ima Project Cafe

Ima Project Cafe is a small and intimate Japanese cafe located on Elgin Street in Carlton, Victoria.

The cafe has a lovely and stylish atmosphere and is committed to sustainability and environmentalism. It blends Japanese flavors with Melbourne brunch sensibilities to create spectacular dishes. The cafe is the brainchild of James Spinks and Asako Miura, who have backgrounds in cheffing, architecture, and interior design. Their menu features innovative Japanese and fusion food, all made in-house. The cafe also offers a range of drinks, including coffee, tea, and juices. Ima Project Cafe's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of undesirable produce and its mascots, lumpy, misshapen fruit patterned across its windows and coffee cups. They also offer a 50 cent discount if you bring your own cup. The cafe repurposes coffee grounds into compost through environmental company Reground, and their food trays and chopstick rests are made from timber offcuts. The cafe has a bare, unadorned space that gives it the feel of a pop-up restaurant. The interiors are seemingly unfinished wooden, adding to the cafe's unique and stylish atmosphere. They also embrace local art and design in their decor.