It’s not often you get an old school married couple pouring their heart, soul and experience into a new cafe offering in Melbourne. Most are opened by hotshot young guns giving it their best crack to stay afloat above the crowded field of cafe’s on their strip. Not at Fifth Chapter though, Bentleigh’s newest all day eatery, where Harry & Georgia Charalambous bring their wealth of knowledge and pent for straight up classic good service to the local community. Harry & Georgia are a solid family hospitality powerhouse having previously owned and operated four other local hotspots before diving into their latest project, Fifth Chapter, hence the name.
“We have brought all of our previous experience together and learnt what works, our customers are treated the way we want to be treated when dining out” says Harry.
With a liquor license in the works, the guys here will be mixing up the usual cafe formula in another way by soon offering quality grub from breakfast all the way through to dinner as of April this year, which is lucky for you because this isn’t their first attempt at keeping the libations flowing and putting your hunger for supper to rest. Georgia being a classically trained italian chef, running kitchens for the last 19 years and cooking her favourite cuisine for over 30 years is definitely going to help when the new Italian inspired dinner menu is revealed.
“Our customers are welcomed in like friends and family are welcomed into our home” says Georgia.
Bringing a host of energy and a much needed new lease on life to a weathered and ageing shopping strip, they have turned this old fish & chip shop into a modern and lush getaway that keeps the vibes flowing while you are greeted with a smile and an already set table that isn’t often seen at modern cafe’s. Leaving you with a feeling like you are meant to be there and not rushed out the door onto the next patron. The long, narrow building is perfect for keeping the noise of a bustling cafe at bay while you chow down with friends. Not wanting to pack people in like sardines, they have intentionally limited the amount of seats, so your morning’s goss stays with you and not the people eating next to you. Fifth Chapter being child and doggo friendly alike, everyone is welcome.
If a hot chocolate made from Crushed Lindt balls isn’t up your alley then try one of their many generous breakfast servings. Not trying to be too big for its boots or attempting to keep up with the latest trends, the food is humble and filling, offering something to tickle the fancy of the whole crew that can still be shown off on instagram, if so inclined.
Making Fifth Chapter your new Bentleigh local is an easy sell. Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
