It’s where to go to eat or sip a coffee and read the paper.  There are singles, couples, friends and groups doing that all day.

The café  serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food although I believe the general theme is Spanish.   When we arrived about 12.30 on a Saturday, the place was packed.  We hung around getting in the way of everyone while we waited for a table.

Large communal table and display case of tapas style meals.

This hanging around gives a chance to study the large display cabinet that runs along one wall.  We decided there and then what we were going to eat and a waitress took our order.  As soon as we were seated our order was whisked to the kitchen.  The service was casual and very attentive if that isn’t a contradiction.

“No smoking. Gas” said the notice opposite us as we slid into our seats at one end of the long table.  This was a bit disconcerting but the gas actually stands for Gastronomy.  It could just as well stand for gas as in ‘talk’ because the atmosphere is so conducive to that.

Meatballs and yogurt

Zucchini, feta cheese and herbs.

Coffee was great and if you only want a caffeine hit – this is a good place.  Just ignore the food on display– once you start eying it you’ll want to eat.
One of the surprising things about Gas is that although it is often crowded  the noise level is bearable – you can talk and hear without any effort which is often not the case in crowded cafes and restaurant.

There are tables  out on the pavement and bar-seating in the window  but most of the seating is at high communal tables with stools.

Gas Eatery and Supplies is for day-time, only. It opens a 8am and is great for breakfast – all sorts of delights – but it starts winding down about five and is closed at six.  The take-home-meals are delicious but of course you need to be there before 6pm.

Gas Eatery and Supplies
253 Coventry Street,
South Melbourne, VIC, 3205

Phone 9690 0217 for further information
Tram 112 from Collins Street in the CBD  goes along Clarendon Street.

Get off at Bank and Clarendon Streets and walk back a block for Coventry Street.

Coventry Street also has an interesting collection of shops for browsing in.

Related posts:

1. A touch of France on Park Street, South Melbourne
2. Booktalk Cafe, Richmond– a different style of food-and-coffee-break
3. Hotel Albion, Port Melbourne – Great Bar-Food and Good Value Nights.

Brunswick Street on a busy Saturday afternoon and  you’re shopping until you drop.

Give yourself a break – feed your soul for a moment?  Duck into the Fitzroy Nursery – The Artists Gardens at 390 Brunswick Street.

Listen to the fountains playing, gaze at the lush plants, take in the garden art and find a spot to linger. It’s a haven from the vibrant life on the street and the art is fun.

The garden art on display is sourced locally but some comes from further a field. The animal sculptures are from New Zealand.  They’re made of all-weather re-cycled corrugated iron.

If you come from the land of The Long White Cloud you may want to add one of these to your household.  They all have their own unique personality and there is nothing like a touch of nostalgia for corrugated iron.

Fitzroy Nursery is at 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.  Take the no 112 Tram from the CBD.

If you are coming from St Kilda stay on the 96 tram and get off along Nicholson Street at Rose Street and wander along Rose Street to Brunswick Street.

Related posts:

1. Alister Clark Rose Garden – Botanical Gardens St Kilda.
2. Alister Clark’s Rose Garden in Full Bloom
3. The Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden in the Royal Domain is an area of peace and charm