There is no city in the world that does brunch quite like Melbourne. It’s not uncommon for pancakes to be topped with fairy floss and for artistically plated dishes to rival anything you’d see in a gallery. When I arrived, I had big plans for an epic brunch blog compendium… but brunching in Melbourne is like playing whack-a-mole. Eat one spot, and you’ll learn about three more amazing places you haven’t been yet.
And so, instead of (read in addition to) stuffing myself with beautiful brunches, I called in some experts to help me share the most Instagrammable Melbourne brunches.
Addict Food & Coffee
@minnie2mac
I thought pancakes had hit their peak with fairy floss and flowers… and then I came across this photo on @minnie2mac’s feed. Addict Food & Coffee’s chocolate Fondant Pancake is served with raspberry rosella froyo. Minnie says the combination of rich chocolate lava that oozed out from slightly crispy crust with refreshing froyo was so good!
Baba Sus
@foodie_or_fatty
Egg waffles became popular in Hong Kong… and now they’re in Melbourne! @foodie_or_fatty said almost everyone in Baba Sus ordered a plate of these Hong Kong egg waffles served with vanilla custard, berry compote, green tea ice cream and pistachio praline. This foodie (or fatty?) describes the waffles as light and fluffy and says that everything went so well together. This is one craze I hope sticks around!
Cafe Lafayette
@taanofficial
Cafe Lafayette’s mango salmon is pretty in pink! @tannofficial had this beautifully blush meal, which is served with cucumber yogurt cured salmon, beetroot quail eggs, quinoa, chia, onion, fennel, dill and seared scallops.
Club Social Prahran
@thechefdownunder
This pic comes straight from the source! The @chefdownunder is responsible for Club Social Prahran’s vegan silken soy and vanilla bean hotcakes are served with lemon curd, pistachio, maple syrup and lime macerated berries.
Code Black Coffee
@forksake
Smashed avocado has been on the hot seat lately, after being blamed for millennials inability to buy a home. But it’s in the limelight for good reason… it’s just so dang good! And Forksake captured Code Black Coffee’s version in all its glory– ‘cheeky side of haloumi’ and all!
The Crux & Co
@foodiemelbourne
Foodie Melbourne has dubbed this the best brunch dish she’s tasted in 2016. The Crux & Co Bisque Benedict is made with tiger prawns, poached eggs and a lobster bisque hollandaise on squid ink toast. The 20-something Melbournian calls it creative, decadent and out of this world delicious.
Darling Cafe
@thesweetwanderlust
I would like to introduce you to Darling Cafe’s Peanut Butter Waffles. This breakfast is served with smashed banana in cream cheese mousse, crispy bacon, golden syrup, fairy floss and a side of whimsy.
Dex2rose
@the_brunswick_brunchie
“The Charcoal Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffle from Dex2Rose is one of my favourite hidden desserts in Melbourne. Not only is it the most vibrant and colourful dish you have ever seen but the serving is so generous that you would need to share it with a friend.
The waffle is blackened by edible charcoal and topped with fresh seasonal berries, rainbow meringues, Persian fairy floss and a dollop of gelato. You get to make your own creation by choosing from a variety of dressing sauces, pouring ganache and gelato. My chosen toppings were salted caramel dressing sauce, dark chocolate pouring ganache and a Red Velvet gelato.” With brunchie in her name, @the_brunswick_brunchie knows what she’s talking about!
District North
@spoonfulofsisters
Brunch lovers in Melbourne, check out one of Spoonful of Sisters’ favourite brunch spots. They say that District North has the most unreal menu filled with delicious creations for brunch. These three sisters recommend the green pandan pancakes washed down with a decadent district donut shake or a health freak smoothie.
El Atino & Co.
@melbfoodbaby
El Atino & Co.’s Benedict Dream is a dream come true for brunch-goers who love tangy and savory flavors. This innovative Benedict is served served on a rice/corn hash with EA&Co. jalapeño chutney, covered in raspberry hollandaise and finished with crispy bacon and egg yolk salt. @melbfoodbaby recommends visiting this Richmond-area cafe where you can brunch and buy the products they use to produce their own dishes, so you can take these authentic Latin American flavors home!
Fourth Chapter
@theedibleimage
If you’ve never been to Australia, you are most likely completely unaware of the wonder that is the Golden Gaytime with its creamy ice cream, dipped in chocolate and rolled in biscuit pieces. The Golden Gaytime waffle from Fourth Chapter is their take on this Aussie favorite, topped with honeycomb, chocolate custard, vanilla bean ice-cream. Isn’t this photo from The Edible Image mouthwateringly gorgeous?
The Glass Den
@wendeats
My favorite brunches are the kind that could double as dessert. @wendeats loved Glass Den’s tiramisu hotcakes with espresso whipped mascarpone, chocolate soil, chocolate grenache, salted caramel fudge, raspberries, hazelnuts, and housemade caramel vanilla bean ice cream served with a shot of espresso and I bet you will, too!
If you’re looking for a savory Melbourne brunch option, try their Scot Free Salmon – Beetroot & thyme cured salmon with potato gratin, asparagus, candy striped beets, olive soil, squid ink whipped feta, beetroot mousse and fruit caviar!
Hawthorn Common
@melbourniancritic
“If you haven’t tried the Waffles topped with butterscotch banana, peanut butter parfait, honeycomb, peanut powder & anglaise from Hawthorn Common, then you are definitely in for a treat. We were completely blown away with each mouthful, as the combination of flavours & textures fused together so perfectly to create the most amazing flavour explosion that was simply exquisite – talk about total #foodgasm. Hats off to Head Chef Matt Barlow & his team for creating such an outstanding new spring menu that will keep you coming back for more!” Thanks for sharing this delightful meal, Melbournian Critic!
Hendriks Cafe
@maidtomunch
These are more than just your average pancakes! @maidtomunch calls Hendriks Cafe’s hot cakes with cointreau jus and speck served with grilled orange and macadamia nuts a nice mix of sweet and savory.
High Society Cafe
@eatmelbs
How gorgeous is this brunch from High Society? @eatmelbs tried Chef Suresh’s cumin roasted pumpkin with sautéed kale, hummus, feta, pink tahini, tumeric eggs & pine nuts and spicy chickpeas. Delicious and beautiful… a winning combination!
Horse on Heels
@damoforce
Horse on Heels is a waffle specialist, and their black charcoal coconut waffle topped with popcorn chicken, pickled kale, chimichurri aioli sauce is special, indeed! Damoforce says that the coating on the chicken is great and the whole meal is beautifully presented. Don’t be fooled by the charcoal waffle, it’s very subtle in taste and very light!
Industry Beans
@tsanga.eats
@tsanga.eats decided to try the scotch egg craze with Industry Beans’ marinated rare beef, pickled beetroot, puffed quinoa, sriracha aioli, peanut crusted egg and fried capers. This foodie and coffee enthusiast was pleased with his choice!
The Journeyman Cafe
@melbournefoodiememoirs
Melbourne Foodie Memoirs drooled over this dish for months before finally trying it! This Persian fetta potato croquette with poached eggs, sweet corn purée, crispy kale & manchego cheese was worth the wait!
The Kettle Black
@thegirlswhoatetheworld
You can’t miss The Kettle Black… you’ll know you’re there when you see the line of people waiting for a table at this hotspot. Packed with blueberries, seeds and nuts and topped with real maple syrup, @thegirlswhoatetheworld have dubbed this dish the best hot cakes she’s ever had!
Kitty Burns
@rayzorgraphy
Try the KFCC Chicken… No Colonel here, though. This is Kitty Fried Cornflake Chicken from Kitty Burns! Served with blueberry chili caramel and a waffle, @rayzorgraphy promises not to judge if you drool.
Left Field
@f.e.e.d.blogspot
“Brunch dish: Cinnamon, date and coconut bircher with a saffron poached pear, orange, cacao crumble and orange blossom. This bustling cafe is known for their beautifully-plated dishes and flavoursome ingredient combinations. For a healthy dish that won’t leave you hungry afterwards, this bircher really hit the spot with its chewy and crunchy textures, floral scents and intense flavours.” Thanks so much to Nicole from F.E.E.D. Blogspot for sending this impressive dish!
Le Petit Prince Armadale
@melbournebrunchboy
The Melbourne Brunch Boy is new to the blogging scene… but has been brunch-obsessed for years! His photos are stunning and his taste is impeccable. One of his latest brunches was Le Petit Prince Armadale’s brioche French toast with Matcha soil, poached pear, strawberry salsa, vanilla yogurt and maple syrup.
Leroy’s
@thesweetwanderlust
The OMG pancake was omg indeed. Whipped ricotta coffee ice cream, burnt fig ice cream, popping candy, chocolate fairy floss, salted caramel cacao and hazelnut crumb had me “omg-ing” with every bite.
Long Story Short Cafe
@cards_and_cafes
Kim at Cards and Cafes loves Long Story Short Cafe’s buttermilk Tim Tam pancakes. Topped with poached nashis (Asian pears), mascarpone chocolate soup and crispies and Tim Tam gelato, this is the ultimate brunch for Tim Tam lovers. She recommends sharing with a friend, because it is sweet and rich!
Matcha Mylkbar
@asianfoodiee
Karyn is the @asianfoodiee, and her favorite part of Matcha Mylkbar’s matcha pancakes is the ice cream! They’re also served with lychee, raspberry, passionfruit, white chocolate sauce, macadamia crumb, and lemongrass… sounds like the macadamia ice cream has some competition!
Middletown
@wendeats
“Attention: There’s a new kid on the block in Prahran! Middletown Cafe is inspired by Kate Middleton’s persona: royal, but still close to the people. Dhamanhuri and partner Valerie Fong (the same duo behind Operator 25 Cafe) have invested in an appropriately luxurious look, employing Studio Tate to install terrazzo floors, champagne-coloured banquettes, brass lighting and royal-blue panelling. With vases of white blooms all over the cafe, an all-day menu that features coffee waffles with strawberries done five ways, and coffee by Code Black Coffee, this chic cafe is a total hit! Check out their quinoa- with quince gel, fennel tops, radish, goats cheese and shaved and pickled cauliflower!” – @wendeats, whose photos I drooled over for months before coming to Australia. Check out her cheerful and colorful photos!
Mr Mister Cafe
@twofoodfriends
Check out the spread at Mr Mister Cafe from @twofoodfriends! They ordered the lobster roll, acai bowl, banana bread and maple glazed kaiserfleisch plus an iced coffee and two juices. They said it was beautiful and DELICIOUS, and the service was unbelievable.
Ora Specialty Coffee
@lipstemptations
Ora Specialty Coffee has some special coffee, but don’t miss out on their brunch. Lips Temptations suggests that you try their sugared brioche, passionfruit curd, halva, honey french toast!
SOS Cafe
@breakfastboard
These fluffy pancakes are layered with cashew cream, banana, pistachio, cacao nibs, espresso ice-cream and served with a steaming hot maple syrup ristretto. AND they’re gluten free!
Street Talk Espresso
@nikillae
This dish is called the Boss of all Challah for good reason! @nikillae can’t decide whether she thought the presentation or taste was better.
Ten One Ate
@thesweetwanderlust
On a recent visit to Ten One Ate, the creative team spoiled me with a gorgeous unicorn freakshake, pistachio French toast (which we decided is the best in Melbourne), salmon fritters topped with millennial-approved smashed avo, a brunch burger with a side of the crispiest hash browns. 10/10, would recommend and eat there again!
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Urban Projuice
@thebrunchgirls
Healthy is beautiful! The Brunch Girls tried Urban Projuice’s carrot and sweet potato fritter stack with minted peas, tofu ricotta, harissa coyo, pomegranate pearls, mizuna and egyptian dukkah, which is green, glorious and good for you!
West 48
@fatpompomlife
@fatpompomlife is a girl from Melbourne who loves all things pretty and sweet. And West 48 is on her list of beautiful brunches! How could it not be?! These buttermilk ricotta hotcakes with saffron poached pear, vanilla bean mascarpone & white chocolate macadamia crumble are gorgeous!
White Mojo
@twopaperpen
The duo behind Two Paper Pen is responsible for this drool-worthy photo of White Mojo’s crunchy waffles, macerated raspberries, toasted meringue, and Nutella frosting topped with their house made semifreddo. The meal was so beautiful… it has its very own video!
@madheinerhills
Madeline Hills is an Australian long distance runner and a two-time finalist at the Rio Olympics (top 10 in both of her events!). She chose White Mojo as her foodie fuel. I can’t promise that you’ll run faster after eating this natural yoghurt, fresh and freeze dried berries, spiced meringue and coconut gel… but she ran 10 miles that day and swam laps, so it couldn’t hurt!
Where is your favorite spot for a Melbourne brunch? What’s the most beautiful dish you’ve tried?
Pin it!
Cory Varga
Tuesday 6th of December 2016
This is the most delicious thing I've seen in a while. I've pinned this...amazing <3
Sumti
Sunday 4th of December 2016
Yummy Foods. want to come and have it :)
Tasha
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
I can't get over how beautiful these brunches are. I love the look of the chocolate pancake with raspberry, and the one with popping candy... And the cinnamon, poached pear and orange crumble... I could go on. I'm gutted I didn't try any of these on my trip to Melbourne. Fantastic post
Brittany
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
Sounds like you need to come back!!
Life Other Than
Sunday 4th of December 2016
OMG! You should have a disclaimer before this post...I hadn't had breakfast yet! It looks amazing - all of it. Pics are fantastic!
LC
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
I'm moving to Melbourne hopefully in the new year and am hoping to now brunch at ALL of these places. Yum!
Brittany
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
I'm working through it as well... It's a big mission, but one worth applying for a visa extension to accomplish! ;)