Madison's Woodfire Cafe

The wood-fired oven is a staple of any self-respecting pizza place, and at Madison’s Woodfire Cafe in Westmeadows they’ve got one of the best around. The Italian fare on offer at this Fawkner Street favourite is based on traditional dishes, cooked well. They boast an array of pizzas that showcase the worth of the eponymous oven as well as pastas, risottos and a few Aussie favourites to boot. The drinks aren’t too shabby either: a full Italian coffee selection, of course, as well as beers and wines. Visitors to Madison’s on Fawkner Street in Melbourne’s far north – right by the airport in Westmeadows – will not be disappointed by the range of Italian and international classics which, when done right, take some serious beating. Book a table and decide for yourself.

No matter what time you decide to pop into Madison’s Woodfire Cafe on Fawkner Street in Westmeadows, you’re bound to be happy with what you find. This multi-functional venue morphs from cosy cafe with great morning coffee (as solid as you’ll find around Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs) to beautiful brunch spot and elegant lunchtime eatery, from authentic Italian restaurant to cool live music venue as the sun goes down (be sure to book on these nights, because it’s rare to see tables unaccounted for).

Breakfast favourites for the Fawkner Street faithful include Tahlia’s bacon and scrambled egg wrap or the super healthy and even tastier Green Breakfast Bowl (quinoa, feta, homemade dukkha and soft poached eggs on a bed of spinach and kale), but the real trump card Madison’s Woodfire Cafe holds over other Westmeadows eateries is enticing, authentic Italian offerings. For lunch, try the tasty grilled vegetable focaccia with Napoli sauce, or go the whole hog for dinner with Italian antipasto, eggplant chips, calamari, a host of vibrant salads, hearty pasta dishes and of course those unbeatable woodfired pizzas. If you’re looking for a casual but satisfying spot for a social gathering in this part of Melbourne, Madison’s is a great pick.