Mornington’s Main Street is full of cafes but if you’re after the BEST food and coffee in town it’s worth taking a little detour away from the beach to the gritty industrial side to Commonfolk cafe.

Commonfolk is primarily a roastery and inside the large roasting shed is a fantastic cafe with the sort of hip dishes not out of place in an inner-city bolthole.

Choose to sit inside the airy industrial warehouse (surprisingly cool on a hot summer’s day) or in the back courtyard with umbrella shelters and tables.

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We order the ‘Salad of the Year’, an Asian inspired salad by chef Roong who was named ‘SOAR Woman of the Year’. It’s a large bowl of lemongrass, kaffir lime and coconut poached chicken shredded on top of vermicelli noodles and combined with Thai herbs and beanshoots ($18). It is sweet, tangy, slippery and crunchy at the same time and a taste sensation.

Not to be outdone the ‘Le Toast’ is also outrageously good. The bread is dusted with cinnamon and panela sugar which gives it an amazing caramelised crust. It comes with OJ braised rhubarb, macadamia crumble, vanilla creme fraiche and minted sugar ($18).

As for the coffee? Sorry I can’t report back as my body doesn’t deal well with caffeine! But I assume a place that takes its coffee so seriously, and wholesales to other cafes, must know their product from crop to cup. Commonfolk also donates 20 cents from every cup of coffee to support sustainable coffee farming.

For families the cafe offers pram access, high chairs and large menu where you’ll be able to find something for the kids. Baby 2.0 is very happy with his chicken strips and chips, the single item specifically for children ($9.50)

There are no toys but Baby 2.0 spend time pottering around the courtyard garden…

….inside the Snake Hole gallery and store…

… and the adjoining co-working space.

Note the toilets are also located inside the co-working space but there are no change tables. You will be able to fit a single pram inside the long length of the toilet cubicle.

Commonfolk’s reputation for excellent food and coffee makes it a buzzing place to visit even if it’s in the back streets of an industrial area. Once you find it you’ll be telling everyone about it.

Click here for more places to go with kids on the Mornington Peninsula.

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HOT Tips:

• Pram access;;
• High chairs;
• Standard menu suitable for kids;
• Children’s menu;
• Outdoor courtyard;
• Free street parking.

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Commonfolk, 16 Progress Street, Mornington 03 5902 2786

Mon-Fri 6:30am-3pm

Sat 8-3pm

Sun 9-3pm