Lune is synonymous with croissants. And world-famous ones at that. But Moon orbits around crullers – deep-fried choux pastry that’s twisty and crispy on the outside, and not at all what you’d expect on the inside.

This Barkly Street icon has stood for over four decades. And after a brief Covid-enforced closure, it's in new hands and is better than ever. It's doing meatball subs, thickshakes and vegan cakes.

This Rathdowne Village cafe has an old soul: with a relaxed, unpretentious feel reminiscent of the pre-Instagram era. It's got a pared-back, produce-driven menu that looks different day to day (but the standout gravlax and signature riff on eggs Florentine aren't going anywhere).

This deli and sandwich spot is inspired by New York's old-school delis. The team behind the slick white-and-green spot includes co-owners of Leonardo's Pizza Palace, and Frankie's Tortas and Tacos. Go for 5 & Dime bagels smeared with whipped ricotta, cheesy pork-and-fennel-sausage muffins and a hefty eggplant-parm sandwich.

A one-stop shop for sandwiches, smallgoods and Italian pantry staples. The floor-to-ceiling shelves are impressively jam-packed, so you can stock up on fancy Italian pantry staples while you're picking up lunch. Plus, grazing platters, flaky pastizzi and Ned's Bake pastries.

At Bench Coffee's CBD flagship, stop in for an espresso at the sleek standing bar or grab a latte and rich, bite-sized dacquoise (in flavours such as matcha, black sesame and vanilla-sea salt) to go. It's by the same team as nearby katsu sando bar Saint Dreux.

Warkop is a snug, laid-back sandwich shop headed by Indonesian chef Barry Susanto. On the menu, you’ll find a line-up of bready classics, from the aromatic chicken sanga, to a beef pastrami with coconutty rendang sauce, and a soft grilled brioche with custard-like coconut jam.

At this Japanese cafe in a North Melbourne warehouse, almost everything revolves around fluffy-house baked shokupan (which you can get to take away). You'll also find fried-chicken katsu sandos, teriyaki fries and airy sponge cake. It’s from one of the founders of Bali’s Potato Head Beach Club – and it shares a space with his impressive old-school car collection.

This three-storey love letter to Gippsland and its produce is by Alejandro Saravia, the chef behind CBD classic Pastuso. There's a deli with house-made pastrami rolls; a suave restaurant with a focus on cooking with flames; and a greenhouse-like rooftop oasis.

This sandwich spot from a trio of experienced hospo players was supposed to open in March 2020. One pandemic and a long Fitzroy pop-up later, Nico's has made its way back to its original home in the CBD. Come for jazzed-up Italo-Japanese-leaning sangas, strong coffees and sweet shakes.

A red-brick coffee roastery with a pint-sized espresso bar. Get your beans brewed or bagged, right where they’re roasted, by a team that’s all about sustainability and transparency. Plus, there are pistachio-and-raspberry blondies and flaky, cheesy croissants.

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.

This cross between a daytime bistro and a New York Deli is the casual sibling adjoined to Scott Pickett's Chancery Lane. Slide into a booth for charcuterie and crepes suzette, or grab curried-egg sandwiches and roast-pork rolls (with crackling) to go.

At Greta, you'll find breakfast pasta, crackling-coated porchetta rolls and free aperitivo snacks. Swing by this olive and mustard-toned sandwich and wine bar for Axil coffee and Penny for Pound pastries, or linger with a Martini made with Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin.

It's not a cafe, but this sourdough micro-bakery – by loyally followed baker Maaryasha Werdiger – should be on your radar. She's pulling crowds with her sourdough loaves, pillowy focaccia, beautifully braided challah and swirly chocolate babka.

The bakery's southside location is near-identical to the light-filled North Melbourne original. Go for $10 stracciatella-filled sandwiches, eggplant parmigiana-style pies and pepperoni pizza on weekends. Plus, chocolatey hot cross buns and hefty cardamom scrolls.

A Thai cafe serving Chiang Mai-style coffee, Thai toast with coconut jam, durian rolls and other sweets. It also has some of the best – and most unique – pies in town: glorious parcels of pastry with fillings inspired by Thai staples such as chicken red curry and pork larb.

A second permanent outpost for prolific restaurateur Andrew McConnell's Covid success story. Enter the sunny flower-filled grocer for chicken Waldorf ciabattas, salmon melts and jaffa-flavoured cakes. Plus, Baker Bleu loaves, fruit and veg, and fancy pantry staples.