St. Ali Coffee Roasters is a coffee roasting company with their own coffee shop located in Southbank, Melbourne. What has now become a local institution, this coffee house also serves up delicious breakfast and brunch items, from expertly poached eggs, to more filling options like grilled ox tongue. Try the exciting selections like Koo Koo Ca Choo, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, My Mexican Cousin, Nanny's Goat Gruff and Pepe Saya's Fluffy Bits. Relax in the laid-back yet bustling environment and sip on a creamy and perfectly brewed coffee.
Brighten your day by starting it at Top Paddock, on Church Street. The charming restaurant serves a spectacular variety of breakfast and brunch preparations, of which their colorful hot cakes truly, well, take the cake! Other dishes not to be missed here include eggs Benedict, soft shell crab burger and Wagyu steak sandwich, among many others. Everything is made from fresh, local ingredients and served with wonderful home-style charm at Top Paddock. The coffee is always good, the place oozes an inviting vibe and the offerings are simply amazing.
Set in a 19th-century building, Hopetoun Tea Rooms is a genteel space to indulge in the tradition of high tea. Scrumptious cakes, scones and pastries on silver trays will vie for your attention. Their extensive tea menu replete with English, herbal and exotic varieties are the perfect foil for the accompaniments. Don't be surprised by the the crowd as it is a popular haunt in the locality.
Pellegrini has been serving coffee and Italian food to the people of Melbourne for years. The meals are very close to home cooked fare and they don't believe in small portions and everything out here is served in large bowls, including spaghetti or lasagna. The bar is long and narrow with stools, and a huge table is placed in the kitchen. Don't ask for a menu when you walk in, because their menu is a board on the wall! The minestrone du jour, spaghetti marinara, pizza napoletana, risotto primavera, ravioli Genovese, and cannelloni alla nicoise with the side bread, or the daily salad are good options. If there's something you want that's not listed, then a request for the same could kill those cravings.
Though the name is not seen on the shopfront, this cafe is easily identifiable by the numerous chairs hanging from the ceiling. Ironically, this tiny cafe only sits 15 people, most around a communal table. Carrying coffee blends from many countries, this is a favorite hangout for serious coffee-drinkers. Coffee beans can also be purchased for home use, as can coffee products like espresso machine cleaning tablets, milk frother sanitizers, and so on. Staff are very professional and intermingle with the standing crowd to take orders. Each latte comes with an artistic touch of pattern made from milk froth. You’ll also notice the door handle is a coffee bean scoop, just another hint on how much a coffee fanatic they are.
Tucked away in the corner of Little Bourke and Little William Street is a hidden gem of Melbourne city called Patricia. This specialty coffee shop is known to offers great, velvety blends of coffee. They also offer a variety of seriously delicious muffins that complement the brews well. At Patricia, friendly baristas are more than happy to educate you and help you pick the blend of your choice. With warm service and excellent coffee, Patricia is sure to make you come back for more.
Proud Mary Coffee proudly boasts its single origin coffees as well as velvety smooth blends coupled with a scrumptious all day breakfast and lunch options. Fresh juices, smoothies, teas and homemade cakes complete the menu. Their innovative dishes are made with fresh and high quality ingredients that explode with flavor and offer a refreshing change. With passionate baristas excelling in all things coffee, Proud Mary Coffee has rightfully earned a respectable reputation as one of the best cafes in Melbourne.
Start your day with a hearty and pocket friendly early morning breakfast at Auction Rooms for just 12 dollars or step in at any time for strong coffee, zippy drinks and all-day breakfast items. Delicious lunch items like roasted beet salad and confit duck are also served from 11:00a onward. With open-brick walls, wood floors and a charming outdoor patio, the bustling restaurant has a cozy feel to it and is perfect for family meals.