Most Beautiful Cafes in Melbourne
Not so long ago, a DIY paint job and some cheap second-hand furniture was enough to open a cafe.
How things have changed.
Cafes have arguably overtaken restaurants as the focal point for Melbourne’s collective design talent. Today’s designers work with marble, brass, hardwood, imported tiles and six-figure budgets.
With so many talented architects and interior designers on the scene, it takes a lot to stand out. Many cafes just slip into the derivative pool of polished timber, white subway tiles and hanging Edison bulbs.
Or did, back in 2015. The current “it” look involves rounded edges, lots of plants, metallic highlights and dusky “millennial pink”. Some of our choices include these elements – trends have to start somewhere – but on the whole these interiors are strikingly unique.
Related Pages
Best Cafes in Melbourne
Best Coffee in Melbourne
Best Breakfast in Melbourne
Cafe
Prior
Melbourne-based architecture and interior design firm Ritz & Ghougassian is behind the polished 130-seat space, and were briefed to create a clean, but high-impact look.
Cafe
Via Porta
Winner of the Best Café Design award at the 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards.
Cafe
First Love Coffee
A slick specialty coffee bar by the Rustica Team. Pop by for a smooth locally roasted brew and a grab-and-go egg-and-bacon roll, then take in the peach-terracotta terrazzo and striking green marble of the pretty room – designed by architect Fiona Drago.
Cafe
Bawa
Named after Geoffrey Bawa, a Sri Lankan architect who popularised “tropical modernism”, which blends buildings with the natural landscape. Executed by Foolscap Studio.
Cafe
Ona Coffee
Although most of the headlines surrounding Ona rightfully focus on its coffee, we think the fit-out at the Melbourne flagship is worth calling out, too. The understated, timber-heavy design by Breathe help make the space as welcoming as it is.
Cafe
Vacation Melbourne
Thank Therefore Studio for this pastel-driven, Miami Vice-like fit-out.
Cafe
Arepa Days
This yellow, white and aqua colour palette is so cheerful, it's almost therapeutic.
Restaurant
Lagotto
This design from the seasoned team at Flack Studio is all about modern Italian elegance. Marble, dark timber and lipstick-red leather upholstery are the starts of the show.
Cafe
Levi
A white-and-blue space by Ewert Leaf.
Cafe
Abacus Bar & Kitchen
These 7.5-metre-high ceilings must have been an inspiring canvas for Architects EAT, which filled the space with white-veined marble. Our favourite feature? The tall fig tree in the middle of the room.
Cafe
Vertue Coffee Roasters
An old stable converted with help from Two Design. We're particular fans of the circular-saw-shaped stools by local woodworker Michael Kelly and the brassy dodecahedron light fittings.
Cafe
The Penny Drop
A house of prosperity and poached eggs serving modern Asian-Australian cuisine on Whitehorse Road.
Cafe
Nine Yards South Melbourne
At this South Melbourne spot, the interior sports terracotta-pink columns and floor-to-ceiling eucalyptus-green cabinets. Large windows let natural light into the 140-seat space, and you’ll find native flora all over the room.
Cafe
No. 19
Biasol is behind this mix of polished concrete floors, bulbous brass lamps and turquoise tiles inspired by Melbourne's 1950s Greek delicatessens.
Cafe
Sloane Ranger
Finally, a cafe brave enough to ditch whites and pastels in favour of moody olive-green and grey curtains. Another winner from Architects EAT.
Cafe
Acoffee
There's nothing too fancy here. Just lots and lots and lots of white. But the commitment to that "theme" is impressive – it's like stepping inside a fluorescent bulb.
Cafe
Mister Hoffman
This Joanne Motee interior won a global design award in 2016. We can see why.
Cafe
AU79 Abbotsford
An old mechanic's garage turned into a pastel- and plant-heavy paradise by Mim Design.
Cafe
Terror Twilight
The most understated spot on this list, but with plenty of lived-in Art-Deco charm.
Cafe
Dame
As regal as the name suggests, this striking all-day spot by the owners of grab-and-go sandwich shop Earl Canteen is one of Melbourne’s most beautiful cafes. But this is a place you’ll want to linger – with mighty muffulettas, reimagined caesar salads and spicy Bloody Marys.
Cafe
Market Lane Coffee Brunswick
The Brunswick branch of one of Melbourne’s most-loved coffee roasters. Take in the warm, wood-panelled interiors with a cup of seasonal blend or single origin coffee, alongside pastries from Austro Bakery. There are also coffee beans, at-home brewing gear and ceramics to take home.
Cafe
The Terrace
Cityscapes, nature and excellent food rarely coexist, unless you’re outside at The Terrace. Here, you can tuck into a scone or some Turkish-style eggs against the picturesque backdrop of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
Cafe
Clementine
This cheery cafe offers up a playful brunch menu, grab-and-go pastries and hot coffee from Dukes. Its creative brunches might include Reuben sangas (with an unexpected combo of kangaroo pastrami and pineapple sauerkraut) or cured salmon mille-feuille on a New York-style bagel.
Cafe
Halcyon Days
Hit this Euro-inspired daytime diner for its marmalade-slathered carrot-cake toast, hotcakes two ways and killer chicken-caesar sangas. Sit at a snazzy stool inside, or in the shaded outdoor area, and sip on Industry Beans coffee, or boozy-brunch-friendly cocktails and pét-nat.
Restaurant
Rombe
This sprawling urban farm and eatery sits in an unlikely spot – atop a suburban shopping centre. It’s a rooftop oasis, complete with all-day, farm-driven fare and views of the Dandenong Ranges.
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