Melbourne is known for its cafe culture. There are hundreds of cafes around the city, each serving its own unique style of cuisine. Whether you want something light, hearty, or even sweet, you’ll find it at these places.
We’ve gone out across Melbourne and found the top cafes with the most impressive food for you to cafe-hop between. From a long and relaxed brunch to a quick coffee or a decadent dinner, we have you covered for whatever meal your heart desires in this article
If you’re looking for some respite after a morning at the Queen Victoria Market, take a pause at Flovie Florist Cafe. With beautiful antique pieces and flower arrangements adorning the cafe, the food is equally as impressive as the piano tucked in among the hanging flowers. The floral theme continues on to the food, with delicate edible flowers laid across the dishes.
Address: 261-263 Queensberry St Carlton, VIC 3053
Reviews rating: 4.5/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Flovie Florist Cafe)
After some entertainment with your meal? Want to break up some friend groups over Monopoly? Pause Menu has you covered. With over 200+ games available, settle in with one of their specialty drinks (the Beetroot Latte is our go-to) and one of their grab-and-go style dishes like pastries, wraps, and sandwiches, you’ll still have one hand free to claim your victory!
Address: 74 Rose St Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Reviews rating: 5.0/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Pause Menu – Board Game Cafe)
For something a little more refined, Top Paddock is our go-to venue to impress the foodies in our lives. The interior is stunning, with detailed glass work, rich timber and fresh greenery, and the menu is filled with decadent items like the Buttermilk Waffle with vanilla cheesecake mousse, strawberry, and poached quince cinnamon caramel. Top Paddock is spacious and lofty, with room to bring the whole crew!
Address: 658 Church St Richmond, VIC 3121
Reviews rating: 4.6/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Top Paddock Cafe)
If you’re heading to the beach with the kids, make a day of it and stop in at Edithvale General Store for a wholesome brunch. The E.G.S Benny is a nice twist on the classic, with shredded ham and apple slaw served on potato rostis and topped with a luscious hollandaise. Or if you’re stopping by for lunch, the lightly fried Calamari is a must – so fresh and vibrant!
Address: 38-40 Munro Ave Edithvale, VIC 3196
Reviews rating: 4.8/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Edithvale General Store)
If a venue could be the physical embodiment of the colour pink, this would be it. Yes, Feekah is actually covered in the colour pink, but it also just feels fun, whimsical and playful. But don’t just let your eyes do the talking, the food will blow you away too. The menu is innovative, exciting and colourful – we can’t really call out a specific dish, it’s one of those ‘you have to try it’ things.
Address: 80 Burwood Rd Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Reviews rating: 4.5/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Feekah Hawthorn)
The Kettle Black is a staple of South Melbourne, and it’s not hard to see why. As part of the multi-award-winning Darling Group, The Kettle Black is serving levelled-up Australian classics, in an old-meets-new style venue. If you’re looking for something a little different, try the Raw Kingfish on Spelt Grain, with pickled cucumber pesto, mustard seeds and fried curry leaf, and wash it down with one of their fantastic breakfast cocktails.
Address: 50 Albert Rd South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Reviews rating: 4.4/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about The Kettle Black)
Just a short tram ride from Albert Park and Port Melbourne Beach is Dundas and Faussett (or D&F to the locals). Situated on a gorgeous corner spot, D&F is serving up Asian fusion favourites like the Buttermilk Bao-ger, marrying a classic fried chicken burger with a soft steamed bao. For a killer brunch, grab the Okonomiyaki Fritter, with shredded vegetables, kewpie mayo, teriyaki sauce and a poached egg.
Address: 111 Dundas Place Albert Park, VIC 3206
Reviews rating: 4.3/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Dundas & Faussett)
Tucked away in Abbotsford, this former mechanics warehouse has been converted into a lofty and light-filled eatery, filled with hanging plants and beautiful stone flooring. Au79 is the periodic element for gold, and the golden dish for us is the Spicy Beans on Toast, with white beans braised with savoy cabbage, and tomato sugo with poached eggs on the house Au79 olive loaf and your choice of haloumi or chorizo (or both, who are we to tell you what to do).
Address: 27-29 Nicholson St Abbotsford, VIC 3067
Reviews rating: 4.6/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Au79)
The flavours at Mammoth Cafe pack a mammoth punch, with a range of influences from Middle Eastern, to Asian and European. The space is designed by Technē Architecture and features a north-facing, plant-filled interior with a spacious outdoor service area. With options like Prawn, Pea & Parmesan Arancino or the Middle Eastern Falafel & Pumpkin Salad, you can bring the whole family to Mammoth Cafe and know that you’ll find something for everyone.
Address: 736 Malvern Road Armadale, VIC 3143
Reviews rating: 4.8/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Mammoth Cafe)
As the name might suggest, coffee is at the heart of Industry Beans. Housing a coffee roastery and cafe under one beautifully designed roof, their all-day brunch menu celebrates Australian native ingredients with fresh, locally sourced produce and contemporary cooking techniques. The dishes are served with pops of colour from edible flowers and microgreens, and the dishes are refined but wholesome.
Address: 70-76 Westgarth St Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Reviews rating: 4.7/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Industry Beans – Fitzroy)
For a bustling, exciting meal in South Yarra, Two Birds One Stone have you covered. With an extensive brunch and lunch menu served until 3pm, make sure you book on the weekend to secure your spot because this is the place to be! For a light and refreshing lunch, the Soba Noodle Salad with sesame crumbled tofu was cooling and comforting, with a zingy ginger and miso dressing.
Address: 12 Claremont Street Melbourne, VIC 3141
Reviews rating: 4.7/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Two Birds One Stone)
You know a cafe is good, if all that you need to know is in their address. 8 Murray Street is a neighbourhood gem for the locals in Abbotsford, tucked away in a converted house with a gorgeous courtyard, cosy seating inside and a private room for meetings or functions. Reading the menu is like reading smash poetry, with dishes like the Butterbean Bada Boom and the Fritter-Toast and Smavo Salad. Wash it down with one of their signature cocktails or excellent coffees.
Address: 8 Murray St Abbotsford, VIC 3067
Reviews rating: 4.8/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about 8 Murray Street)
With food this good, there’s no need to be shy! Right in the heart of Fitzroy, Twice Shy Cafe is a sister café to Mother Melbourne and dining here really feels like you’re dining with family and friends. For something warm, comforting and a little different, try the Red Zhoug Shakshuka, with dehydrated bell-peppers, red zhoug spice, coddled eggs and sourdough.
Address: 171 Miller St Fitzroy North, VIC 3068
Reviews rating: 4.8/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Twice Shy Cafe)
We really didn’t expect to see an impressive, lofty space like this right in the middle of Melbourne, so walking into this heritage-listed powerhouse really is a breathtaking experience. Six connected levels wrap around the building creating tiered platforms, and the menu is highly curated and elevated, with local ingredients cooked to perfection. Bring your foodie friends!
Address: 650 Little Bourke St Melbourne, VIC 3000
Reviews rating: 4.2/5 (Check out what OpenTable diners are saying about Higher Ground Melbourne)
No matter how many venues we go to in Melbourne, we always seem to be finding new and exciting cafes, eateries and restaurants. Hopefully, this list has given you a new spot or two to check out, or you could do what we do and spend the weekend cafe-hopping! From the casual breakfast to the up-market dinner, there’s something for everyone on this list of the best cafes in Melbourne.
