Melbourne is all about breakfast. And if you’re specifically looking for smashed avo, then you can pretty much walk into any cafe in Melbourne.
But what about beyond the iconic smashed avo? When you’re looking for the best breakfast in Melbourne you’ll find boozy brunches, all-day brekky, house-roasted coffee, vegetable purees—you could say, we got it all.
We’ve curated a list of breakfast places in Melbourne to suit any mood, location, dress sense and hangover-scale. These are the best breakfast spots in Melbourne.
Eleventh Commandment
Collingwood
With a courtyard space as colourful as their latte menu, Eleventh Commandment is a good vibes cafe, that is doggo friendly. The food here is pretty unique, even the acai bowl with peanut butter, coyo (coconut yoghurt), fresh fruit and homemade granola is uniquely yum. The breakfast bao is a favourite, a spicy but fresh number. There are a range of lattes on offer, including turmeric, beetroot, matcha and chai—just in case you’re feeling adventurous.
How to order: Order via Uber Eats, walk-in or call (03) 9044 5963
Cumulus Inc.
Flinders Lane, CBD
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner service, you can have a cocktail at breakfast or a coffee at dinner or maybe even both. The all-day menu allows you to use the restaurant depending on your mood. Specialising in local Victorian produce at the peak of its season, the food at Cumulus is always fresh and creative. It’s the perfect inner-city brunch spot.
The food centres around local ingredients with little moments of french influence (especially in the dessert section). The all-day menu changes slightly depending on the day and season, but the plates are always designed to be eaten however you like, at whatever time of day.
How to order: Eat at home via Providoor, book here or call 03 9650 1445
Archie’s All Day
Fitzroy
Archie’s is the boozy brunch place of Fitzroy and sits comfortably in a conversation about the best breakfast spots in Melbourne. “Boozy Brunch” even has its own section of the menu. It’s hip, it’s loud and everyone wears Comme Des Garcon lace-ups and the banter is always flowing. They have $10 negronis on tap, an amazing list of mimosas (mandarin and grapefruit are bomb), a perfectly spicy bloody mary and a genuinely cracking cocktail list. Their food goes to all corners of the globe, from Mexican eggs, to cured salmon, to a fried chicken burger. Whether you’re hungry, thirsty, or just after a damn good coffee, Archie’s delivers.
How to order: Book here (but it can sometimes be best just to walk-in), available for takeaway via Mr Yum
Piccante
Fitzroy North
Piccante is a family-owned and run cafe on St George’s Street, just across the road from Piedemonte’s. Although wildly busy, you don’t seem to hear about it much – probably because it doesn’t subscribe to fancy coffee and brunch culture. Nevertheless, it serves up delicious home-style food with chef specials every day, an affordable bevvy list and any coffee/hot drink you could ever desire. It’s a stress-free breakfast spot, which is actually kinda hard to find in Melbourne. It also has a super cute courtyard – great for a hungover graze. They have all the basics, and then some. Baked eggs with chorizo, a farmer’s breakfast, freshly squeezed juices, mimosas, iced coffees (with ice cream!), spicy bloody mary’s…whatever your morning mood is, they can provide the goods. The green eggs are a must; imagine garlic-y pesto, cheese and scrambled eggs. Yep.
How to order: Book a table via The Fork, call (03) 9489 7459 or just walk-in!
Code Black Coffee
Various locations
With a coffee roastery at their Brunswick HQ, and a seasonally inspired menu across all of their cafes, Code Black Coffee pushes the boundaries of your regular brunch spot, striving for the deliciously unique. Located in Brunswick, North Melbourne and recently South Melbourne, each menu has something different to offer. In Brunswick, their menu strives to produce dishes you wouldn’t necessarily see on other brunch menus. Things like the seared tuna and potato galette and confit spanner crab, together with a spin on some of the classics. North Melbourne hosts a favourite dish of house-smoked ocean trout, Kedgeree rice and herbed yoghurt, featured in the “Brunch in Melbourne” cookbook by OnePlate. Then, there’s South Melbourne, with an Italian influence, executed with a modern spin. They have amazing Fritelle (Italian doughnuts), with a deconstructed lemon pie and sour cherry jam… yep, our mouths are watering too. With a clear focus on coffee, seasonal foods and individuality, you can’t ever go wrong with a trip to Code Black Coffee.
How to order: Shop coffee and merch here, find the cafe closest to you and book here
Sibling
Carlton North
Sibling is a non for profit cafe, with speciality coffee and a seasonal menu, inspired by local producers. With the ethos “eating well, for good”, 100% of their distributable profits are donated to Australian charities, and they deliver weekly food relief to vulnerable Victorians. Not only is their food organically sourced and goddamn delicious, but they’re also really doing their part to help communities be more socially inclusive. They run an in-house training program that delivers capacity building and community for volunteers from all walks of life. They have an amazing range of sandwiches, homemade baked beans on sourdough, smoothies, pressed juices and GREAT gluten-free bread. Oh, and they have bottomless filter coffee.
How to order: Call (03) 9620 7799 or walk-in
Carolina Cafe
Brunswick
Carolina Cafe is in an original shoemaker’s storefront on Nicholson Street, Brunswick East and is simply an honest, cosy and relaxing place for a breakfast date. The food is healthy, rustic and beautifully presented. They have booze from noon, nice strong coffee, a picturesque courtyard and (usually) an epic Croque Monsieur special. They also have delish chai and hot choc options that are vegan.
How to order: Book here, call 0423 557 442 or walk-in
Kettle Black
South Melbourne
The Kettle Black is part of the Darling Group, known for their picture perfect venues including Higher Ground and Top Paddock. No conversation can be had about the best breakfasts in Melbourne without mentioning The Kettle Black. As a group, they thrive in great coffee, unexpected food and beautifully fit-out venues. Although the vibe is relaxed, The Kettle Black is more of a breakfast restaurant than cafe, with its impressive architectural features and experimental menu, so be prepared to be aesthetically overwhelmed… in the best way possible. The food: Gingerbread Waffle? Grilled Barramundi Burger? Bacon Benedict? Yes to all? We thought so.
How to order: Book here, order via Uber Eats
Via Porta
Mont Albert
Via Porta is seriously STUNNING. With all neutral tones and organic textures, Via Porta is a breath of fresh air, clean linen, strong coffee and cured meats. Part eatery, part wine bar, part deli and provedore, you won’t find yourself ever leaving empty-handed. Open every day from 7am – 3pm (except Sundays, closing at 2:30pm), Via Porta brings a little slice of Southern Italy to Mont Albert, the perfect place for an early breakfast, late lunch or stop-in on your way to pick up a coffee and some charcuterie!
Some of our favourite brekky dishes are the french toast doughnut with blood orange compressed peaches, eggs in arrabiata with njuda butter and the porchetta toastie with crushed broccoli and pecorino cheese.
How to order: You can buy take-home food, produce, freshly baked breads and pastries and groceries here or in-store, and call 03 8256 4866 or walk-in
Kirk’s Wine Bar
Hardware Lane, CBD
The name may deceive you, but Kirk’s Wine Bar offers an amazing breakfast menu. Operating as an all-day eatery and wine bar, the menu at Kirk’s slightly changes depending on the day of the week and time of the day. Located on the iconic Hardware Lane, sitting out the front genuinely feels like you’re a tourist in Europe. A daily bruschetta, ham and comte croissants, salmon gravlax and many more delicious bites, along with consistently good coffee and fabulous service.
How to order: Walk in or call (03) 9600 4550
Roman’s Original
Footscray
Roman’s Original is for all you sandwich lovers. The spicy pork and beef meatball sanga is devourable. The owner, Leigh, makes everything himself, including a luscious selection of dessert pies. I mean, when was the last time you ate a slice of yuzu meringue pie for breakfast? Now’s your chance. Roman’s has great coffee and a limited but delish offering of natty wines, with good hearty sandwiches and homemade, old-style desserts.
How to order: Walk-ins only
Mixed Business
Clifton Hill
Mixed business is found in an unassuming location, an old furniture store on Queens Parade in Clifton Hill. It’s the definition of charming, with a leafy garden and backyard lemon tree, paint-chipped benches, water jugs filled with flowers and old corner-store signs. Their food offering is as wholesome and homey as the decor. Icey granitas, breakfast burgers, hot cakes and porridge are among some of our faves at MB.
How to order: Walk in or call (03) 9486 1606
THERE
Footscray
From the beautiful restored wool-factory windows, to the simple comfort food, THERE absolutely delivers on simplistic quality. Despite drinking coffee with a real kick, you’ll feel totally calm at THERE. Serving Seven Seeds coffee and a light-filled industrial palace space, THERE cafe is absolutely beautiful. They focus on local seasonal food and good coffee. Some of our fresh faves are the smoked watermelon salad, the rosti your way and Cypriot grain salad.
How to order: Book here, contact here or just walk on in
Nine Yards
South Melbourne
Nine Yards is inside an old stable, and now a South Melbourne staple! The food is colourful, healthy and Australian focused, with house blended coffee and an array of healthy alternatives like a Bonsoy Tumeric Latte and a hot toddy with lemon myrtle and Kaffir lime. Their food is super vegan, vego and gf friendly too.
How to order: No bookings, just walk-in or call (03) 86767820
Gingerboy
Crossley Street, CBD
Does it count as brunch if it’s Sunday noon? Totally. And when there’s a set-menu dim sum and bottomless mimosas, who are we to argue? Gingerboy is a Melbourne institution, most commonly known as one of the OG “asian-fusion” restaurants and has been delivering spicy ceviche and lychee martinis since 2006. Now, you can go there for a specific Sunday dim sum and bottomless mimosa brunch. Enough said.
How to order: Book here
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