Brunch is the new black

Melbourne is notorious for its café culture. With some of the world’s best coffee blends is it a paradise for coffee lovers. A typical Melbourne day always starts with Brunch. Café-hopping to stuff yourself silly and drink as many cups of coffee is the dream.

Café standards are set really high from food, drink and ambiance, no wonder the snaking queues out the doors on the weekends. Melburnians live to brunch and why not, Brunch is the new Black.

The new brunching trend is on a level high that most of the popular places don’t take reservations. A 20-30 minute wait is standard on a weekend but very worth the wait.

Melbourne will not disappoint you with their cafe scene, the sheer number of options is fascinating. Having lived in Melbourne for over 12 years now I still haven’t managed to get to all the hot spots with new options popping up monthly.

Here are our top 10 picks for the best cafes in Melbourne.

#1 AUCTION ROOMS

Auction Rooms is a beautiful and spacious cafe in North Melbourne with light flooding in from large glass panels. All-day breakfast is served from 7.30am and the dishes are not your ordinary Eggs and Toast.

Standouts include Brûlée French Toast (AUD$16) with crispy pancetta, the signature Pressed Pork Shoulder (AUD$18) with slow poached egg and bone marrow, as well as the popular Breakfast Board of Grilled Chorizo with croquette, soft boiled egg served with iced coffee.

103-107 Errol St, North Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9326 7749
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 5pm
Nearest Tram Station: Errol St/Queensberry St

#2 HARDWARE SOCIÉTÉ

It is one of the most popular cafes here in Melbourne, and the daily queue says it all. It was breakfast for us one breezy morning, and we were so spoilt for choice with its relatively large menu.

But don’t get too distracted, because these folks are known for their Baked Eggs (AUD$18) and yes, they are irresistible. The Picnic Board (AUD$20) really satisfied too; think a sumptuous serving of confit drumstick, cured meats, free range eggs and pickles and of course, do not leave without a cappuccino.

120 Hardware Street, Melbourne
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 3pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 2pm
Nearest Tram Station: Queen St/La Trobe St

#3 CHEZ DRÉ

Tucked away in a laneway near South Melbourne Market, Chez Dré has made a name for itself by dishing out French-inspired sweet and savoury all-day breakfast. It has recently split the cafe and patisserie into two separate brands.

Housed in a warehouse, Chez Dré is serving a French-inspired breakfast and lunch menu using the best local produce, while Bibelot – a new venture next door – is a patisserie, gelateria, espresso bar, chocolate shop, and high tea salon. Have breakfast at Chez Dré and head next door to Bibelot for desserts and coffee.

285-287 Coventry St, South Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9690 2688
Daily: 7.30am – 4.30pm
Nearest Tram Station: York St/Clarendon St

#4 DEAD MAN ESPRESSO

If you are heading to South Melbourne Market, another cafe that you should check out is Dead Man Espresso. Located on a quiet corner of Market Street, Dead Man Espresso is the perfect spot for a great cup of coffee – a special Dead Man Espresso blend specially made for them by Seven Seeds – along with a simple breakfast.

The breakfast options include Slow Cooked Pork Belly Bun (AUD$18), Deadman Chicken Burger (AUD$16.50), and Toast with Vegemite (AUD$8.50).

35 Market St, South Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9696 3912
Mon to Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Tram Station: York St/Clarendon St

#5 CUMULUS INC.

Cummulus Inc. is a sexy name. And so is the restaurant. It may not be a cafe per se, but we have included it in this guide to Melbourne’s best cafe simply because Cummulus Inc. is one of those places that are always packed – no matter what time you go. Their menu differs from breakfast to lunch to dinner, with the latter being the most extensive and expensive.

While the food is considered honest and nothing too whacky, Cumulus Inc earns its popularity from the good vibes of its outlet – with a choice of bar seats and personal tables, it makes a good place to gather and for a comfort meal.

45 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9650 1445
Mon to Fri: 7am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Tram Station: Exhibition St/Flinders St

#6 MANCHESTER PRESS

Famed for its coffee and bagels, Manchester Press is tucked away in Rankins Lane, just slightly off Little Bourke Street. It is inconspicuous, the kind of place that you will walk past without noticing it. But once you turn in to the narrow alley, you will be surprised by the sheer size of the cafe.

The menu is small and concise; divided into four sections – breakfast, open bagels, closed bagels and salads. Yea, bagels everything. Just about right! There are options such as The MP Club Sandwich Bagel (AUD$14.50), Texas BBQ Pulled Pork Bagel (AUD$15.50), and Toasted Mixed Berry Bagel (AUD$14), but our favourite is the Grilled Spanish Chorizo Bagel (AUD$14) with spinach, sliced tomato, tomato relish and cheese.

8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne
Rel: +61 3 9600 4054
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Tram Station: Bourke St/Elizabeth St

#7 OPERATOR25

A little quirky, a little funky is what you get from Operator25. Offering our favourite comfort foods with a twist. Some may call the menu quite foreign but I say it’s unique! The Balinese pulled pork burger is a must.

25 Wills St, Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9670 3278
Mon to Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Tram Station: Queen St/La Trobe St

#8 PROUD MARY

One of my favourites…A pioneer of third-wave cafes in Melbourne, Proud Mary is an ideal spot for stopping for a quick cup of coffee, or hanging out with a group of friends for a meal. Some of the highlights include Ricotta Hotcake (AUD$16), Pea & Feta Fritter (AUD$18.50), and the outstanding Pork Belly Sandwich (AUD$16)

From all day breakfast, to hearty lunches, homemade cakes, fresh juices and kick ass coffee, there is surely something for everyone at Proud Mary.

172 Oxford Street
Collingwood
Tel: +61 03 9417 5930
Mon to Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Tram Station: Hodgson St/Smith St

#9 ST ALI COFFEE ROASTERS

Bustling and full of chatter, St ALi Coffee Roasters – one of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Melbourne – is housed in what used to be a warehouse near to South Melbourne Market, and the space is ever lively with club tracks and funky baristas.

The menu has both breakfast and brunch choices, and we went for The Daddy (AUD$17.50) and Up Seven Creek without a Paddle (AUD$24). Damn, the latter was a mouthful. But it is really an awesome open-faced steak sandwich with smoked onion, garlic mayo, baby beet and gruyère. The beef used is a Seven Creek marble score 9 Wagyu beef, and it is done medium well with a hint of char. Needless to say, this had our hearts and we polished them all within minutes.

12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9686 2990
Daily: 7am – 6pm
Nearest Tram Station: York St/Clarendon St

#10 THE KETTLE BLACK

Quite possibly the hottest – and most crowded – cafe in Melbourne right now, THE Kettle Black has garnered an insane following. It is practically impossible to get a table on weekends. Get there early, or be prepared to wait in line.

Highlights include Benedict Style Eggs with Braised Pork Shoulder (AUD$17), Tataki Ocean Trout with Raw Kale Salad (AUD$20), Cape Grim Beef on Bun (AUD$23), and Burrata with Raw Heirloom Tomatoes (AUD$17).

50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9088 0721
Mon to Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Tram Station: Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd