Tess Riven

Good CBD pick when you want counter seating and an open kitchen you can watch, with staff described as attentive and helpful.

Easy CBD catch-up option with an after-work feel, a bottle-shop area you can browse, and a downstairs seating area.

Comfortable dinner choice if you want a clean, well-spaced room and attentive, helpful staff even when the restaurant is busy.

Worth a stop when you are out of your usual area: reviews highlight super friendly, hardworking staff, and note it can get busy.

Good for a Queen Vic Market coffee break: reviewers praise knowledgeable baristas who explain the beans, plus polite, professional service in a warm, cosy setting.

A good Fitzroy stop if you want sushi plus a proper Japanese pantry browse: reviews mention a well-stocked grocer feel, a Japan-like vibe with Japanese chefs and staff, and friendly, knowledgeable service.

Works for a relaxed catch up if you like a warm, rustic room: reviews mention nice music, friendly staff, and bar-counter seats where you can watch the barista preparing drinks.

For a relaxed catch-up dinner, reviews mention no rush pacing plus a server described as hospitable and attentive, alongside comments that the ambience is great.

If you are heading to the Mornington Peninsula for a day trip, reviews describe an old home set among sprawling gardens and a warm, relaxed atmosphere, with a deliberately slow lunch served dish by dish.

For a CBD brunch or lunch when you want a well-kept room, one review says the place presented very well and tidy and calls staff knowledgeable and caring; another notes it can be pumping, so expect energy.

For an easy conversation-led dinner, some reviews praise warm, humorous service that helps you feel relaxed, and one mentions a cosy window corner with a street view.

If you’re visiting Perth for a celebratory dinner, reviews strongly praise the hospitality, but some diners report disappointment with the main meal, so it suits a night where service matters and you are flexible on food.

If you’re visiting Perth and want an easy daytime stop, reviews describe a small corner bakery with no seating, plus professional, fast staff for coffee and breakfast.

If you’re visiting Bangkok for a special-occasion meal, reviews repeatedly call the service impeccable and describe semi-private seating that feels cozy, but spice intensity varies across diner reports.

If you’re visiting Bangkok and want a meal that feels like an event, reviewers say the standout is watching the chef’s craftsmanship and hard work, and they also describe the service as genuinely excellent.

If you’re visiting Sydney for a date or catch-up, reviews describe a warm, buzzing atmosphere with consistently friendly, helpful staff, and note that most seating is outdoors.

In Bangkok on a trip, this suits a small group who wants an interactive meal: reviews describe chefs within arm’s reach cooking in front of you, and a bright atmosphere that’s good for group dining.

While in Sydney, this Newtown cafe looks good for a low-key catch-up: reviews call it a leafy backstreet spot with lots of greenery, a relaxed feel, and a mix of indoor seating and outdoor steps.