Cafe review: Dora's Cafe

Dora's is my local. There is possibly something inherently biased about critiquing the cafe you go to almost every day, where you know the staff well enough to order simply by walking in the door and saying "hi," and your tacky cartoon sketches are pinned to the notice board.

But why should this little gem of an eatery miss out on a review, just because I happen to spend half my paycheck there every week?

With this attitude in hand, I order a bowl of their self-proclaimed, "probably the best in town," macadamia nut muesli ($10.50), which I have never tried. It is most definitely the best I've had, and I'm not just saying this because I hope Misty will make me a free long black ($3.50).

Macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, and other bits and bobs all toasted in honey and served with creamy plain yogurt and berries, yum.  It's gluten free as well, if you swing that way.

My friend takes on the salmon bagel ($10), which is basic and comes with cream cheese and capers. The bagel itself isn't amazing or anything, but then again, you need to fly to the States if you want amazing bagels. You get plenty of salmon though, and lots of cream cheese.

The espresso here rarely fails to impress and if Misty, the barista, is in a good mood, it comes with cheeky comments and a heavy dose of banter. Grant, the manager, is a sweetheart. You get the feeling when you walk into this place that you've entered something special, a community of sorts.

Don't come here for exotic food, fancy plating, or chic décor. Come here because you want genuine warmth and a reliably good coffee. It's kind of like eating at home, only much better.

In a class of its own

Dora's Cafe

105 Collingwood St