The best cafés are the ones with personality. Boho Espresso is laid back, Santi’s is girly, Epic Espresso is manic and Piccolo’s Corner is warm and friendly. On your first visit to Northbridge’s newest café Love Thy Neighbour, might label the café as shy. Just like its older brother – small bar Ezra Pound – Love Thy Neighbour shies away from the Northbridge hubbub. It’s burrowed behind the bar at the end of Bury Street (appropriate name!), and there’s been no fanfare announcing its recent arrival. Nope, not even a sign declaring its name.

Get to know the café better and you’ll realise that rather than timid, Love Thy Neighbour is modest… and busy. Word has spread fast that the week-old café is worth befriending. The Toby’s Estate coffee is beautiful and the other drinks are more than delicious – they’re also refreshingly affordable. Juice for $4 and smoothies for $5? Thank you!

The food is pretty special too. The bagels – yes, you read that correctly! – come with ricotta and honey, salmon and dill and even as a BLT. The campfire favourite jaffles are filled with your choice of spaghetti and cheddar, creamed corn or ham, and cost a bargain $5. There are even Turkish pide topped with pumpkin, mozzarella and prosciutto or a trio of cheeses. For anyone unsure if jaffles and coffee really mix, there are also sweet treats by Rochelle Adonis like cupcakes, slices and biscuits.

If only all neighbours were so lovable.

Where: 7/189 William Street Northbridge
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-5pm
Details: facebook.com/LTNespresso