There are thousands of cafes to choose from with new brunch spots popping up all the time in Melbourne. To list only 20 of the best is not easy. Melbourne is largely known for its food and coffee lifestyle and here are only some of the stand out coffee, brunch and bottomless brunch options in the inner city.
Melbourne CBD Brunch
There are far too many Brunch places to choose from in Melbourne CBD, but here are some of my preferred options for brunch Melbourne CBD has to offer.
Degraves Espresso
Degraves is an institution, with its inner CBD laneway location, neighbourhood charm, and reliable coffee. Degraves serves delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch. Grab a table outside and take in the bustling activity in this entertaining heart of Melbourne.
Mr Tulk Café
Mr. Tulk is another reliable Melbourne coffee and brunch cafe, its name coming from Augustus Henry Tulk who was the very first librarian at the State Library of Victoria.
The spacious indoor area was formerly the State Library’s locker room. Laptops and study are welcome at the communal table and high ceilings and arched windows give the interior a vintage vibe, while the wooden benches outside allow for casual dining. The design is modest yet friendly, the perfect meeting place, or for quiet reading with a good coffee.
With a breakfast and lunch menu covering all bases from eggs to burgers, Mr Tulk is a must visit for coffee or brunch in Melbourne.
Melbourne Brunch Fitzroy
Industry Beans Fitzroy
At Industry Beans Fitzroy the coffee menu focuses on single coffee bean origins and the main food menu has been built by a team that has spent almost a decade creating the all-day food menu.
Try the pandan bubble waffles with blueberry gelato and sesame brittle, poached eggs with wild mushrooms over fried potatoes, or the bubble tea which includes tapioca pearls that have been dipped in coffee and cold brew.
Mario’s
Mario’s has been a Brunswick Street institution since it first opened in the middle of the 1980’s. Although the menu has been gradually modified over time to reflect Melbourne’s changing dining trends, Mario’s continue to serve up delicious, traditional pasta dishes along with smaller snacks. The delicious Italian food and warm service at Mario’s make Mario’s a true Melbourne experience.
Archie’s All Day
Archie’s is a refreshing difference from restaurants that serve ‘nothing but breakfast’.
Tucked away among the variety of bars and diners on Fitzroy’s popular Gertrude Street, Archie’s is a cosy place to pass some time and take in people watching.
The menu is clearly divided into breakfast and lunch, but you can still order afternoon eggs or an early burger without a fuss. Consider trying the Huevos Sucios, the crispy Colombian arepas or the Wagyu burger.
Dench Café
Dench is a family owned cafe in Fitzroy North, has been attracting locals and visitors with its delicious bread and baked items for over 15 years. To meet demand, Dench has also begun a bakehouse in Abbotsford.
The Fitzroy North bakery is well known for its delicious pastries including croissants, escargot and puffy Italian bomboloni as well as many freshly baked cakes. The breads will especially make you want to return to Dench repeatedly. There is a variety of organic sourdoughs, including a grain loaf, white, seeded, olive and rosemary, and light rye. Baguettes, raisin loaf, brioche, and ciabatta are also available- all perfect for brunch on the run or a longer sit inside the warm cafe with a coffee.
Melbourne Brunch Chapel Street Precinct
Abacus
South Yarra’s Abacus has an open, fresh and clean atmosphere. Hanging bright green ferns and palms give the room’s spacious minimalist decor life, and a sense of outside/indoors.
The all-day cuisine on offer was inspired by their wood fire oven, which is the true draw here. The meals are prepared with a modern, continental flavour and fresh, in-season ingredients.
Journeyman
Journeyman is located on the Windsor side of Chapel Street, and has established itself as a popular destination for many well off locals. The company, which has been run by the owner Peter Frangoulis since 2008 under the name Dukes Coffee Roasters, changed its name to Journeyman in 2014 to better present itself as a cafe.
Try the baked eggs or the almond and cornflake crispy chicken burger to accompany your specialty coffee.
Best Bottomless Brunch In Melbourne
Lulu White South Yarra
With its dusky-pink interior and lush landscape, Lulu White in South Yarra gives Melbourne a taste of tropical LA. Settle in for a long breakfast or lunch, or Lulu’s bottomless brunch, which mixes mimosas, espresso martinis, and bloody marys seven days a week. Accompanying this ideal bottomless brunch Melbourne has on offer, are servings of savoury pancakes, Melbourne’s beloved smashed avo, crispy fish tacos, and eggs any way you like.
Weekdays are quieter than weekends and are perfect for coffee meet-ups, or brunch and lunch dates. There is also seating available outside, with umbrellas for the sunnier days.
Arcadia Fitzroy
Arcadia, Fitzroy is rumoured to be the longest open café on Gertrude Street. The high quality coffee and food sre sourced locally from places like Hey Tomorrow, Hawkers and Fitzroy’s own Industry Beans.
There is a variety milks for any sort of coffee. They also serve fantastic burgers and large breakfasts.
Arcadia is open every day for breakfast, sought after bottomless brunch, Melbourne, and drinks, including wines, and tap beers.
Melbourne Brunch South Melbourne
St ALi
ST. ALi are famous for being originals to provide specialty coffee in Melbourne.
Since its beginnings, ST. ALi has been a leader in direct partnerships with farmers, in-house roasting, skilled coffee brewing, and a best-in-category food offering.
The brunch menu includes the best foods to pair with your coffee, including baguettes, fruit toast, eggs and a lot more.
Melbourne Brunch North Melbourne
Code Black
Code Black‘s North Melbourne in North Melbourne, is located roughly halfway between Seven Seeds and Auction Rooms.
The food that executive chef Steve Rangiwahia created is sure to impress. One of Code Black’s famous breakfast dishes is applewood-smoked salmon, with potato rosti and horseradish hollandaise. Or try the “T-rone” steak sandwich, named after the Melbourne street artist, or the turmeric poached chicken salad- a good option if you want something a little lighter.
Twenty & Six
Twenty & Six Espresso, is a sweet North Melbourne cafe on Queensberry Street. The interior is bright and airy, with sand-colored wood furnishing, and cute details like milk crates are strung from the ceiling like makeshift shelves, and uncovered globes which hang from wires.
The seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown in the courtyard garden of Twenty & Six are used to create delicious meals, all served with Seven Seeds coffee. Try something savoury, like a crispy pork sandwich with garlic aioli, green apple jam chutney, and mixed lettuce, or something sweet, like pecan and almond granola with toasted pepitas, seasonal fruits, and earl grey-infused yoghurt.
Melbourne Brunch Northcote
Barry
You may be heading to the organic food shop, Terra Madre on High Street, or the Westgarth Cinema when you see Barry‘s light-filled interior, which is very popular for brunch in Melbourne.
The menu is tasty and healthy and the restaurant is aware of the preference in the area for a healthy lifestyle. Granola with poached fruit and Thai coconut sago pudding with mango, lime syrup, and strawberries are two options for gluten-free breakfasts.
The Wagyu burger and Korean chicken kimchi sub are popular, as well as the salads delicious.
Coffee at Barry is brewed by 5 Senses using an elegant, specially made Synesso, a pour over, or an Aeropress.
Poke The Bear
While holidaying in Bali, it is said that Ryan Cassidy created the first menu for his Northcote cafe, Poke the Bear.
The weathered shades and rattan light fixtures give the area a Bali holiday feel.
With different ‘bear’ type names, breakfast and lunch are served all day at Poke The Bear. Try the Grizzly Bowl (Acai bowl with extras) or the Paddington: BLT with avo on a turkish roll.
Little Henri
Little Henri Café is located further along High Street, and pays homage to local history by honouring Sir Stafford Henry of Northcote and his contributions to Melbourne, attracting customers to this cool cafe.
The stylish interior has rich textures, natural lighting, and a selection of earthy furnishings. Before browsing a range of gourmet brunches like smashed avocado with thyme-buttered mushrooms and feta, you can relax and recharge with an All Press Coffee.
Melbourne Brunch Clifton Hill
Two Bob
There are many top cafes to choose from on Queens Parade, and Two Bob, which launched in 2011, does not dissapoint. The friendly service as you choose to sit inside the light interior, or out on the long wooden tables, which are perfect for taking in the scenery.
The gluten-free kale, mushrooms, and poached eggs are all delicious, as well as the and the potato and pumpkin rosti.
Conclusion
There are countless brunch options in Melbourne, and these are only some of my best top brunch places to try in Melbourne CDB and the inner suburbs.
Happy brunching. I’d love to hear if you have any to add to this list!