The best brunches in Melbourne

Catch up over coffee and carbs with bottomless brunch, Japanese breakfast sets, Sunday brunch and more. These Melbourne cafes are reopening for bookings and walk-ins.

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Budapest Café

Have a Wes Anderson moment at Instagram fave The Budapest Café. The immaculate space is decorated with pastel pink Mendl's boxes for the full movie treatment. Sweet options include tiramisu croffles, matcha ice cream pancakes and custard puffs. Or try mentaiko udon – that's thick noodles seasoned with kimchi, spicy cod roe and onsen egg. Reopening for dine-in from 22 October. Book ahead or visit for a walk-in.

Bottomless Sunday brunch at Left Bank

Glam it up at Left Bank with bottomless brunch cocktails, views of the Yarra and the sparkling city skyline. Book in for a two-hour bottomless treat on weekends. Choose a favourite meal from the brunch menu, like yakitori pork belly or kingfish sashimi. Cocktails include classic sangria, rum-based creamy captain or an Aperol blitz. Bookings essential.

The Quarter

Fancy a spot of people watching? Experience Degraves Street from the centre of the action, dining in the middle of the iconic lane. Settle in under the sun shades at The Quarter for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try the crispy pork belly tacos or wake up early for matcha hot cakes with Oreos. You'll be dreaming about them for weeks. Reopening 22 October.

Twenty and Six Espresso

Good things sometimes come in small packages, like this compact cafe turning out great coffee and epic brunch spreads. Old menu faves from Twenty and Six Espresso include grilled haloumi sandwiches, crispy pork and espresso shakes. But this time they'll be reopening with a fresh spring menu – head down from 22 October to see what's new!

Palette

Korean aesthetics are taking over town, and Palette's got the vibe on lock. Their signature street toast (gigeori-toast) starts with buttery brioche, fluffy omelette and hash brown. Where you take it next is up to you – but candied bacon is a must. Pair with the official drink of Seoul (iced americano) or a pleasingly pastel soda. Reopen for dine-in from 5 November.

Greta Melbourne

This cosy spot on Flinders Lane is known for its premium wine selection, but Greta brings the goods all-day with brunchable sandwiches. The toastie is a bit fancier than your usual sanga, melting together gruyere, brie and sharp cheddar. Pickled onion and dijon mustard provide a tangy counterpart to cut through the richness. More treats to try include rare roast beef, mortadella rolls and porchetta delights. Reopening 26 October.

Ima Project Cafe

Lucky Carlton locals have been dining on brunch sets from Ima Project all lockdown long. Now's your chance to pretend you're in Tokyo and try the bento-style plates of pickles and rice, miso soup, grilled fish and eggplant. Sandos and toasties round out the menu, along with matcha cupcakes and cheesecake. Drool over the full list of options on their website. Reopening for walk-ins from 3 November.

Maverick at 80 Collins

Maverick do incredible coffee and sophisticated takes on classic Melbourne brunch dishes. Fluffy chilli scrambled eggs, warm fruity waffles and even a cheeky espresso martini make the menu pop. And that's not thick cut bacon on your plate – the team makes perfectly juicy pastrami in-house for a decadent eggs benny. Reopening 2 November.

Vertue Coffee Roasters

Coffee lovers rejoice! Vertue Coffee Roasters is back open for brunch business. They’re taking bookings so you can relax with a cup of their incredible coffee and take (a little bit) of time perusing the brunch menu. What will it be? The spicy lemon myrtle pannacotta? The fan-fave salmon rosti? Or will you celebrate your return with indulgent red velvet hotcakes? Book online or risk a walk-in.

Back soon

Stay tuned to their socials for dine-in info – or grab brunch to-go.

Local Folk

A Kensington favourite, Local Folk serves brunchy goodness for all dietary requirements. Order your bev of choice with soy, almond or lactose-free milk. Brunch options range from fresh fruit granola to smashed avo on pumpkin sourdough. But most local folk can’t go past the passionfruit pancakes with candy floss and berries.

Hot Poppy

Ask any North Melb local for a brunch rec and Hot Poppy will be top of the list. This Errol Street icon is open for takeaway all through lockdown, and that includes the legendary Portuguese tarts. Order with a chilled iced latte or cocktail to-go and enjoy an at-home treat feast.

The Premises

Lockdown or not, we need a regular brunch fix. Thankfully The Premises is now on Uber Eats to deliver all that smashed avo and espresso magic. Our pick is the potato hash – that’s 8-hour beef brisket, spiced potatoes, aioli and a poached egg on organic toast.