Oh, Melbourne. What else is there to say. Long heralded as the cultural epicentre of our nation, it's impossible to not understand why. I write this with an upturned nose, but only because I know there is a kernel of truth glistening somewhere, burrowed deep under the frigid weather and stony storefronts. The cafe scene in Naarm is a well-oiled machine with new contenders cropping up at a hammering pace. With a fealty for coffee beans and an exciting array of Japanese cafes, Melbourne houses some of my favourite spots to spend over twenty five dollars on a plate before 2pm. Budgeting be damned, I have chilli scrambled eggs to eat.
The bar is sky-high when the volume of brunch spots climbs each day. It seems near-impossible to round up the worthy, considering there are so many new spots in our rival or sister city, depending which way you lean. But this is critical journalism, and for a cause I do not intend to profile lightly. For your consideration, the very best Melbourne has to offer in cafe form. Care to share your own? Add to the pile - I won't mind if you do.
Florian, Carlton
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Known for: Elevated home-style cooking, hearty pastas, an excellent bean soup
Anticipate a line at Florian. Blink and it'll go fast, but be prepared for it to be a packed dining experience. The coffees, omelettes and house-baked foccaccias are all worth a try, or two.
The Butter Room, CBD
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Known for: Korean baked goods, fluffy croissants, an entire domed glass section of cakes
The Butter Room is decorated top to toe with adorable motifs of rabbits outlined in white and blue, and the food is good too. You can find a Korean twist on all of their baked goods, including the injeolmi scone (Korean sweet rice cake with roasted soybean powder) and Red Bean croissant.
Double Dutch Bakery, Kensington
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Known for: Bright airy spaces housing rows and rows of baked goodies, sandwiches and pies
A beloved Kensington haunt, the team behind Rumble Coffee came together to deliver some of the best baked goods out of the Southern city. Don't forget to try their steak pie and their hot cross buns. We'd get two of each.
Greens Refectory, Brunswick
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Known for: Excellent prices, a dizzying amount of options across soups, salads, baked goods, and sweets
This is a Brunswick institution through and through. Greens Refectory has been slinging homemade cakes and freshly made soups and salads from their narrow courtyard for years, and the price hasn't changed much. Stop by if you're on Sydney Road, or grab to go. I like their quiches - there's salmon nestled within the mushroom and spinach.
279, West Melbourne
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Known for: Musubi, Bento lunches, excellent matcha in drinks and parfaits
In North Melbourne, 279 is the perfect melting pot of Naarm-side cafe culture and Japanese traditional wares and foods. The quiet, minimalist place is flecked with warming accents of 279's own merch. Pick up your onigiri tote here.
Hardware Societe, CBD
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Known for: Having sister cafes in Paris and Barcelona, gorgeously plated brunch plates
Hardware is the to-go for any contemporary french fare served up in a ubiquitously Australian manner. Have your fill of Croque Madame, or eggs benedict served with a side of beef cheek. Mangeons allons.
Higher Ground, CBD
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Known for: Avocado pretzels, chilli eggs, and wagyu brisket for breakfast
Serving up a rotation of polished up classics out of a warehouse, Higher Ground is exactly as it sounds. The food is elevated, and so is the light-filled converted space where they've called home for years.
Faraday's Cage, Fitzroy
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Known for: Housemade baked everything, housemade leek and potato rosti, excellent batch brew
From the mind of a previous electrical engineer, Faraday's Cage hosts plentiful options in the brunch scene. We're personal fans of their sweeping baked goods section, and can vouch for the panna cotta with mango. It is absolutely a breakfast option.
Lulu & Me, Collingwood
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Known for: Pay as you weigh cheesecake in exciting flavours of basque, pandan and more
Help yourself to metric servings of cheesecake. Were you after a slice, or three? The choice is up to you at Lulu & Me, where prices are set based on where your serving knife sinks into the logs of cheesecake before you. Sit in with a coffee. Heaven.
Pavlov's Duck, Fitzroy
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Known for: Korean and Sri Lankan fusion, serving Five Senses Coffee
Find out what a hopper is at Pavlov's Duck, so that's what we did. The edible bowl made out of coconut milk and rice flour accompanies most of their exciting entrees, which are laden with spice and pack quite the punch. Inside them you can find daals, runny-fried eggs, and whatever else they put their mind to making.
The Glass Den, Coburg
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Known for: Taro latte, East-meets-West brunch fares, an exterior with a backstory
A cafe that's refurbished from a historic prison cell is one that's already netted our attention. Stay for the soft shell crispy crab with roti, squid-ink pastas, and innovative desserts. Their drinks run sweet, so make sure to pair with something savoury.
Rombe Rooftop, Brunswick
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Known for: Alfresco, all-day dining,
While Sydney might have a monopoly on the rooftop cafes (Hello? The view is just better), Rombe might be one to look out for if you want to hold court from the upper deck. The Vadouvan eggs come with smoked carrots and hot curry butter. Time to tuck in.
Juniper Eatery, South Melbourne
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Known for: Fun, daytime eating, mushroom congee with pickled ginger, and an award-winning roast chicken salad (in our eyes)
Juniper is the furtive younger sister of Florian, serving up the same unconventional, home-style brunch offerings but with a more Eastern twist. Expect to see morning glory and Japanese radish salad on their menus, as well as a mean, green, french vegetarian baguette stuffed with endives and pear chutney.
Matcha Mate, CBD
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Known for: You guessed it - matcha. Matcha galore, on desserts, drinks, in a cozy corner of the city
Matcha Mate is the go-to if you're a fanatic of the green drink like myself. The store offers three strains of ceremonial grade matcha, drizzled, frothed, or beaten into its extensive crib sheet of drinks and dessert plates. Come for the bingsu, and wash it down with a hojicha latte.
Emil's Cafe, Pascoe Vale
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Known for: Mediterranean-inspired brunch, all-day eating, an interior to rival Babas in our own city
Emil's used to be a Milk Bar. Once their childhood home, brothers John and George El-Khoury have reconverted their family’s corner milk bar into a homecoming for all. From 1978 until now, it's remained a nostalgic fixture of Melbourne's cafe scene. There's lamb kofta tacos, turkish eggs, and hummus shakshouka - all perfect for a nourishing midday tuck-in.
Want nighttime spots to scout out? Here's our non-exhaustive list of cool restaurants in Melbourne. After brunch on our own turf? Check out the best cafes in Sydney right now.
