Find the best Melbourne cafe near you
Thanks to the strong coffee culture in Melbourne, cafes are the go-to place for a quick caffeine dose coupled with what can be called the national cuisine of Australia – a diverse selection of brunch food! It’s no wonder the city is scattered with cafes at almost every nook and cranny!
We’ve checked out some of the best cafes in the 3 different areas of the city, such as Richmond in the East, Brunswick and Fitzroy in the North, and the Central Business District (CBD)! Featuring some of the most out-of-this-world menu items, you wouldn’t want to miss any of the eats on this list.
Read on to find out where you should get your chow on, whichever part of the city you’re in!
Cafes in Richmond (Eastern Suburb)
Richmond, Melbourne | Photo by Mat Connolley (Matnkat) on Wikimedia
Richmond keeps its Victorian-era charm alive with wide tree-lined streets and a buzzing strip of restaurants along Swan and Church Streets. It's one of the most popular areas for brunch in Melbourne, with its mix of laid-back locals and weekend crowds who know a good flat white when they see one.
1.Top Paddock – Birthplace of ricotta pancakes
Classic Ricotta pancakes | Photo by Sarah AlAmeri on Pexels
I’m sure you’ve seen these beautiful, fluffy floral pancakes on your Instagram feeds. Did you know that Top Paddock is the birthplace of the Ricotta hotcakes trend? Their Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcakes are topped off with what seems to be the equivalent of a mini garden!
Imagine a variety of berries and nuts, complete with a splash of greens and flower petals, all surrounding the huge dollop of Ricotta. What a treat for both the eyes and your taste buds!
Address: 658 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia
How to get there: 1-minute walk from Howard St/Church St Light Rail Station, Tram service 78
2. Pillar of Salt – For the perfect smashed avocado toast
A classic avocado toast | Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels
All-day breakfast is basically a religion in Melbourne, and Pillar of Salt is one of its best temples. Their Smashed Avocado is plated with poached eggs, beetroot tahini purée, goat's curd, pistachio, fennel crumb, watermelon radish, and sorrel.After all, if you didn't have avo toast, did you really even do brunch?
If you're after something lighter, their Californian Superfood Salad, a mix of tri-colored quinoa, goji berries, charred corn, and kale, is just as popular. Their menu shifts with the seasons, so you'll always find something new. This is easily one of the best brunch places in Melbourne's east.
Their Smashed Avocado – served up with the Australian staple of poached eggs, is complete with beetroot tahini puree, goat’s curd, pistachio and fennel crumb, watermelon radish and sorrel. We promise this tastes as good as it looks! After all, if you didn’t have avocado toast, did you really go for brunch?
Address: 541 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia
How to get there: 1-minute walk from Gibbons St/Church St Light Rail Station, Tram service 78
3. Maker Coffee – Artisan Coffee with Colombian Beans
Two cups of hot coffee | Photo by Elle Hughes on Pexels
Treat yourself to coffee cupped from seasonal single-origin beans that were all self-sourced by the owners of Maker Coffee. True coffee connoisseurs will definitely enjoy this cafe because of the high-quality brews! If you’re curious about any of the beans, we’re sure the baristas will be more than willing to share more.
Each cup is brewed to perfection to ensure the full flavor of the beans is served up with just the right balance of milk. More of a cold brew drinker? You will not be disappointed, as they meticulously infused the beans into a smooth yet strong concentrated brew.
Address: 47 North St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia
How to get there: 8-minute walk from Burnley St/Bridge Rd Light Rail Station, Tram service 48/75.
Cafes in Brunswick and Fitzroy (Northern Suburbs)
Fitzroy, Melbourne | Photo by Marcus Bichel Lindegaard on Wikimedia
Graffiti walls, vintage stores, and flea markets are just some of the charms of this quaint hipster district! It’s no surprise that the cafes here boost the same vibes, serving up some of the most artistic and innovative dishes we’ve ever seen.
4. Long Story Short Café – Cafe for the ‘gram
Long Story Short is one of the most aesthetic cafes in Melbourne, and the food matches the vibe. Their Fairy Floss Dessert Burger is a crowd favorite—a Sicilian brioche filled with caramel mousse, pineapple, and strawberry, topped with fairy floss that dissolves when you pour banana milkshake over it. It's chaotic and delicious and perfect for photos.
If you're going for breakfast, their Buttermilk Tim Tam Pancakes are worth every calorie, topped with the classic Aussie choccy biscuit and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Their house specialty drinks, served inside chocolate spheres that melt to reveal marshmallows, are just as fun to watch as they are to drink.
Upgrade your breakfast pancakes with their Buttermilk Tim Tam Pancakes! This breakfast staple topped with the popular Australian biscuit that everybody loves and a scoopful of chocolate ice cream, sounds like the perfect thing to wake up to.
Address: 6/10 Tripovich St, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
How to get there: 2-minute walk from Victoria St/Sydney Rd Light Rail Station, Tram service 19
5. Son in Law – Cutest Dessert in Melbourne
Son in Law takes the best of Thai food and serves it with a twist. Their Insta-worthy House Made Magic Ball with Crepe Cake features everyone’s favorite flavors such as Thai milk tea, Coconut pandan or Nutella. Hidden within cartoon character balls of chocolate, the cakes reveal themselves when melted away by the rich warm sauce that accompanies the dish.
Two dishes we wouldn’t miss out on would be the Twice Cooked Crispy Pork Belly served with Kai Lan soaked in Oyster sauce and also the Deep Fried Chicken Rib! On top of that, couple your meal with their adorable Fairy Floss accompanied by a drink of your choice. Fill up on your sugar rush before heading out to conquer the day!
Address: 56 Johnston Street, Collingwood, VIC 3066
How to get there: 1-minute walk from Wellington St bus interchange, bus services 200/207
6. Naughty Boy – King of InstaShakes™
Everyone loves Naughty Boy for their invention of InstaShake™, better known as FreakShakes. Named InstaShakes™ due to the fact that posting a picture of your shake on Instagram and watching the likes counter increase is all part of the experience, you definitely cannot leave this place without a photo! The cafe even loans out selfie sticks so that you can get a photo with it!
If you’re counting your calories, another guilt-free option would be their Smoothie Bowls or their Breakfast Parfaits that are the perfect treat to try. Made with of layers of house-made granola, chia pudding, black goji berry superfood, coconut yogurt and even seasonal fruits, you’ll definitely
Address: 499-501 Lygon St, Princes Hill VIC 3054, Australia
How to get there: 1-minute walk from Richardson St Light Rail Station, Tram services 1/6
7. Bentwood – Golden Gaytime Panna Cotta
Chocolate panna cotta | Photo by Pham Ngoc Anh on Pexels
You probably know Golden Gaytime, the iconic Aussie toffee-and-vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate and honeycomb biscuit. Bentwood's version is a chocolate panna cotta served with salted caramel, honeycomb crumbs, roasted peanuts, banana, and berries, topped with an edible red velvet tuile. It's one of those dessert dishes you feel you should photograph first.
For something lighter, the Butterfly Blue Tea Chia Pudding brings together chia seeds, coconut milk yogurt, buckwheat clusters, pomegranate, strawberries, and mango jerky. It's healthy enough to justify the panna cotta before it.
Address: 237 Napier St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
How to get there: 2 minutes walk from St David Street – Stop 15 Light Rail Station, Tram service 11
Cafes in Melbourne (CBD)
Scenic skyline in Melbourne | Photo Credit: Unsplash
The Central Business District (CBD), located at the heart of Melbourne, is constantly buzzing with activity. With tram sightings every other minute and heavy foot traffic, this is a part of the city you can’t miss, especially with restaurants and cafes at every turn!
P.S. We hear the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, atop an underground railway station, is a great place to pick up souvenirs!
8. The Hardware Societe – French, Spanish & Australian cuisine in one menu
Brunch in The Hardware Societe | Photo by John Gillespie
One of the most popular cafes in Melbourne, The Hardware Societe, brings French and Spanish influences with a local twist to your plate! The most well-loved dish on the menu is the Baked Eggs Chorizo, a Spanish dish of baked eggs and beans served with toast.
For a fuller meal, opt for the French classic, the Duck Confit! Although Duck Confit is a regular on the menu, the cafe brings seasonal twists to this classic, sometimes serving it with pork and leek sausages on a white bean, chorizo cassoulet, or even in a cream and mushroom sauce.
Address: 120 Hardware St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
How to get there: 3-minute walk from Melbourne Central Station
9. Hash Specialty Coffee – french croissant with a twist
Hash Specialty Coffee does things to a croissant that are unexpected and entirely welcome. Their signature dish pairs a buttery French croissant with bacon, pistachio crumbs, peanut butter parfait, and maple syrup — sweet, salty, and a little bit ridiculous in the best way.
Their coffee is just as serious. Beans are sourced from Reverence Coffee Roasters, and every cup is made with care. If you're after a sweeter finish, try the Fairy Floss Hot Chocolate, a fun, photogenic cap to any brunch. This is one of the most recognizable famous coffee shops in Melbourne's CBD.
Address: 113 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
How to get there: 1-minute walk from Hardware St Bus Interchange
10. Higher Ground - brunch in a converted power station
Higher Ground is one of the very few cafes in Melbourne that opens into the evening, making it the ideal spot for a late brunch that turns into dinner. Located in a 19th-century power station, the building itself is worth a look, with its high ceilings, cascading plants, and natural light flooding through oversized windows.
The food is just as bold. Try their minced lamb fry-up with miso eggplant, fried eggs, barberry, smoked yogurt, pine nut, and dukkah (a Middle Eastern spice blend) on sourdough; it's the kind of dish that makes you think brunch should always run this late.
Their cocktail menu is also strong, with a Rum Espresso Martini and a Ginger Honey Sour that are both worth ordering. This is one of the most loved aesthetic cafes in Melbourne CBD.
11. The Kettle Black – South Yarra's all-day favorite
The Kettle Black in South Yarra is one of the most popular brunch spots in Melbourne, located in a beautifully restored heritage building just off St Kilda Road. The menu runs all day, which makes it a reliable pick for late risers, and the dishes lean into seasonal, locally sourced produce.
Coffee here is a serious affair. The espresso bar is front and center, and the baristas take single origins as seriously as the kitchen does its menu. If you're compiling a list of the best cafes in Melbourne, The Kettle Black belongs on it.
Address: 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
How to get there: 5-minute walk from St Kilda Rd/Albert Rd tram stop, Tram service 58/64
12. Proud Mary – Collingwood coffee institution
Proud Mary is one of those cafes that Melbourne locals talk about like it's a person. Founded in Collingwood, it helped put Melbourne's specialty coffee scene on the map internationally. Their approach to sourcing is deeply personal, as they work directly with farmers and roast everything in-house, so the quality in the cup is consistent and excellent.
The brunch menu complements the coffee perfectly, with dishes like corn fritters with avocado, herb salad, and a crispy egg, or the smoked salmon with pickled cucumber and crème fraîche on house-baked rye. If you're a coffee enthusiast looking for one of the most respected famous coffee shops in Melbourne, this is it.
Address: 172 Oxford St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
How to get there: 4-minute walk from Smith St/Johnston St tram stop, Tram service 86
Bonus: Queen Victoria Market foodie experience
Geloso at Queen Victoria Market
If sitting down at a cafe doesn't quite cover it, head to Queen Victoria Market for a different kind of brunch altogether. The market is famous for its fresh produce stalls, artisan cheese, antipasto, fresh seafood, and handmade pasta, all in one sprawling heritage space just north of the CBD.
The hot jam doughnut stall near the southern entrance is a Melbourne food icon and practically required eating. Finish with a coffee from one of the independent roasters inside, and you've got a full morning sorted without sitting at a single table.
For the most out of your visit, the Queen Victoria Market foodie tour is a guided walk through the market's best stalls, tastings included. It's a great way to understand why Melburnians are so proud of their food scene.
Explore Melbourne's food scene with a guided experience
Join a Melbourne food tour and taste the best sandwiches and coffee
The best cafes in Melbourne are practically everywhere, and if you want to make the most of your time, a guided food tour is a smart way to hit multiple neighborhoods without worrying about how to get there. We’ve got a few strong options depending on what you're after.
- Melbourne food crawl: Takes you through some of the city's most-loved neighborhoods in a small group, with tastings along the way.
- Melbourne coffee lovers walking tour: If you’re a coffee lover, this one’s for you. You’ll visit specialty roasters and learn how Melbourne's coffee culture became world-famous.
- Melbourne foodie culture tour: Good for a broader experience that ties cafe culture into the city's wider story.
FAQs about the best cafes in Melbourne
Where can I find the best brunch spots in Melbourne CBD?
Some of the best brunch spots in Melbourne CBD are tucked into the city's laneways and side streets. Higher Ground on Little Bourke Street is a consistently strong pick for both food and atmosphere. The Hardware Société on Hardware Street is another CBD staple, especially for morning brunch with a European flair.
What is Melbourne known for when it comes to brunch?
Melbourne is widely regarded as one of the best cities in the world for cafe culture, and its brunch scene reflects that. You'll find a strong focus on specialty coffee: flat whites, single origins, and cold brew, alongside menus that go well beyond bacon and eggs.
What time do brunch cafes usually open in Melbourne?
Most brunch cafes in Melbourne open between 7:00am and 8:30am on weekdays, with some opening slightly later on weekends (around 8:00am). A handful, like Higher Ground, serve late into the evening. It's worth checking individual opening hours before you go, especially on public holidays.
Are there vegetarian or vegan brunch cafes in Melbourne?
Plant-based options are widely available across Melbourne, and many of the cafes in this guide have strong vegetarian or vegan sections on their menus. Beyond the spots listed here, dedicated vegan cafes like Matcha Mylkbar in St Kilda and Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy are worth adding to your list if plant-based food is a priority.
Which Melbourne cafes are best for specialty coffee?
For specialty coffee, Maker Fine Coffee in Richmond, Proud Mary in Collingwood, and Hash Specialty Coffee in the CBD are all reliable stops. Patricia Coffee Brewers and Industry Beans are also well-known among Melbourne coffee enthusiasts and worth seeking out during your visit.
More Melbourne travel guides for you
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
