Melbourne’s best hidden laneway cafes

Take a detour down Melbourne’s laneways to find leafy cafes, tiny hole-in-the-walls and hidden gem coffee roasters.

Union Kiosk 

Go vegan, go to Union Kiosk. This tiny hole-in-the-wall in Howey Place specialises in 100 per cent vegan jaffles. Think dairy-free tofu scramble with ham, cheese and hollandaise. Or a meat-free cheeseburger inspired toastie. Don't forget to grab some vegan cookies to go.

Bakemono

Grab perfect shokupan, yuzu almond croissants and more at Bakemono Bakers. You’ll find it in a converted garage on Drewery Lane, just off Little Lonsdale Street. This transformed nook has lush plants surrounding its wide timber entrance. And bench seats inside and out are perfect for enjoying your treats.

Maker 

Maker is in good company. It occupies the coveted corner of Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street, alongside iconic watering hole Kirk’s Wine Bar. Sleek interiors and reclaimed timber counters make for a dreamy space. Soak up the rays in the laneway and pair your locally roasted coffee and baguette with some people-watching. 

The Alley Edition

Howey Place is a covered arcade, rather than a laneway, but tiny Alley Edition fits the bill. This sweet hidden spot has plenty of cute touches, like a Yakult-shaped clock and crawling green plants. The fresh toasties and pastries are as good as the coffee.

Ten Square Cafe

Venture a little further down Hardware Lane to find a cute little courtyard nook called Ten Square. Smash some oh-so pretty date hotcakes and a matcha latte. Plant-based brunchers will go wild for the vegan and gluten-free chocolate waffles. The colourful dish comes topped with honeycomb, meringue and fresh berries. 

Tom Thumb 

At only 2.5 metres wide, Tom Thumb is all too easy to walk past. Wedged between towering high rises and a carpark in Flinders Lane, this little winner serves flaky pastries and a cracking cup of coffee. Venture upstairs to find a spot to sit in this petite gem.  

Chapter House Coffee

If coffee is a religious experience, there’s no better place to grab a cup than Chapter House Coffee. Under the gothic arches of St Paul’s cathedral, this quiet cafe serves delicious meals like bliss bowls, brekkie rolls and deli sandwiches.

Seedling Cafe

Paleo-inspired and 100 per cent gluten-free, Seedling’s plant-based goodies are as tasty as they are nourishing. Think smashed avo with vegan feta, coconut acai bowls and smoothies chock-full of fresh fruit.

Jungle Juice

You'll find more than just juice at Jungle Juice. This pint-sized cafe in gritty Centre Place serves New York-style bagels. Plus excellent coffee, freshly squeezed juice and more adventurous bevvy choices. Our order? A Vietnamese iced coffee and the cheesy egg and bacon sensation, the McBagel. 

Tori's

Melbourne has been blessed with another adorable new laneway cafe. Tori's in Niagara Lane is cute as a button, and so are the treats. Perfectly handcrafted Madeleines, burnt basque cheesecake, friands and some special matcha-fusion delights. Think French patisserie vibes with Japanese flavour inspo.

Overlay

Find serenity in minimal square footage at this chic hole-in-the-wall spot on Little Lonsdale. Overlay greets you with pared back interiors, all-white accessories and a curated selection of cakes and pastries. The iced pour over (served in a paper thin glass pot) is the perfect summer staple, or indulge in the cream-topped iced latte for a mid-arvo treat.

Traveller

Around the corner from coffee institution Pellegrini’s, Traveller does a fine line of brews and pastries. Part of the Seven Seeds caffeine empire, the petite bolthole in Crossley Street is the perfect layover while perusing the small bookstores and galleries nearby.

Blue Doors

Born in Indonesia and beloved by coffee-drinkers in five cities now, Blue Doors brews a mean cup. The first thing to know about this cafe? It’s not behind a blue door, it’s beneath the striped awning on Somerset Place. The essential order here is an iced latte sweetened with agave or maple syrup. It’s best enjoyed outside in the sunshine down this cute little laneway.