On the odd occasion I find myself down the mean streets of Hawthorn, Liar Liar is without question my cafe of choice. What I like about it most is that it is so very un-Hawthorn. Let’s be honest, Hawthorn is lovely but just a little too sanitised for mine. So when I first stumbled upon it, I wanted to yell, “victoryâ€. Finally a cafe with some personality and killer coffee.
Personality it does have, though not in an out-of-place kind of way. It still has the polish that you would expect of the neighbourhood; rest assured you won’t be sitting on a milk crate. No sir, designer chairs all the way for your gentrified butt.
If you’re a bit of a cafe-tart you might get a slight sense of deja vu when you visit Liar Liar. That’s because two of Melbourne’s most talented operators originally set-up Liar Liar: Nolan Hirte of Proud Mary and Nathan Toleman of Three Bags Full. There are loads of touches here that have made it to their new ventures, like the metal die-cut light fittings and the coffee group door handle, not to mention the passionate focus on food and coffee. I personally really like the link between their old and new ventures. It’s like a visual history of Melbourne’s Third Wave.
Liar Liar is now owned by St Ali who own a number of cafes including Outpost in South Yarra and Il Fornaio in St Kilda. No surprise that they have continued the coffee focus. There’s a choice of blends and single origins, not to mention an extensive array of brewing methods: Clover, syphon, pour-over and espresso. In short, Liar Liar is a coffee oasis in a fairly barren stretch.
The food is similarly excellent. The breakfast menu is super extensive and represents the quality cafe fare that Melburnians have come to expect. I defy you not to find something you like on their menu.
So next time you’re in leafy Hawthorn, grab 15 minutes to enjoy the goodness that is Liar Liar.
Liar Liar
Address: 90 Kinkora Road, Hawthorn
Phone: 9818 8864
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-5pm
Coffee: St Ali
Food: Breakfast & lunch
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