The Best Breakfast in Melbourne
Breakfast is the closest thing we have to a national cuisine. That’s clearest on the weekends – Melburnians queue around corners for flaky croissants, breakfast bowls and all kinds of coffee. Here, we’ve curated the places that are reshaping Melbourne’s breakfast landscape – as well as those that have nailed the classics (and learnt to handle the crowds that follow).
Cafe
Florian
This cafe has an old soul, with an unpretentious feel reminiscent of the pre-Instagram era. Its pared-back, produce-driven menu looks different day to day.
Cafe
Napier Quarter
At this Parisian-style spot, you can stay right through from morning croissants to late-night cheese. For breakfast, the anchovy on toast is a classic, but there are always interesting dishes to discover.
Cafe
Roslyn Thai Cafe
This cosy Thai spot offers standout breakfasts, snacks and sweets. Come for mushroom-stuffed roti, and satay chicken baguettes. Afternoons call for milk tea and a slice of pandan cake.
Cafe
Ima Asa Yoru
Meet the city’s standard-bearer for Japanese breakfast. Come for its beloved teishoku (a set meal of fish, rice, miso soup and pickles) alongside onigiri and zo-sui (rice porridge).
Cafe
Coracle
Coracle’s owners share the food they grew up eating in Vietnam and Hong Kong, alongside knockout dishes from across Asia. The Vietnamese coffee follows a treasured family recipe.
Cafe
Moon Mart
Oozing yellow-hued charm, this Korea-meets-Japan cafe has a cult following for its bulgogi sausage muffin and okonomiyaki hashbrowns. The katsu sandos are also great options.
Cafe
Via Porta
There’s not much that this bakery-cafe doesn’t do well. Try each of its specialties over breakfast, from perfectly crisp croissants to Mediterranean brunches (yes, including pasta.)
Cafe
Cibi
Melbourne’s bridge to Tokyo is rightfully a breakfast destination. People flock here for a classic set with grilled salmon, tamagoyaki (rolled omelette), seasonal vegetables, rice and miso soup.
Cafe
Udom House
This homely cafe serves up classic Thai breakfasts alongside Chiang Mai-style coffee, pink nom chompoo (Thai pink milk) and more. Pull up early for its hearty khao nheaw hor.
Restaurant
Operator Diner
If you watch too many movies, you might be craving an American diner-style breakfast. Black coffee, hotcakes and sausage and egg breakfast muffins are the move at this CBD spot.
Cafe
Ondo City
This casual Korean eatery serves up hard-to-find dishes like yukhwe bibimbap. The menu runs the full gamut of flavours and textures, from fermented and fiery to crisp and cool.
Cafe
Juniper
A daytime hangout from the team behind north-side favourite Florian. Come for fresh sandwiches, nourishing salads, a next-level mushroom congee, and a no-fuss takeaway menu.
Restaurant
Fenton
This paddock-to-plate cafe sources much of its produce directly from the owners’ Gippsland farm and uses it to serve up creative morning feeds. The farmhouse breakfast is the way to go.
Cafe
Rudimentary
Sustainability and simplicity are the guiding principles of this singular community cafe. It’s set within a recycled shipping container and surrounded by a kitchen garden.
Cafe
Hector’s Deli Richmond
Hit Hector’s for its banger brekkie muffin, which is a dialled-up version of the fast-food classic. For a caffeine hit, add in an iced coffee spritz. Also in South Melbourne, Fitzroy, Carlton and the CBD.
Cafe
Convoy
Located across from Queens Park, this expansive cafe goes beyond the rudimentary with its brekkie offering. Go for cilbir (Turkish eggs), excellent prawn rolls or cinnamon scroll pancakes.
Cafe
Code Black Coffee Brunswick
This cafe and roasting house is one of Melbourne’s most established breakfast spots. But even after all these years, it’s still at the very front of the pack. Classic brunch and excellent coffee await.
Cafe
Walrus
Sit up at the bar at this Brunswick breakfast spot that specialises in no-fuss food. Filter coffee, pancakes with bacon and a couple of sandwiches are all good options here.
Cafe
Terror Twilight
At Terror Twilight, the polished menu is two-fold – there’s a section with classic all-day options, and another in which you can customise a broth or rice bowl. Plus, a lengthy drinks list.
Cafe
Plain Sailing
Enter for inventive, generous brunches; great coffee; and an elegant fit-out that lets in plenty of light and even more fresh air. Afterwards, take a walk down to the beach or nearby parks.
Restaurant
Roma
The terrace breakfast menu at this all-day Roman trattoria is excellent. Start light with granola, yoghurt and poached fruit, and go for boiled eggs with crispy pancetta afterwards.
Cafe
Glory Us
This cafe goes back to basics with a minimal fit-out, homestyle cooking and a community-focused approach. Order hearty sandwiches, soup of the day and apple crumble porridge.
Cafe
Petite by Matilda
Behind arched windows and an egg blue facade, this cosy cafe serves bagels, toasties, chicken baguettes and salads. Nab a spot on the lawn out the front, or at one of its outdoor tables.
Cafe
Rowena Corner Store
This started as a milk bar in ’56 before morphing into one of the suburb’s most charming cafes. Part of the allure comes from the neighbourhood vibe; the rest comes from Med-style dishes.
Cafe
Journeyman
This beautifully designed cafe is a staple port of call for discerning Windsor locals. You might need to be patient to get in on weekends. But the extensive menu means it’s well worth the wait.
Cafe
Operator San
This spot, by a trio of Melbourne cafe legends, has a neighbourhood famiresu (family restaurant) vibe. Visit for Wagyu sandos, Mont Blanc hotcakes and katsu curry benedict.
Cafe
279
This corner cafe specialises in musubi (traditional Japanese rice balls) bento boxes, sweet treats and excellent filter coffee. For dessert, grab a Mochinut (a mochi doughnut).
-9618b5d451.webp)
