HOT SPOTS in Flemington, Melbourne (inner west)

Chop Chop – 320 Racecourse Rd – good, tasty Asian food but service can be very very slow. Arghhhh!. Ph: 9372 2237

Laksa King – 320 Racecourse Rd. The best laksa in Melbourne. Seriously. Ph: 9372 6383

Made – 60 Pin Oak Cres, Flemington. Open early for the work crowd. Popular for breakfast and lunch and is run by a friendly brother and sister team. Ph: (03) 9372 6429

Pepper Café – 44 Pin Oak Crescent for its consistently good food and coffee. It opens at 7am to cater for the morning work crowd and caffeine addicts. It's open for dinner most nights. Ph: 9372 2726

The Abysinnian – 277 Racecourse Rd – great Ethiopian food and authentic décor. Ph: 9376 8754

The Kitchen – Racecourse Rd – cool café that's popular for breakfast and lunch.

The Quiet Man Hotel – 271 Racecourse Rd. Large meals, Irish theme, and no pokies. Hooray! Ph: 9376 6232

Verb Café – cnr Pin Oak Crescent and Racecourse Rd. A fave with locals for breakfast and lunch. Read the big supply of books while you scoff down your food. Tapas on Thursday and Friday nights. Ph: 9376 2333

Vy Vy - Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant. 318 Racecourse Rd. Ph: 9372 1426