Best Cafés in Melbourne 2026: 36 Top Spots from CBD to the Suburbs

Looking for the best cafes in Melbourne in 2026? You've come to the right place. Melbourne’s café scene sets the benchmark for the world, and in 2026 it’s stronger, more creative, and more competitive than ever. From inner-city hotspots to neighbourhood favourites, the best Melbourne cafés 2026 deliver an unmatched blend of specialty coffee, innovative menus, and design-driven spaces that keep locals and visitors coming back for more.

Whether you’re searching for the best cafés in Melbourne CBD, a laid-back brunch in Fitzroy, or hidden gems in the suburbs, this guide of over 30 cafes has you covered. Expect expertly brewed coffee from some of Melbourne’s top roasters, alongside dishes that go far beyond the basics - think seasonal produce, globally inspired flavours, and beautifully plated brunch classics. From iconic smashed avo and silky eggs to next-level pastries and fusion plates, Melbourne cafés continue to push boundaries while staying true to quality and consistency.

What defines the top Melbourne cafés in 2026 is their ability to evolve - embracing sustainability, championing local suppliers, and creating spaces that feel both welcoming and cutting-edge. 

This curated list of the best cafés Melbourne has to offer in 2026 highlights the venues leading the charge - places worth lining up for, revisiting, and recommending. We have rated each cafe out of a score of 10. Check out our articles on best cafes in the eastern suburbs, best cafes in the western suburbs, and best cafes in Melbourne's inner north. Visiting iconic Melbourne cafes is one of the best things to do in Melbourne.

Updated May 2026.

Jimmy's Deli — Yarraville ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Loaded sandwiches, specialty coffee
Must order: Katz Deli Tribute, New Yorker, Beef Short Rib, Veal Schnitty

Jimmy's Deli is a revelation in Yarraville, a popular destination for great coffee and some of Melbourne's best loaded sandwiches. Brilliant young owner and chef Eleftheria "Thierry" Amanatidis brings stellar service and creative lunch option.

Famous for the pastrami inspired Katz Deli Tribute, other lunch sandwich options excite including the massive New Yorker, Beef Short Rib sandwich, the Veal Schnitty and Steak Frites. Enjoy your lunch inside Jimmy's or out on the main street of Yarraville (a vibe).

---

Inked Cup — Doncaster East ⭐ 8.75/10

Best for: All-day breakfast, jaffles, community vibe
Must order: Signature jaffles, sandwiches, waffles

Cafe gem in the Eastern suburbs with its high class coffee offerings and innovative rewarding dishes including top notch jaffles, all day breakfast, its popular sandwiches, waffles and various mains. They bring the party to the people with a host of signature dishes and they are also aiming for conversation and community, encouraging local craft and artists in their cafe, selling their wares. A popular oasis on Doncaster Road, the locals flock here and love it. Extended trading hours over weekends. One of the best.

Jaffle heaven but also check out the sandwiches, waffles and ever evolving mains.

---

Industry Beans Chadstone ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Elevated brunch, cold brew, specialty coffee
Must order: Porcini Nest main, Chilli Barramundi, Cold Brew, Bubble Coffee

Brunch with a touch of class, truly some of these dishes belong in the NGV. Cold Brews and Bubble Coffees are the name of the game, and Porcini and Barramundi mains take cafe offerings to the next level. This is a destination of elevation when it comes to the Melbourne brunch scene. Of course the coffee is amazing as they roast their own. Vibrant innovative dishes in a bright and stylish setting it sets some benchmarks. 

---

Hatter and Hare — Bayswater ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Themed brunch, unique vibe, creative dishes
Must order: Knave of Hearts French Toast, Down the Rabbit Hole acacia bowl, The Tweedledee

Not all brunch offerings are the same. Hatter and Hare is a unique quirky themed cafe in Bayswater bringing Alice in Wonderland vibes with top notch brunch dishes of note. Check out the Knave of Hearts French Toast, Down the Rabbit Hole acacia bowl, and The Tweedledee, as well as the array of cakes in the display cabinet. Extremely popular with locals this is creativity central and the vibes are unmatched. 

---

Nerudas — Brunswick West ⭐ 8.75/10

Best for: South American flavours, live music, community atmosphere
Must order: Chorizo with scrambled eggs, empanadas (7 types)

Neruda's brings the South American joy to the brunch scene, with a cafe run by a musician owner (often live music) that has built up a community vibe. Check out the fresh made chorizo with scrambled eggs, and the sensational empanada's.

---

Ophelia — Westgarth ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Stylish all-day dining, cakes, pasta nights
Must order: Breakfast Plate, Calabrian Eggs, homemade cakes

Extremely stylish cafe in a greast location. Cafe by day and restaurant by night. Check out the Breakfast Plate, Calabrian Eggs, excellent specialty coffee, and home made cakes and baked goods. Their pasta nights are epic.

---

Lenny 3206 — Albert Park ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Beachy vibe, outdoor seating, innovative dishes
Must order: Duck & Waffles, Wagyu Cheeseburger Spring Roll

Lenny 3206 is a cafe that ticks all of the boxes. One of the first things you notice is the grand building and the modern fit out, conducted by design firm Golden.The World Loves Melbourne enjoys bright airy cafes and Lenny 3206 delivers with large windows, white and blue (beachy vibe) colours and a pink marble bench top, compelling artwork and charming wicker chairs inside. Or sit outside and take in the street vibes of Albert Park. There's a festive and convivial atmosphere at this cafe, reinforced by the colourful umbrellas on the sidewalk.

Not something we expected to find on a cafe menu but welcome.

Duck & Waffles is a signature hit dish featuring Slow cooked duck leg (with perfectly crispy skin), herb and cheese waffle, apple salad, juniper infused maple and a fried egg. A delicious and sophisticated innovative dish at a reasonable price. In my opinion, the duck was cooked perfectly and waffles were a perfect complement, with zesty salad and the joy of an oozy fried egg. 

We also went for a lunch special (now on the permanent menu) of the Wagyu Cheeseburger Spring Roll with Iceberg lettuce, sesame prawn crackers with sriracha mayo. A decent amount of wagyu cheeseburger filling and crispy spring roll casing was a standout. Prawn crackers and lettuce for extra crispiness. And don't underestimate the significance of that delightful sriracha mayo to dip into. Eating with your fingers is the way to go. A crowd pleaser cafe in every way.

---

Tamper Trap — Brighton ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Creative brunch, Japanese-inspired dishes, bayside dining
Must order: Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancake, Cheesy Croquette Benny, Hotcake Sandwich

Tamper Trap is a revelation in Brighton with smart dishes that are innovative and satisfy. Located on iconic bay St Brighton in a leafy up market part of the city, they are hitting the high notes. If you take the well known adage "give the customers more than they expect" then Tamper Trap excels. Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancake was a smash hit, served with crispy ginger chicken and edamame slaw.

Food is inspired by Melbourne favourites with a twist and you’ll also find Salmon Two Ways and the sweetest Hotcake Sandwich with home made Peanut Butter ice cream. Or try their variety of other brunch favourites such as Fruity Crunchy Bircher, Trapped Chilli Scramble, Honey Hotcakes and the Sweet Potato and Zucchini Fritters Breakfast Tacos, salads, healthy burgers and super food bowls for lunch. Also a delightful range of sandwiches in the display cabinet for those "on the go".

So rewarding is the Cheesy Croquette Benny with poached egg, bacon, chorizo, hollandaise sauce, with added smashed avocado. All my favourite things in one brunch dish. Croquettes were satisfying in themselves with cheesy comfort, and the combination of chorizo and crispy bacon with benny eggs on top was a winner. I recommend the smashed avocado addition to lighten the dish as it's quite intense (but wonderfully so).

---

Stovetop — Carlton ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Buzzy student-area café, strong coffee, family-style dishes
Must order: Stovetop Benny, Nutella Croissant

Stovetop is an iconic cafe in Carlton frequented by students and is always buzzing, and has hit the high notes since relocating to the premises next door. Stovetop is a great example of a Melbourne cafe with strong coffee game (including its own blends), a range of signature dishes to suit all tastes and a light airy modern vibe with attentive engaging staff. George one of the owners tells us the cafe began as an extension of the family kitchen serving up favourite dishes with family hospitality and they have kept this value. 

Packed out on a weekday lunchtime in the heart of a student hub.

Parma was a great example of a classic dish done well. Nutella and Banana Pancake was a joyful sweet dish, while it has been superseded by a Nutella Croissant recently. The Stovetop Benny is a classic and signature twist on a standard Benedict with poached eggs, prosciutto, parmesan, black pudding and rich truffle hollandaise. Bravo to the Stovetop team.

---

Shanklin — Hawthorn ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Work meetings, groups, converted terrace atmosphere
Must order: Sweet Corn Fritters, Baked Eggs Shakshuka - dishes that have kept locals coming back for many years

Shanklin is a great example of a modern Melbourne cafe and delivers in terms of vibe, quality food and excellent coffee. Walk into a converted 19th century terrace property with a charming frontage featuring large tables for groups. Inside discover a  industrial look, with awesome vibe and classy fit out. If you were wanting to show a friend from outside Melbourne a great example of a Melbourne style cafe you may take them to Shanklin.

A highlight at Shanklin Cafe is the Sweet Corn Fritters - excellent crunch on the outside and a delicious hearty dish that looks pretty as a picture. Add salmon or bacon as an option (I can recommend the salmon).

Baked Egg Shakshuka with red peppers, cherry tomato, mushrooms and goats cheese with sourdough is a Middle Eastern style hit. With added side of salmon. Served bubbling hot in a heavy iron skillet - this is an iconic brunch dish in Melbourne.

---

The Espressonist — Docklands ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Waterfront views, brunch and dinner, innovative dishes
Must order: Smashed avocado on sourdough, Soft Shell Crab Tacos

The Espressonist is a savvy chic cafe in Docklands with stunning views across the water. Dine inside or as we did, outside taking in the South Wharf vibe and large boats. Service here is top notch and the brunch options first class. The Espressonist also opens for dinner, part of a growing trend of cafes open for lunch and dinner. We felt the Smashed avocado, feta, dukkha on sourdough with poached eggs was one of the best we've had in Melbourne, coming with some chilli kick (how we like it). Short rib with masterstock, potato, kimchi, and fried egg was another highly rewarding dish, and the Naughty fries with kimchi slaw, chilli and coriander are a must order. A surprise was the Dark chocolate mousse with peanut and raspberry dessert - amazing presentation and excellent dessert.

Smashed avocado dish has stood the test of time.

---

Rustica — Hawthorn & Various ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Bakery café, sourdough, light and airy atmosphere
Must order: Sautéed mixed mushrooms and greens, pastries and croissants

Rustica is a great example of a modern Melbourne cafe. Rustica Sourdough which began in Brunswick several years ago has been expanding, as one of the most successful bakery cafes in Melbourne. I find this place cheerful and a hub of conviviality. 

This is a light and airy cafe with a touch of style. Love the colour scheme and use of textures with plants abounding. There's always a sense of occasion and even community when you visit Rustica.

Whole roasted mushrooms, mixed greens, reggiano cheese, poached eggs, white truffle oil, and kale and walnut pesto with olive and basil sourdough is all you want in a brunch dish. 

---

Down the Rabbit Hole — Templestowe ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Eastern suburbs gem, creative menu, excellent coffee
Must order: DTRH Reuben, Breakfast Board, Prawn Star, TFC Burger (Templestowe Fried Chicken), Bronuts

The eastern suburbs of Melbourne are rejoicing since the advent of Down the Rabbit Hole cafe. I find this cafe a breath of fresh air, not the cafe cliche you sometimes see. The name suggests a touch of Alice and Wonderland and this cafe is sure to fire the imagination with hits such as the Breakfast Bagel, a surprisingly filling dish with Istra bacon, fried egg, aioli, tomato, leaf and haloumi on a New York Bagel. New York comes to Templestowe. My friend raved about the Shrooms dish, a collection of sauteed wild mushrooms in season and other delights. Coffee here is excellent and staff engaging. Check out the TFC, Templestowe fried Chicken and the DTRH Reuben (I order this most times I visit).

Simple brunch dishes done well.

---

RIDDIK — Templestowe ⭐ 8.75/10

Best for: All-day dining, healthy bowls, licensed café
Must order: Smashed Avo with shanklish cheese and dukkah, Coffee-rubbed beef burger, Eggs Benny (6 ways)

RIDDIK is a revelation in the eastern suburbs bursting with flair and style. RIDDIK is an all-day café (licensed from morning to night) and game changer bringing inner city excellence to Lower Templestowe.

RIDDIK is serving up Code Black espresso brews all day and Code Black espresso martinis all night. The menu provides a top notch foodie experience; offering up breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options, including six ways to indulge in the classic eggs Benny! 

Riddik smashed Avo is a top notch dish with poached eggs, house made sumac and thyme shanklish hazelnut dukkah, figs, mint and finished with pomegranate molasses on sourdough - then I added extras such as rosti and thick bacon to make it the complete dish! Healthy bowls abound - in fact there's pretty much something excellent for everyone.

Breakfast Tacos are outstanding with a little heat. Come here at a weekday lunchtime and the place is packed. The menu shows imagination and is brilliantly executed.

---

Franks Cafe — Cheltenham ⭐ 9/10

Best for: No-fuss suburban café, burgers, fun atmosphere
Must order: Grass-fed Wagyu Burger, Cinnamon Donuts, Ramen Fried Chicken Bao

Franks is a highly impressive cafe in Melbourne, reinforcing the belief that cafes in the burbs have come a long way in recent years. This is one for the punters with a distinct lack of pretension and a menu that ticks all the boxes in terms of modern cafe food.

Signature dishes still include the beyond-your-average cinnamon donuts (with a sense of theatre and full plated meal), a rewarding burger (with premium juicy wagyu beef) and tangy and crunchy ramen fried chicken bao. New menu items include a selection of build-your-own style dishes, letting you take control over the most important meal of the day. We loved all these dishes and they have been mainstay dishes for years.

In a city of burgers the dish simply named "Burger" belies the impressiveness of this juicy Burger delight of grass fed Wagyu, American cheddar (actually the cheese from In n Out burgers - not sure how they do it), tomato, lettuce, BBQ sauce, Big Mac Sauce (chef's take on it), milk bun, pickle.  What you want in a modern cafe. The highly impressive design is by Ewart Leaf Design, with a mix of functional attractive dining spaces.

---

Sir Charles — Fitzroy ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Asian-influenced brunch, great coffee, industrial vibe
Must order: Korean Fried Chicken Burger with kimchi fries, Sir Charles Benedict (signature), Eton Mess Waffles

Sir Charles is a surprising cafe as its facade on Johnston St belies the depth of the modern cafe inside.

Check out the seriously good menu with an Asian influence. This Korean Fried Chicken Burger with a side of kimchi fries was a highlight, the food beautifully presented. Or grab a Super South healthy dish or the Sir Charles Benedict with panko crumbed eggs, or indeed the Eton Mess Waffles.

We enjoy the semi-industrial pipes and copper piping, the lighting, the decent chairs and tables and the light and airy food. Not to mention the engaging service and excellent coffee.

---

MiddleSouthEast Cafe — South Yarra ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Middle Eastern flavours, Chapel St creative crowd, diverse menu
Must order: Golden Corn Fritters, Middle South Eggs with sujuk sausage, Habibi Classic

Middle South East is part of the new breed of Melbourne cafes bringing Middle Eastern flavours. A popular cafe with creatives on Chapel St with a wide ranging menu that delivers.

Corn fritters are a must order, with poached eggs, smashed avocado, goat's cheese and smoked salmon.

A popular dish is the Middle South Eggs with Middle Eastern sauce, Persian feta, fresh chilli, sujok sausage, zataar bread and poached eggs. The sauce is compelling and you can mop up the oozy goodness with the bread. Sausage is also tasty and the dish has some "kick" with the chilli. A warm and embracing Middle Eastern style brunch dish.

---

Au 79 Cafe — Abbotsford ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Gold-class experience, own roastery coffee, modern menu
Must order: Prawn Benedict, Turkish Eggs, House-baked croissants and toasties, V60 pour over (signature coffee offering)

AU 79 is a cafe sensation in Abbotsford. This may be one of the most impressive cafes you ever visit. Having worked in corporate banking in the mining section I know that Au and 79 stand for the atomic number of gold. And it's a gold class experience you will receive, as well as a golden sign emblazed on the brick building. 

The interior is super impressive with large light filled spaces and a attractive plants. Curves and straight lines. the vibe is exotic. With their own roastery coffee is a serious thing here. With house blends and single origins we settled on a V60, a great choice.

Modern menu includes Prawn benedict with delicious poached eggs and prawns on brioche, Turkish eggs with garlic yoghurt and chilli butter, and house-baked croissants and toasties (check out the Kimchi and Cheese).

---

Higher Ground — CBD ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Overall best Melbourne café, stunning warehouse space, all-day dining
Must order: Avocado Pretzel, Prawn Toast Benedict, Seasonal Ricotta Cake

Stevie Wonder had the soul/funk going with his 70s hit Higher Ground, and Higher Ground cafe in the Melbourne CBD also has plenty of soul. Like Stevie, Higher Ground Cafe has hit their groove with a winning combination of attractive food with finesse, excellent service and a large warehouse converted structure that is breathtaking. Yes this cafe, recently awarded best in Melbourne by Good Food is next level. And it's a must visit in Melbourne.

One gets the feeling this is the ultimate in the Melbourne cafe evolution to date. The name is apt as the cafe ticks all the boxes in terms of food, coffee, service and ambience. The space is massive yet you feel a sense of warmth and engagement. High ceilings, plants, amazing decor, large bar; Higher Ground has it all. Natural light abounds during the day; it's almost like a large cathedral. And the mood changes at night.

Higher Ground doesn't just serve up the usual suspects. The menu is interesting and flavoursome; including Seasonal Ricotta Cake (huge pancake that takes 20 minutes to bake), Prawn Toast Benedict (Chinese donut instead of usual toast), and the Blue Swimmer Crab benedict.

Service here is first class and the venue is designed to be an all day affair. The fact we had to wait 20 min to get in during a middle of the day in the middle of the week timeslot is a testament to this cafe. 

---

Mammoth — Armadale ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Creative brunch, Instagram-worthy dishes, generous portions
Must order: The Benedict with rosti base, Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Dukkah Toast

Arguably one of the best in Melbourne. For those who may be bored with the same old same old food options of many Melbourne cafes, Mammoth brings a point of difference. When we scan cafe menus it's often a case of wanting 2 or 3 picks out of the menu then deciding. Call us snobs but that's the way it is. In this case it was about what not to order. Interesting and compelling menu options. 

As for the menu options we chose The Benedict -  a perfect taste, as well as texture match. The impression was instant; how good is this dish! In recent times it has changed to a potato rosti base with perfectly poached eggs and slow-cooked pulled ham hock and apple hollandaise.

It's art on a plate, although no sense of pretension. It's an Instagrammers dream, but with foodie substance behind it.

---

The Kettle Black — South Melbourne ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: World-class café food, stylish fit out, special occasions
Must order: Blueberry Ricotta Hotcake, Salmon Benedict, Chilli Scrambled Eggs, Single origin filters

The Kettle Black has become an archetype of the modern Melbourne cafe. Stylish and chic fit out, and the food a treat to the eyes as well as the mouth. 

Food here at The Kettle Black is as good as anywhere; from the Blueberry Ricotta Hotcake with house-made ricotta, to the Chilli Scrambled eggs dish and the Salmon Benedict.

Presentation is sensational; art on a plate. After eating at this cafe, there was a feeling of being pleasantly satiated and sufficiently full.

We think it's all part of a trend of seeing restaurant quality food in cafes; something you don't always see around the world. The Kettle Black raises the bar on Melbourne cafes and is world class. If you were looking to meet with someone and impress them you might come here. 

---

Top Paddock — Richmond ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Spacious modern café, imaginative brunch, trendy Richmond location
Must order: Blueberry & Ricotta Hotcake (the original venue to launch this iconic Melbourne dish)

Top Paddock is one of Melbourne's standout cafes with its spacious modern fit out and extensive imaginative menu. 

The Blueberry & ricotta hotcake with berries, organic maple, seeds and double cream is a stunning brunch dish that belongs in the arts centre as a colourful masterpiece. It is the Rembrandt and Monet of brunch dishes.

Several years on and Top Paddock is as strong as ever; with strong numbers during the week and a weekend overflow and line up. Kudos!

---

Darling Street Espresso — Moonee Ponds ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Fine dining-inspired café food, seasonal menu, courtyard
Must order: Miso Cured Salmon Okonomiyaki, Eggplant Parmi Toastie

Darling Street Espresso is a top notch relaxed cafe in Moonee Ponds with a certain sophistication in its offerings. The owner is from a fine dining background and so this is cafe food taken to the next level. A modern fit out and large courtyard inspires. Food is fresh and seasonal and the menu has imagination. Bring on the tube and the Miso cured salmon, okonomiyaki pancake, tempura poached egg, ponzo dressing. This is a dream on a plate. Eggplant Parmi toastie is a comfort food hit, while Italian eggs and The Breakfast Roll are other hit dishes.

---

Leroys Cafe — Newport ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Local produce, modern comfort food, all-day breakfast
Must order: OMG Pancakes, The Newport Hollan Daze, Pulled Pork Benedict

Leroys prides itself on the menu's modern flavours, great coffee (Campos Roasters) and strong beliefs that local produce and seasonality are the stepping stones to great cooking.

 

---

Operator 25 — CBD ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Heritage building, buzzing atmosphere, affordable CBD brunch
Must order: Benedict with pulled beef, Singapore Chilli Crab Omelette, Spicy mala Baked Eggs, Corn Fritters

Operator 25 is a revelation cafe set in a former telephone exchange located in the legal district in the Melbourne CBD. The place is pumping with interesting dining spaces full of patrons, featuring an intergenerational crowd. The World Loves Melbourne decided to visit this cafe in a heritage building having heard rave reviews. We were not disappointed.  Operator 25 has made an effort with its fit out with exposed brick walls, quality furniture, funky blackboard and top class artwork throughout...

 

Yes we are raving but this dish - their famous Corn Fritters - which was a highlight in terms of brunch for the year. The menu also offers compelling dishes such as Beef Benedict with sweet soy and makrut lime-glazed pulled beef, and their Spicy Mala Baked Eggs with Szechuan-spiced baked beans, eggs, smoky bacon and melted Mozarella cheese, served on a Chinese bun.

St Ali — South Melbourne ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Hidden laneway gem, serious coffee, Asian and Middle Eastern menu
Must order: My Mexican Cousin, single origin pour over

St Ali is a hip cool fun uber café with amazing ambience, stunning coffee and excellent creative menu choices - hidden down a laneway in South Melbourne. This is one of my “go to” places in Melbourne and have loved each of my many visits.

Proud Mary — Collingwood ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Best coffee in Melbourne, roastery café, warehouse atmosphere
Must order: Crispy Potato Hash (perennial favourite since 2009), any single origin pour over

Proud Mary has been crowned Best Cafe on several occasions in the press. Nestled in a warehouse like premises in Collingwood, Proud Mary with its uber fit out, is the coffee summit. Inspired by owner Nolan Hirte (Founder and CEO, who I've met and who is an inspiration), it exudes rarefied air of coffee excellence. Hirte's stamp of excellence is on every aspect in terms of ambience, passion, coffee sophistication and the notable cuisine. Proud Mary is a benchmark for roasters and coffee lovers in Melbourne and along with its sophistication has the charm of a river boat queen.

A great option is to have breakfast here and then go on into the city for work. Love the breakfast menu! Great breakfast with the Crispy Hash a standout for me – large crispy not too greasy hash brown with stringy fibres of potato with crispy bacon, buttery spinach, a poached egg and bagna cauda sauce. Too good! Especially with a great coffee.

---

Bossy Boots Cafe — Brighton ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Take-home meals, gourmet cabinet food, time-poor professionals
Must order: Daily curries, Traditional lasagne, Tuna and Sweet Corn Patties, rotating salad cabinet

Bossy Boots café lays claim to the best take home food in Melbourne. Locals are flocking to the café each day to grab dinner or a meal to take home. We were amazed at how many locals visited in the couple of hours we were there on a weekday lunchtime.  This is a unique foodie experience in Melbourne with few if any cafes as successful at providing such quality take home food options. Each day the kitchen team prepare 3-4 tasty curries, salads, pastas, Tuna and Sweetcorn patties, filled crepes, and sensational pies and sausage rolls.

 

For time poor professionals Bossy Boots is the perfect destination to get an impressive dinner, desserts and gourmet treats. The display cabinet is spectacular with take home treats on display.

You will find it hard to resist the choices. I remember when Nonna Thomasina (known as Nellie) graced the kitchen at Bossy Boots and delivered some of the best lasagne and cannelloni you’ll taste in Melbourne (but they still serve Traditional Lasagne). Salads here are super popular including a Tuna Nicoise and Moroccan cous cous salad. Bossy Boots is an iconic café with its own style, creating a convivial hub that is unique to Brighton and Melbourne.  

---

One Plus Piece — Balwyn, Melbourne Central ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Japanese anime theme, creative burgers, eastern suburbs gem
Must order: One Plus Double Chilli Burger, Sushi Burger, Asian-fusion sandos

Eastern suburbs cafes are on the rise! A great example is One Plus Piece Cafe, located in a premium pocket of Whitehorse Road in Balwyn, with banks, eateries and high end shops surrounding. This is the only Japanese anime cafe in Melbourne we know of! Playful and fun but serious cafe offerings.

The menu developed by passionate Head Chef Cain caters for a variety of tastes; the cafe serves up compelling burgers, moorish dumplings, imaginative breakfasts, and a series of healthier style dishes.

Burgers? One Plus Piece Cafe is super popular for its burgers, and we highly recommend them. Also check out their outpost in Melbourne Central. Innovative and playful.

Check this massive One Plus Double Chilli burger (with extra patty to make it three). This burger scored an imtressive 7.7 on the Burgers of Melbourne index.

These burgers are One Plus Piece Cafe are not greasy affairs; but clean and flavoursome and well presented.

One Plus Piece Cafe in Balwyn is a breath of fresh air on the Whitehorse Road strip with Yvette and Cain bringing their passion and verve with first class cafe options..

Three Bags Full — Abbotsford ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Specialty coffee, communal atmosphere, warehouse café vibes
Must order: Chilli Scrambled Eggs, Avocado Smash, Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich, Single origin pour over, Clover brew, daily brunch specials

 Three Bags Full is a Melbourne darling and one of our more eminent cafes. The vibe on a pumping Saturday brunch time is fabulous. Its another foodie haven and the coffee is seriously excellent. 

Image: Three Bags Full Facebook. The colour scheme suggested I was in Richmond (bright yellows) but we were in fact in Abbotsford. Great ambience here. Walk in and immediately fall in love with this place.  Three Bags Full boasts a large open space and natural light. Plenty of tables but often they are packed. Wondered whether the name Three Bags Full had anything to do with it always being packed out. Love the long communal table which people seem to gravitate to. 

These guys are passionate about coffee and provide a great selection. They provide pour over, Clover and single origin offerings. I’m happy to come here just for the coffee and even line up for the privilege. Knowing they use Five Senses is comforting. 

This ex warehouse is very cool and features polished floors and exposed brick. This may lend to a noisy room but who cares, I’m into that. Venture outside to enjoy the ambience of the precinct at small tables. 

Three bags Full is also a great option for breakfast on the way to work in the city. Love the friendly service. Busy, busy, busy – but still attentive and personable staff. When paying or just ordering coffee you're invariably standing in line and eying off their gourmet products to take away.

Three Bags Full is a stellar cafe that continues to shine. 

---

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar — CBD ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Melbourne icon, Italian espresso bar, nostalgia and charm
Must order: House blend espresso, iconic Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagne, Tiramisu, Italian cabinet treats

 

Pellegrini’s, a Melbourne icon, puts a big smile on my face. It's easy to fall in love with Pellegrini's as it exudes so much charm and nostalgia. Classico! Often misunderstood in a sea of nouveau cafes and restaurants, Pellegrini’s is unique. In a way it is responsible for much of the Melbourne coffee culture we see today - Pellegrini's was a key forerunner in the Melbourne coffee culture.

It feels like ‘real’ Melbourne with its history and standing. I’ve been there a few times and love it. Where else can you go for such quality banter, home cooking and strong coffee?I tried entering Pellegrini’s very early one morning and couldn’t get in the door. That’s right! The owner (I think it was), came and unlocked the door and showed me in! That was cool. Really sad about the passing of Sisto Malaspina; a beautiful soul.

First the coffee. I asked for a latte (in one size glass) and was poured something with an extremely dark colour - telling me this one is as strong as steel. I love a strong coffee. I asked Sisto one day (lest we forget this legend) whether this was a triple shot? “No” he said, “nothing to do with shots. It’s about the blend and the way it's made. If the shots are no good the coffee is no good – so what’s the point of shots?” You gotta love that philosophy.

Nostalgia everywhere! Love the long bar area with the iconic stools, and the mirrors along the other wall (also with iconic stools). Love the memorabilia on the shelves with celebrities posing with Pellegrini’s. Iconic authentic Italian pastas capture the palate and the imagination.

Pellegrini’s is a classic Italian espresso bar in Melbourne. Sometimes misunderstood you need to appreciate it for what it is rather than what it isn’t! They do pasta and delightful Italian treats well… I still have smile on my face! Ciao! Ciao!  And Pellegrini’s really knows coffee! After the passing of Sisto they are still powering on.

---

Seven Seeds — Carlton ⭐ 9.5/10

Best for: Coffee institution, own roastery, Carlton warehouse atmosphere
Must order: Waffle Eggs Benedict, Double Wagyu Patty Burger, Coffee of the Day single origin, any filter brew

Seven Seeds is credited as being a highly influential coffee powerhouse that has shaped the coffee culture of Melbourne over many years. The World Loves Melbourne believes Seven Seeds is better than ever and continues to shine its love and significant influence on the cafe and coffee scene.

 

Seven Seeds is one of those Melbourne institutions we can take for granted. Walk along a nondescript street in Carlton that appears quiet and sleepy. Then stumble upon a packed house of uber coffee lovers at an unspectacular entrance almost devoid of signage (apart from a painted name on the wall).

Seven Seeds is a super passionate roastery and cafe. The lab here indicates the seriousness and passion for all things coffee. Seven Seeds never stands still but moves on ever evolving. The quality of coffee here shows no hint of dropping off, unlike some others that have diminished over the years. The coffee menu features Seven Seeds roasted coffee of course! 

A converted warehouse, Seven Seeds features large amounts of exposed brick, tiles, concrete floor, mounted bikes, and the large windows allow plenty of natural light. They even led the way in cafe fit outs with many since copying the Seven Seeds look. With universities nearby Seven Seeds attracts its fair share of students. It's an eclectic mix here of the young and fashionable.   

---

Brother Baba Budan — CBD ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Specialty coffee, iconic ceiling chairs, CBD laneway gem
Must order: Coffee of the Day single origin, Seven Seeds blend, Gourmet Toasted Sandwiches, Artisan Pastries

Extremely popular soul brother café to Seven Seeds and de Clieu. For those that know their coffee history, it was infamous revolutionary Brother Baba who in the 17th C smuggled seven seeds of coffee out of Yemen and into India where the plants thrived. This started a global coffee revolution which has culminated in the sensational coffee scene we see here in Melbourne. BBB is passionate about coffee and in particular specialty coffee.

Look inside the window from Little Bourke and invariably see wall to wall people, some at the communal table reading but many lined up for some of the best coffee in town. Single origins, filters and awesome blends. It always looks like a cool party. Took my friend from Dubai here and he had to concede that Melbourne has such an awesome coffee culture.

 

A talking piece is always the curious montage of chairs hanging from the ceiling (spectacular but really hard to photograph). I asked a barista if it was ok to photograph and he said a lot of people photograph the ceiling chairs – so I felt better. Limited room in here for many to enjoy a sit down experience – there are a few tables with stools. Most people gravitate to the communal table by the window or indeed the communal table behind the baristas with a selection of cakes and biscuits above.

The star of the show is the coffee. The default is the Seven Seeds blend which is awesome. A smart drinker will order the Coffee of the Day single origin. It makes sense as it is only slightly more expensive.

Cool having a mounted ipad playing music selections. The barista decided while I was there one morning to change to the sunshine collection (blend). I thought it might be Mow town but it wasn’t. There's also a retail section here where you can pick up your Aeropress. One of the best!  

---

Manchester Press — CBD ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: Bagels, spacious former gallery, latte art
Must order: Savoury and Sweet bagels, ONA Specialty Coffee

Manchester Press is a spacious funky cafe that you'll want to come back to. This deserves to be a global sensation like Manchester United.

This is a huge spacious cafe - a former gallery and named after the former printing press business. Friends of mine remember it's former life - the renovation has been impressive. The mystery is accentuated by the fact that you need to pull back the sliding door to enter. Coffee here is amazing with highly skilled baristas that have a knack with latte art. 

The breakfast options including the savoury and sweet are outstanding – good value and generous. In fact Manchester Press does bagels really well with so many options (open sandwich style) and toppings available. Check out The Lox (Smoked Salmon), Avocado Smash Bagel, and Philly Steak, as well as Honey and Ricotta bagel, and the Mixed Berry Marscarpone bagel. I was told by the waitress that all menu options were available at any time – not just divided into breakfast and lunch. And that the menu changes whenever the chef feels like it… 

Sensational service every time with staff friendly and willing to explain stuff (interesting they place the bill in a glass on your table). We have a ritual - I keep going to the counter to pay at the end of my meal without producing the bill in the glass – so they go back and grab my bill from the table again. On leaving I noticed a mirror ball mounted high in Rankins lane casting an interesting light array down the lane. All adds to the coffee and the art experience.   

The League of Honest Coffee — CBD ⭐ 9/10

Best for: Pour over and cold drip, honest specialty coffee, CBD gem
Must order: Deli Roll, Toasties, Savoury Breakfast Tarts, Bowl latte (my favourite and it's a huge coffee in a wide ceramic bowl) Pour Over, Cold Drip with Padre Coffee

One of the best coffee houses in Melbourne with a strong following.  This is the crew from East Brunswick Project and Padre Coffee. 

The League of Honest Coffee present great Pour Over and Cold Drip Options. I'm prone to a creamy Bowl latte which is a bit old school but these guys do it so well. Love these iconic European-style bowls of coffee. In life I reflect that sometimes bowls of latte lose their punch in the compromise of too much milk!  But this is amazing. Here is an important point -The League of Honest Coffee use decent milk in their coffee unlike a lot of cafes. (My barista training taught me that milk quality is a major factor in a great coffee).

Food options are simple but gourmet. Delectable treats allure behind the cabinet.  

---

Hardware Societe — CBD ⭐ 9.25/10

Best for: French-inspired brunch, open kitchen theatre, special occasion breakfast
Must order: Lobster Benedict, Baked Eggs (Deux) with chorizo, Fried Brioche with creative toppings, Counter pastries

A great place to go for a Sunday morning lazy breakfast in Melbourne. It captivates with French sophistication and charm, and a high quality dining experience. If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s able to offer something more than the usual brunch options, with a certain je ne sais quois, then Hardware Societe is the place for you.

All eyes are on the crisp white uniformed rock star chefs with awesome tattoos who perform wonders in the kitchen for all to see... Each dish has amazing flair and bathed in TLC. There is a French attention to detail!

After a big night out you may prefer the Banana bread with caramel and crushed nougat. Or Fried brioche with nutella, strawberries and toasted hazelnuts. And there are daily specials. Even the sourdough fruit toast is sensational, served in a pretty arrangement on a wooden board with an extraordinary amount of butter. And it comes with a cute butter knife… 

The quality of the food is undeniable. Everything is well cooked, great flavour profiles and the freshness (including the bread) stands out.

Service is fantastic with hipster staff wearing aprons to set a French tone. They are both engaging and attentive. Open for breakfast and lunch but not dinner. Popular and a talking point around Melbourne. Rightly so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best cafes in Melbourne in 2026?

The best cafes in Melbourne in 2026 include Higher Ground (CBD), Proud Mary (Collingwood), Au 79 (Abbotsford), Operator 25 (CBD), and Ophelia (Westgarth) — all rated 9.5/10 by The World Loves Melbourne.

Q: What is the best café for brunch in Melbourne?

For brunch, Top Paddock (Richmond), The Kettle Black (South Melbourne), Mammoth (Armadale), and Hardware Société (CBD) are consistently among Melbourne's best.

Q: Which Melbourne cafés have the best specialty coffee?

Proud Mary, Seven Seeds, Brother Baba Budan, and Au 79 are Melbourne's top specialty coffee destinations, all operating their own roasteries.

Q: Are there good cafes in Melbourne's eastern suburbs?

Yes — Down the Rabbit Hole and RIDDIK in Templestowe, Inked Cup in Doncaster East, and One Plus Piece in Balwyn are standout eastern suburbs cafés.

Q: What's the best café in Melbourne CBD?

Higher Ground, Operator 25, Manchester Press, and Hardware Société are the top-rated CBD cafés in 2026.