HOMELY HEAVEN

Cafe owners James and Jess Wren are doing it their way on the highway

WHILE a dimly lit den splashed with graffiti art might not sound like everyone’s cup of tea, Caffeine Kings owners Jess and James Wren have a knack of making everyone feel like part of the family.

I’m just as likely to drop in for my caffeine hit as I am to take my mamma out for pancakes and peppermint tea.

There’s always a warm welcome, regular orders are remembered and they never fail to say “thanks” as you walk out the door.

Caffeine Kings may have nailed those fundamentals from the beginning, but it’s now sporting a more sophisticated, streamlined menu courtesy of new head chef Ashley Kent (formerly at The Farm, Byron Bay).

Best of all, it’s an all-day brunch where beefy burgers share space with breakfast classics – because when did cravings ever follow a schedule?

The heirloom tomatoes ($18), served on toast with avocado, mozzarella and poached eggs, are a highlight – a lick of lavender honey and the crunch of hazelnut dukkah takes one of those everywhere dishes to a different level.

Buttermilk pancakes ($14) are a fruit-piled treat, with a layer of stewed rhubarb making syrup redundant.

On the original side, sample morcilla (a Spanish blood sausage), with fried eggs, native plum jam and organic sourdough ($16).

The coffee is the goods, but it’s hard to pass up a blast from the past in iced Milos with a shower of crushed Maltesers. Everything is made fresh in-house – and you’ll understand how big an achievement that is when you see the tiny kitchen. 1920 GOLD COAST HIGHWAY, MIAMI

Get it while it’s hot: Open daily from 6am for all-day brunch Hungry? Beef and bacon burger, with wagyu, maple bacon, American cheddar and chipotle aioli ($12) Healthy? Iced pitaya bowl with seasonal fruit and granola ($13)