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Best Cafés in Melbourne (2026)

Coffee is one of the reasons people fall for Melbourne, and the city's cafes range from the simple to the elaborate. Pellegrini's Espresso Bar on Bourke Street has served Italian-style espresso since 1954 from behind its long marble counter, and Patricia Coffee Brewers, a standing-room-only bar off Little Bourke Street, keeps the choice to black, white or filter on weekdays only.

The specialty roasters are mostly in the inner north. Seven Seeds runs its flagship cafe in a former roastery in Carlton, Proud Mary in Collingwood is known for its six-group espresso set-up and inventive brunch, and Industry Beans' Fitzroy headquarters combines its largest roastery with a full cafe that takes bookings. Lune, founded by a former Formula One aerodynamicist, makes croissants in a glass-walled pastry room in its Fitzroy warehouse.

Most specialty cafes open early and close mid-afternoon, and several close at weekends or take no bookings, so plan brunch for the morning and expect a short wait at popular times. Pairing a Carlton or Fitzroy cafe with Melbourne Museum or a walk through the inner suburbs makes an easy half day.

6 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 cafés in Melbourne

  1. Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar Historic Italian espresso bar, Melbourne CBDItalian espresso bar on Bourke Street since 1954, with its original 1950s fit-out, a long marble counter and simple pasta dishes served without bookings.
  2. Lune Croissanterie Fitzroy Croissant bakery, FitzroyKate Reid's croissant bakery, whose Fitzroy warehouse flagship houses a glass-walled pastry room and the Lune Lab tasting experience.
  3. Seven Seeds Carlton Specialty coffee cafe, CarltonFlagship cafe of Melbourne roaster Seven Seeds, in its former Carlton roastery near the university, serving specialty coffee and an all-day menu.

Café

4. Proud Mary

Specialty coffee and brunch cafe$$Collingwood

Collingwood cafe opened in 2009 by Nolan Hirte, serving its own roasted blends and single origins through a six-group espresso set-up, plus inventive brunch dishes.

View details — Proud Mary