Melbourne Breakfast Spots to Try
Rise and shine, Melbourne — these are breakfasts worth getting up early for.
Breakfast didn't earn its 'most important meal of the day' reputation for nothing. Whether you're wolfing down buttermilk pancakes or slowly nibbling on reasonably priced smashed avo, the day's first feast can't be underestimated. Melburnians, with their busy weekday lives and love for a cruisy weekend, have perfected the art of brekkie in cafes and restaurants across the city. These are the cream of the early rising crop.
Image: Bentwood by Kate Shanasy.
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CafeThe Kettle Black
50 Albert Road, South Melbourne
The humble cafe takes on a whole new form with this Melbourne stalwart.
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CafeTop Paddock
658 Church Street, Richmond
This little patch of greenery is where some of Melbourne's most loved cafe owners struck gold.
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CafeAxil Coffee Roasters
322 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
The quintessential ‘coffee barn’ for the city that lives and breathes caffeine.
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CafeHigher Ground
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
The mammoth CBD cafe was an instant classic and remains a beauty.
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CafeMarket Lane Coffee
Shop 13, Prahran Market, 163 Commercial Road, Prahran
Very, very good coffee for the city that loves to drink it.
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CafeSeven Seeds
106-114 Berkeley Street, Carlton
A pioneer of Melbourne coffee with its art down to a tee.
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RestaurantCecconi's
61 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Top-notch Italian food. Essential Melbourne dining.
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RestaurantBaby Pizza
631-633 Church Street, Richmond
Even with high profile siblings threatening to outshine, this Italian Baby is anywhere but the corner.
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CafeBowery To Williamsburg
16 Oliver Lane, Melbourne
A taste of the USA with bagels, cronuts and some killer sandwiches.
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CafeMile End Bagels
14 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Mile End is a bagel heavy district in Montreal; it's also the name of the best bagel joints in town.
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CafeCode Black Coffee
15-17 Weston Street, Brunswick
With freshly roasted coffee beans you can’t go wrong, but it's the food menu is where this Brunswick roasting house goes oh-so-right.
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BarPellegrini's Espresso Bar
66 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Melbourne's quintessential drop-in Italian dining institution.
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CafeRudimentary
16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray
A cafe made from disused shipping containers in an abandoned car park.
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BarLittle Creatures Geelong Brewery
Corner Fyans And Swanston Streets, Geelong
This Fremantle-born brewery's east coast home features three bars and lots of booze.
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CafePark Street Dining
815 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
The Nicholson Street favourite has undergone a refresh, gaining a new open kitchen, and serving up a range of a cicchetti and handmade pastas.
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CafeGontran Cherrier - CLOSED
140 Smith Street, Collingwood
Cherrier brings a unique style of French artisan baked goods to the streets of Collingwood.
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CafePlug Nickel
7 Peel Street, Collingwood
The idea is to have you in and out within three minutes flat.
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CafeLankan Tucker
486 Albion Street, Brunswick West
This Brunswick West cafe proves there’s much more to Sri Lankan food than just rice and curry.
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CafeWhite Mojo Balwyn - CLOSED
1 Bevan Street, Balwyn
The second carnation of the CBD cafe brings croissant burgers to the suburbs.
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BarGrub Food Van - CLOSED
87-89 Moor Street, Fitzroy
Laid-back backyard in summer, cosy comfort cafe in winter.
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CafeThe Crux & Co.
35 Albert Road, Melbourne
Expect decadent cakes alongside squid ink garlic toast and killer coffee.
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CafeHolla - CLOSED
284 Victoria Street, Richmond
An all-day dining option on Victoria Street (that's not Vietnamese food).
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BarSagra - CLOSED
256-258 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
A Malvern restaurant with all-day Italian dining, a rooftop bar and even a gallery.
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CafeGeorge Jones
15 Pascoe Street, Pascoe Vale
A polished all-day eatery not previously seen in the Pascoe Vale area.
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CafeWorkshop Brothers Specialty Coffee
190 Queen Street, Melbourne
The brewing brothers bring quality coffee to Queen Street.
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CafeLeft Field
358 Koornang Road, Carnegie
From the team behind Tall Timber, Touchwood and other great daytime diners.
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CafeStreet Talk Espresso - CLOSED
710 High Street, Armadale
This Armadale cafe is serious about service, real food and roasting their own coffee.
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CafeFrankie Says
15 Acacia Place, Abbotsford
The Hoy Pinoy team have a permanent venue along the Yarra.
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CafeA25 CBD - CLOSED
399 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
This corner coffee bar and restaurant serves up pizza, pasta and sweet things all day, every day.
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CafeMatcha Mylkbar - CLOSED
72 Acland Street, St Kilda
This ode to green tea powder comes with beetroot lattes, coconut bacon, vegan 'eggs' and lots of matcha.
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CafeStreet Organics - CLOSED
1430 High Street, Malvern
These guys do great, healthy cafe fare and a killer raw vegan high tea.
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CafeKitty Burns - CLOSED
24 Acacia Place, Abbotsford
This Abbotsford cafe boasts riverside charm, ample outdoor seating and a vast selection of beverages and brilliant food.
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BarThe Boathouse
7 The Boulevard, Moonee Ponds
Follow the river out west for all-day outdoor dining.
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CafeThe Journal Cafe
253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A reliable Flinders Lane cafe that's open late each night.
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CafeDistrict Brewer
36 Brewer Road, Bentleigh
A brunch spot in the inconspicuous backstreets of Bentleigh.
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CafeSmith + Singleton - CLOSED
48 Flemington Road, Parkville
A new all-day eatery sure to cure what ails you.
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CafeCaffe La Via - CLOSED
252-254 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
One of Malvern’s oldest cafes has had a facelift.
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CafeAscot Food Store - CLOSED
320 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds
A chemistry lesson worth its weight in foodie gold.
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CafeThe Foreigner
227 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe
There’s a cheeky foreigner hiding in Melbourne’s northeast.
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CafeLittle Sunflower Cafe
15 Ormond Road, Elwood
Nourish and refresh at Elwood’s newest health food hotspot.
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CafeSon of Tucci
5 Hamilton Walk, Mount Waverley
For the first time in a long while, Mount Waverley has a new son.
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RestaurantLentil as Anything — CLOSED
1 Saint Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Make friends with salad — and pay what you feel.
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CafeMavis the Grocer
197 Vere Street, Abbotsford
Delicious, ethical food with old world neighbourhood charm.
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CafeThe Beatt - CLOSED
24 Beatty Avenue, Armadale
If this is what balanced living looks like, we want more of it.
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BarChato - CLOSED
921 High Street, Thornbury
Bite-sized tapas and sip-sized wine, paired in perfect harmony.
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CafeNext of Kin
546 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
A suave culinary cafe built for food and design obsessives.
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CafeTom Dick & Harry
1/242 Toorak Road, Melbourne
This small South Yarra cafe is great for quick weekday lunching and lazy weekend brunching.
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BarHeartattack and Vine
329 Lygon Street, Carlton
The new Italian kid on the Carlton block is cool, comfy and serves chicchetti all night.
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CafeGlovers Station
258 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick
Not just a station for coffee, this Elsternwick cafe has a menu worth stopping for.
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BarArchie's All Day
189 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
From your morning coffee to your midnight nightcap, Archie's has you covered.
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CafeThe Piggery Cafe at Burnham Beeches - CLOSED
1 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke
The drive to Sherbrooke is a rewarding one.
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BarDoc Martin's - CLOSED
86 Collins Street, Melbourne
Swill spirits on the sidewalk with the Doctor.
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BarArbory Bar & Eatery
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on.
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CafeSir Charles
121 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
A cafe by day and restaurant by night, Sir Charles puts an Asian twist on old-school Fitzroy.
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CafeThe Vertue of the Coffee Drink
8 Raffa Place, Carlton
This Carlton micro roaster and cafe is showcasing the Vertue of a cup of coffee.
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BarMagic Mountain Saloon
62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
An eatery and bar spawned from one of Melbourne's best hospo pedigrees.
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CafeCode Black Howard Street
119 Howard Street, North Melbourne
Code Black starts a spin-off on Howard Street, and it's not just the same shtick.
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RestaurantXuan Banh Cuon
232 Hampshire Road, Sunshine
Traditional Northern Vietnamese food worth the train trip out west.
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CafeUnion St Brewers - CLOSED
34 Union Street, Brunswick
Brunswick's newest cafe is baking their own bagels and pouring their own brew on Union Street.
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BarJardin Tan
Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
A bit of Vietnamese exoticism in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.
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CafeC.H. James - CLOSED
86 Station Street, Fairfield
Find yourself in Fairfield’s newest cafe and you won’t find the same old fare.
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CafeHard Pressed - CLOSED
76 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Cuban sandwiches and urban comfort at East Melbourne's newest cafe.
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RestaurantNaughty Boy
499-501 Lygon St, Brunswick East
It doesn’t matter if you’re naughty or nice when brunch is this good.
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BarBorsch, Vodka and Tears
73 Chapel Street, Windsor
There's no doubt that Borsch is a stalwart, and a damn fine one at that.
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CafeGalleon Cafe
9 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
This St Kilda cafe's been doing this thing for a long time.
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BarThe Boatbuilders Yard
23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
Located right on the harbour at South Wharf, this is the place to go if you like your drinks served with a view.
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CafeMina-no-ie - CLOSED
33 Peel Street, Collingwood
The most aesthetically beautiful Japanese cafe in the city.
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RestaurantTrunk Diner - CLOSED
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
An outdoor American-style diner smack bang in the CBD.
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Cafe5 Lire - CLOSED
116 Errol Street, North Melbourne
The quintessential modern Italian neighbourhood cafe North Melbourne never knew it needed.
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CafeHeal.Thy Self Co.
28 Ballarat Street, Yarraville
All the superfood smoothies and organic snacks to heal thy self for good.
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CafeThe Queensberry Pour House - CLOSED
?210 Queensberry Street, Carlton
Bottomless cups of coffee, wi-fi and coffee-soaked lamb pies.
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CafeAddict Food and Coffee
240-242 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Your coffee addiction won't be judged here.
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BarBotanical Hotel
169 Domain Road, South Yarra
South Yarra's local serving up sophisticated dining in a relaxed yet refined setting.
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CafeFrank and Ginger
101-103 Orrong Crescent, Caulfield North
A reason to venture to Caulfield, as well as a reason for locals to stay.
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CafeFoxtrot Charlie
359 Sydney Road , Brunswick
F is for Foxtrot, C is for Charlie and G is for downright good.
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CafeThe Lilydale General
110 Beresford Road, Lilydale
An outer eastern suburban cafe gem amongst the lush greenery of Lilydale.
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CafeHarvest Foodstore & Cafe
108 Station St, Fairfield
Fairfield's favourite foodstore and cafe that feels as friendly a friend's kitchen.
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BarMerchant Osteria Veneta - CLOSED
495 Collins Street, Melbourne
A Venetian celebration within a thoroughly modern Melbourne setting.
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CafeMilkboy Espresso & Kitchen - CLOSED
Shop 1, Railway Walk, 255 Charman Road, Cheltenham
Rich, European soul in the heart of the southeast suburbs.
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CafeTwo Little Pigs Charcuterie & Grind - CLOSED
146 Sydney Road, Brunswick
With hot jam doughcakes on the menu, it's hard not to be a bit piggy.
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CafeLittle Somethin Somethin - CLOSED
561-563 Church Street, Richmond
Because more than a little somethin' somethin’ would be too much of a good thing.
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CafePatch Cafe - CLOSED
32 Bendigo Street, Richmond
A Paleo cafe that gets our non-Paleo tick of approval.
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CafeBrunswick Foodstore
29 Weston Street, Brunswick
A modern Middle Eastern slant on classic brunch and lunch in Brunswick.
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CafeTwenty & Six Espresso
594 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
North Melbourne's ultimate breakfast menu (with pudding).
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CafeCafe BU - CLOSED
585a Canning Street, Carlton North
Sip a coffee above the suburbs atop the perfect Carlton North perch.
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CafeCumulus Inc.
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A sensory dream of outstanding food and beautiful design.
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CafeMixed Business - CLOSED
486 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill
Where suburban simplicity makes so much sense.
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CafeStagger Lee's
276 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A classic Fitzroy cafe with all the good stuff from the guys at Proud Mary.
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CafeSmall Victories - CLOSED
617 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
A not-so-small victory for Carlton North.
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BarSmith & Daughters
175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Vegan food so good you won't even know it's vegan.
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RestaurantWonderbao - CLOSED
Shop 4, 19-37 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne
Located behind an RMIT building, you'll find this wonderful steamed bun street kitchen.
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CafeRuby's - CLOSED
138 Nicholson Street, Coburg
Coburg's most homely, welcoming neighbourhood diner-style brunch spot.
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CafeMr Hendricks Cafe
469 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
Proving with it that patience might just be a virtue, this Balwyn cafe has it all under control.
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BarFeast of Merit
117 Swan Street, Richmond
Sip coffee and tuck into Middle Eastern fare with a clear conscience.
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CafeManchester Press
8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne
Typically Melbourne, unpretentiously awesome (with bagels).
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CafeStation Street Trading Co.
166 Station Street, Port Melbourne
Trading as Port Melbourne's premier brunch spot.
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CafeAdmiral Cheng Ho
325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Whether it's virtue or flavour you're after, The Admiral has you covered.
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CafeHawthorn Common - CLOSED
302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Health and a good time in a space that is anything but common.
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CafeThe Little Man
158 Victoria Street, Seddon
Seddon's newest local adds another notch in the belt of the west.
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CafeBrighton Schoolhouse
15 St Andrews Street, Brighton
Brighton's new school of choice is earning gold stars aplenty.
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CafeLemon, Middle and Orange
25-31 Rokeby Street, Collingwood
Architecture meets coffee in Collingwood.
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CafeFifteen Pounds
21-23 Railway Place, Fairfield
Just like the rest of us, Fairfield survives on seriously good brunch and killer coffee.
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CafeAuction Rooms
103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Place a bid on one of Melbourne's best brunches.
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BarThe European
161 Spring Street, Melbourne
A cultural institution that is worth as many visits as a lifetime can suffice.
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CafeThe Counter - CLOSED
96 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
Take your pick from a very expansive, colourful selection of baked goods and watch the gold sparkle.
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CafeShort Round
731 High Street, Thornbury
Low on cool coffee haunts, this cafe is definitely Thornbury's newest thing.
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CafeTomboy - CLOSED
356 Smith Street, Collingwood
Enter hungry, leave satiated and virtuously deserving of baked goods.
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CafeDead Man Espresso
35 Market Street, South Melbourne
A cafe with a lot of heart and a great offering.
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BarYoung Bloods Diner - CLOSED
60 Rose Street, Fitzroy
Coffee, food, booze and one of the best views over Fitzroy.
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CafeElceed - CLOSED
610 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Mismatched teacups, jam jars and a brunch menu worth coming back for.
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BarSt Edmonds
154 St Edmonds Road, Prahran
Dine in good company at Prahran's most affable all-day eatery.
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CafePorgie + Mr Jones
291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
In a space full of endearing touches, Hawthorn's favourite dining spot will have you leaving with a very happy spring in your step.
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BarSyracuse Restaurant and Wine Bar - CLOSED
23 Bank Place, Melbourne
Share plates and a Champagne cart. Divine.
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CafeThe Premises
202 Bellair Street, Kensington
Some of the best coffee and brunch in Melbourne's west.
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CafeThe Stables of Como
Como House, Corner Williams Road And Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra
Como House's quaint cafe does brunch, high tea and picnics in the grounds.
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CafeThe Grain Store
517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A little slice of comfort with damn fine food on Flinders Lane.
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CafeCollective Espresso
3 Cookson Street, Camberwell
An unassuming presence brings a pleasant slice of the suburban ecosystem to Camberwell.
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CafeAdeney Milkbar Cafe
70 Adeney Avenue, Kew
This former milk bar has been given a new lease on life and brings new meaning to homely hospitality.
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CafeProspect Espresso
2A Prospect Hill Road, Camberwell
With a commendable approach to food, coffee and service, Prospect Espresso shows no signs of abating enthusiasm.
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CafeGas Eatery & Supplies - CLOSED
253 Coventry St, South Melbourne
Comforting and reliable fare done a little differently in the heart of South Melbourne.
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CafeIndustry Beans
70 – 76 Westgarth St, Fitzroy
This cafe-and-roastery-in-one gets everything right.
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BarThe Meatball and Wine Bar
135 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A restaurant rife with innuendo and good-quality fare.
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CafeNorth Carlton Canteen
1008 Lygon Street, Carlton North
Near the 24-hour florist and the steeply priced milk bar, North Carlton Canteen is the sort of place everybody wishes they had as their local.
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CafeFriends of Mine
506 Swan Street, Richmond
On Swan Street in Richmond, surrounded by not much else, is the bright, yellow trimmed café, Friends of Mine.
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CafeSouth of Johnston
46 Oxford Street, Collingwood
Wholesome brekkie offerings, couches and free Wi-Fi. What's not to love?
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BarCaptains of Industry
Level 1, 2 Somerset Place, Melbourne
Still one of the best hidden gems in Melbourne’s CBD.
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CafeThe School of 7 Bells
33 Chapel Street, Windsor
A former dime-a-dozen Windsor junk shop had transformed into a cosy little nook.
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CafeDrugstore Espresso - CLOSED
194 Toorak Road, South Yarra
An unfussy and laidback Toorak Road cafe.
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BarYellow Bird Cafe
122 Chapel Street, Windsor
Yellow Bird's a great spot for a simple brunch or an evening beer.
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