Living in Caulfield North I was very excited to see a dumpling house open up nearby. There's not many around here! The restaurant looks sufficiently bad - so we figured it would be good! Lime green walls and a room devoid of decoration contains lots of basic plastic looking tables and vinyl covered chairs - just what you'd expect from a dumpling place. The service is as you'd expect as well from a dumpling place - they bring you food and that's about it. The dumplings are OK. Nothing as good as you'd get in town but still I've been back because it's convenient for me. The menu consists of lots of dumplings and then lots of noodles.

Approximate cost: $9

Banff is great for a cheap fun dinner. Pizzas are around $9 and the wine list consists of clean skins for about $20. You order at the bar then try to find yourself a seat. The service is pretty minimal - you get your own water from a jug by the bar and you drink your wine from water glasses. Banff is always very lively on a Friday night when I've been.

Approximate cost: $9

The steaks were amazing! A little overdone but still great. I had the MSA rib-eye on the bone. The food was very good and the prices would have been acceptable had the service and ambience been up to standard. The restaurant is too brightly lit and feels more like a small hall for a school dance. It would suit a large group but is not the place for an intimate dinner for two. The wait staff refused our request to change the potato gratin that comes with the steaks to chips - which seems ridiculous when you're paying $39 for a steak! I would go back for the steak - they have a 50% off your food bill offer on Tuesdays.

Approximate cost: $20-50

Marmara has original decor from the 80s I think which makes it very cosy and traditional feeling. It's good for a casual dinner before a night out. Efficient wait staff and super tasty meats.

Approximate cost: $20

Amazing coffee and great staff! Wandered in after having a disappointing coffee down the street and discovered the friendliest, most helpful staff. We now order our coffee beans from them and we live in Melbourne!