The 10 Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Melbourne

01/05/2024

The 10 Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Melbourne

Melbourne is synonymous with a vibrant food scene and historic coffee culture. When it comes to brunch, the city is second to none. 

From the tantalising aromas wafting through the bustling streets to the stylishly plated dishes that could rival any art gallery, brunch in Melbourne is an experience you won't want to miss. 

Whether you're a local or a visitor, here's our ultimate guide to the best brunch in Melbourne that promises to kickstart your day in the most delicious way possible.

What’s Inside This Blog

Café Location Distance from Dorsett Melbourne
Merriment Café 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne Inside Dorsett Melbourne
Little Jin Coffee Window 615 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Inside Dorsett Melbourne
St. Brew 5/700 Collins Street, Docklands 15-minute walk or 9-minute drive
Cocobei Docklands 417 Docklands Drive, Docklands 20-minute walk or 7-minute drive
Blended Beard 818 Bourke Street, Docklands 20-minute walk or 8-minute drive
Daybreak Café 12/90 Waterfront Way, Docklands 13-minute tram and walk or 8-minute drive
Warkop Melbourne 13 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 12-minute train and walk or 13-minute drive
Ondo CBD 115 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 15-minute tram and walk or 9-minute drive
Juniper 269 Coventry St, South Melbourne 22-minute tram and walk or 11-minute drive
Clementine 67-69 Palmerston Cres, South Melbourne 29-minute tram and walk or 12-minute drive

Merriment Café

250 Spencer Street, Melbourne

Warm, welcoming, and brimful of quintessentially delicious Melbourne coffee, Merriment Café is a haven for brunch enthusiasts. Located inside Dorsett Melbourne in Westside Place, the chic café serves up a modern Australian menu with a twist, featuring locally sourced ingredients. 

The best bit? All Dorsett Melbourne guests can enjoy 25% off at Merriment every weekend between 11am and 2:30pm, which is of course prime brunch time. Simply show the café staff your hotel keycard when you order.

Little Jin Coffee Window

615 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Coffee and pastries from Little Jin in Melbourne
In a rush? Skip the sit-down breakfast and grab a latte to go from Jin Bar’s newest little sister, Little Jin Coffee.

Our dedicated coffee window on-site at the hotel draws guests and Melburnians alike with its expertly brewed coffee and moreish window pastries. 

Order your go-to, add a buttery baked good fresh from Richmond’s Penny for Pound bakery, and hit the cobbled streets for a caffeinated morning exploring the city.

Docklands Cafés

During your stay with us, we know you’ll be hankering for a few more brunch restaurants in Melbourne. Some of the best and most iconic Melbourne eateries can be found at the beautiful Docklands, just a short stretch from our hotel.

Wander down La Trobe or Bourke Street towards the Yarra River and take your pick from a veritable banquet full of brunch spots.

St. Brew

5/700 Collins Street, Docklands

Large, open-plan, and full of private nooks, St. Brew is a Docklands staple and perfect for a leisurely brunch. If you happen to be on a work trip to Melbourne, St. Brew is the perfect place to set up your laptop, order a coffee and bite to eat, and get plenty of work done in a vibrant yet relaxing atmosphere.

Their Smashed Avocado with whipped feta and “krispy” kale is the perfect breakfast craving quencher. The combination of garlic roasted mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and kalenaise sauce perfectly complements the poached egg topping and thick sourdough toast.

Cocobei Docklands

417 Docklands Drive, Docklands

Zucchini fritters best brunch in Melbourne
Credit:
Cocobei

Asian fusion brunch, Market Lane coffee, and a buzzing setting in the heart of the Docklands shopping precinct. This is Cocobei, a café classic and one of the best brunch spots in Melbourne. 

Cocobei offers a minimalist escape from the bustle of the Docklands while maintaining a prime people-watching position.

The all-day menu secures Cocobei’s reputation for the best brunch in Melbourne. Savour Zucchini Fritters with charred corn and a poached egg, or chow down on the Crispy Chicken on Cheese Waffle for an extra-delicious indulgence.

Blended Beard

818 Bourke Street, Docklands

Nestled on the leafy Docklands end of Bourke Street, Blended Beard serves up some of the best coffee in Melbourne – and that’s saying something!

The café sources its beans from all over Australia and New Zealand, and boasts a delicious and bold range of blends and single origin coffee. 

What’s almost more impressive than their coffee selection is Blended Beard’s eclectic brew methods. The baristas specialise in everything from pour overs and traditional espresso to Vietnamese phin and Japanese syphon, creating a magical coffee experience.

As for the food, you can’t go wrong with the moreish sandwiches and pastries, the perfect addition to a brunch-time coffee.

Daybreak Café

12/90 Waterfront Way, Docklands

Inside the District Docklands sits Daybreak Café, a buzzing eatery that serves some of the best brunch in Melbourne. Watch the crowds filter through the District as you sip a coffee (or maybe a matcha milkshake) and tuck into their all-day menu.

Our top food pick at Daybreak is the Tiramisu Pankcake stack, which tastes just as delicious as it sounds. The fluffy pancakes are topped with tiramisu mascarpone, ice cream, biscoff cookies, coffee cream, and sprinkled with cinnamon and pistachio crumbs. Name a more decadent breakfast, we dare you!

Warkop Melbourne

13 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Waitress holding two sandwiches
Credit:
City of Melbourne

If you’re in the mood for something savoury, head to Warkop Melbourne in the city. Perched on the “Paris End” of Little Collins and right across from the stunning Parliament House and Gardens, Warkop may look unassuming, but it’s famous for its incredible sandwiches.

The Beef Brisket & Pickle sandwich is a crowd favourite, but we also have a soft spot for the Mortadella made with fresh burrata and rocket. If you’re feeling something simpler, the joint also serves up moreish breakfast muffins – think all the classics like sausage, bacon and egg, and of course a side of hashbrowns.

Ondo CBD

115 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Head north just past the Theatre District and you’ll stumble across Ondo, an authentic Korean restaurant that specialises in breakfast and serves some of the best brunch in Melbourne. The venue prides itself on serving more unusual and lesser-known dishes that patrons can’t find anywhere else – even in Korea!

The menu is a testament to this promise and features intricate-sounding dishes that must be tried to be fully appreciated. Sit down to the Yukhoe Bibimbap, raw beef tartare with garlic rice, soybean sprout, and crispy seaweed. Or, try the Gogiguksu, a clear pork broth topped with thinly sliced pork leg and served with somyeon noodles and spring onion.

Juniper

269 Coventry St, South Melbourne

Catch the tram across to leafy South Melbourne and hunt down Juniper, a cosy indoor café that boasts one of the most scrumptious-looking window displays we’ve yet seen. The restaurant’s focus on fresh, seasonal, farm-to-table dishes makes sense due to its proximity to the famous South Melbourne Market, which we highly recommend visiting before or after brunch here.

Having only opened last year, Juniper has quickly made waves in the Melbourne brunch and coffee community due to its premium brews, decadent sweet options, and hearty sandwiches (the chicken sandwich is a must-try!).

Juniper also excels in Asian-inspired dishes like the Mushroom Congee with picked mushroom and ginger, a soft egg, and drizzled chilli oil. This is absolutely one of the best places for brunch in Melbourne, but get in a little earlier, because the restaurant doesn’t take bookings – it’s first in, best dined.

Clementine

67-69 Palmerston Cres, South Melbourne

Smoked salmon brunch at Clementine in Melbourne
Credit:
Broadsheet

Finally, Clementine has secured its rank as one of the best brunch restaurants in Melbourne thanks to its standout food and beautiful location in the lakeside pocket of South Melbourne. The bright, airy café exudes a warmth and shine not only from the hot coffee and scrambled eggs, but also from the friendly wait staff.

The all-day breakfast and brunch menu perfectly combines sweet and savoury, making it the perfect pitstop for all palate preferences. For the sweet tooths, we recommend the Breakfast Soufflé, a Japanese pancake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. 

Prefer something savoury? The Smoked Salmon Mille–Feuille will scratch your brekky itch – think layered puff pastry with cream cheese capers, spanish onion, and indulgent salmon caviar.

Stay Close to the Best Places For Brunch in Melbourne

From the heart of the CBD to the vibrant Docklands, Melbourne is brimming with brunch spots that cater to every taste and preference. Whether you're in the mood for something classic or looking to try something new, these cafés and restaurants offer the best brunch experiences in the city.

Staying at Dorsett Melbourne places you at the epicentre of this culinary adventure. With kid-friendly amenities, luxurious accommodations, and a prime location, Dorsett Melbourne ensures that your stay is as delightful as your dining experiences. 

Book your stay today and discover why Melbourne is a brunch lover’s paradise.

Further reading: Looking for lunch or dinner recommendations? Check out these 7 Must-Visit Hidden Food Gems around the city.