghurt, piled with crunchy salads and pickled veg."
The Age Cheap Eats 2006 If wonderful, fresh flavours are what you're after then you couldn't do better than this atmospheric Middle Eastern cafe. ... While the weekday vibe is calm, on weekends service can suffer under the strain
The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "IT'S worth fasting for a week before entering this lively Middle Eastern cafe. Mooch in midweek and snatch prime possie on the leather banquettes, before feasting on brilliant falafel."
The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "YOU can get the Ottoman vibe sitting outdoors at ornate copper tabletops, or move inside for leather banquettes, baroque wallpaper and multicoloured lanterns. Breakfast adds feta, cucumber and spicy sucuk sausage to free-range eggs"
Herald Sun,citystyle,27/4/04,Donna Coutts,Score 17/20,'Good food,great coffee.Fine service,too:nothing's too much trouble.'
The Age, Epicure, 17/2/04, Nikki Fisher,'Good felafel is hard to find and this one puts its dry counterparts to shame.'
The Age, Epicure, Unexplored Territory, Matt Preston, 16/4/02. "Middle Eastern flovour."
The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 17/8/03, John Lethlean,'home to Richmond's best coffee.'
Or perhaps ...
Bar Humbug Victoria
Breadwell Victoria
Cabinet Victoria
Cafe Vue Victoria
Choix Creperie Cafe Victoria
A tiny creperie hidden in a passageway at the cafe starved west end of Collins St.
The Deanery Victoria
An ultra-plush wine bar cum lounge, cum restaurant hidden down one of the city's cobbled lanes. Very extensive wine selection.
Federal Coffee Palace Victoria
Flavours Of Lakhoum Victoria
Generous servings of Middle Eastern flavours at this daytime cafe in Swan St. Range of suitably exotic and regular coffees and teas.
Jungle Juice Bar Victoria
Little Peninsula Victoria
Ludo Victoria
Maha Victoria
Mary Martin Bookshop Cafe Victoria
With expanded seating and kitchen facilities, you can now get real food for the stomach as well sustenance for the soul at Mary Martin's.
Mr Tulk Victoria
New York Tomato Victoria
It's on the ground floor of an anonymous block of flats and has a friendly neighbourhood feeling, communal table and pleasant courtyard.
Recorded Music Salon Victoria
Rowena Parade Corner Store Victoria
SMXL Little Bourke Victoria
Superfino Victoria
Switch Board Victoria
A pair of tiny holes-in-the-wall tucked away at the back of the Manchester Unity - coffee and goodies.
The Farm Cafe Victoria
Two Fingers Victoria
Von Haus Victoria