Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Melbourne is full of excellent cafes for you discover.
Nicole de Souza - Staff Writer•
When you think of Melbourne, you think of coffee. And to go with that coffee is a thriving breakfast and brunch scene. Whether you’re after a classic smashed avo, bagels to-go or a decadent feast to help you relax at the start of the day, Melbourne is full of bustling breakfast spots. Start your day right with some of our breakfast recommendations.
1. Hardware Société
Hardware Société may have locations in Paris and Barcelona, but it was born right here in Melbourne. This iconic breakfast spot serves up plenty of delicious treats inspired by French and Spanish cuisine. Start your day with indulgent treats like scrambled eggs vol-au-vent, twice-baked soufflé and timbal de anchoas. Pair your breakfast with an assortment of drinks, like coffee, tea, cold pressed juice and co*cktails.
Both of these breakfast locations are in Melbourne CBD. You can visit their original spot on Hardware St, or opt for their bigger, flagship store on Katherine Place.
📍10 Katherine Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000 and 123 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Higher Ground
Take your breakfast to new heights at Higher Ground. Set inside a heritage-listed powerhouse, you’ll find plenty of corners to relax and enjoy a good breakfast. The upstairs level even has its own barista station, so you don’t have to wait long for your coffee. Try elegant breakfast options, like spanner crab benedict, dark rye & chive waffle with salmon, blueberry & ricotta hotcake, a seasonal breakfast salad and more.
📍650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
3. Manchester Press
If you prioritise coffee with your breakfast, then this laneway café is the place to go. Named after the printing press office that once occupied the building, Manchester Press serves up excellent coffee, a wide range of loaded bagels, as well as sandwiches and healthy bowls.
📍8 Rankins Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Morpha
Wander down Fulton Lane and have breakfast at this Asian fusion café. Treat yourself to some specialty coffee, or enjoy options like matcha and hojicha. Try something sweet like waffles, or indulge in their crayfish, crab or mushroom croissant. If you like eggs, try their okonomiyaki benedict. Morpha also has a range of baos, sandwiches and crullers.
📍Fulton Lane, shop3-4/155 Franklin St, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Bowery to Williamsburg
Feel transported to a New York diner at Bowery to Williamsburg. This venue pays homage to the Bowery subway station, and features traditionally made bagels. If you’re not grabbing a bagel to-go, stick around for their lox & potato latkes, 14 hour roasted beef brisket with eggs, pastrami sandwich and more. Find out more here.
📍16 Oliver Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Rustica
Love bread? So do we. Watch the team at Rustica make their delicious sourdough bread at their flagship store in South Yarra. If you’re on the go, grab one of their rotating pastries, sandwiches, salads and brekkie rolls. Or, stick around and enjoy something heartier, like chilli scrambled eggs on pumpkin sourdough, for breakfast.
Visit their flagship South Yarra store on Chapel Street, or enjoy one of their other cafes around Melbourne. See more here.
📍South Yarra, Highpoint, Melbourne Central, Queen Street, Rialto Towers.
7. Two Birds One Stone
Two Birds One Stone is known for their beautiful ricotta pancakes, but there’s heaps of other yummy breakfast options to try. Enjoy a seasonal menu, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Start the day with something sweet, like Brulée French toast, or go savoury with something like Shakshuka with chorizo, poached eggs, feta, olives and pita bread.
📍12 Claremont St, South Yarra VIC 3141
8. The Kettle Black
Step into this heritage-listed venue in South Melbourne and treat yourself to a sophisticated breakfast at The Kettle Black. Indulge in sweet breakfast items like the tiramisu croffle or blueberry & ricotta hotcake, or try something savoury like pastrami brisket on sourdough. If you’re on the go, opt for a tasty sandwich or pastry. More info here.
📍50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205
9. CIBI
You’ll feel welcome at this Japanese-inspired café and design store. Founded by Meg and Zenta Tanaka, CIBI blends their experience in food, wine, design and architecture. Their CIBI café serves up homely Japanese breakfast plates inspired by their grandmother’s home cooking. The traditional plate, for example, features grilled salmon, omelette, seasonal vegetables, a CIBI rice blend, miso soup and more. If you’re after something else, they also have miso baked egg, avocado toast and more. Explore their website here.
📍33/39 Keele St, Collingwood VIC 3066
10. Auction Rooms
Stroll down Errol Street in North Melbourne and have your breakfast at Auction Rooms. Set in the old W.B. auction house, you’ll spot the café thanks to its bright blue façade. On the inside, you’ll enjoy industrial vibes thanks to the high ceilings, exposed brick and natural light. Start your day with a St Ali coffee and feast on breakfast delights, like a breakfast board, house-made granola or brioche French toast. See more here.
📍103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
11. Tinker
Treat yourself to a modern take on Melbourne breakfast classics at Tinker in Northcote. Made from the same hospitality team behind Terror Twilight, Convoy and Hi Fi, you’ll find plenty of colourful brunch items that will help you start your day with a smile. Expect seasonal and cheerful dishes, like the Golden Gaytime hotcakes, mango & saffron panna cotta or waffle eggs benedict. Pair your breakfast with coffee, tea, smoothies and even co*cktails from 10am. See more here.
📍235 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
12. Archie’s All Day
You can’t go wrong with breakfast at Archie’s All Day. This fantastic venue in Fitzroy has a massive range of options to help you kick-start your day, from the sweet to the savoury. Perhaps you feel like fried chicken and waffles for breakfast? Or a brioche roll stuffed with scrambled eggs and ‘Godmother Chilli’? They’ve also got plenty of Melbourne breakfast favourites, like smashed avo, ricotta hotcakes, eggs on sourdough, granola and more. Wash it down with coffee, juice, tea, smoothies and even co*cktails.
📍189 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
See also: 17 Great Reasons To Stroll Down Gertrude Street
13. Monk Bodhi Dharma
Looking for something plant-based? You’ll love this café in Balaclava. Start your day feeling refreshed and nourished with the range of wholesome dishes from Monk Bodhi Dharma. Try Monk’s Acai Bowl, Banana Dharma Pancakes, mushrooms on house-made pumpkin polenta bread and more. Then, pair it with a cup of organic chai or specialty coffee from Disciple Roasters.
📍202 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183
14. West 48
This industrial venue in Melbourne’s west has a stacked menu for every mood. Try sambal eggs on paratha roti bread, a breaky dog with smoked kransky, slow-cooked beef brisket on hash browns and more. There’s also plenty of breakfast favourites, like eggs on toast and smashed avo. West 48 also has a variety of drinks, like coffee, matcha, Vietnamese coffee, juice, smoothies and milkshakes.
📍48 Essex St, Footscray VIC 3011
15. Lux Foundry
Bring your pup along to this dog-friendly café in Brunswick. Located in a heritage-listed warehouse, Lux Foundry also features an expansive courtyard so you can have breakfast with your pooch. Find plenty of hearty and delicious items on the menu, including crab chilli scrambled eggs, passionfruit & ricotta hotcakes, and corn & manchego croquette. They’ve got plenty of coffee, tea and smoothie options, as well as co*cktails.
📍21 Hope St, Brunswick VIC 3056
See more: 12 Perfectly Yummy Pancakes To Try Around Melbourne
Tags:breakfast, brunch, crepes, pancakes
