Mystic Kitchen

Rainbow picnic benches and outdoor string lighting are early signs you’re in happy gipsy territory here, and tucked just off the main street in Strathmore doesn’t deter curious visitors who have no doubt heard of the café’s laid-back vibes, easy-going staff and damn good food.

A fish and chip shop in its earlier years, the bakers at Mystic Kitchen tell a legend that on misty mornings while they wait for the bread to cool, they can see the ghostly outlines of the old restaurant title steamed on the window. Now a buzzing café that’s an obvious favourite amongst locals, the front door plastered with community notices leaves you in no doubt that Mystic Kitchen is very much a local hub.

Retro red wallpaper, a strong plant game, sheep throws over stools and small tables tucked together, give the feel that you’ve just stumbled into someone’s cosy living room. A wide open kitchen space makes this place transparent to a T, as there's no mistaking where your meal is coming from when loaves of bread rise on the counter just a stones throw from your seat.

The woven baskets of baked goods in the display cabinet are all made in-house (think tortillas, wraps, scones, pies and sweets), and coffee on the machine is straight from Supreme. Plus while you’re here, why not pick up some soy milk, fresh eggs or one of Mystic Kitchen’s own seedy loaves to take home from their retail section.

The staff are genuine in a way that’s only possible when you’re not trying to be anything that you’re not, and make for a welcome breath of fresh air in the inner city’s hipster scene, and if you are in the city, you best check out Mystic Kitchen’s other venture at 37 Jessie Street too.

The kind of place where minimalism is yet to become a buzz word, this treasure trove of a café instead runs off the principle that if you’ve got fun knick-knacks and oddities about, you may as well display them.