The menu here is large, and according to the name of the place, a lot of the items contain chili. You would expect that.
They present the different meals attractively, using a variety of crockery. The meal size is generous. Friends who had the calamari said it was beautifully tender. I had Pad Thai and only just managed to finish it, someone else who had it had to take some home because there was too much.
Be warned: out front of the restaurant it is only a one hour parking limit.

Approximate cost: $18

What I really like about this cafe is that they produce most of their own food: patties, quiche, cakes, pies... So it isn't that plastic stuff you get in so many cafes.
We had the eggplant bake and the smoked salmon salad. Both were really good - lots of ingredients, very enjoyable to eat.
It is small, with a few tables inside and a couple outside under cover. But the service is good and the prices are reasonable. The pot of tea gives you three cups.

Approximate cost: $18

This is the quaintest little cake shop. A couple of tables and chairs are jammed inside, more out on the footpath.
The decor is really old, with an old manual cash register.
The staff were a bit offhand but the coffee and cake were very nice. The serves of cake are large enough to share with a friend.

Approximate cost: $5

We had lunch here on a weekday. We had a table in the window with a lovely view over the water. It was not very busy at the time.
Our waiter was very attentive and helpful, and the food was delicious.
The decor seemed a little dated, but a lot of places in St Kilda seem to be like that.
The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin chef's hat on several occasions, which, to my way of thinking, means that the food is quite expensive.
Just a note to those using their Entertainment book here: there were three of us, and two of us had mains while the third had an entree serve. The book says "buy one main get one free" but they only gave us the entree for free. When I queried that, the waiter said that was their practice, and if we had all had entrees only, one would have been free. That is not how other restaurants understand the offer.

Approximate cost: $35

We had a large group (booked for 40) on Saturday night, when there were several other groups in as well. The restaurant was very crowded.
The young man in charge handled our needs really well, checking in frequently to make sure everything was satisfactory.
The waiters coped very well with members of the group moving around, changing seats, and never seemed flustered when people didn't recognise the food that was presented to them, but simply found the correct diner for each food or drink item.
They were friendly and patient, so we could all relax and enjoy our evening.
The meals were hot and many of our group commented on how quickly the meals had come out, considering the number of guests for whom the kitchen was catering. The only downside was that some of the mains seemed rather small, but nobody complained. The eye fillets were superb, and those who tried the pea and haloumi fritters (on the recommendation of other WOMO participants) were not disappointed.
Without going into detail on how the staff facilitated our evening, I must say that they really did go above and beyond expectations with their generous spirit.
Everyone said they had had a lovely evening, which is always good news for the host, and I would like to thank especially that young man who made everything run so smoothly (no names!)
This is definitely a place to consider when you are looking to have a group function. Just don't plan any speeches - it is quite noisy in there with all of those people!

Approximate cost: $30

The food here is made on the premises, which I really appreciate and enjoy. (I really don't like seeing the same, mass-produced food everywhere I go). There is a good variety of hot food and lots of sweet treats, which are their speciality.
The food is very good value - big serves and great quality.
They made the best iced coffee I have had!
The staff are friendly, and the place is quite cosy.
Entry from the front street uses a few steps, but there is access for the disabled at the rear.
You can buy their cakes and biscuits in take-home packs.
I have eaten here several times and the experience has been consistently good.

Approximate cost: $10

This is probably the smallest cafe space I have seen! But that said, they do have tables outside as well, which would be a very pleasant place to eat on a sunny day.
The menu is very limited, and it seems they have only a microwave for heating food. It would be a lovely place for coffee and cake, more than a place for lunch. But then, there is nothing else close by in terms of lunch, so it fills the gap nicely.

The nursery is quite large, so you could well work up an appetite looking at their large range of plants and gifts.

Bonus - they are in the Entertainment Book, although the discount is only small because they don't have a lot on offer!

The toilets leave a bit to be desired.

Approximate cost: $10

It is a small family-run restaurant offering home delivery between 6-9pm, and of course you can take away.
We ate in and we all had pizza, but there are rice dishes and other mains on the menu.
The food is good quality, fresh and tasty. Pizza topping is generous.
No loud music playing so it would be a good option when you just want a quiet meal out and a chat with friends. We went on a week night, which was quiet, but I imagine the weekend would be much busier.
They have set the place up so you can also just sit on the couch with your coffee and read one of their many books, very laid back!

Approximate cost: $20

This franchise has a formula which most branches seem to follow, and it works for me.
Their food is consistent in quality and quantity, and is very good.
I like their coffee, which is their own blend.
This branch is next to a cinema complex and does a movie meal deal which is good value.
They are quick, too - even when they are flat out we can be in and out in less than 40 minutes, after a main and a coffee afterwards.
They have other food too, besides crepes, and a fair selection of gluten-free treats.
I have reviewed these guys before but I am impressed every time with their speed and consistent good quality.

Approximate cost: $11

I found these people through one of those discount Internet deals, and thought I'd give them a try.
You access them online. The head office for Australia is in Sydney but they deliver in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

You get (almost) everything you need to cook your own evening meals, complete with meat, veges, fresh herbs and spices, and the recipe.

It isn't cheap, about $10 per person per meal, but would be a godsend for anyone who is housebound but able to cook, like a family with a new baby or someone recovering from surgery.

You really don't need to shop at all for dinner, but you do of course need to make your own arrangements for other meals.

The food is fresh, and packed well, is delivered on time (in Melbourne, that's between 4pm and 9pm on Tuesday), and the meals are simple and tasty. They estimate preparation time is about 30 minutes.

The ordering timeframe is a bit restrictive and you need to be on the ball to cancel when you want to have a break from the service, but if you follow their guidelines it's all good.

I would recommend them, for anyone looking to simplify their life in terms of getting out to shop or those who like to try new foods, or those who are sick of having to think about what to cook.
And the service would make a great gift for someone who is in need of help with meal provision, as long as they have access to someone who can cook the stuff.