Billie Buoy opens in Melbourne

Healthy-eating café that channels the feel-good, nostalgic vibes of the 1980s. — (Image credit: press)

Boosting Melbourne's thrumming food scene further is the arrival of Billie Buoy, a fun, all-day healthy-eating café that channels the feel-good, nostalgic vibes of the 1980s.

Designed by Wallpaper*-favourite, Biasol, the eatery occupies a compact corner location with a glass front that looks into an interior cloaked in hot pink neon and cobalt blue, the latter emerging through textural materials such as terrazzo, mosaic tiles, rendered walls and felt upholstery. ‘Nothing says 1980s like cobalt blue, hot pink and neon. Blue is bold and moody, with textural materials to create richness and variation, and hot pink and neon to punch up the palette,' say the design team.

With every centimetre of the 60 sq m space used to its full potential, light bounces off the stainless steel bar and arched shelving, while banquette seating creates a diner-like experience.

All this sets the tone for a punchy menu featuring dishes from chilli scrambled eggs topped with bacon crumble to healthy green bowls or deliciously juicy wagyu beef burgers served with house made burger sauce and potato crisps.

While dining in-house is the best experience, for those in a rush, even the takeaway bags are printed with catchy Rick Astley lyrics.

An elegant wall shelf for a cafe with plates

ADDRESS

23 Albion St
Essendon
Melbourn

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Melina Keays is the entertaining director of Wallpaper*. She has been part of the brand since the magazine’s launch in 1996, and is responsible for entertaining content across the print and digital platforms, and for Wallpaper’s creative agency Bespoke. A native Londoner, Melina takes inspiration from the whole spectrum of art and design – including film, literature, and fashion. Her work for the brand involves curating content, writing, and creative direction – conceiving luxury interior landscapes with a focus on food, drinks, and entertaining in all its forms