Melbourne's brunch culture is legendary, and for good reason. From innovative smashed avo creations to decadent French toast masterpieces, the city's weekend brunch scene offers something for every palate and budget. This comprehensive guide covers the best brunch spots across Melbourne's most popular neighborhoods, complete with insider tips, pricing, and what to order at each venue.
Why Melbourne is Australia's Brunch Capital
Melbourne didn't just adopt brunch culture – it revolutionized it. The city's obsession with quality coffee, fresh local produce, and innovative cuisine has created a brunch scene that rivals any major city worldwide. With over 2,000 cafes serving weekend brunch, competition drives constant innovation.
The Evolution of Melbourne Brunch
What started as simple eggs on toast has evolved into an art form. Today's Melbourne brunch features:
- **Globally-inspired fusion dishes** combining Asian, Middle Eastern, and European flavors
- **Instagram-worthy presentations** that taste as good as they look
- **Dietary-inclusive menus** with extensive vegan, gluten-free, and keto options
- **Specialty coffee pairings** from award-winning roasters
- **All-day brunch service** at many venues, perfect for late risers
Top 15 Brunch Spots by Neighborhood
CBD & Docklands
1. Hardware Société
Address: 120 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Price Range: $18-$28 per dish
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Must-Try: Baked eggs with chorizo, roasted peppers, and sourdough
This French-inspired institution consistently draws queues, especially on weekends. Arrive before 9am to avoid the rush, or put your name down and explore the nearby Queen Victoria Market while you wait. Their signature baked eggs are legendary, but don't overlook the croque monsieur or house-made pastries.
2. Higher Ground
Address: 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Price Range: $16-$32 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Ricotta hotcakes with seasonal fruit and maple butter
Set in a stunning converted power station with 15-meter ceilings, Higher Ground offers more than just great food – it's an experience. The innovative menu changes seasonally, but their ricotta hotcakes remain a constant crowd-pleaser. Book ahead for weekends or be prepared for a 45-minute wait.
Fitzroy & Collingwood
3. Industry Beans
Address: 3/62 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Price Range: $15-$26 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Breakfast ramen with soft egg and kimchi
Coffee roasters turned brunch destination, Industry Beans pioneered the specialty coffee movement in Melbourne. Their innovative menu features unexpected combinations like breakfast ramen and miso scrambled eggs. The minimalist warehouse space fills quickly, but turnover is relatively fast.
4. Terror Twilight
Address: 141 Hoddle St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Price Range: $14-$24 per dish
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 8am-3pm
Must-Try: House-made crumpets with whipped ricotta and honeycomb
This cozy neighborhood gem serves comfort food with a creative twist. Their house-made crumpets have achieved cult status, while the constantly changing specials board showcases seasonal produce. The intimate space means bookings are essential for groups larger than four.
South Yarra & Prahran
5. Two Birds One Stone
Address: 12 Claremont St, South Yarra VIC 3141
Price Range: $16-$28 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Breakfast bowl with quinoa, kale, and poached eggs
This light-filled cafe perfectly captures South Yarra's health-conscious vibe. The menu leans heavily toward nutritious options without sacrificing flavor. Their breakfast bowls are Instagram gold, while the turmeric latte has converted many skeptics. Dog-friendly outdoor seating available.
6. Tall Timber
Address: 85 Commercial Rd, Prahran VIC 3181
Price Range: $15-$30 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7:30am-4pm
Must-Try: Soft shell crab benedict with sriracha hollandaise
Prahran Market's favorite brunch spot combines fresh market produce with creative execution. The soft shell crab benedict exemplifies their approach – familiar dishes with unexpected twists. Visit the market before or after for fresh produce and gourmet groceries.
St Kilda & Elwood
7. Monk Bodhi Dharma
Address: 202 Carlisle St, Balaclava VIC 3183
Price Range: $14-$22 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Vegan pancakes with coconut ice cream
Melbourne's premier vegan brunch destination proves plant-based doesn't mean boring. Their extensive menu features creative alternatives to classic brunch dishes, all made from scratch. The pancakes are legendary, but don't miss the "eggs" benedict made with silken tofu.
8. Banff
Address: 145 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Price Range: $16-$26 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-3pm
Must-Try: Canadian poutine with poached eggs
This Canadian-Australian fusion cafe brings Montreal bagels and proper poutine to Melbourne's brunch scene. The unusual combination works brilliantly, especially their brunch poutine topped with perfectly poached eggs. Limited indoor seating, but the people-watching on Fitzroy Street is unbeatable.
Richmond & Hawthorn
9. Pillar of Salt
Address: 541 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
Price Range: $15-$25 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Middle Eastern breakfast with labneh and dukkah eggs
This neighborhood favorite brings Middle Eastern flavors to Melbourne brunch. Their signature breakfast plate features house-made labneh, perfectly spiced shakshuka, and fresh pita. The covered courtyard provides a tranquil escape from busy Church Street.
10. Axil Coffee Roasters
Address: 322 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Price Range: $14-$24 per dish
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Must-Try: Corn fritters with smashed avo and poached eggs
What started as a small Hawthorn roastery has become a Melbourne coffee institution. Their all-day brunch menu features reliable classics executed perfectly. The corn fritters strike the perfect balance between crispy and fluffy, while their single-origin coffee selection is unmatched.
Brunswick & Northcote
11. Green Refectory
Address: 115 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Price Range: $12-$20 per dish
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 8am-3pm
Must-Try: Mushroom toast with cashew cream
Brunswick's beloved plant-based cafe serves wholesome brunch without the hefty price tag. Everything is made from scratch using organic ingredients where possible. The mushroom toast might sound simple, but the combination of wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and cashew cream is sublime.
12. Barry
Address: 85 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
Price Range: $16-$28 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Breakfast gnocchi with bacon and brussels sprouts
This quirky Northcote institution serves Italian-inspired brunch with Australian flair. The breakfast gnocchi shouldn't work but absolutely does, while their bottomless filter coffee deal ($5) keeps the neighborhood caffeinated. Expect a wait on weekends, but the communal atmosphere makes it fly by.
South Melbourne & Port Melbourne
13. Chez Dré
Address: South Melbourne Market, Corner of Coventry & Cecil St
Price Range: $18-$32 per dish
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 8am-3pm
Must-Try: French toast soufflé with berries
Located inside South Melbourne Market, this French patisserie and cafe serves decadent brunch with a Gallic twist. Their French toast soufflé is worth the 20-minute wait, while the croque madame rivals anything in Paris. Market days (Wed, Fri-Sun) are busiest, so arrive early.
14. The Kettle Black
Address: 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Price Range: $16-$28 per dish
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm
Must-Try: Pulled pork benedict with apple slaw
This modern all-rounder perfectly balances innovative dishes with brunch classics. The pulled pork benedict exemplifies their approach – familiar format, unexpected flavors. Their house-made pastries and extensive gluten-free options make it a safe bet for groups with varied dietary needs.
Carlton & Parkville
15. Seven Seeds
Address: 114 Berkeley St, Carlton VIC 3053
Price Range: $15-$25 per dish
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Must-Try: Kedgeree with smoked trout and soft egg
This specialty coffee roaster's flagship cafe serves thoughtful brunch in a converted warehouse space. The kedgeree showcases their attention to detail – perfectly spiced rice, quality smoked trout, and runny eggs. Their cupping sessions (coffee tastings) run Saturday mornings for true coffee enthusiasts.
Insider Tips for the Perfect Melbourne Brunch
Timing is Everything
- **Beat the crowds:** Arrive before 8:30am on weekends or after 1:30pm
- **Weekday brunch:** Many spots are quieter Tuesday-Thursday
- **Book ahead:** Use apps like OpenTable or call directly for popular spots
- **Queue strategy:** Put your name down and explore the neighborhood
Coffee Culture Etiquette
- **Know your order:** Flat white, latte, long black, or cappuccino are standards
- **Milk alternatives:** Oat, almond, soy available everywhere; coconut and macadamia at specialty spots
- **Single origin vs. blend:** Ask your barista for recommendations
- **BYO cups:** Many cafes offer discounts for reusable cups
Dietary Requirements
Melbourne's brunch scene caters exceptionally well to dietary restrictions:
- **Gluten-free:** Most venues offer GF bread; many have dedicated GF menus
- **Vegan:** Plant-based milk standard; numerous fully vegan venues
- **Halal:** Growing number of halal-certified cafes, particularly in Brunswick and Coburg
- **Keto/Paleo:** Many cafes offer grain-free and low-carb options
Budget-Friendly Brunch Hacks
- **BYO alcohol:** Some cafes allow BYO for bottomless brunch (corkage fees apply)
- **Lunch menus:** Many spots offer cheaper options after 11:30am
- **Share plates:** Order several dishes to share for variety and value
- **Filter coffee:** Usually half the price of espresso-based drinks
- **Market cafes:** Often cheaper than standalone venues
Seasonal Brunch Trends for 2024
Current Favorites
- **Japanese-inspired breakfasts:** Think miso scrambled eggs and breakfast okonomiyaki
- **Native Australian ingredients:** Finger lime, wattleseed, and davidson plum appearing on menus
- **Fermented foods:** House-made kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir as standard additions
- **CBD oil infusions:** Legal CBD additions to smoothies and coffee
- **Zero-waste menus:** Root-to-stem cooking and creative use of byproducts
What's Next
Industry insiders predict these trends will dominate late 2024:
- **Breakfast cocktails:** Low-ABV morning drinks beyond mimosas
- **Regional Mexican:** Authentic chilaquiles and breakfast tacos
- **Functional foods:** Adaptogenic herbs and nootropic supplements
- **Hyper-local sourcing:** Rooftop gardens and urban farming partnerships
Planning Your Brunch Crawl
The Ultimate CBD Brunch Route
- **Start:** Hardware Société (8am) - Classic baked eggs
- **Coffee stop:** Patricia Coffee Brewers (10am) - Standing room only
- **Sweet finish:** Brunetti (11am) - Italian pastries and strong espresso
Total time: 3 hours |
Northside Neighborhood Tour
- **Begin:** Green Refectory, Brunswick (9am) - Healthy start
- **Main course:** Barry, Northcote (10:30am) - Italian-inspired brunch
- **Dessert:** Beatrix, North Melbourne (12pm) - Baked goods haven
Total time: 3.5 hours |
Bayside Brunch Beach Day
- **Kick-off:** Monk Bodhi Dharma, Balaclava (8:30am) - Vegan feast
- **Beach break:** St Kilda Beach (10am) - Walk off breakfast
- **Round two:** Banff, St Kilda (11:30am) - Canadian comfort food
Total time: 3 hours |
The Bottom Line
Melbourne's brunch scene continues to evolve, with new venues opening monthly and established favorites constantly innovating. Whether you're after Instagram-worthy presentations, health-conscious options, or indulgent comfort food, Melbourne delivers. The key to brunch success? Arrive early or late, bring friends to share multiple dishes, and always leave room for coffee and pastries.
Remember, the best brunch spot is often the one just around the corner from where you live. While this guide covers the heavy hitters, don't overlook your local cafe – Melbourne's neighborhood brunch scene is where the real magic happens.
Pro tip: Follow your favorite venues on Instagram for daily specials and new menu launches. Many cafes test new dishes as weekend specials before adding them permanently.
Happy brunching, Melbourne!