My mate in…

My mate Mandy tells me about a trifecta of cheap and cheerful Asian food restaurants at Jackson Court, Doncaster East, Melbourne.

• Ramen and Dumpling House
• Jonker Street Restaurant (now unfortunately closed)
• The Grand Tofu

Mandy shares what she loves about Asian food, including the variety of flavours, ability to order multiple dishes to share and try new things, and what makes an authentic laksa.

Estelle is a great restaurant for a special occasion. Located at 243-245 High St in Northcote, Melbourne.

This is my favourite place for birthday or anniversary celebrations; when we want to get dressed up and we have a little cash to spend on fancy food. The food is great, but I just love the seating around the kitchen and watching the chefs at work.

After trying Estelle, another great intimate chef experience can be found at Flint:
15. Side quest x Fitzroy, Melbourne x Flint

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I catch up with my mate Rissa in Austin, Texas. 

Rissa’s favourite local brunch spot is Two Hands at 1011 S Congress Ave Ste 170. Highlights include:

• ‘Brekky’ menu
• Acai bowl
• Halloumi sides
• Pavlova
• Open, spacious and calm patio space

We also talk about:

• Eeyore’s birthday
• Similarities between Melbourne (Australia) and Austin, with a shout out to our mutual friend Jess Archer (Episode 12. Brisbane x Big Roddy's Rippin Rib Shack, Cobbler & The Woods Neighbourhood Bar)
• Nashville inspired chicken in Melbourne (Episode 5. Side Quest x Fitzroy, Melbourne x Belles)

More episodes about places in the US

16. Side Quest x Nashville x The Legendairy Milkshake Bar

9. Boston x Union Oyster House, Pizzeria Regina, and J.J. Foley's

My mate Sarah in Brunswick East, Melbourne, gives a shout out to her go-to for stacked burgers, live music, and good vibes: The Beast. This is a bar with all the goods: wings, a soul night, and live comedy.

Looking for other good places in Melbourne to grab a drink?
6. Side Quest x CBD, Melbourne x Beneath Driver Lane
1. Northcote, Melbourne x South Crescent & Kelvin

My mate Tony in Wagga describes his go to place for a dinner out with friends. Indian Rasoi consistently serves up delicious curries time after time and you can even BYO wine.

Looking for a place in Wagga to grab a drink and enjoy some live music?
4. Wagga Wagga x Tilly's

In Amsterdam's city centre, Moak is an American pancake joint with throwback New York hip-hop vibes. Line up for some stacked up sweet or savoury pancakes, coffee, and juice.

You can see the menu and the delicious pancakes I had, as well as some street pictures of my adventures near Maok at the My Mate In... blog.

If you pop over to Belgium from The Netherlands, and want to complement your pancakes with waffles, I got you: Belgian waffles, anyone?

My mate Mya in Canberra paints a pretty picture of Rose 'N' Brew, a cafe and açai bar in Tuggeranong. Seems like the perfect place to hang out, enjoy a piece of cake, and snap a pic or two in this beautifully pink space.

Other places you might like to try in Canberra:
Episode 19. Canberra x Salvadoran Pupusas
Episode 10. Canberra x Burns Club (Kambah) & The Public Place (Chisholm)
Episode 7. Canberra x Brew Bar (Tuggeranong), Cartel Taqueria (Queanbeyan East) & Zaab (Braddon)

My mate Don in Canberra shares with us the scoop on a well-loved food institution. For two and a half decades the same food stall has provided consistent comfort to Canberrans. Every Sunday at the Southside Farmers Market you can get your hands (and mouth) onto delicious pupusas and tamales at the El Salvador food stall.

Other yummy food to try in Canberra
Episode 10. Canberra x Burns Club (Kambah) & The Public Place (Chisholm)
Episode 7. Canberra x Brew Bar (Tuggeranong), Cartel Taqueria (Queanbeyan East) & Zaab (Braddon)

Touchwood is a great coffee and breakfast spot on Bridge St in Richmond, Melbourne.

Interested in trying other Melbourne cafes? You might like Ellis' Belly in Northcote.

Looking for a cosy, comfortable place in Northcote, Melbourne, for a coffee and a pastry?

 Ellis' Belly is a relatively new addition to the Northcote cafe scene, based on Simpson St not far from Dennis Station.

Next door is the Art Guide Bookstore.

Looking for other cafes to try in Northcote? One of my favourites is South Crescent Cafe - hear more in episode 1. These two cafes are just a train stop apart.