Stanley Street is home to Carrotsticks & Cravings’ third and latest outlet featuring gorgeous relaxing coastal-inspired interiors by award-winning interior designer Isabelle Miajas that perfectly complements this healthy food haven. Choose to sit indoors surrounded by the cafe’s signature pink, green and white hues, or watch the world go by al fresco while sipping coffee specially sourced from AllPress Australia (complete with a choice of six milk options: almond, coconut, oat, soy, full cream and skinny).
“Our mission is to bring exciting and unique culinary experiences to the heart of Asia and provide hospitality with no boundaries. With our latest outlet on Stanley, we want to create a destination where people can escape from work to eat, drink and indulge while still being healthy,” share the owners. They are the founders of Foragers who operate all Carrotsticks & Cravings cafes as well as Israeli restaurant Miznon.
The owners are firm believers that healthy eating is about feeling great and using the freshest and finest ingredients to create dishes that not only look good but taste good while encouraging sustainability practices (Foragers are proud partners of The Food Bank SG, Rainbow Center, and Melbourne Specialist International School).
The menu offers four categories: Morning Specials, Bowls, Open Herb Sourdough and Sandwiches, all designed to accommodate all sorts of dietary requirements with gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free options to choose from.
With over 30 wholesome and nutritious options to choose from, this latest outlet is perfectly poised to become the go-to spot for all-day dining from breakfast and lunch to post-workout meals and weekend brunches against a coastal oasis backdrop, complete with tropical foliage wallpaper, wood details, custom-made patterned textile and quirky retro display pieces.
The outlet-exclusive Stanley Breakfast for 2 ($46) is a vibrant representation of the brand’s founder and owner’s Australian and Israeli roots. Each platter comes with a generous serving of Israeli salad – finely chopped Roma tomatoes, cucumber, yellow capsicum, red onions and mint leaves tossed in extra virgin olive oil, two freshly- baked puff pastries filled with cream cheese mixed with dill and lemon juice, oven-roasted eggplant seasoned with flaky sea salt served on homemade hummus topped with whole chickpeas, and four bite-sized falafel patties. Half an avocado (sliced and sprinkled with crumbled feta cheese), a dollop of homemade labneh (a tangy and thick strained cheese) and a side of smoked salmon or chicken leg ham complete the feast.
This wholesome platter is also complemented with a sourdough bread basket, choice of two eggs (poached, scrambled, sunny side up or omelette) and two coffees.
Crisp and flaky on the outside with a creamy luscious interior, The Cravings Burekas ($13) is a savoury Israeli spiral pocket pastry that comprises three layers of phyllo pastry with feta cheese and spinach, served with fresh tomato salsa.
Another hearty brunch option is the Red Shakshouka ($18) made with fresh tomatoes, peppers and onions spiced with a combination of cumin, coriander and paprika. The saucy base is topped with poached eggs and served with crusty sourdough on the side. Customers can also choose to add feta ($4) or goat cheese ($6).
A staple at most Melbourne cafés, Signature Smashed Avo ($18) has been served at Carrotsticks & Cravings since the first outlet opened, with the cafe’s signature twist of finishing it with a generous sprinkling of a proprietary house-made dukkah blend (almond, hazelnut, cumin and coriander seeds mix). Add pomegranate ($2), poached eggs, leg ham and smoked salmon ($6 each, $8 for any two add-ons) to this gorgeous toasted sourdough crowned with creamy smashed avocado and feta cheese with a drizzle of pesto herb oil and lemon wedge.
Other options include Happy Vegan Avo ($18) with homemade beet hummus and hummus topped with chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and extra virgin olive oil, as well as Almond Butter Sourdough ($8) topped with chia seeds, fresh strawberries and honey.
For hearty grain bowls, Dukkah Salmon ($28) is a popular choice featuring honey marinated and poached Norwegian salmon, sprinkled with the house-made dukkah, and served over a bed of brown rice, asparagus, roasted pumpkin, rocket leaves and pomegranate. Other choices include the signature Acai Berry Bowl ($14) with either peanut butter granola or berry coconut topping; and keto-friendly options such as Keto Chicken Avo Salad ($26) for hearty mesclun, tomato and pickled onions with chicken breast, avocado, crumbled feta cheese, roasted walnuts and a lemon herb dressing.
Sandwiches are also a specialty at Carrotsticks & Cravings and are served with a side salad. For something vegetarian, The Greek ($18) features a medley of roasted eggplants and bell peppers, caramelised onions and garlic. For something meaty, the Manwich ($20) is stacked with layers of roasted leg ham, truss tomato, avocado and cheddar.
For a quick pick-me-up, Protein Wake Up Call! ($12) is highly recommended. The almond milk-based smoothie is packed with nutritious ingredients such as vegan protein powder, peanut butter, banana, cinnamon and honey with a shot of espresso.
Tap on the benefits of spirulina with Immunity Green Juice ($12.50), a delicious green juice concoction packed health-boosting ingredients such as fresh spirulina (not powdered), celery, green apple and lemon for a refreshing citrusy hit. Power up the smoothies with superfoods such as chia seeds, organic maca, raw cacao, vegan protein powder, superfood green powder ($2), or fresh spirulina ($4.50). The smoothies are also available with a choice of six milk options; almond, coconut, oat, soy, full cream and skinny.
Finally, indulge your sweet tooth cravings with a fun menu of gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free dessert options such as the cafe’s signature classic Carrot Cake ($9), gluten-free Chocolate Cake ($9) and the Peanut Butter Slice ($6), a rich combination of almond meal, cocoa, dates, coconut oil, peanut butter and dark chocolate sweetened with maple syrup. Also highly popular is the Keto Bomb ($3) made with coconut oil, peanut butter, almond and cocoa.
5 Stanley Street #01-01 S068724
