Spoilt for choice! Here are 36 of the best cafes in Melbourne

Melbourne’s cafe scene is second to none and these local institutions prove it.

Where are the best cafes in Melbourne? That question would fly around this sprawling city multiple times per day. But, of course, there’s no definitive answer. Finding the best Melbourne cafe is like searching for the best sushi in Tokyo. Every cafe is good. Just like every piece of sushi in Japan’s capital will blow your mind.

But we have our favourites – just under 40 of them – that we’ve listed to help guide you through one of Melbourne’s strongest traits. And yes, while Melbourne CBD and surrounds have the lion’s share of our favourite cafes, we’ve tried to keep a wide scope, so you’ve got help when you’re looking for, say a North Melbourne cafe, or maybe a decent cafe in South Melbourne.

1. Noisette, Port Melbourne

Best for: Starting the day with French pastries in the heart of Melbourne.

You’ll find Noisette just a short walk from the city, bursting with French flavours, coloured by a beautiful display of cakes and pastries, and scented by a waft of freshly baked bread.

Noisette’s crowd-pleasing doughnuts help offset the mid-week slump for many city workers, but it’s best to stick with the French staples. A perfectly flakey pain au chocolate will get you far any day of the week. And those traditional soft and buttery croissants are some of the best in town.

It’s not the healthiest way to start the day, but Noisette’s comforting classics are hard to resist on those slower-than-usual mornings.

Address: 84 Bay St, Port Melbourne

2. Hardware Société, CBD

Best for: Indulgent French breakfasts in a Parisian-styled cafe.

Hardware Société is one of the best French cafes in Melbourne, anchored by a pop of Parisian charm with treats sourced from The Continental.

Think fresh pastries with lemon curd yoghurt, favourites like a slow-cooked beef brisket Croque Madame, and, for the health-conscious, a big bowl of bircher muesli with blueberry vanilla compote, poached rhubarb and maple pecans.

You’ll find that most of the regulars opt for brunch so, even though Hardware Société is smack bang in the heart of Melbourne, the breakfast crowd moves fast.

Address: 10 Katherine Pl, Melbourne

3. The Kettle Black, South Melbourne

Best for: A classic Melbourne brunch in a cosy setting.

The Kettle Black is a pioneer of Melbourne’s iconic cafe culture, coming from the same team behind Top Paddock and Higher Ground. The chic terrace house that hosts this beautiful cafe has been treated with soft oak timbers and polished concrete, set against mismatched green furniture and marble tiles.

While The Kettle Black has been operating for years, the menu is still a trendsetter for Melbourne’s best cafes. Try the Tiramisu Croffle for something indulgent. The croissant and waffle hybrid is topped with tiramisu cream and oozes with espresso syrup, cocoa nibs and raspberries.

If you spot it on the day’s menu, push for a healthier morning glow with the kitchen’s seasonal avocado topped with lime, crème fraiche and a poached egg. Or try the seminal blueberry and ricotta hotcakes with seasonal berries, maple syrup and whipped cream. It’s the dish that made the cafe a renowned Melbourne spot in the first place.

Address: 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne

4. Phat Milk, Travancore

Best for: Inventive twists on Melbourne breakfast staples.

Phat Milk is one of the more underrated cafes near Melbourne CBD. The team’s dedication to doing cafe staples their own way gives them an edge in this hyper-competitive space.

Every Friday and Saturday, the kitchen also pulls in some Middle Eastern influences by cooking up Sajj – unleavened flatbread used in Arabic cuisines. Get the triple cheese sajj melt if you’re feeling a bit dusty from the night before.

You won’t find standards like eggs benedict on the menu. Instead, go for the pistachio rose acai bowl with Kakadu plum. Yes, it may be Instagram fodder, but the kitchen clearly knows what it’s doing with these wild flavours.

Address: 208 Mt Alexander Rd, Travancore

5. Elephant Cafe, Flemington

Best for: A dog-friendly cafe with uncomplicated breakfast classics.

You won’t find any swinging trunks at Elephant Cafe in Flemington, but you will start the day with some of the area’s most loveable fur babies. This dog-friendly cafe keeps things simple, focusing on consistency and cafe classics done well.

Most locals stop by for a coffee, but those with a bit more time will hang for an hour or two, indulging in dishes like the brunch-only benny salmon with poached eggs, cream cheese, pesto, capers, herbs and hollandaise sauce on fluffy brioche toast.

Address: 135 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington

6. So & So, Travancore 

Best for: Starting the day eating breakfast in a beautiful garden.

So & So is another Travancore hotspot that gets by with its dog-friendly policy, as well as an expansive outdoor garden. While inside is cosy, the garden helps So & So stand out amongst Melbourne’s best cafes, framed by pot plants, watering cans and pallets. The green space feels like an oasis of calm for city workers before they head to the city to start their day.

Get the signature Blacksmith. This tasty dish is loaded with braised beef brisket served with Dijon mustard and caramelised onion. Not feeling savoury? Go for the Belgian hot waffle with yoghurt, fresh fruit and pear syrup.

Address: 206 Mt Alexander Rd, Travancore

7. Darling Cafe, South Yarra

Best for: Meeting friends for breakfast before checking out the NGV.

Darling Cafe is an iconic East Melbourne spot, soaking up the artsy setting of South Yarra but holding on to its own identity as a convenient meeting spot for locals and travellers.

Given its location on Darling Street, you’ll find a mixed crowd at this busy Melbourne cafe any day of the week. The menu focuses on quality, locally sourced ingredients and specialty coffee, served alongside an extensive range of pastries, smoothies, juices and a few cheeky breakfast boozers.

Keep it simple with chilli scrambled eggs flecked by roasted mushrooms, chilli sambal, whipped goat’s cheese and pickled jalapeno on fluffy Turkish bread. Anyone with a sweeter tooth should go for the French Toast, beautifully done with lemon curd, caramelised apples, whipped double cream and salted caramel on a cinnamon-spiced brioche slice.

Address: 2 Darling St, South Yarra

8. Rockabye Candy, Altona

Best for: Breakfast by the beach out in Melbourne’s west.

What’s better than starting your weekend right at the beach? Smell the fresh air of the ocean at Rockabye Candy, situated on the foreshore of Altona Beach in Melbourne’s West. Whether you’re brunching on your own, with family, kids, or friends.

The cafe has such a strong local following, mostly thanks to the Rockabye breakfast, complete with grilled bacon, swiss and tasty cheese, and homemade relish. Another tasty option is the smashed avocado with a sweet pomegranate and mint twist.

Address: 32 Pier St, Altona

9. Convoy, Moonee Ponds

Best for: Something a bit different from Melbourne’s favourite breakfast dishes.

Convoy opened towards the end of 2022, giving Moonee Ponds an easy pick for local favourite with a sprawling 140-seat space. The team behind Collingwood’s Terror Twilight stepped their breakfast game up with this beautiful space, head-turning with its warm timber and stone tiling.

The breakfast and brunch menu takes cues from all over the world without overdoing it. Everything remains rather simple and flavour-forward, with highlights including a Japanese-accented okonomiyaki waffle with a fried egg and miso mayo, and a braised lamb shoulder eggs benedict.

Start your morning out on the wraparound deck with a plate of either of these two dishes in front of you then follow that up with a Saturday stroll around Moonee Ponds.

Address: 109 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds

10. Sunhands, Carlton

Best for: A simple brunch with plates full of fresh Melbourne produce.

Sunheads does the best brunch in Carlton. Opening at 10am each day, this popular Melbourne cafe takes on a more sophisticated format as the day rolls on, transforming into a beautiful wine bar, deli and shop.

While anyone looking for a classic Melbourne brunch will also find plenty to satisfy, you won’t spy any chilli scrambled eggs on the Sunhands menu. Instead, go for a produce plate of seasonal vegetables, house-made preserves, local cheeses and smoked alpine trout.

Address: 169 Elgin St, Carlton

11. Higher Ground, CBD

Best for: Breakfast meetings with clients in the CBD

Breakfast at Higher Ground is a power move. The same team behind Top Paddock and The Kettle Black opened this soaring CBD cafe in 2016 in a heritage-listed former power station on Little Bourke Street.

Energy is Higher Ground’s main trade. From 7am to 5pm each day this eclectic space is buzzing with excited chatter and clinking glasses. Almost 10 years in and you’ll still find queues out the door, even though this massive spot can accommodate plenty of guests at a time.

Across six interconnected levels, Higher Ground masters the art of breakfast in Melbourne. You’ll find Melbourne standards like chilli scrambled eggs and spanner crab benedict. You’ll even see the blueberry and ricotta hotcake that made the group’s other cafes so iconic. But the best dish might just be the soft shell crab banh mi with pickles and gochujang aioli.

The excellent service and high energy help the food taste that much better.Address: 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

12. CIBI, Collingwood

Best for: A traditional Japanese breakfast in a beautiful space.

Beautiful, minimal and consistent. Japanese cafe CIBI in Collingwood is one of Melbourne’s best offerings and something locals are fiercely proud of. The retail and cafe concept is overseen by couple Zenta and Meg Tanaka, who opened this Collingwood institution in 2008.

Walk past the beautiful homewares and furniture on sale to a small space dedicated to breakfast and brunch. The cafe’s signature grilled salmon with tamagoyaki, vegetables, potato salad, rice and miso soup is a traditional way to start the morning in Japan. Here, the Tanakas have given it a Melbourne twist with top-shelf local produce.

Address: 33-39 Keele St, Collingwood

13. Florian Eatery, Carlton North

Best for: An unpretentious atmosphere and some of the best breakfast food in Melbourne.

Walk into Florian Eatery and you’ll find shelves lined with cookbooks and jars of house-made preserves. This Carlton North cafe is serious about sourcing the best produce possible, keeping the ambience light but the flavours heavy and robust.

The unpretentious vibe is why many locals would come here to escape from Melbourne’s most transient trends. Grab the simple Farmer’s Breakfast for the best experience. The plate comes with various cured meats, cheeses, boiled eggs, house-made pickles, fruit yoghurt and rye bread. Everything represents a local producer or supplier, best ordered with an Allpress coffee or soda from nearby Strangelove.

A specials menu is scrawled across a blackboard and typically lists health-conscious dishes made with the best market ingredients of that week.

Address: 617 Rathdowne St, Carlton North

14. Auction Rooms, North Melbourne

Best for: Starting the day with a big breakfast plate full of Melbourne’s finest produce.

The team behind one of Melbourne’s best coffee shops, St ALi, opened Auction Rooms in 2016. All these years later it’s still referenced as the gold standard in North Melbourne for anyone wanting a fantastic start to the day.

A head-turning blue facade sticks out like a sore thumb in the area, welcoming people from 7am to 4pm daily with a soulful menu big on Mexican, American and Middle Eastern flavours.

It’s hard to peel yourself away from that tiramisu French toast if you’re in the mood for pure decadence but keeping it simple is always recommended at Auction Rooms. Grab one of the kitchen’s beautiful breakfast boards with grilled chorizo, smoked salmon, potato rosti, soldiers, a soft-boiled egg and chia pudding.

Address: 103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne

15. Lankan Tucker, Brunswick West

Best for: Nutty breakfast curries to start the day differently in Brunswick.

You won’t find any chilli scrambled eggs or avo on toast at Lankan Tucker. This Brunswick favourite is all about Sri Lankan breakfast plates and curries, in addition to baked goods and Melbourne-grade coffee.

The bright, light-filled cafe is the perfect start to the day, especially when you’ve got some of that filled roti steaming in front of you, ripe for dipping in a breakfast curry. Or you can try those texturally perfect breakfast wraps stuffed with fresh ingredients.

Note that Lankan Tucker is closed Monday through Wednesday, so think of it more like a weekend breakfast spot.

Address: 486 Albion St, Brunswick West

16. Operator25, CBD

Best for: A five-star brunch near the heart of the CBD.

Led by ex-Bacash chefs, Operator25 is a strong statement in favour of bringing more style to your typical Melbourne brunch. Morning starters from this kitchen are every bit as classy as what you’d expect in the evening, which is why this kitchen is confident enough to only open until 4pm each day.

The impressive all-day breakfast menu changes often but star dishes include the five-spiced Peking duck leg served with roti, egg, spring onion and a cucumber salad, beef bulgogi tacos, and the vegetarian big breakfast. Most regulars would pop by here for one of the city’s best breakfast tortillas, and you can always expect friendly service beyond Melbourne’s already lofty standards.

Melbourne’s hard-to-impress coffee enthusiasts also find solace in Operator25’s produce-forward approach. Award-winning barista Mikael Jason leads the coffee program, which uses beans from Code Black and blends from the acclaimed Cartel Coffee.

Address: 25 Wills St, Melbourne

17. Wild Life Bakery, Brunswick East

Best for: A cheese toastie and a coffee to start the morning in Brunswick East.

Wild Life Bakery is one of Brunswick East’s most popular morning starts any day of the week. Huw Murdoch’s tiny bakery and cafe was born out of a mission to learn from the world’s finest bakers, giving the know-how to craft this ode to baked goods, where customers can see the bread-making process from clear circular windows.

You’ll find one of the best cheese toasties in Melbourne at this spot, as well as a range of daily sandwiches, salads and baguettes all using Murdoch’s 24-hour fermented sourdough. The studious Melbourne baker is also well-versed in coffee so grab a cup of Market Lane’s finest to help get the day organised. 

Address: 90 Albert St, Brunswick East

18. Emil’s Cafe, Pascoe Vale South

Best for: The best Middle Eastern breakfast in Melbourne.

An old-school milk bar has been turned into Emil’s Cafe in Pascoe Vale South. While you won’t find many must-try hospitality spots out in this Northern suburb, this homely all-day bruncher is worth a trek outside of the CBD.

Run by John and George El-Khoury, the cafe is pitched as Australian-Arabic and favours Middle Eastern breakfasts.

Grab the signature eggs benedict with slow-cooked beef ribs, rosti, tahini hollandaise and kimchi pear if you’re indecisive, or for something bigger go for the Emi’s Big Breakfast which comes with poached eggs, za’atar grilled flatbread, sujuk, haloumi, shakshuka, sauteed spinach and potato hash.

The El-Khoury brothers built this cafe out of their childhood home, so when you’re in the main dining room, you’re actually having your breakfast in what was once their living room.

Address: 347 Reynard St, Pascoe Vale South

19. Light Years, Hawthorn East

Best for: Big, bold flavours and classic Melbourne breakfasts.

Given the calming-open design and abundance of natural light, Light Years is a great cafe for remote workers in Hawthorn East.

On any given day, you’ll spot locals furiously hitting their laptops while a plate of candied bacon toast with smashed avocado, poached egg and house hummus sits in front of them.

A love of fresh produce and comfort food goes hand-in-hand in the Light Years kitchen. The all-day menu likes to take Melbourne’s favourite breakfast dishes and give them a health-conscious twist.

Try the chilli scrambled eggs with smoked beetroot or a farm-fresh Big Brekkie with two poached eggs, bacon, Angus beef sausages, tomato relish, roasted mushrooms, hash browns and sourdough.

Address: 132 Camberwell Rd, Hawthorn East

20. Ona Coffee, Brunswick

Best for: A simple brunch taken with some of Melbourne’s best coffee.

Finding Melbourne’s best coffee shops is an entirely different conversation, of course. The sheer multitude of styles makes the local coffee scene one of the world’s best. But there are coffee shops, and then there are cafes. Most of these venues fit the bill for both, but few can slot into their category perfectly.

Ona Coffee in Brunswick is one such business. As the flagship for the Canberra-based specialty roaster, coffee nerds will find little to complain about. Those life-giving hits of caffeine are treated very seriously here.

But the brunch options are just as good. Refined classics is the approach, so you’ll find chilli scrambled eggs, tiramisu pancakes and beef rib eggs benny on the menu. But don’t look past the very filled prawn roll – a potato roll stuffed with poached prawns and house-made hot sauce, pickled onion, and iceberg lettuce served with a side of crispy potato chips.

Address: 22 Ovens St, Brunswick

21. Au79, Abbotsford

Best for: Starting the day with a vegan big breakfast and a perfect cup of coffee. 

Locals from Abbotsford and Richmond make this old motor garage part of their weekly schedule. Starting the morning by heading over to Au79 now comes standard for the area, positioning this Nicholson Street cafe at the centre of the community.

The name is a statement of intent. Au and 97 are, respectively, the chemical symbol and atomic number for gold and this fact is proudly signposted with metallic gold marking the black building. The interior isn’t as regal but the pared-back atmosphere makes room for a bakery, patisserie and an on-site roastery.

Favourites from the breakfast menu include the mango waffle with lime jelly and passionfruit curd, and the vegan big breakfast with toast, potato hash, mushrooms, sauteed greens, avocado and cherry tomatoes.

Address: 27/29 Nicholson St, Abbotsford

22. Babka, Fitzroy

Best for: Traditional Eastern European breakfasts and the best challah in town.

Babka is an Eastern European bakery and cafe in Fitzroy that has, for almost 20 years now, been a training ground for some of the city’s best bakers. The cafe doesn’t offer the typical Melbourne breakfast dishes but sticks true to its influence with traditional borscht, house-made pies and challah.

While it’s more of a pop-in, pop-out venue, this is still a popular way to start the day for Fitzroy locals. Its legendarily long queues could rival that of nearby Lune Croissanterie.

Address: 358 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

23. Second Home, Eltham

Best for: a cafe you’d want to live in and food you wish you could make daily.

Much like Eltham, Second Home is the perfect example of old-world Melbourne. Aligned with the architectural reputation of this leafy suburb, Jason M Jones’ popular cafe is set in a renovated 1973 building originally designed by local architect Alistair Knox.

Just the right amount of natural light peeks in through the Skylight, presenting the kind of homely cafe you’d find on a movie set. Everything about Second Home is designed like a warm hug and a light handshake; even the charmingly casual wording of the menu.

Don’t hesitate to order the signature Hearty Home big breakfast. The top-quality produce plate includes poached eggs on sourdough with smoked bacon, herby tomato, rhymed roasted mushrooms, pork and fennel sausage, and avocado.

Address: 21 Brougham St, Eltham

24. Small Graces, Footscray

Best for: Sampling the best of Victorian produce out in West Melbourne 

Small Graces is all about a network of Victoria’s best produce. Owners Diego Portilla and Rebecca Howell have a long history with Victorian produce and tight connections with some of the region’s best local farmers and producers.

The couple’s enviable network powers this underrated Melbourne cafe, highlighting ethically sourced ingredients at every turn and maintaining complete transparency.

Nab a table outdoors and check out whatever specials are scrawled on the big chalkboard near the kitchen. While there is a menu, you’ll want to work with the dishes that change regularly and always follow the best produce available that week.

Address: 57 Byron St, Footscray

25. Bawa Cafe, Hawthorn

Best for: An uncomplicated breakfast in a light-filled space in Hawthorn.

With a design that brings the outside in, Bawa Cafe in Hawthorn is an incredibly relaxed way to start your day.

Grab a timber booth and work through the all-day breakfast menu. You won’t find anything surprising here, but Bawa Cafe is set on using excellent local produce for maximum flavour.

For something fresh, the super green salad should keep you going for the rest of the day, while the eggs benedict with smoked ham hock terrine remains the menu’s most popular item for good reason.

Address: 248 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn

26. Code Black, Brunswick

Best for: An all-rounder option with excellent coffee and food.

Code Black is a cafe and roasting house in Brunswick and an important fixture of the city’s broad coffee scene. Everything about Joseph Haddad’s masterwork is designed with excellence in mind, from the formidable coffee bar with two hard-working machines to the unflappable service.

While Code Black now has a few locations around Melbourne, this Brunswick flagship sets itself apart with an excellent menu. Highlights include the chilli scramble with shiitake mushrooms, glazed pork belly, Asian herbs and prawn crackers, and the Nicoise salad with Fremantle octopus escabeche, nduja aioli and red endive.

The menu is served up until 5pm each day so you’ve got plenty of time to get some brunch in.

Address: 15/17 Weston St, Brunswick

27. Mammoth, Armadale

Best for: Surprising flavours blended with some of Melbourne’s favourite breakfast dishes.

Mammoth is a South Melbourne cafe with a serious following. You’ll find this spot on the corner of Malvern Road and Beatty Avenue, usually with a hefty wait time.

Regulars come here for the kitchen’s worldly touch, which focuses mostly on European flavours but brings in clever nods to Asian and Middle Eastern flavours.

You’ll be tempted by the chilli scrambled eggs and gorgeous chia bowl, but opt for the Spanish Omelette. This masterpiece is flecked with chorizo, potato, caramelised red onion, goat’s cheese, and paprika before being served on a rustic slice of sourdough. It’s the best example of why Mammoth is worth travelling for.

Address: 736 Malvern Rd, Armadale

28. Saint Dreux, CBD

Best for: A katsu sandwich so good you’d think you were on the streets of Tokyo.

Missing your trip to Tokyo? Head on over to Saint Dreux and it’s like you’re right back on the streets of Shibuya. The sleek, minimal cafe is run by the fine folk at Bench Coffee Co. and features its own katsu sandwich bar.

Similar to what you’d find across Japan, Saint Druex is one of those cafes that only does one thing, but does it perfectly. You’re pretty limited in choice here, with the menu mostly made up of different types of katsu sandwiches and Bench Coffee Co.’s popular single origins and blends. If you feel like starting the day with a sugar hit, the bar also serves excellent black sesame castella cake.

Address: Emporium Melbourne, shop LG-30/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

29. Arlo, Elwood

Best for: Starting the day with chicken waffles in one of Melbourne’s most relaxed suburbs.

Despite the healthy competition that lines Ormond Road, Arlo emerges as one of the best cafes in Elwood and a smart choice for breakfast or brunch.

The bright exterior leads to a warm dining room that keeps many of the building’s original features intact. Here you’ll find locals chatting away the early afternoon over plates of mushroom steak or a big serving of Turkish eggs.

Most, however, would have the signature Chicken Bang sitting in front of them. The crunchy waffle is topped with cinnamon-spiced fried chicken and streaky bacon drizzled with kimchi butter and maple syrup. The indulgent dish isn’t something you’d have every week. But on a rainy day. There’s no better comfort food in the area.

Address: 133 Ormond Rd, Elwood

30. Proper & Son, South Melbourne

Best for: Sampling the strongest flavours of South Melbourne Market.

Proper & Son has a simple and effective concept: wherever possible, the kitchen only uses the produce that can be picked nearby. That is, from the vendors of South Melbourne Market’s massive Food Hall.

Eugene Lavery’s cafe is built with recycled timbers and kitschy printed wallpaper, framing the open kitchen where guests can watch the market’s best produce being whipped into dishes like a potato and leek squeak with smoked salmon and egg, and hotcakes with lemon curd, fruit and maple.

Don’t forget to grab one of Lavery’s homemade sodas or a nice cup of Toby’s Estate beans.

Address: 13 & 14/322 Coventry St, South Melbourne

31. Carter Lovett, Elsternwick

Best for: A farm-style breakfast with top-shelf produce and plenty of options.

Carter Lovett is often overlooked for South Yarra cafes and Elwood favourites. But Elsternwick locals are incredibly proud of this cosy spot, which is open all day but is most popular for its elevated breakfast offerings and chirpy service.

Some Cumberland sausage served with chilli fried eggs and zucchini relish will never lead you astray. But just about everything presents something new for the Melbourne crowd. The vanilla bean panna cotta with gluten-free muesli and poached pear is great for those wanting something different for breakfast. But it pays to keep it simple, with the mushroom omelette one of the best things on the menu.

Address: 329 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick

32. Clementine, South Melbourne

Best for: An easy start in the CBD with creative breakfast and brunch dishes.

At first glance, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about Clementine. It’s a nice, bright and friendly cafe on the ground floor of a South Melbourne office building. There are plenty of those around Melbourne. But the big selling point here is consistency: great food, Duke’s coffee and flakey pastries.

Glen Bagnara runs a tight kitchen focused on those big, bold flavours like lobster Florentine, a breakfast souffle, or the Scotch egg with wagyu mince and green pea puree. It may look like your typical cafe, but Clementine does things its own way and sticks out beautifully in the South Melbourne sprawl as a result.

Address: 67-69 Palmerston Cres, South Melbourne

33. Little Rogue, CBD

Best for: A relaxed start to the day with a big plate of hotcakes and a warm cup of coffee.

You’ll find the entrance to Little Rogue down the iconic Drewery Lane, giving it an air of exclusivity that many tourists tend to overlook. Locals aren’t so easily distracted, so Little Rogue has a massive local following.

The Japanese and Korean-inspired cafe serves quality small-batch roasted coffee from Shamble Coffee Roasters, as well as special imported blends and single origins. Getting the coffee program perfect was a big focus for the team, who also got creative with the food menu.

The most popular order at Little Rogue is those gorgeous maple thyme hotcakes with strawberry compote. But you’ve also got easy winners like miso roasted cauliflower steak and a breakfast sandwich with pork spam, sunny egg, hash brown, cheddar cheese and Carolina mustard sauce on a thick slice of sourdough.

Address: 12 Drewery Ln, Melbourne

34. Pillar of Salt, Richmond

Best for: An uncomplicated breakfast in the heart of Richmond.

As one of the best Richmond cafes, Pillar of Salt has plenty of mouths to feed throughout the week. Considering how busy it gets, the efficient and personable service is impressive, ensuring very little wait time between ordering and eating.

The menu reads like Melbourne’s greatest (morning) hits but there’s more going on than refining popular trends. The food here is homely and consistent, from the pistachio pancakes and smoked salmon benedict to the simple mushroom bruschetta.

Address: 541 Church St, Richmond

35. Napier Quarter, Fitzroy

Best for: A classy start to the day with simple European dishes.

Napier Quarter is to breakfast what Gimlet is to supper. It’s an all-class affair, drawing a dramatic European design to build an elegant Parisian atmosphere. The food and drink on offer is equally impressive.

Owner Eileen Horsnell prides herself on strong connections in the hospitality industry, as well as Napier Quarter’s talented kitchen team who turn out a rotating menu based on local suppliers.

The menu changes frequently but expect uncomplicated dishes like the nduja fried eggs with pickled scapes and soft curd, and the signature anchovy toast.

Address: 359 Napier St, Fitzroy

36. Wide Open Road, Brunswick

Best for: A great deal of breakfast options with excellent cups of coffee

The team at Wide Open Road are proud coffee nerds; you can tell from the range of styles of coffee on offer. Even the hardiest coffee snobs can’t help but admit Wide Open Road is one of the best cafes in Melbourne. If not the very best.

The northern suburbs staple is bright and vibrant, aligned with the prevailing design language of typical Melbourne cafes. The menu is also quite similar to what you’d expect from just about any cafe around Melbourne.

Wide Open Road is different, however. Everything from the energetic service to the atmosphere speaks to the kind of attention to detail that separates a good cafe from a great one. To make the most of your visit, stick to crowd favourites like the thyme-roasted field mushrooms, a beautiful bacon sandwich with scamorza and provolone, or the fried halloumi toastie with beetroot relish and avocado.

Address: 274 Barkly St, Brunswick

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