10 Must Try Coffee Shops and Brunch Cafes in Melbourne
Introduction to Melbourne’s Coffee Culture
Exploring the local coffee culture is definitely a must-do when traveling on a Melbourne trip! Melbourne is known as Australia’s coffee capital, where coffee is a daily necessity for the locals. You’ll find independent coffee shops on almost every corner. Unlike global chains like Starbucks, the small, locally-owned cafes dominate the coffee scene here, making it a perfect spot for coffee enthusiasts to explore. Many cafes also host events like Cupping (coffee tasting), which provides a great opportunity for coffee lovers to connect and share their experiences.
When it comes to coffee options, Australia’s most famous drink is the Flat White, which has less foam than a Latte and a much stronger flavor. Americanos are not as common here; instead, you’ll find the Long Black (which is made by pouring hot water over espresso). Magic is another unique Melbourne coffee, offering a stronger milk-based coffee than a Latte.
A heads-up: most coffee shops close before 4 PM, so be sure to check the opening hours to avoid disappointment. Next up, here are a few must-try coffee shops and brunch cafes in Melbourne for you to fully experience the local coffee culture!
Top 5 Boutique Coffee Shop Recommendations
PATH COFFEE
Path Coffee is a trendy boutique coffee shop that focuses on the essence of coffee. It offers a variety of black coffees brewed using different methods, and they frequently bring in coffee beans from other countries, making it perfect for coffee lovers who appreciate the authentic flavors.
The interior design of Path Coffee is minimalist yet elegant, with only a few seats but an open coffee bar where customers can get up close and watch the baristas at work. The baristas are happy to chat with customers and suggest coffees based on their preferences.
Credit: Whats on Melbourne
Interestingly, the only milk-based drink here is the “Iced Oat Milk Coffee,” which is served in a creative bottle. Also, the cafe categorizes coffee aromas into four types, helping customers understand the unique characteristics of different beans. This is a friendly approach for those new to specialty coffee, making it easier to find the right flavor for their taste.
Address: 362 Victoria Street North Melbourne, Victoria 3051
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
Instagram: pathmelbourne
BENCH COFFEE
Bench Coffee has several locations in Melbourne, with one of its most convenient spots hidden in a bustling corner of the city center, making it an ideal place to enjoy quality coffee in between activities. The interior is stylish, with a black-and-white design. The coffee beans sold here are roasted in-house, and the staff can recommend the best beans based on your preferences. For food, the city center location exclusively serves homemade dacquoise, which pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.
Credit: Broadsheet
If you want a deeper coffee experience, I recommend visiting their roasting facility in Brunswick. It offers more seating and a spacious space with plenty of natural light, making it a popular photo spot. You can also shop for freshly roasted coffee beans.
In addition to their coffee focus, Bench Coffee has a spin-off brand, Saint Laurent., located on the lower floor of The Emporium mall. It offers sandwiches and light bites, giving customers more meal options to complement their coffee experience.
City Center Location: 321 Lt Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 8 AM – 4 PM, Fri: 8 AM – 5 PM, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Roasting Facility: 38 Breese St, Brunswick VIC 3056
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: bench.coffee.co
THE FLOUR COFFEE
The Flour is a café founded by Harry, a Korean coffee enthusiast who has won several awards in coffee competitions, so the coffee quality here is top-notch. The interior is cozy and homely, making it a warm and inviting place to relax. The cafe frequently updates its selection of coffee beans, and the coffee quality is consistently excellent. I particularly recommend trying their hand-brewed or drip coffee to savor the unique flavors of the beans.
Credit: City Lane Melbourne
The pastries are all homemade, with no fixed menu, so be sure to check the display case for the daily selection. My personal favorite is their chocolate-flavored Financier. The products are made in small batches, so I recommend visiting early to sample a variety of desserts. The Flour is located near Queen Victoria Market, making it a great stop if you’re visiting the area, but note that they’re only open four days a week, so check their hours before heading over!
Address: 199 Victoria St, West Melbourne, VIC 3003
Opening Hours: Thu – Fri: 10 AM – 4 PM, Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM
Instagram: theflourmelbourne
A COFFEE
A Coffee, located in Collingwood, features a minimalist white-and-wood design that gives off a calm, refreshing vibe—perfect for unwinding. The café focuses on showcasing the pure flavors of coffee, so they don’t offer a wide variety of options. Many people opt for the hand-brewed coffee, and it’s a therapeutic experience watching the baristas prepare each cup in the spacious café.
Besides the regular coffee, I highly recommend trying their Espresso Sunset, a special blend of espresso and orange juice. The floral notes of the coffee paired with the orange juice create a fresh, vibrant taste that’s worth trying.
Address: 199 Victoria St, West Melbourne, VIC 3003
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: acoffee_melbourne
GOOD MEASURE
Good Measure, located in Carlton, is famous for its signature Mont Blanc drink. The café has a wooden design and plays vinyl records, creating a lively and fun atmosphere. At night, it transforms into a bar with a DJ spinning tracks, making it a great place to enjoy Melbourne’s nightlife.
I’ve tried their Mont Blanc, and it’s unforgettable! The drink uses drip coffee as the base, topped with fresh cream mixed with orange peel, creating a refreshing taste. There are also plenty of restaurants and bookstores around, so it’s a great place to enjoy a relaxed afternoon with friends.
However, be warned—weekends tend to be busy, so try visiting on a quieter weekday afternoon.
Address: 193 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 8 AM – 11 PM, Fri – Sat: 8 AM – 1 AM
Instagram: goodmeasuremelbourne
Top 5 Brunch Cafes Recommendations
RUSTICA BAKERY & CAFE
Rustica is a famous brunch spot in Melbourne with multiple locations. I visited the flagship store in South Yarra, where you can watch the bakers at work, and there’s a larger variety of menu items to try. I highly recommend their Cruller—a unique dessert that combines a donut and puff pastry!
After your visit to Rustica, if you have time, head over to the nearby Prahan Market to experience how locals shop for fresh ingredients.
Credit: Rustica
Address: 501 Chapel St, South Yarra, VIC 3141
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 4 PM
Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: rustica_hq
BAGUETTE STUDIOS
Baguette Studios is a creative brunch café with a unique blend of Asian flavors and European baking. One of the owners is Korean, and they’ve incorporated dishes like Thai curry and Korean fried chicken alongside classic French bread and desserts—making it a rare find for brunch!
Credit: City of Melbourne
Their weekend-only specials are a highlight, with different dishes every week. Be sure to check Instagram before you go to catch their latest offerings. I particularly love their Monte Cristo Sandwich, which almost every table orders. It’s a crispy ham sandwich served with soft bread, paired with homemade blueberry jam—a delightful combination!
Also, just next door, you’ll find Tomi Café, a new spot to enjoy a coffee.
Address: 15-27 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM
Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: baguettestudios_nm
CHERI
Cheri is a newly opened brunch café near South Melbourne Market, offering homemade Gelato, baked goods, and a wide variety of brunch options. The café’s bold red-and-white color scheme and outdoor seating area create a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
Credit: Cheri
The standout here is definitely their signature Lips-shaped dessert, a mousse cake with lychee and pistachio flavors—fresh and refreshing. They also offer savory tarts and freshly baked pizzas, many of which are quite creative, making this a café I’ll definitely return to! If you’re celebrating a special occasion, their cakes are a great choice too!
Address: 285–287 Coventry St STH.Mel VIC 3205
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 7 AM – 4 PM, Fri – Sun: 7 AM – 5 PM
Instagram: cherieatery
THE KETTLE BLACK
I first discovered The Kettle Black because of its unique décor, blending the vintage 1880s terrace architecture with modern design, creating a distinctive atmosphere. Both the exterior and interior showcase a balanced elegance and sophistication, offering a comfortable yet refined experience.
Credit: Broadsheet
They offer a variety of brunch options, and I highly recommend their Chili Scrambled Eggs. Unlike other cafes where it’s served with sourdough bread, here it’s paired with Focaccia, which adds a unique chewy texture. Fun fact: The Kettle Black is part of The Darling Group, which owns other restaurants—check out their Instagram (@darlinggroup) for more info.
Address: 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 4 PM, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: kettleblackcafe
TERROR TWILIGHT
Terror Twilight is a stylish brunch café in Collingwood that specializes in healthy, creative dishes with a great music vibe. The minimalist vintage décor attracts many locals, and even the famous YouTuber Mark Wien has recommended it!
Credit: Broadsheet
Their menu design is unique—you can mix and match different main courses with sides like rice or noodles, perfect for indecisive diners. When I visited, I tried their Zuccini Fritters, which was a fresh and interesting dish! If you’re in the mood for a drink, they also offer signature cocktails.
They also have a sister brand, HIFI, serving burgers and sandwiches, just a 10-minute walk away if you want to switch things up.
Address: 11-13 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7 AM – 4 PM, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 4 PM
Instagram: terrortwilightcollingwood
Tips for Buying Coffee Souvenirs
When in Melbourne, the coffee capital, you’ll definitely want to bring back some coffee souvenirs! Unlike Hong Kong, Melbourne doesn’t really have drip bags. Most cafes
