The Ten Best Breakfasts in Melbourne

Melbourne dwellers take breakfast (and brunch) very seriously. We like to be able to have it when and where we want and have come to have pretty high standards. While there are too many topnotch cafes serving up delicious morning menus to name them all, here are ten of our favourite spots to grab breakfast, no matter what time you decide to have it.

1. Top Paddock

Top Paddock, the newest cafe from the team behind Three Bags Full, Two Birds One Stone and Liar Liar could be said to be the best of the bunch. Open plan, huge windows and a nice grassed area to look out on; Top Paddock is a place you enjoy being in. Try the three mushroom omelette with bean sprouts on toast ($16) or, for something different, go for the kingfish with a chilli fried egg, avocado, salsa and lime with blue corn tortilla ($17.50). If sweet is your thing, check out the ricotta hotcakes with blueberries, maple syrup, seeds and organic mascarpone ($15.50).

658 Church St, Richmond, (03) 9429 4332, www.toppaddockcafe.com/

2. St Ali

Feeding north-siders and south-siders alike, St Ali is a favourite brunch spot for many. If you're after simple poached eggs with avocado and feta smash ($15) or maybe an ancient grain salad with quinoa, spiced cauliflower and pomegranate ($14.50), they've got you covered. The My Mexican Cousin ($21.50) has been on the menu forever and is going nowhere. If corn fritters and haloumi sound like a solid combination to you, this is a must. Though it's packed out most days, the staff still manage to serve with a smile. They also roast and sell all their own coffee, under Sensory Lab, and are open 365 days a year. That's a win.

North: 815 Nicholson St, Carlton North 03) 9380 5499. South: 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne, (03) 9686 2990. stali.com.au

3. Little Big Sugar Salt

New kids on the block LBSS are gathering fans fast. Bringing something a little different to Victoria Street in Abbotsford — no pho or needles in sight — they're filling a much-felt gap. Sip on People's coffee from Wellington and choose your dish by savoury or sweet, big or small. The Health — avocado, tomato, beans and herbs on sourdough with vegemite ($11) — is perfect for the health conscious among us, while the crumpets served with either lemon curd and mascarpone or blue cheese, maple syrup, banana and peanut butter ($8) are a great sweet treat.

385 Victoria Street Abbotsford, (03) 94278818, www.lbsscafe.com/

4. Cumulus Inc

Good old Flinders Lane. It really does have some winners. One of those being Cumulus Inc. Whether you want breakfast, a fancy dinner or a glass of wine and nibbles at their wine bar upstairs, they've got you covered. They dial things back a little at breakfast time and nail simplicity. Go for the Cumulus Inc breakfast of boiled eggs, toast, preserves, yoghurt, organic orange juice and coffee or tea ($16), or perhaps the smoked bacon sandwich with gentleman's relish ($14). And the little lemon curd-filled madeleines ($2.50) can always be squeezed in at the end.

45 Flinders Ln  Melbourne VIC 3000, (03) 9650 1445, cumulusinc.com.au

5. Industry Beans

Found just off the ever-busy Brunswick Street, Industry Beans once simply housed a roastery but has now added cafe to the offering. These guys are serious about coffee; think single origins, filters, blends, cold drips, latte pearls; they have the lot. They are also churning out some top-notch food with a little edge. Muesli comes in the form of smoked dark chocolate, cranberry and pistachio muesli ($11) served with chai-infused milk, while the omelette is served alongside house-cured salmon, chard, lemon thyme, Spanish onion and sweetened beetroot relish ($17). They decor takes industrial one step further, with exposed walls and a shipping container-like outdoor area. It's fun.

Warehouse 3, Cnr Rose & Fitzroy Streets, Fitzroy, (03) 9417 1034, industrybeans.com

6. Birdman Eating

Gerturde Street is a bit like the quiet, reserved little brother of its neighbouring haunts Brunswick and Smith. There are gems to be found, but no one is yelling. Birdman Eating is one of these gems. For something on the lighter side, start with some coco pops ($5) or perhaps the house-made crumpets with leatherwood honey ($9). If you're in the market for something bigger, try the Birdman braised beans and toast ($15) or the brioche French toast with marmalade, glazed kaiserfleisch, orange pekoe and maple syrup ($15.50).

238 Gertrude St  Fitzroy, (03) 9416 4747, birdmaneating.com.au

7. Duchess of Spotswood

If you're heading out west, or not, Duchess of Spotswood is worth a stop over. People travel for the Duchess, and so they should. It would be rude to ignore the royals here. The Duchess of Pork comes out as crispy pig's jowl with fried eggs, rich truffle sauce and sourdough ($18.50) while The Prince of Wales sees house-smoked salmon served up with fennel yoghurt, poached eggs, potato and brioche ($19.50). If this is sounding all too heavy, stick to the poached seasonal fruit with puffed grains and vanilla yogurt ($14.50).

87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood, 03 9391 6016, www.duchessofspotswood.com.au

8. Friends of Mine

This cafe, found on the somewhat cafe-starved area of Richmond feels a little like a warm hug. They understand you're often hungover and always hungry. Start your day with a bloody mary ($13), a glass of Moet Chandon NV Champagne ($18 a glass) or, of course, you can stick to coffee. Their favourite friends, as their menu suggests, is certainly where you'll find the winners. The smashed avocado with thyme buttered mushrooms, marinated feta and torn basil on wholewheat toast ($17.90) was around before smashed avo was cool. Or, if you're really struggling, go for the HUNG Over: herb and cheesy toast, poached eggs, bacon and smashed avocado ($18.90). That will cure anything that ails you.

506 Swan St, Richmond, (03) 9428 7516, www.friendsofmine.com.au

9. Three Bags Full

Abbotsford is pretty cool, and it's getting cooler. This may mean the line for Three Bags Full is getting longer, but, thankfully, the wait is worth it. Over two rooms, the staff, up to their eyeballs with hungry patrons, never fail to deliver a smile and some spot-on service. The space itself is light, wooden, with kooky details like the old bowling alley-turned-tabletop. For the cooler months, try the triticale and oat porridge with almond and soymilk, cherry compote and chia seeds ($13) or the Three Bags scrambled eggs with herbs, crushed peas, grilled leg ham and salted ricotta ($15.50) — divine.

Nicholson St Abbotsford, (03) 9421 2732, www.threebagsfullcafe.com.au

10. Dead Man Espresso

Dead Man, as it is affectionately known, is a little South Melbourne gem that fuels the many surrounding offices. Cute wooden decor and a great takeaway cabinet just add to the appeal.  The menu is small and ever changing. The herb and potato rosti, avocado and a poached egg with a side of bacon (or smoked salmon, whichever you prefer, $18.50) is spot on, while the buttermilk pancakes, sometimes served with rooftop honey and white chocolate crumb ($14), are a decadent option.

35 Market St  South Melbourne, (03) 9686 2255, www.deadmanespresso.com.au

Images courtesy of Amy Collins, Cumulus Inc, Duchess of Spotswood, Birdman Eating, Three Bags Full and Friends of Mine.

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