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MELBOURNE | Code 21 recently opened on Brunswick Road, and aims to provide locals with food that focuses on the healthier side of things. Forming part of a new apartment complex, the space at the foot of the complex fits in well with the area. A light filled interior with large windows features pastel colours, light wood and concrete and a green neon lit wall claiming “I licked it, so it’s mine” is designed for Instagram. An equal amount of outdoor seating allows customers to watch the passing by of cyclists and young families.
It’s very much the kind of place that’s on trend with an well attuned eye on social media, which counts for nothing if the food isn’t up to scratch. The offering at Code 21 is on healthy, lighter options, and quality ingredients sourced locally and ethically. A selection of cold pressed juices come from Green St Juice Co, while coffee comes from Richmond’s Veneziano Coffee Roasters and can be ordered brewed in a variety of ways, with the expected numerous milk options. Complimenting this is a selection of smoothies and milkshakes, along with a few Australian wines and beers.
For food it’s a concise menu of 14 breakfast and lunch options that can best be described as Melbourne favourites with a Middle Eastern twist. We couldn’t go past the spiced orange hotcakes with blackberry curd, lemon curd, pomegranate poached pear, berries, pistachio, and chocolate parfait. We don’t usually go for sweet breakfasts but this was actually perfectly balanced and not overly sweet. We were very impressed with the textural complexity and the way all of the flavours came together.
We also ordered the avocado diced on pumpkin toast with beetroot relish, poached egg, Yarra Valley Persian feta, Nigella seeds and watercress salad. Out of the optional bacon and sujuk, we couldn’t go past the spiced Turkish sausage. The flavours here worked really well together, and the sujuk had just the right level of kick to it. The only criticism we had here was that the pumpkin toast was quite hard – not burnt, just hard. We’re not sure if this was intentional or if sourdough would have been a better option. Regardless, the thing was still delicious and we happily ate it all.
Staff are friendly and attentive, and overall despite what one might infer from first impressions, Code 21 has the substance to back the style.
Code 21
2/21 Brunswick Road
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia
Telephone: (03) 8370 9078
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Fri: 6:30am to 4:00pm
Sat – Sun: 7:30am to 4:00pm