Melbourne’s Café Culture

Melbourne is renowned for it’s amazing cafes and you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a great coffee and delicious meal. In fact, everywhere you turn your head a new cafe is popping up. You are likely to find a cafe under every new apartment building, in the foyer area of many inner city office towers and even right inside retail stores.

When it comes to a good coffee, Melburnians are prepared to line up in the cold and wait patiently for their favourite barista to delight their palate any time of day.

It’s not only coffee that delights Melburnians and those passing through, but the wonderful wholesome food. Long gone are the days of an ordinary toasted ham and cheese sandwich, although I’m sure it’s still a favourite. Instead, you’re likely to find a tomato, bocconcini and pesto panini, meatballs wraps, quinoa salads, homemade sweet delights. Quality, fresh and affordable food is what you will find in Melbourne’s cafes.

Ah! The aesthetic appeal is also a must. The right lighting, music, furniture, cutlery and china is also something the Melbourne cafes do exceptionally well.

Here are TMC’s top 7 favourite cafes in Melbourne you might like to try, in no particular order:

* For more information click on the highlighted headings *

1 ) Alimentari

By day a cafe and by night a restaurant. Located at two locations, in Smith Street Collingwood and Brunswick Street Fitzroy, this cafe/restaurant is one of a kind. The menu is full of delectable and mouth-watering meals with influences from Italy and Lebanon. To compliment their appetising menu, is their European decor and atmosphere, with both locations having an outdoor area for fresh air and blue skies. This is also a delicatessen where you can purchase items not usually found in supermarkets and take home meals.

2 ) Babka

This cafe is also located in Fitzroy and offers Russian inspired dishes. Don’t be fooled by the size of this cafe/bakery. Be sure to get there early enough in the day as their amazing bread loaves and baked sweets run out quickly.

3 ) Barry

Located in High St Northcote, only a few kilometres outside central Melbourne, this slick cafe offers delicious and nutritious food for breakfast and lunch. What’s on the menu here? Confit prawn sub with wasabi kewpie and pickled kohlrabi, or lamb shoulder with preserved lemon baked ricotta. This bustling cafe is one to try out.

4 ) Brunetti

This is a long time favourite for Melburnians. Initially trading in Carlton, this iconic cafe has branched out to Myer Melbourne, City Square, 250 Flinders Lane, and T2 International and T4 domestic Terminals at Melbourne Airport. You can expect great quality coffee, delicious Italian desserts, pizzas, and savoury treats and now expanded to a full restaurant menu. This is perfect for the traveller who will receive a consistent level of quality and service.

5 ) Chumanchu

This is a charming Vietnamese cafe and restaurant located only a few kilometres out of the Melbourne CBD. A popular place to meet for a wholesome breakfast and brunch of eggs, pancakes and healthy breakfast options, or fresh modern Vietnamese dishes. This is a great place for the whole family to meet and is spacious and well lit.

6 ) Auction Rooms

Food, coffee, drinks and atmosphere are done very well at this inner city cafe located in North Melbourne. Their delicious dishes are beautifully presented, full of colour and fresh ingredients. You will forget yourself sitting in this cafe.

7 ) Industry Beans

For coffee lovers, this is a must visit cafe as they roast their own coffee which is sourced from around the world. Offering two locations, one in Fitzroy which offers a full cafe food menu and another located in Little Collins St, Melbourne offering an array of coffees. There are many Melbourne cafes who use Industry Bean coffee blends, so why not visit the original that birthed this brand.

The cafe and coffee culture in Melbourne is endless, and that’s why there is no compromise on what is on offer in this amazing city. To experience this culture be sure to make the most of what is available by trying something new.

Whether you live in Melbourne or you’re visiting, ask our chauffeurs to take you to one of these fabulous cafes.

We hope you enjoy!

The Melbourne Chauffeur Team