Antipodean Cafe: A little slice of Melbourne in Dhaka

Tucked into the ground floor of the evergreen Mehr Tower, The Antipodean Cafe Dhaka opens through a narrow laneway-style entrance that feels intentionally removed from the city's usual pace — a subtle nod to the Melbourne café culture it draws inspiration from. 

Outside, a slim stretch of open-air seating allows guests to sit back with coffee and watch the everyday movement of Dhaka unfold just a few feet away.

Inside, Antipodean leans into simplicity: warm wooden textures, woven-back chairs, muted lighting and an atmosphere built more around comfort and conversation. Rooted in New Zealand café culture, the restaurant embraces the idea where people linger over coffee, meals and unhurried exchanges.

During the visit, we tried a selection of Antipodean's signature drinks, brunch plates and café staples, each carrying its own interpretation of the restaurant's relaxed Antipodean identity. The experience was further elevated by the staff, whose warm hospitality and attentive yet understated service added to the café's welcoming atmosphere.

Avocado On Toast With Streaky Beef 

The avocado toast at Antipodean leans confidently into balance rather than excess. Thick slices of perfectly toasted brown bread form the base, layered generously with mashed avocado and scattered capers that add bursts of briny sharpness throughout each bite.

The seasoning is measured well — enough salt and pepper to lift the creaminess of the avocado without overwhelming it — while a light touch of mayo rounds out the texture with added richness.

Cherry tomatoes bring a bright, juicy contrast to the dish, cutting through the heavier elements with a subtle citrusy tang, while strips of beef bacon add a smoky savouriness and a pleasantly chewy finish. 

Yet the element that quietly steals attention is the pickled minced beef garnish layered on top. Slightly tangy, deeply savoury and rich with umami, it gives the dish a deeper savoury character that lingers well beyond the first bite.

Price: Tk1200

Spicy Grilled Salmon Waimakariri Salad

Antipodean's grilled salmon salad keeps its flavours restrained, allowing texture and freshness to lead the experience. Under the salmon sits a colourful mix of chickpeas, tomatoes, onions and long beans, all brought together with a spicy, tangy green chilli and citrus dressing. 

The chickpeas are cooked exceptionally well — tender enough to almost dissolve on the tongue with the first bite, carrying a subtle sharpness that recalls the flavour of pickled red onions soaked into them.

The salmon, however, is the undeniable centrepiece. Succulently grilled, the fillet arrives with a lightly smoky crust that gives way to a silky, buttery interior. The contrast works beautifully: crisp edges on the outside, soft and savoury within, with enough richness to anchor the lighter salad components beneath it.

As the dressing coats the plate, each bite shifts between creamy chickpeas, fresh tomato salsa, mild green beans and bursts of acidity from onions and lemon. Then come the unexpected pieces of lychee, adding delicate sweetness that cuts through the savoury depth of the salmon. 

For Bengali palates accustomed to bolder heat, the spice level may feel restrained, though the balance remains fitting for a dish designed to stay light, fresh and wholesome.

Price: Tk1450

Lamb and Beef Meatball Spaghetti

The visual flair is undeniable, the pasta carefully twirled into a tall, sculpted stack resting over a bed of meatballs and coated in a vibrant bolognese sauce. The presentation feels polished and deliberate, leaning into the restaurant's signature café-style theatrics.

The meatballs themselves, however, offer a more restrained experience. While the subtle aroma of lamb comes through pleasantly, the texture leans slightly dry, with the presence of breadcrumbs becoming more noticeable than the richness of the minced meat. 

A stronger seasoning of black pepper or additional spice could have helped bring more depth and warmth to the overall flavour profile.

The bolognese sauce fares better, maintaining a balanced character without becoming overly sweet or sharply acidic. Fresh parmesan adds a gentle savoury finish, used with enough restraint to complement rather than overpower the dish. 

Together, the elements create a comforting plate of pasta, though one that feels closer to familiar cafe fare than a deeply robust meatball spaghetti.

Price: Tk1250

Ice Mochachino

Served in a stemmed goblet more suited for a cocktail than a cafe drink, it arrives layered in soft gradients of espresso and milk, crowned with thick cream and dramatic ribbons of chocolate cascading down the inside of the glass. But the detail that steals the scene is impossible to ignore: a tiny bear-shaped coffee ice sculpture sitting on top like a signature.

But beyond the presentation, the mocha itself is more restrained than indulgent. Rather than delivering the thick, velvety richness typically associated with a classic mocha, the texture remains noticeably lighter. The most interesting quality of the drink reveals itself gradually as the coffee bear melts. 

Deeper espresso notes begin to drip into the glass, subtly strengthening both the aroma and flavour over time. It may not be the creamiest mocha on the menu, but the evolving taste and playful presentation give an otherwise familiar iced coffee a sense of occasion.

Price: TK600

Waffle with Blueberry And Ice Cream

Compared to Antipodean's more carefully styled dishes, the waffle presentation feels noticeably restrained. The blueberry compote is scattered sparingly across the plate, leaving the dessert visually minimal despite the scoop of ice cream placed at the centre. Rainbow sprinkles attempt to add a playful touch, though they feel somewhat disconnected from the otherwise understated plating.

The waffles themselves carry a stronger flavour profile than the menu suggests. The interior has a pronounced combination of banana and cinnamon, with the aroma of cinnamon arriving almost immediately. 

While the warmth of the spice works well, the banana-based batter creates an expectation of a softer, more tender texture. Instead, the waffles lean dry and firm, requiring noticeable effort to cut through.

That dryness makes the modest amount of blueberry compote and ice cream feel insufficient, with each bite needing to be carefully balanced to retain enough moisture and sweetness. 

Still, the fresh mint leaf offers a welcome contrast, adding a cooling freshness that briefly lightens the heavier cinnamon notes. The dessert carries comforting flavours at its core, though a more generous serving of compote or creamier elements would have brought greater balance and a more indulgent finish to the dish.

Price: Tk710