The piles of pillowy meringues…the flourless fig cake that looked like a piece of art…? My willpower being tested is an understatement.

You can see why Shannon Bennett’s venture has been so long awaited. Both the Piggery Cafe and Burnham Bakery are fine examples of how quality produce, good service and classic but clever dishes really can make the 40-minute drive from Melbourne worthwhile.

I ordered the ‘must-have’ baked eggs that came with chorizo and a spicy chipotle sauce. The tomato-based sauce was lovely and smoky with a wonderful chilli kick.

Sarong is truly worth a visit if you’re ever in Seminyak, Bali. Definitely make a booking and make sure you arrive hungry and ready to explore the wonderful menu.

Sitting in a cosy corner on a pile of cushions with peaceful music; it was raining outside. The setting, this drink, made me tear up – this is why I came to Bali. To find peace and feel overwhelmed by flavours on my own again.

My dining companion ordered the green pea pancake which came with a tasty tomato sauce, lots of fresh coriander and parsley, feta and a soft poached egg. This dish was sensational. The pancake and tomato sauce were flavoursome and I would have died for some of that sauce on my breakfast. The coriander also worked beautifully to liven this dish up. I will definitely be replicating this at home.

The smell of smoky meat as you approach is intoxicating. Blink and you might miss what looks like a hole in the wall cafe. It’s no frills and pretty basic, but the meat is fantastic.

The menu is varied with café classics like bircher muesli with poached rhubarb, however the menu is highlighted by interesting Middle Eastern dishes like Middle Eastern beans with feta, rocket and za’atar with Turkish bread.

Mr Burch is a hit with the locals. Kid-friendly, this local family cafe is quirky and unique, offering great value for money in a relaxed atmosphere.

Customers range from young and old and while posers could fit in perfectly, so would my grandma or my little nephews. It’s relaxed and as it should be.

For dessert we shared a cold crunchy choc-chilli biscuit lovingly welded together by a delicious peanut parfait. The parfait was intensely nutty – in a great way, and the chocolate cookie had the best kick. I was so glad to end my meal with the chilli tinge lingering in my mouth. Overall, loved this place and can’t wait to go again and pretend to be cool.

Pork belly, seafood, pasta, goats cheese soufflé, steak salad, roasted apple pikelets with custard ice cream… The menu is slightly Italian and contemporary Australian, nevertheless most dishes are classic and cleverly interpreted.

Another cool cafe in St Kilda? Yup? Monk Bodhi Dharma caters to a niche of gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, low-fat, health conscious diners.

I admired how Fijian cuisine can restrain flavour pairings to let fresh and simple ingredients shine but it can also combine strong spices and ingredients to create a whole multitude of dishes that offer layers of intense flavours. There really was an art to their simple but clever cooking. If you love the water, sunshine, amazingly fresh food and beautiful smiles, I suggest you visit Fiji and eat your way through the islands like me.

Eclectic Tastes in Ballarat has a great vibe and lives up to its name. Mismatched table settings, plastic cup lampshades…a creative sensory overload.

How exciting! Bentleigh has welcomed (with open arms) another great breakfast/brunch cafe, Little Tommy Tucker. Serving up honest and delicious food that is fresh, innovative and made with so much love.

Brown Cow’s beachside location makes it popular amongst local cyclists who loiter around in their lycra…no comment. Seeing people in lycra makes me want to go for a run or do something physical and that can’t be a bad thing!

I tend to think about food 24/7 and I was peckish on the night I recently visited Shiraaz and I was impressed by the complimentary pappadams and dips that were provided in lieu of bread which was fitting. The two dipping sauces that came with the pappadams were delicious, the mint yoghurt was utterly gorgeous and saved me from my ravenous state.

There’s been a lot of buzz about a new cafe in my old neighbourhood of East Bentleigh and I just had to see what all the fuss was about.

Rustic table settings, the smell of good coffee brewing and an overall earthy and casual café feel with an abundance of delicious food displayed at the front counter. First impressions are great.

The Bendigo Corner Store Café does what inner-city cafes try to emulate, offering a warm country feel while serving memorable and tasty coffee with fantastic food. Not only is the food great you can also buy the weekend papers and purchase lovely loaves of bread and packs of tea and chai to enjoy at home. It makes you cherish that local corner store nostalgia.

Best coffee in Melbourne? Quite possibly. Queues of locals line up for their daily caffeine hit and they want the good stuff. I discovered Omar’s earlier this year when after not drinking coffee my entire life I wanted to try something amazing, and the coffee here definitely converted me.

Hampton Street is dotted with many cafés all within close proximity to the beach and you’re never spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a spot to refuel and people watch. Trust me, I have my favourite spots along this strip but recently I wanted to try something new and that’s when I came across Marchello’s Eurocafe.

The menu at Cuda Bar reads beautifully, and the ambiance, added to by the outstanding customer service, made for a memorable evening on the night I visited.