Tomboy

Walking into Tomboy, the aroma of baking is as warm and inviting as the welcome from the staff. Family is an overarching theme at Tomboy and has influenced everything from the menu and decor to the café name itself. Tomboy is a tribute to owner Kate Bresolin’s son, Tomislav. 

Kate has created a charming environment with delicious comfort food as the focus. “I want it to feel like home, like you’re visiting someone’s kitchen,” Kate says. “It’s relaxed and cosy, and everyone is welcome — including dogs.” Kate says she learnt everything she knows from her caterer mum. The tried-and-true favourites are made with super-fresh, premium ingredients. Decoration and presentation are as important as taste. “We try to keep it classic. It’s simple food, done well.” 

Since opening in 2016, Tomboy’s egg sandwiches have been a mainstay and earned a dedicated following. It’s not a new idea, but Tomboy’s version is exquisite. Made with Prefab’s ACME bread, each sandwich is generously filled and perfectly seasoned. When it comes to sweet treats, the doughnuts are a standout. Their fluffy texture comes from Kate’s beloved brioche dough. The decadence doesn’t stop there. Every day, the counter is crammed with mouth-watering sweet and savoury treats. 

The café interior is delightfully eclectic, with a living-room feel. Keepsakes decorate the brick and rustic white wood walls. Many of them hold special meaning for Kate, including her mum’s old catering trays, now transformed into wall art. There are also shelves of pantry food so you can take a bit of Tomboy away with you. There are freshly baked biscuits, sweet loaves, soup, cake mixes, and cookie dough. Other shelf items include local brands like Italian restaurant 1154’s pasta sauce and deli treats imported from Italy and Spain. If you still can’t get enough, then Kate can cater straight from her ‘home’ to yours.