Originally published on Broadsheet.

Inspired by Kate Middleton, this is a cafe ready for the cameras.

What does the Duchess of Cambridge have to do with a new cafe in Prahran – aside from one letter difference in their names?

“We’ve based the cafe off her persona. Royal, but still close to the people,” co-owner of Middletown cafe, Randy Dhamanhuri says.

Make of that what you will. Dhamanhuri and partner Valerie Fong (the same duo behind Operator 25 in the city) have invested in an appropriately luxurious look for the 76-seater space, employing Studio Tate to install terrazzo floors, champagne-coloured banquettes, brass lighting and royal-blue panelling.

Even the coffee machine is customised to fit the colour scheme – painted white with a gold trim and its own Middletown logo.

The cafe one-ups the potted greenery trend by having flowers all over the cafe – vases of white blooms and buckets of pink roses adorn almost every available surface.

The all-day menu features coffee waffles with strawberries done five ways, and a lamb neck with pickled beetroot.

Coffee is by Code Black, and on warm days there is house-made iced tea with lemon sorbet.

Middletown 
229 High Street, Prahran
(03) 9530 2288

Hours: 
Mon to Fri 7am–4pm
Sat and Sun 8am–4pm