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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RestaurantThe Kettle Black
50 Albert Road, South Melbourne
The humble cafe takes on a whole new form with this Melbourne stalwart.
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RestaurantCibi
39 Keele Street, Collingwood
Love the food at this Collingwood cafe? Buy the cookbook and recreate such dishes at home. Equally enamoured by the plate it was served on? Those are for sale, too. Even the chair you sit on could have a price tag underneath it. Synergy is in full swing here.
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RestaurantTop 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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RestaurantAxil Coffee Roasters
322 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
The quintessential ‘coffee barn’ for the city that lives and breathes caffeine.
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RestaurantHigher Ground
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
The mammoth CBD cafe was an instant classic and remains a beauty.
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RestaurantMarket 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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RestaurantSeven 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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RestaurantBowery To Williamsburg
16 Oliver Lane, Melbourne
A taste of the USA with bagels, cronuts and some killer sandwiches.
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RestaurantMile 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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RestaurantCode 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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RestaurantChez Dre
285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
A French-inspired cafe serving cakes, brunch and a killer chocolate croissant.
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RestaurantRudimentary
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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RestaurantTrei Cafe
232 Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley
Healthy and hearty cafe fare in Glen Waverley.
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RestaurantPark 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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RestaurantGontran 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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RestaurantMeletos
12 Saint Huberts Road, Coldstream
Dine on premium Modern European dishes with panoramic views of Victoria’s wine region.
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RestaurantAstroluxe
303 Chesterville Road, Bentleigh East
Breakfast luxury arrives in Bentleigh East.
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RestaurantPlug Nickel
7 Peel Street, Collingwood
The idea is to have you in and out within three minutes flat.
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RestaurantLankan 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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RestaurantWhite 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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RestaurantThe Crux & Co.
35 Albert Road, Melbourne
Expect decadent cakes alongside squid ink garlic toast and killer coffee.
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RestaurantHolla - 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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RestaurantGeorge Jones
15 Pascoe Street, Pascoe Vale
A polished all-day eatery not previously seen in the Pascoe Vale area.
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RestaurantWorkshop Brothers Specialty Coffee
190 Queen Street, Melbourne
The brewing brothers bring quality coffee to Queen Street.
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RestaurantLeft Field
358 Koornang Road, Carnegie
From the team behind Tall Timber, Touchwood and other great daytime diners.
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RestaurantHobba
428 Malvern Road, Prahran
A tyre factory transformed into one of Prahran’s prime cafes.
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RestaurantStreet 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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RestaurantFrankie Says
15 Acacia Place, Abbotsford
The Hoy Pinoy team have a permanent venue along the Yarra.
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RestaurantWhite Mojo
115 Hardware Street, Melbourne
Crab croissant burgers and cauliflower pannacotta.
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RestaurantA25 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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RestaurantMatcha 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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RestaurantSartoria
115 Plenty Road, Preston
Housed in a former dressmaking workshop, this Preston café now showcases a more edible kind of handiwork.
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RestaurantStreet Organics - CLOSED
1430 High Street, Malvern
These guys do great, healthy cafe fare and a killer raw vegan high tea.
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RestaurantKitty 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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RestaurantKines
11 Hope Street, Brunswick
This Brunswick espresso bar is serving up more than just great coffee.
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RestaurantSantoni
634 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
The Hawthorn pizza bar now does breakfast — and with panoramic views to boot.
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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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RestaurantThe Journal Cafe
253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A reliable Flinders Lane cafe that's open late each night.
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RestaurantEntrecote
142-144 Greville Street, Prahran
Dine like a Parisian — late, simple, with fries.
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RestaurantDistrict Brewer
36 Brewer Road, Bentleigh
A brunch spot in the inconspicuous backstreets of Bentleigh.
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RestaurantSmith + Singleton - CLOSED
48 Flemington Road, Parkville
A new all-day eatery sure to cure what ails you.
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RestaurantCaffe La Via - CLOSED
252-254 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
One of Malvern’s oldest cafes has had a facelift.
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RestaurantAscot Food Store - CLOSED
320 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds
A chemistry lesson worth its weight in foodie gold.
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RestaurantHunters' Roots - CLOSED
26 Katherine Place, Melbourne
Clean eating has never tasted better.
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RestaurantThe Foreigner
227 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe
There’s a cheeky foreigner hiding in Melbourne’s northeast.
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RestaurantMammoth
736 Malvern Road, Armadale
Melbourne's latest brunch darling takes the concept of cafe food to new heights.
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RestaurantLittle Sunflower Cafe
15 Ormond Road, Elwood
Nourish and refresh at Elwood’s newest health food hotspot.
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RestaurantSon 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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RestaurantMavis the Grocer
197 Vere Street, Abbotsford
Delicious, ethical food with old world neighbourhood charm.
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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantNext of Kin
546 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
A suave culinary cafe built for food and design obsessives.
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RestaurantTom 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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RestaurantGlovers 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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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantBrother Nancy
182A Essex Street, West Footscray
A welcoming French-inspired cafe in the west.
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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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RestaurantSir 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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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantCode 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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RestaurantUnion 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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RestaurantC.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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RestaurantHard 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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RestaurantGalleon 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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RestaurantMina-no-ie - CLOSED
33 Peel Street, Collingwood
The most aesthetically beautiful Japanese cafe in the city.
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RestaurantShokuiku
120 High Street, Northcote
You know a venue is serious when they are entirely raw.
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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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Restaurant5 Lire - CLOSED
116 Errol Street, North Melbourne
The quintessential modern Italian neighbourhood cafe North Melbourne never knew it needed.
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RestaurantHeal.Thy Self Co.
28 Ballarat Street, Yarraville
All the superfood smoothies and organic snacks to heal thy self for good.
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RestaurantThe Queensberry Pour House - CLOSED
?210 Queensberry Street, Carlton
Bottomless cups of coffee, wi-fi and coffee-soaked lamb pies.
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RestaurantAddict 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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RestaurantFrank 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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RestaurantFoxtrot Charlie
359 Sydney Road , Brunswick
F is for Foxtrot, C is for Charlie and G is for downright good.
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RestaurantThe Lilydale General
110 Beresford Road, Lilydale
An outer eastern suburban cafe gem amongst the lush greenery of Lilydale.
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RestaurantHarvest Foodstore & Cafe
108 Station St, Fairfield
Fairfield's favourite foodstore and cafe that feels as friendly a friend's kitchen.
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RestaurantAcustico
32 Union Street , Brunswick
The ultimate Brunswick cafe space for brunchers, toastie-lovers and those wielding a Mac.
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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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RestaurantMilkboy 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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RestaurantTwo 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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RestaurantCarolina
11 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
With a great menu, coffee offering and courtyard, Carolina's our favourite northside lady.
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RestaurantLittle 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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RestaurantPatch Cafe - CLOSED
32 Bendigo Street, Richmond
A Paleo cafe that gets our non-Paleo tick of approval.
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RestaurantBrunswick Foodstore
29 Weston Street, Brunswick
A modern Middle Eastern slant on classic brunch and lunch in Brunswick.
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RestaurantCafe Azul
346 Bridge Rd Richmond, Victoria
We find balance in Richmond with a big plate of eggs, an almond latte and raw snickers bar.
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RestaurantTwenty & Six Espresso
594 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
North Melbourne's ultimate breakfast menu (with pudding).
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RestaurantCafe BU - CLOSED
585a Canning Street, Carlton North
Sip a coffee above the suburbs atop the perfect Carlton North perch.
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RestaurantCumulus Inc.
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A sensory dream of outstanding food and beautiful design.
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RestaurantChumanchu
2 Gilbert Road, Preston
An authentic Preston eatery with a modern Asian fusion twist.
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RestaurantMixed Business - CLOSED
486 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill
Where suburban simplicity makes so much sense.
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RestaurantStagger 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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RestaurantSmall 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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RestaurantRuby's - CLOSED
138 Nicholson Street, Coburg
Coburg's most homely, welcoming neighbourhood diner-style brunch spot.
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RestaurantMr 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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RestaurantManchester Press
8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne
Typically Melbourne, unpretentiously awesome (with bagels).
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RestaurantThomson Cafe and Food Store
81 Thomson Street, Northcote
A home away from home in Northcote.
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RestaurantStation Street Trading Co.
166 Station Street, Port Melbourne
Trading as Port Melbourne's premier brunch spot.
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RestaurantMilkwood
120 Nicholson Street, Brunswick
Why would anyone eat anything besides breakfast food and lamingtons?
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RestaurantAdmiral Cheng Ho
325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Whether it's virtue or flavour you're after, The Admiral has you covered.
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RestaurantHawthorn Common - CLOSED
302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Health and a good time in a space that is anything but common.
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RestaurantTwo Birds One Stone
12 Claremont Street, South Yarra
Polish and sophistication, southside.
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RestaurantThe Little Man
158 Victoria Street, Seddon
Seddon's newest local adds another notch in the belt of the west.
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RestaurantBrighton Schoolhouse
15 St Andrews Street, Brighton
Brighton's new school of choice is earning gold stars aplenty.
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RestaurantOperator25
25 Wills Street, Melbourne
Breakfast, brunch or lunch — no matter how you operate.
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RestaurantLemon, Middle and Orange
25-31 Rokeby Street, Collingwood
Architecture meets coffee in Collingwood.
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RestaurantFifteen 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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RestaurantAuction Rooms
103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Place a bid on one of Melbourne's best brunches.
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RestaurantHannah
141 Chapel Street, St Kilda
A contemporary cafe triumph, whichever way you approach it.
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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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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantOra
156 Pakington Street, Kew
You can now stop by Ora for a late-night wine and snacking sesh without having to fight over a table.
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RestaurantShort Round
731 High Street, Thornbury
Low on cool coffee haunts, this cafe is definitely Thornbury's newest thing.
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RestaurantLiar Liar
90 Kinkora Road, Hawthorn
A true inner city vibe deep in the suburbs, this cafe has its finger on the pulse.
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RestaurantTomboy - CLOSED
356 Smith Street, Collingwood
Enter hungry, leave satiated and virtuously deserving of baked goods.
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RestaurantDead 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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RestaurantElceed - 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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RestaurantPorgie + 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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RestaurantThe Premises
202 Bellair Street, Kensington
Some of the best coffee and brunch in Melbourne's west.
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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantThe Grain Store
517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
A little slice of comfort with damn fine food on Flinders Lane.
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RestaurantCollective Espresso
3 Cookson Street, Camberwell
An unassuming presence brings a pleasant slice of the suburban ecosystem to Camberwell.
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RestaurantStovetop
100 Leicester Street, Melbourne
Your morning coffee just got a little bit more niche with Stovetop.
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RestaurantAdeney 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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RestaurantProspect 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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RestaurantKrimper
20-24 Guildford Lane, Melbourne
A classic CBD laneway warehouse cafe, doing things a little bit differently.
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RestaurantGas 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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RestaurantTall Timber
60 Commercial Road, Prahran
A slice of hinterland idyll in the heart of Prahran.
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RestaurantBrunetti
380 Lygon Street , Carlton
It's been 30-odd years, but Melbourne's Brunetti Caffe has moved home to Lygon Street.
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RestaurantIndustry 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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RestaurantNorth 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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RestaurantThree Bags Full
60 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford
A longtime leader in Melbourne's cafe scene.
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RestaurantFriends 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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RestaurantSouth 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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RestaurantThe 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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RestaurantDrugstore 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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RestaurantSonido!
69 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Get an empanada or the ropa vieja arepas and follow it up with a Brazilian cocada.
