If you did not know, Melbourne is known as the coffee central of the world. I verified this fact personally during a trip to the coffee heaven this winter. I admit, I am a coffee lover and yes, if you are one too, you have to go on a café spree when you visit this city.
So come on, follow me on my café-hopping journey. Here are 5 cafes in Melbourne that you should totally drop by.
Cafe, coffee, conversation, book, brunch…
Market Lane Coffee
I guess the world works in the most magical ways. As usual, it was morning and I was craving for my daily dose of caffeine. To my surprise, we chanced upon Market Lane Coffee on the way out of Queen Victoria Market! I was so delighted and yes, I got myself a cup of hot latte. It has a hint of bitterness to it, which is a perfect way to enjoy a cup of coffee. The coffee here got to be one of the best in Melbourne. I was not surprise when I realised that it is the winner for Best Coffee on CHEAP Eats 2012.
Victoria Market 109-111 Therry Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9804 7434
Brother Baba Budan
This one is fun. It is a busy tiny little coffee house along Little Bourke Street. I reckon this would be my favourite coffee place in Melbourne. Stepping inside, I was excited to see that there were loads of wooden chairs hanging down from the ceiling.
Of course the highlight here is the coffee. Ordered my café latte, took a sip and oh my, I’m at peace. The foam was so smooth and silky. You can just taste the sweetness of the coffee beans without sugar. Another fun fact for you, Brother Baba Budan also carries coffee beans from Seven Seeds, which is another pretty popular café in Melbourne.
359 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9606 0449
Manchester Press
For all you latte art lovers out there, this one is for you. Manchester Press is located in a small lane just round the corner of Brother Baba Budan. They have excellent bagels, such as, smoked salmon with cream cheese on a freshly toasted bagel.
They are also known for their coffee, which brings a little surprise too. Its latte art is one that you will be looking forward to. If you are wondering what kind of latte art, think explicit!
8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9600 4054
The Workshop Bar
If you have visited Melbourne, actually in fact any part of Australia, you will realise that most cafes and shops would be closed by 5pm. The Workshop Bar, on the other hand, operates into the wee hours. Do drop by this café bar if you want some good coffee after the usual hours. Get absorbed into the graffiti and paintings hanging around the café. Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the cup of freshly brewed fragrant coffee in a hidden artsy spot found right in the middle of the bustling city.
Level 1, 413 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9326 4365
The Commercial Bakery
What is your favourite meal to have coffee with? Brunch for me! The Commercial Bakery is the perfect spot for a great cup of coffee accompanied by really amazing brunch food (when I said amazing, you are really in for a treat!).
When we walked in on a Wednesday morning, the place was pretty much filled up with people and the scent of fresh coffee. The café latte was so smooth with a bitter-sweet touch. It gave me this warm fuzzy feeling as I drank it. Apart from coffee, I was so impressed by how amazing the food was. The eggs Benedict was perfect (yes, I know perfect is a strong word, but really it’s the best I ever had), the hollandaise sauce was so tasty and covered the perfectly poached egg which sat nicely on buns that were crispy on the outside but really moist and soft on the inside.
Can you imagine where I am coming from now?! I hope you do. This is the place to be for a great cup of coffee and amazing brunch food.
Gills Alley 360 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Tel: (03) 8631 5900
About the writer:
Just like that foodie friend of yours, Natalie is one who hunts down all the yummy food places and will want to order every single dish on the menu! Especially if it comes to dessert! With a strong passion for food and writing, she started a little writing space on Tumblr and her journey begins. You can read about Natalie’s adventures in Sydney here.
Arrrrr im from melbourne and you only got 1/5 right here!
Dear Natalie, I appreciate you giving us reviews on your favourite cafés in Australia. However, you should know that your reviews are marred by substandard english. I hope to see better usage of grammar and proper spelling in your future posts.
Dear Grammar Nazi, is it “english” or “English”?
what? no st ali on the list?i’m sorry but you only got 2/5 correct.
You forgot to mention Seven Seeds and Dukes Coffee.
Manchester Press and Market Lane Coffee are spot on.