Green Bean Cafe is one of those classic community hubs so fearfully lacking in our society.

Sure, service might be a little slow when the cafe is full, but it is understandable given that there is only one chef shouldering the load.

The food is first class and the coffee is as least as good as the hipster centres of St Kilda or Brunswick.

Food and coffee are well priced - it will cost you less than the average outer suburban cafe experience, but double the cool factor. Mind you, this isn't the sort of place to be rubbing shoulders with the glitterati of Melbourne - instead you get local alt-types, mums and dads and small families coming in, sharing food and chatting to you in a friendly manner.

Green Bean is truly one of the gems of the Dandenongs and one of the best places to visit in the main Belgrave shopping strip.

Cannot recommend it enough. It has truly become our "local."

Approximate cost: $11