Happy River Cafe
| Where | 45 Moreland Street, Footscray, Victoria, 3011—View map |
Contact | 03 9689 3244 |
Website | — |
Open | Tuesday to Sunday 8.00am to 6.00pm Breakfast until 3.00pm |
Payment | EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Cash |
Diet | Soy |
Seating | — |
Kids | Welcome |
Pets | Welcome |
Happy Hours
Gretchen Wilkins
If you find yourself torn between a leisurely brunch, a bike ride along the river, a day in the park with the kids (and dogs), or a trip to the museum, head to the Happy River Café in Footscray. Situated along the Maribyrnong River amidst industrial buildings and artist spaces, the Happy River Cafe offers all of these activities at your own combination and pace.
The Cafe shares space with the Footscray Community Arts Center in the Henderson House, which was originally built in 1872 as a residence and piggery. The flat green lawn between the house and the street defines the character of the cafe; it's essentially a playground and picnic area informally strewn with plastic furniture, picnic blankets and all sorts of toys. It's kind of like having table service in the park.
The food at HRC is equally accommodating to one's mood, including everything you'd hope for breakfast or a simple lunch, but offered in such a way as to encourage a bit of mixing and matching. Breakfast purists won't miss the classic egg plates with all kinds of extras (including salmon and baked beans) but there are also toasts from Purebread bakery, sweet pancakes, muesli with cinnamon yoghurt and poached fruit. And if you're your feeling more like lunch try the toasted Turkish pides, tempeh wraps or ploughman's lunch. There's a range of drinks to accompany your mood, from fresh juices and smoothies, to Bloody Mary's, sparkling and sweet wines.
And if you thought the front lawn was great, don't leave before venturing around to the backside of the building. In contrast to the flat, industrially-lined playground in the front, the backyard feels more like a picturesque garden. Here you can meander through the rose garden, read the paper in the miniature amphitheatre, venture down the bike path or just sit on the dock and watch the tireless workings of the massive container port just across the river. And if you're lucky the Arts Center might have a young actor's workshop or youth-circus rehearsal going on in the basement of the Henderson House or their adjacent warehouse building.
In short, for food and atmosphere, the Happy River Cafe lives up to its name in spades.