Morning Start: The Best Breakfast in Melbourne CBD

Considered the most important meal of the day, our city has sky-high standards for breakfast. Whether you're after perfectly poached eggs, crispy bacon, or world-class coffee, Melbourne's best cafes ensure soggy cereal has no place.

Whether you're a local, commuter, or weekend wanderer, every Melburnian needs a go-to brekky spot in the CBD. From takeaway counters to sit-down cafes, these top picks for best breakfast in Melbourne CBD will satisfy your cravings.

Next time you're in the city, rise and shine with one of Melbourne’s finest breakfasts—worth every early wake-up, and occasionally, the wait.

Tomos

Is this the CBD’s most underrated cafe? Tucked away on Little Collins, Tomo’s is a charming spot where skilled baristas craft the perfect brew to pair with a hearty all-day breakfast and vibrant Japanese-inspired dishes. Think chilli prawn scramble, bircher muesli, or signature French toast, alongside showstoppers like truffle feta bruschetta and a strawberry honey toast with matcha ice cream and red adzuki beans.

Don’t miss their daily specials—Fridays feature the avocado tuna don with koshihikari rice and onsen egg, while weekends bring a deluxe seafood tempura bowl. Cosy, colourful, and undeniably delicious, Tomo’s is a must for your next breakfast.

382 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Elio's Place

This all-day Euro-style cafe and restaurant is one of our favourite new breakfast spots in the CBD. At Elio's Place, moody interiors set the scene for a menu that’s all about modern elegance. Think buckwheat porridge with rhubarb and hemp seeds, indulgent Kaiserschmarrn pancakes with blueberry and yoghurt, or smoked trout served with soft egg and pepperberry crème fraîche. For something handheld, the mortadella sandwich with pistachio butter and Dijon is a must. Breakfast runs until 11am—don’t miss it.

1/238 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Bloomwood

Bloomwood is a charming bakehouse and café dishing up some of Melbourne CBD's most stunning breakfasts. Their unique pastries are a showstopper—think taro croissants, earl grey and grapefruit danishes, and lemon lychee flower pastries, each crafted to perfection. Every sweet treat is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds, making for an irresistible morning indulgence. Pair your selection with a velvety matcha or expertly brewed coffee to start your day on a high note. Trust us, these creations are almost too beautiful to eat…almost.

121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Bakemono Bakers 

We're big fans of the pastries flying out the door at Bakemono Bakers. This Japanese-inspired bakery has an impeccable, tightly curated pastry selection for you to spend agonising minutes mulling over. 

Think puffy Danishes filled with blueberries and custard or Nutella and strawberry, and then for something savoury, a classic ham and cheese croissant. It's one of the best spots for an on-the-go baked breakfast in Melbourne CBD. 

Sitchu Tip: Grab one of their soul-warming chai lattes on top of your selection of pastries for the perfect morning start.

273 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Antara 128

Welcome to Antara, an impressive new eating house with its very own bakery. It will take your tastebuds on a delicious journey morning through night. If you're fortunate enough to make your way there for an early morning treat to-go, you can expect the likes of still-warm-from-the-oven pain au chocolate, twice baked almond croissants and seasonal pastries.

Looking for a delightful breakfast or brunch with friends? Larger dishes like the housemade wood roasted granola with poached pear, coconut yoghurt and macadamia milk and smoked rainbow trout omelette with mint and pea salsa, creme fraiche and sorrel will have you in good stead. 

128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Maker

The team at Maker are meticulous about coffee, sourcing the best beans from around the world to ensure the perfect experience. With locations in South Yarra, Richmond and the CBD, it’s obvious that Maker knows coffee, and lucky for us, they’re willing to share their knowledge. Drop in for a cup (or two) of top notch coffee, and stay for a freshly made baguette or a pastry supplied by Melbourne’s So¨t by Mo¨rk. 

387 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Bobby’s Coffee & Bagels

A firm favourite with the express brekky crowd, Bobby’s pocket-sized bagel shop is the stuff of cream-cheese filled dreams. For strong coffee and bouncy bagels, this is the place to go, with a plethora of delectable toppers to please sweet tooths and savoury mavens alike. Whether you prefer a shmear of cream cheese or an overindulgent lathering of Nutella, you can either pull up a pew and while the day away, or get your bagel on-the-run to the office.

Rear 53-57 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Operator Diner

Enjoy classic breakfast staples like stacks of syrupy buttermilk pancakes, French toast and breakfast muffins, as well as specialty sandwiches with that Melbourne twist at this cosy and comfortable diner in the CBD. A smooth, uh, operator, Operator Diner provides a slick refresh on those ol' slice of Americana diner relics, and unashamedly so. Coffee is by Code Black Coffee Roaster, and house-made special drinks such as iced tea, lemonade and milkshakes will give you a hearty sense of recollection.

New but old school (and oh-so-cool), it's one of the best new cafes in Melbourne CBD. 

Shop 2/130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Operator 25

A perfect spot for a quick break or a longer laptop session, Operator 25 is there to help you get through the day. Named after its heritage setting of the original Telephone Exchange Building, this vibrant coffee house plates up culturally influenced fare and a variety of classic and experimental coffee brews. 

25 Wills Street, Melbourne 

The Grain Store 

Step inside The Grain Store and you'll be served up some seriously good food alongside specialty coffee. On the menu? Everything from lemon and blueberry porridge, blue swimmer crab chilli scramble and Spanish baked eggs with chorizo, to lobster florentine, fluffy ricotta pancakes.

On weekends the menu extends to include more lunch options, drawing on refined European touches and seasonal Australian produce to create beautiful plates worthy of a snap or four! 

517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Maverick

Meet Maverick, Little Collins Streets' sophisticated and relaxed breakfast haunt that's serving up new takes on classic dishes. Whether you're in the mood for eggs benedict with house-made pastrami and pickles; cured salmon topped with a soft boiled egg, beetroot relish, watercress and crisps; or fresh hotcakes served with honeycomb, blood orange and double cream, you'll meet your brunch maker at Maverick.

95 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 

Cathedral Coffee

This cafe by day, bar by night is a relaxed yet intimate hidden gem in the city. Sitting pretty inside the Nicholas Building, Cathedral Coffee has a beautiful arcade ambiance matched with excellent coffee, flaky pastries, simple baguette sandwiches and a European sensibility.

Come afternoon, coffee swaps to wine and simple share plates arrive swiftly to your table. It's a truly perfect spot for breakfast in Melbourne CBD.

Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Krimper 

Krimper is one of the most beautiful cafes in Melbourne CBD, where the history of the building it resides in has allowed for a warm, dimly-lit and character-filled space to envelop in eager breakfast-goers. Inside, a disused, 100-year-old lift car and mechanical wheels has been used to recreate a dining booth, which has become a key feature of the cafe, alongside the cleverly unfinished, rough and rustic detailing found throughout. You'll also been quickly captivated by the food, with scrumptious dishes like almond French toast (almond spread brioche, saffron poached pear, pistachio, seasonal fruits and honey mascarpone) through to classics like eggs benny, coconut porridge and baked shakshuka. 

20 Guildford Lane, Melbourne 

Cuff 

Tucked away in Melbourne's maze of vibrant streets and laneways, Cuff captures an iconic slice of city life. Located in the building known also as the Customs House, next time you're strolling along Flinders Lane be sure to slip inside for some tasty eats. The all-day menu is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, with everything from corn fritters with haloumi and almond romesco, eggs your way, waffles and a panko-crumbed fried chicken burger. 

325 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Brother Baba Budan

Caffeinating the city for almost twenty years, Brother Baba Budan and their infamous roof chairs are a much loved institution by the Seven Seeds team. The focus is completely on the coffee here, with a limited food menu offering toasties and pastries. So while you won’t be served your usual brunch regulars here, you’re guaranteed an absolutely banging cup of coffee.

359 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Dame 

A sophisticated spot for all-day dining, Dame offers an elevated breakfast in Melbourne CBD. The gorgeous interior, awash with soft pink and red hues and framed by floor-to-ceiling curtains, creates a surprisingly intimate space in the bustling heart of Collins Street. Head here for lavish all-day breakfast sets, complete with cocktails. Fancy, much?

35 Collins Street, Melbourne

Liminal

Liminal is a vision of curved leather couches, marble tabletops and brass detailing. As expected, the menu elevates cafe fare to new levels of sophistication: avocado toast is topped with furikake and finger lime. Plus, where else could you expect toasted pumpkin brioche with buffalo curd, honey and bay leaf oil?

If that wasn’t enough, the sprawling space also boasts a wine shop, deli, produce store and event space. So, once you finish brekky, you can stock up for lunch and dinner.

161 Collins Street, Melbourne

Hardware Société

Melbourne institution Hardware Société has a decade’s worth of local brunch knowledge. Lush with salmon pinks, deep greens and marble pendant lights, the decadent interiors set the scene for a French-infused breakfast to remember. From rich croque madame to satisfying eggs benedict, you will never want to eat breakfast at home again.

10 Katherine Place, Melbourne

Greta 

You Greta believe it, the team behind Maverick and Richmond's Mayday Coffee & Food have another foodie gem up their sleeve, and she's an absolute doozy. Serving up dishes and drinks from breakfast through dinner, mornings provide simple, simply delicious fare. Crunch down on muesli with seasonal fruit and mascarpone, or try heartier fare like anchovy toast with gribiche and soft eggs, an omelette topped with stracciatella and mushrooms...or their famously good sandwiches.

450 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Higher Ground

Higher Ground’s refined industrial digs are home to some of the best breakfast in Melbourne CBD. Think specialty coffee and fresh, modern plates, enjoyed all day, every day, across their many vibey dining spaces. There are levels to this cafe, people.

While we’re fiends for their chilli scramble, our latest obsession is the avocado toasted pretzel, served with whipped ricotta, lime dressing, a seed cracker, and a poached egg. Light, fresh, and seriously delicious.

650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Brick Lane

Not just another brick in the wall, this bustling bakery-cafe destination serves up craft coffee and creative brunch options that are designed to change with the seasons. Hidden down a beautiful laneway and behind its vintage exterior, Brick Lane is serving up delicious takes on the classics in quintessential Melbourne cafe-culture style. Settle in for smashed avocado or eggs benedict... and all the coffee. 

33 Guildford Lane, Melbourne

Caffe e Torta 

A slice of Italy in the heart of the city, Caffe e Torta is a charming gem that effortlessly blends old-world European allure with a menu focused on simple, yet flavour-packed dishes. Whether you're escaping the city’s hustle for a slow afternoon or starting your day with style, this cosy spot for breakfast in Melbourne CBD offers the perfect respite. Sip on a velvety cappuccino as you watch the morning rush of suits go by, or settle in with a bowl of hearty soup or their classic egg dishes. For something truly special, the signature bolognese is pure gold.

314 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 

If you loved our picks of the best cafes in Melbourne's CBD, why not take it one step further with our must book restaurants in Melbourne's CBD, or check out the markets around the city you need to visit at least once.