Hi friends! This post has been a long time coming. I love brunch. I love food and I think I've become a bit of a self-proclaimed foodie/food critic over the past few months. And it's no secret, that I HAVE been to a lot of brunch spots around Melbourne, and let me tell you, I have collated a list of the best of the best. Let me know if I've missed your favourite.
Before we begin, Melbourne is a huge city and there are sooooo many suburbs but some notable ones that we're going to discuss in this blog are Richmond, Essendon, Oak Park, the CBD, Newport, and South Yarra. So here's my top 10! And honestly, this list might change as I go to more and more brunch spots.
I wasn't sure if I was going to fit in in Melbourne, but when I realised how big "brunch culture" is here, I realised I was in the right place.
North and Eight, Essendon
Cheeky Monkey, Richmond
Pillar of Salt, Richmond
Top Paddock, South Yarra
Francis Winifred, Oak Park
My Oh My, Richmond
Hardware Societie, CBD
Brick Lane, CBD
Humble Rays, Carlton
I haven't really put these in order of 1-10 but just of the ones that I really enjoyed going to and would 100% go back to! But, I would say Convoy is my number 1 fave at the moment. Please enjoy this blog post.
Convoy, Moonee Ponds
Website - https://www.convoymooneeponds.com.au/
Ahh, this is an AMAZING brunch spot. My favourite thing to get here are the breakfast potatoes. Like you don't need a hash brown because you've got something better and that's breakfast potatoes. Seriously, you gotta try that. I think Luke and I have been here at least three times in the past year. I also really like the mango smoothie (pictured at number 1).
The staff are lovely, the food is good, the vibes are great, and you can take your puppy with you. I've never had a bad meal here. Also, it's right across from Queens Park so you can go for a cute little stroll around the park afterwards. I would say this is my favourite brunch spot in Melbourne that I've been to so far.
North and Eight, Essendon
Website - https://www.northandeight.com.au/
I do miss this place a lot because we used to live just up the road and it was an easy place to walk to get brunch (especially if you were hungover and did not want to make your own brunch, just head up the road and stop here). I really liked it because you could always get a table (and that's not to say it wasn't that busy, it did get busy, but there's always a space for you here). The owner of the cafe did like to banter with Luke being an Essendon supporter though so take what you will with that information. I really liked the iced mochas and smoothies here.
Cheeky Monkey, Richmond
I don't have any photos here that I could find (and trust me I had to go way back on my phone to get a lot of photos that are featured on this blog post) from this cafe, but I've been here twice and the coffee is great and the food is great. I highly recommend it but I would make sure to go really early in the morning OR make a booking because this place gets PACKED AF. The morning after I fainted for the first time in Melbourne, Luke and I went here to make sure we had a really nice breakfast.
Pillar of Salt
Website - https://www.pillarofsalt.com.au/
My friend Josie (I'm sure she won't mind me using her name, pretty sure she said it was ok, sorry if not haha) introduced me to this gem of a place. They make amazing Turkish eggs for their winter menu and it's nestled on Church Street, Richmond. It's quite a small space though so I'd be sure to go really early before the crowds get there.
Top Paddock, South Yarra
Website - https://thetoppaddock.com/
I've been here with a few people from NZ including my mum and one of my muso friends. I really liked it here and it's quiet on weekdays which is good because if you're into food but don't like waiting in lines or going to overcrowded spots, this is the place for you. However, on weekends it can get really busy so be prepared (or do what I did and go on a Monday or Tuesday).
Francis Winifred, Oak Park
Website - https://franciswinifred.com.au/
This place is banging! I love the overall vibe, the staff are nice, the coffee is fantastic (even though it hurts my tummy) and the food is great. We live kinda close to here now and I think it's a good brunch spot if you're looking for a pick-me-up. I also go here after my therapy appointments to get a coffee (one thing I hate doing) and have a little treat as I walk home - but once I dropped an iced latte and I was really sad.
My Oh My, Richmond
Website - https://www.myohmy.com.au/
Honestly, the staff here are soooo friendly, the remember you too! Luke and I used to walk past here a lot when I live in Richmond and this photo is from New Year's Day 2023 or NYE 2022 I can't quite remember which day (I think the latter). Anyway, we actually went here for lunch and it was so yummy. Highly highly recommend.
I also want to say this place was the first place I went where I was like, yep I'm a Melbourne girly now (or as Luke would say, Mal'b).
Hardware Societie, CBD
Website - https://www.hardwaresociete.com/
I don't know if I've mentioned this on the blog before but there's this running joke that I've got going with myself that I'll never get crepes in Melbourne (but this photo kinda disproves that). It's because every time I've tried to get a crepe, they've either been way too busy, or sold out, or the time we ordered crepes on Uber Eats and just ended up with two random drinks and no food LOL. Anyway, I remember going to this place in the CBD with a few of my mates and one had just gone through a breakup and another was just not having a good time, but the food was really yummy. I did try and take Luke here once too but I got lost. We shall try again now that I know where it is properly.
Brick Lane, CBD
Website - https://thebricklane.com.au/
Unfortunately, I have no photos for Brick Lane, but the menu was cool and it had a very rustic vibe. If you go on the weekend, there's no bookings so basically it's first in first serve and you gotta wait outside until a table is ready (and they call your name). Apart from that, I remember the food being really good. The reason I have no photos is that Luke and I went here when our relationship was kinda fresh so I didn't wanna be that weirdo who just kept taking photos of our food. Cut to 2 years later and Luke does not give a sh*t about me taking photos or videos (Thanks Luke).
Humble Rays, Carlton
Website - https://humblerays.com.au/
Fun fact - this was the first brunch place I tried when I moved to Melbourne. One of my lovely friends wanted to have a Galentine's Day with me so we headed down here and the food and drinks were soooo yummy!
Special Mention: Pint of Milk, Newport
Oh my gosh, special mention for Pint of Milk in Newport. Luke and I went here one day while it was raining so bad so we had to run from the car to the cafe, but I think we were here quite early (maybe like 8:30 am on a Sunday) and it was already starting to get busy. I think because there's not as many of these places in Newport (and yes, I could be making that up because I don't know much about Newport). But it is well worth the stop.
I hope you enjoyed this post! I cannot remember the names of half of these dishes (as these photos span over 2 years in Melbourne) hence why I haven't included them but I think it's pretty obvious what kinda food each dish is (I hope LOL).
Much love,
Ash xoxo
Thanks for the recommendations! Will add the ones I haven’t tried to my list :) - James H