Best Breakfast in Melbourne

Breakfast is the closest thing we have to a national cuisine. Here we pay tribute to Melbourne’s best; places shaping the very definition of the pre-midday meal. Others we’ve selected for consistent performance – they’ve nailed the classics and learnt how to handle the crowds that follow.

Some are big, some are small. Some are secluded neighbourhood prizes, others pull customers from across the city. But they all have one thing in common: they represent the best morning dining Melbourne has to offer.

Port of Call

A bright and breezy new daytime diner from the team behind Left Field, Plain Sailing and Tall Timber.

7 Bay Road
Sandringham VIC 3191

Cibi

“Cibi” is Japanese for “little one”. But this cafe and homewares store is not so little anymore.

31-39 Keele Street
Collingwood VIC 3066

Arepa Days

An arepa cafe serving the Colombian flatbread snack with spiced hot chocolate, sugarcane juice and Aussie-style coffee.

25 Preston Street
Preston VIC 3072

The Kettle Black

Where else do breakfast dishes contain ingredients such as kelp salt or a wasabi emulsion?

50 Albert Road
South Melbourne VIC 3205

Rudimentary

As at The Kettle Black, the food here almost feels more suited to a restaurant.

16-20 Leeds Street
Footscray VIC

Moby

Breakfasts inspired by Ottolenghi. Of course it's good.

1150 High Street
Armadale VIC 3143

Ascot Food Store

The inventiveness stretches through to the drinks as well. Try the salted cashew smoothie.

320 Ascot Vale Road
Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

Lenny

A beachy brunch and lunch spot from the duo that brought us Moby 3143.

113 Victoria Avenue
Albert Park VIC 3206

Plain Sailing

Generous brunches by the beach from the team behind Left Field and Tall Timber.

144 Ormond Road
Elwood VIC 3184

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Ned’s Bake

A bakery reaching well beyond what that word evokes.

134 Toorak Road
South Yarra VIC 3141

Lights in the Attic

The killer dish is the Bird Nest – a tomato and bean base and a woven French fry "nest" containing two oozing Scotch eggs.

38 Camberwell Road
Hawthorn East VIC 3123

Code Black Coffee Brunswick

One of the largest, most ambitious menus in town.

15-17 Weston Street
Brunswick VIC

Fitzrovia

Chef Paul Jewson worked in some of London's top restaurants. You can just about taste his experience.

155 Fitzroy St
St Kilda VIC 3182

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Grub Fitzroy

If you like your breakfasts plain and classic, this isn't the spot for you. Smashed avocado gets benched for a far more interesting smashed pea dish.

87-89 Moor Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065

Auction Rooms

More than just outstanding coffee.

103-107 Errol Street
North Melbourne VIC 3051

Industry Beans

From fresh fruits to fried chicken burgers.

Warehouse 3 62 Rose Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065

Babajan

Rustic Turkish fare that stands out among the same-y menus across town.

713 Nicholson Street
Carlton North VIC 3054

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Reunion and Co

It’s designed to feel like your lounge room. But you could never make food this good at home.

472 Bridge Road
Richmond VIC 3121

Wide Open Road

For the sweet fans, the banana bread. For the savoury fans, the bacon sandwich.

274 Barkly Street
Brunswick VIC 3056

Touchwood

The classics amped up three levels.

480 Bridge Road
Richmond VIC 3121

Monk Bodhi Dharma

A tiny space pumping out hearty vegetarian dishes.

Rear 202 Carlisle Street
Balaclava VIC 3183

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