With a name like Mullet Cafe and being perched above the rolling surf of Park Beach at Dodges Ferry, you’d think this place would be full of wax heads chugging on milkshakes and dimmies. But there’s more to this little local secret than meets the eye.

From the outside it looks like a little beach side cafe, but a quick look at the menu, it’s clear there are two sides to this place. On one side of the menu it’s your usual cafe fare of flat whites, breakfast with the lot, BLT’s and toasted pides. The other side is a delicious list of mezza plates with a strong Middle Eastern flavour. Being a fan of that style of cuisine, with not many places in Hobart that do it, it’s an awesome find.

Sitting outside you could be mistaken for thinking you were in a little seaside pocket of Greece or the Lebanese coast, with a light breeze blowing through the silvery hedge. There are a few different spots to sit and the front deck and courtyard, complete with concrete turtles for kids to play on, is family friendly.

Available after 11:30am, the Middle Eastern side of the menu is a succinct selection of mezza plates with a range of dips, salads and side plates, as well as Palestinian-style coffee, ice soda and sweet treats. On the day we visited, we were after a late light lunch so we ordered the Falafel ($12.50), a serving of five crunchy chickpea, broad bean and herb balls with a light tahini dipping sauce, and the Hommus ($9) which is more chickpeas prepared in the traditional Lebanese way – it’s garlicky, lemony and super fresh. Both dishes were spot on, especially the hommus filled with a well of fresh and grassy extra virgin olive oil.

Not needing a full pot of traditional coffee ($7.50), I opt for a flat white (made with Segafredo beans) with a side of baklava and a ma’moul pastry ($5.50). The baklava is fresh, flaky and covered in a flowing rosewater syrup. The ma’moul goes a step away from the traditional short pastry filled with nuts and dates to include dried apricot and white chocolate and is completely delicious. I could eat many more if I let myself, and my wallet!

Once lunch is out of the way, head inside to take a look at the ‘Little Shop of Curios’, filled with everything from Moroccan style metal bells and lights, books about conspiracies, Hindu figurines and other curios from the well-travelled team behind this place. The food and vibe of Mullet Cafe will transport you to another place, if only for lunch.

Mullet Cafe

2 Pyeena Street, Dodges Ferry, 6265 7971

Open Friday to Sunday, 9am – 4:30pm