1pm rolled around and we were literally watering at the mouth as a lovely young waiter placed a pulled pork panini down on the wooden table in front of us. Brasserie bread filled with slow-cooked pork, pickled cabbage and caramelised apple; yes, now you understand why our mouths were watering.

Once a place where people would pick up a packet of cigarettes on their way to work – the run down Milk Bar situated on a quiet suburban street in Melbourne’s inner west has been given a new lease on life from owner Jess Tumbri.

Offering Padre coffee, complimented with Jonsey’s milk (and if you’re feeling cheeky one of Nana Milla’s shortbread biscuits), The Footscray Milking Station is quickly becoming the go-to spot for the savvy crew in the west.

The light filled space is warm and welcoming with just the right amount of industrial inspired add-ons to finish the otherwise chic fit-out: think country farm-house meets inner city warehouse, complete with courtyard and street tables.

The breakfast menu suggests a sago porridge that we will definitely be returning to try, and for those making lunchtime visits the small but delicious selection of paninis and wraps that fill the deli style fridge will surely satisfy, as will the lemon tart that could quite possibly start the third world war.

Catering for both vegans and gluten-free, The Footscray Milking station is yet another example of the caliber of cafes popping up in the Western Suburbs, and an exciting preview of what’s to come.

Where: 35 Bunbury St, Footscray
Hours: 7 days: 7am – 3pm
Phone: (03) 9029 9240
Details: footscraymilkingstation.com.au