Best breakfasts in Melbourne

In a town that’s obsessed with good food and great coffee, there’s absolutely no reason to ever start the day on the wrong foot.

1. Batch Espresso

Carlisle Street is arguably one of Melbourne’s best breakfast strips. A curious mish mash of boho meets gay meets Jewish, it’s a kaleidoscope that somehow works well together. Without doubt the highlight of the strip is Kiwi haven Batch Espresso. Lovingly created and sensuously strong coffee created on a customised Slayer is perfectly accompanied by tasty fare from the light and zingy avo and fetta mash to the devilish date scones. A black and white checkered floor, reliably lived in wooden furniture and kooky greenery in an enormous tin pot lend a homely feel to Batch, brimming as it is with New Zealand kitsch.

Best for… the heartily rewarding potato hash with poached eggs, spinach and cornichons.

2. St Ali

Follow the Slayer seems to be the running theme here. No, not watch all seven series of Buffy back to back (though there’s no harm in that). Rather wherever the café is dedicated enough to fork out a small country’s GDP on a Slayer espresso machine, you know you’re in for a treat. Even better, these guys roast their own bean too. That used to happen at the back of the café, but popularity meant lack of space, so that now happens in garage down the road form this particularly fine garage. Only in Melbourne could a hard to find industrial space like this be such a successful breakfast spot. Though the outstanding coffee and damn fine food arranged in amusing categories are definite drawcards.

Best for… the Mexican Cousin: poached eggs nestled atop the world’s tastiest corn fritters, spinach and chilli chutney with an indulgent slice of haloumi.

3. Salford Lads Club

We suggest you look up Salford Lads Club on Google Maps first. Seriously. It’s in the middle of nowhere, between Bunning and Toyota Motors in Port Melbourne. You can tell this place was set up by bike enthusiasts, because you really need one to get here. Or a car. Or you could get the 109 tram out of the city, but be prepared to freak when you find yourself in an industrial zone. It’s well worth persevering though, because this is a hidden gem of Melbourne. From the magical faraway tree outside to the light-filled haven of parquetry stone floors and white brick walls hung with pushbikes, this is an enticing way to spend the day. The coffee is finely crafted on a custom-built San Marco espresso machine and the food is just as tasty.

Best for… the completely awesome escape from the city bustle.

4. Ray’s Café

The grand daddy of Brunswick’s breakfast scene, Ray’s has lost none of its punch over the many years of northside service since Mark Dundon initiated his empire of caffeine. It’s also one of the originators of Melbourne’s treasured industrial chic, with exposed brick walls, brick a brac furniture and graffiti as art. Though Mark has long since moved on, Ray’s has never lost it’s hipster crowd skinny jeans crammed against skinny jeans at the shared table. Between the Atomica goodness and the exotic charms of the bohemian breakfasts, there’s never a dull day at Ray’s.

Best for… the tastiest baked beans in town.

5. Three Bags Full

There’s something grand and glamorous about this former hat factory at one and the same time as it’s a card-carrying defender of grungy warehouse chic. This great red brick space is a happy mish mash of Italianate charm and reclaimed junky yard style, with tea cups for light shades and road sign seating clustered around an enormous shared table – apparently a given in all of Melbourne’s finest cafes. It’s a happy and relaxed space that’s always buzzing with diligent waiters and desirous customers seeking caffeine validation. The five senses blend is roasted to their own secret recipe and the all-day breakfast will keep you going til dinner.

Best for… tasty hotcakes piled high with yummy ricotta.

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