Office workers must have breathed a sigh of relief when Mothership landed near the new developments on Victoria Crescent about six months ago. No more trekking around the Abbotsford streets seeking a brew: now there is coffee right on their doorstep, courtesy of the shiny red San Remo machine that takes pride of place at Mothership. It sets the vibrant tone of this cafe: the big, open space is livened with splashes of red in plastic stools, the lights and the Mothership logo on the serving bench, while vintage airship and spaceship posters allude to the cafes name. Coffee, made with Dimattina beans, is served in red or black cups and is generally good: a short black might be tarry, smoky and intense, while a cafe latte can vary between creamily rich or slightly milky. A breakfast and lunch menu, a glass cabinet full of sweet treats, friendly staff, a relaxed vibe and free wi-fi access round out the Mothership package.

Pour Kids cafe ticks all the boxes that make up an excellent cafe: smart decor, enticing menu with whimsically named dishes and sublime coffee. A bright yellow La Marzocco machine sets the colourful cheery tone, matched by coloured wooden chairs and prints and geometric-patterned wallpaper. Pour Kids is run by qualified chefs Ryan Storey and David Ballenger and the breakfast and lunch menu, with dishes such as Smash and Grab, The Lego and Three Bears Out Hunting, reflects their training and attention to detail. But the coffee is the true drawcard here, made with Axil beans and meticulous care and attention, especially if Ryan is behind the machine. A short black sings with smoky, intense flavour that softens sweetly on the palate, while a creamy cafe latte is simply superb and a delight to sip. Housed in two former shops (now joined together to make the one large space) just off Glenferrie Road and opposite Coles, Pour Kids is an excellent addition to the Malvern coffee scene and definitely worth seeking out.