My Son, Joy

The Verdict

South Melbourne may lack many things (car parks spring to mind) but brunch isn’t one of them. Joining the pack of good lookin’ youngsters, My Son, Joy has just opened its extremely allergy-friendly doors on Coventry Street, directly across from the South Melbourne Market.

Neale White and his co-owner enlisted the help of a nutritionist to plan the all-day breakfast menu, and it has clearly paid off. Along with nutritionally balanced meals, there are dairy-free, gluten-free, vego, vegan and FODMAP-friendly options—so allergy-afflicted foodies can expect options other than lettuce with lemon.

Sweet tooths can tuck into (gloriously guilt-free) coconut, lemon balm and mandarin sorbet-topped chia-seed pudding, or get flipping excited for a PranaON Protein pancake, served with coconut yoghurt, berries and cacao.

There are a few surprises on the menu, including an egg drop soup (ft. truffle oil) and the Scotch Twist with a seeded egg, sautéed kale, zucchini, brussel sprouts, capsicum and smoked paprika.

While the menu is nutritionally focused (in fact most dishes fit the low-carb, high-fat bill), My Son, Joy still finds room for home-baked, European-style sourdough (thank god for that). It’s dense, chewy and served hot from the oven with a big wedge of salted butter. We doubt you’ll find anything like it in Melbourne.

As for drinks, they’ve got a range of cold-pressed juices, CAPI tonics (naturally) and guilt-free smoothies. The Tonic Shot with turmeric, ginger, chilli, granny smith and kombucha is excellent for a rainy (hung-over) day.

A 100-seat daytime diner, the interior is easy on the eyes with exposed brick, polished concrete, mint-green highlights and a big-old vaulted ceiling. There’s a cosy courtyard out back, and a private mezzanine dining room, which looks down over the restaurant. It’s airy, bright and buzzing for Sunday brunch, and the space gives way easily to private functions and events.

If you’re struggling with FODMAP (or just tired of waiters rolling their eyes at the words ‘gluten intolerant’) My Son, Joy is your new happy place. Get in before the secret’s out. 

Image credit: Griffin Simm for The Urban List