Sun Moth Canteen & Bar

This was my second visit to Sun Moth, and it’s definitely becoming one of my favourite places to go in Melbourne. It’s just… really really good. The fit-​out is sleek and minimal, but still cosy and friendly, with an open feel. They showcase a great range of locally sourced produce and beverages, and the food is just great — no crazy flavours or over the top dishes. Just good quality healthy, hearty food.
On this visit I opted for a slow cooked lamb dish with flatbread and salad, and it was great. Smart presentation with good, simple flavours that interplay well with each other. On my previous visit I sampled a few of their winter foods, like hearty broths and risottos, and a killer duck parfait.
They also play great tunes and have free wifi, which makes an extended stay seem enticing. The food was out very fast though, which also makes it an ideal place to stop in for a quick bite. Also the fresh orange juice was off chops. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed plain old orange juice anywhere near as much as I did here.

My fave local. Unusual beers on tap I can’t get anywhere else. Well executed simple meals that are vegetarian friendly. Staff that are always welcoming and cheerful. Blonde wood décor with a jungle of plants means it feels just right to hang out here any time of day.

Great find in a dingy alley off Lonsdale St in Melbourne. Found this place as I scrolled through Unilocal Talk for a lunch and coffee place. BTY thanks Paul G. for my new work of the day ‘coffice’.
The place– you’ll miss it unless you know where it is. There was a truck parked outside at the time, and Niagara Lane is really not the most inviting looking street I’ve seen. But once you go through the door, it’s totally different. Low key, layback, chilled welcoming atmosphere. Has some bar seats, 2,4, and. 6 seaters. Dim lighting.
The food– I guess it’s well suited for vegetarians and people with gluten allergy. Also has many dishes using free range chicken. I went with the beef cheek sandwich with cheddar and rocket. The meat was very well made, tender and juicy, melts in your mouth. You can bite right through and won’t get a sore TMJ after eating. My only complaint is the portion being a bit small for the price, and a lack of aides.
The drinks– I just had 4 cups of coffee on AirNZ and was little too early for beer… They have mostly American craft beers and a local cider. I hate promoting American culture but you can get addicted to IPAs very easily, Stone brewery stuff is definitely worth a try.
The service– mostly self service. The staff are generally friendly and chatty.
Has free wifi, good music, definitely a good place to catch up with people.

There’s something really unique about this place — I haven’t come across a café/​bar/​restaurant quite like it.
Clean, modern but non pretentious. Love the long tables for groups and to encourage new encounters. Looks like it would be a great environment to get some work done as well.
Had an beautiful chai here, and again came back to try the menu. It’s not a huge list but you can tell its fresh, seasonal and what they do, they do well. Simple as that.

As a busy freelancer and self confessed coffee snob I’m always on the lookout for quiet cafes to sit for a few hours of work or have a great coffee during a meeting. This is fast becoming my go to place.
Sun Moth Canteen is down a quiet laneway and is surprisingly huge. There are lots of large tables perfect for groups of 6+ or a few spaces where you can comfortable be left alone to work. The staff are very accommodating and relaxed and dare I say it… cool! They always have some relaxed, unheard of band playing or some interesting visuals projected onto the wall. The coffee is perfectly poured, nice and hot and consistent. Staff take their time to serve you or bring out food or drinks but I like that — I feel they are making sure everything is as good as it can be before sending it out.
Food is pretty limited but tasty, filling and affordable. Sandwiches can be a little bit fancy (spicy eggplant for example) and as mentioned, they are very filling. Sun Moth is not a destination café for brunch or food but I happily go here time and time again because the atmosphere is perfect for business meetings or work.

This bar is a real, all-​around winner. It’s not easy to find… there’s no visible signage when you walk down the street it’s on. However, it kind of gives you the feeling that you’ve stumbled into something hidden and special. The only other thing I remember seeing on the alley was a Chinese restaurant next door.
The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and a bit industrial (plywood bathroom stalls, all natural wood colors in the bar, etc.). There’s a large projector that, while we were there, was playing a black and white skateboarding movie… kind of cool. The drink menu was simple (my favorite) and unique. We ordered the #1 and it was fantabulous. We also had a couple of jugs of beer — there was a deal for $ 5 off while we were there. Like the cocktails, the beer menu was short but of high quality.
We also ordered a cheese plate, which came with a number of delicious accompaniments, like dried fruit and relish, crackers and fruit bread. The soup we ordered — the chicken corn chowder — omg. You have to order it. I will spend the rest of my life looking for a soup like that.
The bartender, who was also the manager, is clearly passionate about what he’s doing — from creating great drinks to a great atmosphere. Two thumbs up.

A favorite CBD hangout — great ambience, quite soothing really, with a small but really tasty set of meals an a rotating tap selection for an interesting beer or two.
I haven’t been at night but i’m keeping it in mind for a low key bar spot, I can imagine it being perfect for a small night out.

It’s rare that you walk into a bar, especially in the city, and experience thoughtfullness and calm.
Simple décor, warm light, open space and kind unassuming staff set the scene for generous /​thoughtful food, and a small but great selection of craft beers and most delightfully, natural wines.
The limited menus are truly a reflection that you’re in great hands, so let yourself relax into the space and indulge in good, well priced food /​drinks, without feeling that you’re being indulgent.
This is great if you’re on a date where you genuinely want to get to know someone, have an important meeting, or want to spend quality time with someone /​some people in a quality environment. 2 or 4 is optimal but 6 — 8 would be accommodated easily with their bench tables.
In short, less is more, more or less

I love the simplicity of Sun Moth. The fit out, the menu and the vibe are all minimalist, yet still so perfectly beautiful. I’ve managed to dine here a few times now, and have stopped in for coffee and work sessions during the quieter part of the week. With free wifi it’s a really good place for a meeting or work session when you need some time away from the office, fuelled by good coffee or a glass of vino.
The wine list is small with a big focus on small Australian producers, meaning what’s available one week might not be available the next. A great way to force yourself to try something new rather than falling back on your «usual» order. Ask the staff for their suggestions — they’re passionate about what they serve so will get you excited about your bottle before you even crack the cork!
The food is homely, hearty and delicious. I especially love the five grain risotto with chicken and the chicken liver parfait. Great wine food, the later a great dish to share along with some charcuterie and cheese plates. Friday night is busy and buzzy, with a lot of hospo folk coming down after their day is done for a glass and a plate. In my mind it’s always a good sign when a venue has good street cred with other cafes and restaurants around town and Sun Moth has plenty of that! Get there.

Laneway Secret! Sun Moth Canteen & Bar newly opened down nigara lane just minutes from hardware lane. Very unique and open design. Went here for an afternoon drink, Was given a rundown on the beers that are on tap. Then recommended a dark belgium beer, the guy was so happy telling me about this beer I couldn’t say no. I now understand why, this beer was delicious. I am normally not a dark beer fan, but this one ill be going back for.
Nicely laid out bar with 6 beers on tap. All ranges and regions. Very decent prices too.
I have been recommended to come back here for a lunch menu and for a black coffee to try their filter coffee. I will be back to try this.
Its a very open floor, great for the office getaway just to chill. Plenty of room and good music and vibes to enjoy to.

On a dreary Wednesday lunchtime, we decided to give Sun Moth a try after checking out their feature on Broadsheet. I was expecting a minimalist but warm vibe thanks to the pedigree of Dead Man Espresso’s former owners being name checked by Broadsheet.
What we got was certainly minimalist. We ordered the eggplant parma and the chicken, mayo and avocado sandwich.
Sun Moth only do filter coffee and tea, but have an extensive wine and beer list, which we skipped out on, since it was our lunch break. Instead I opted for the Iron Goddess Oolong tea.
The sandwich was substantial, and delicious. It was a white bread with garlic butter used inside. I asked for a poached egg on the side which I slid into the sandwich.
My colleague’s parma was lovely, but the portion was very small and afterwards we went elsewhere for further snacks to fill her up.
The last point to note, as the specialty tea isn’t really something to write home about. I’m sure they are fine with the basic Earl Gray and breakfast blends, but Oolong requires multiple short infusions and I didn’t feel like this was achieved with the tepid mug I was presented with.
There are definitely points for improvement, but they haven’t been open long, so I expect on my next visit to be impressed.

I love a Melbournian who knows what parmigiana is. The one I had at Sun Moth Canteen & Bar had delicious parmesan and mozzarella with basil and tomato over soft eggplant.
Their beer taps are ambitiously drawing from room-​temperature kegs through chilled lines. After a few false starts I enjoyed a Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black and a Nail Hoppy Red Ale. The Exit IPA wasn’t pourable but shows they have good taste.

Oh so very Melbourne hidden down a cobblestoned laneway. This little place is a delight to go and have a relaxed drink and a quick bite to eat.
The space here is tiny but has been well though out. With larger communal tables and smaller intimate options. The décor is welcoming with soft cream/​white tiles and lots of greenery. The bar is conveniently located in the middle of the venue, hiding away the teeniest kitchen.
The staff are really what makes this place worth of 5 stars. Friendly, knowledgable and generally helpful. Rather nice to deal with.
Happy highlights of the visits– Beef Jerky (thanks Rod S!). As I self confessed jerky lover I was not disappointed at all with the little plate of happiness that turned up. It was a lighter style jerky and not oily at all. Almost as if it had been prepared like biltong.
Wine– served in a stemless glass for stability. The staff took their time to walk us through the wine list, pulling out bottles and talking about each wine. In the end we opted for a biodynamic chenin blanc from Western Australia. Winning!
Next time I plan on sneaking in here for some much needed lunch time nibbles.

Staff friendly, that’s a great start, refilled my filter coffee as they were just making a new batch. The menu is filled with quite a good range of vegan temptations (kale & quinoa salad with candied almonds & hummus). Ambiance is great, spacious but homely. Six on tap drinks & a bar selection that shows they know their alcohol. Hidden away in Niagara Lane but I’m sure they’ll find a few regulars. Next time it will be for food, the staff having a vegan on board always helps.

What do you get when you cross a sunlit laneway café with a wine bar? Apart from an excellent excuse for day time drinking, the answer would be Sun Moth Canteen & Bar.
Only open a week, this place is brand spanking new and they are settling in — but I’m already in love. It’s got the relaxed laid back feel of a brunch café but it’s a really a bar. Melbourne has a lot of great places to drink, but not many that feel this relaxed and double as an awesome spot for lunch or a casual bite.
They serve delicious coffee — but with no room for an espresso machine, it’s filter only (a big mug of batch brew or iced coffee). UPDATE ²⁸⁄₂: now with espresso too!
The wine list is excellent and designed to let the staff guide you on what is good and open if drinking by the glass. I love this concept as I’m certainly one to like a chat with my wine.
The beer list is equal to the wine list, with about 6 or so taps with an interesting selection of local brews ready to go. I love that you could come here for lunch and get a great coffee, wine or beer depending on your mood.
They do breakfast Monday to Friday, but are open until 11pm so definitely one to check out for either lunch, dinner or a casual afternoon beverage. As someone who likes to take beer breaks when shopping (I find the CBD crowds exhausting!) this is going to be my new go-​to.
Food wise, their kitchen is quite small so they put together a list of four simple but delicious dishes around the $ 15 mark. Lunch was tasty and filling, I’m keen to come back to check out what’s on offer at other times of the day.
Yep, I’ll be back. Hellooo daytime wine time.