Looking for a top-notch café while travelling around Australia? Boy, you’re in luck. Australians know how to cook up a damn good brunch, and we roast – arguably – the world’s best coffee to wash it all down.
Whether you’re craving a big brekkie with a batch brew, corn fritters with an iced chai, smashed avo with a smoothie, or buttermilk pancakes with a Bloody Mary, these are just a handful of the best cafés to visit in Australia.
Melissa Woodley is Time Out Australia’s Travel and News Editor, based in Sydney. She curated this list with the help of local writers who know their cities inside out.
Warm, kind and incredibly talented, Bill Granger changed the way Aussies eat brekky (and he made the rest of the world take note) – and for that we will be forever grateful. Granger’s avo on toast, ricotta hotcakes and corn fritters are so good they've reached icon status. Come and get your hands on them in Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Bondi, and remember why we first fell in love with Granger and his sunny food many moons ago.
This quirky Vietnamese café in Annerley is probably one of Brisbane’s few spots where you can enjoy a steaming bowl of pho or a freshly baked banh mi at 7am. The menu is all about uncomplicated, home-style Vietnamese cooking, with some subtle Western influences. Everything is made in-house, from the rich 48-hour beef stock to the lemongrass pork sausages and vegetarian spring rolls, and served with the vibrant energy of a bustling hawker-style eatery. Don't leave without trying the Vietnamese affogato. Espresso is slow-dripped Vietnamese-style before being poured over vanilla ice cream and a nest of coconut tapioca pearls – it's Ô-Mai's signature happy ending.
Higher Ground is so hot right now, but that's been the case ever since it opened. The big café-restaurant from the team behind Melbourne's Top Paddock and Kettle Black is incredibly ambitious. Housed in a heritage-listed former powerhouse with exposed brick walls and enormous street-art murals, this café serves up riffs on avo toast, other highly ‘grammable dishes and quality coffee so meticulous that it necessitates a separate coffee menu. Things don’t get much more Melbourne than everything about Higher Ground café.
There’s one way to easily win the morning in Canberra easily and it’s by hitting up this sleek yet laid-back café in Campbell. Here, you’ll find Euro-Japanese remixes, like kimchi jaffles and chashu bacon and egg rolls. Sip on housemade sodas or rare Chinese teas, and if you’re visiting on weekends, match your cuppa with a cardamom bun from the legends at Under Bakery.
Judging by the weekend crowds in Llankelly Place, you’d think there’s a celebrity in town. In reality, it’s just the local line-up for a seat at Piña, Room Ten’s hipster sister café. The general rule of thumb on Piña’s all-day menu is that it serves breakfast and lunch classics with a touch of class. So, instead of scrambled eggs, you get super fluffy, chilli oil-infused scrambled eggs on an extra thick slab of toast. Piña’s side game is strong, and mixing and matching sides is all part of the fun. The spicy corn ribs, charred cabbage and salty hash browns are a vegetarian combo of legends.
Pick your day carefully and you might just get to meet Bowie or Mate, the small, dusky canines that give Little Black Pug Café its name. You can grab a streetside table or a place at the long bench just inside, but you’ll likely want to head through to the bright main dining room out the back where most of the café action happens. The Little Black Pug prides itself on a (very punny) menu that's 99 per cent gluten-free (quite an achievement), as well as 60 per cent vegetarian and 30 per cent vegan. And while canines are not allowed near the kitchen, your pooch isn't neglected either: the menu includes frothy puppyccinos, plus meatballs for them to chew on.
Feel right at home at Pixie and the Hawk’s eclectic little space serving big, creative brunches. With some of Adelaide’s best coffee supplied by the local legends at Five Senses Coffee, their food menu matches the standard. Sweet treats and satisfying savoury options are both taken seriously on their seasonal menu. Warm your soul with raclette cheese melted onto sourdough with buttered leeks, or try one of the best French toasts in Adelaide. The toughest decision you’ll make will be whether to top it with fried chicken or with thyme and maple-roasted apples.
Smack bang on West Leederville's Railway Parade, it's hard to stop yourself from grabbing a bite from Hylin café. A favourite amongst Perth locals, you can enjoy a coffee (and one of their hearty buttermilk chicken croissants) while you sit under the trees to enjoy your meal. This intimate neighbourhood café also has a buzzy bar at the back for evening catch-ups with friends.
A stalwart of Salamanca Square, this bright and welcoming spot has been serving the people of Hobart for decades. A must-visit for breakfast, it’s especially pleasant to take refuge in this brightly-coloured, retro-tinged space when the Tassie weather is at its most bleak. If the decor isn’t soul-warming enough, the hearty breakfasts – like chunky sourdough heaped with avocado and perfectly squeaky halloumi, or the breakfast chicken cassoulet with a fried egg – certainly will. And yep, you can literally do a load of laundry here at the coin-operated machines.
Convoy is a bright, airy corner café and takeaway coffee shop in the heart of Moonee Ponds. The team behind the project is responsible for the success of fellow brunch darlings Terror Twilight, Hi Fi and Tinker, with Convoy fast joining those ranks. The menu is a little more left-field than your average brekky spot, with featherlight cinnamon-scroll pancakes, king prawn rolls and okonomiyaki-inspired waffles enticing regulars on the daily. There’s also a steak-frites roll with sliced rump and bone marrow gravy – the ultimate holy grail hangover cure – and plenty of familiar crowd-pleasers, too. Don't skip out on the caffeine hit, either. Convoy has a reputation for making an insanely good brew.
If you’re hanging around the city, don’t be shy about stopping into The Cupping Room. This offshoot of legendary Canberra roasters, Ona, pours all its coffees flat white style. Just pick your blend – don’t worry, they’re more than happy to help – whether it’s the Aspen with hints of chocolate and hazelnut, the Raspberry Candy or just decaf. With a coffee in hand, pull up a chair next to the sun-drenched windows and dig into chorizo burrito bowls, salmon eggs benny and seasonal French toast.
It’s a battle to see whether the lines down Brisbane’s hipster Burnett Lane are longer at Lune Croissanterie or Felix For Goodness. Many out-of-towners find themselves returning to this CBD brunch hotspot multiple times during their stay in Brissy because the food is just that good. For something clean and green, try the seasonal Felix Bowl with your choice of avocado, halloumi, falafel or sausage as an add-on. But if comfort food is calling your name, answer those cravings with a grown-up twist on bubble and squeak, a hearty beef ragu and two cheese toastie, or a decadent matcha French toast.
Whether you’re here for hotcakes and hot dates, or chilli eggs and chill outs, Laneway has you covered. This hipster café in the heart of Parap Village has been pleasing locals with artisanal coffee and cool vibes since 2014. The all-day menu is divided between bread, bowls and burgers, with vegans and gluten-free diners well looked after. If you can only order one thing, go for the creamy eggs benny dripping with native pepperberry hollandaise and your choice of laneway pastrami, slow-cooked pulled pork, wild mushrooms or smoked salmon.
You'll want to come here for the Ottoman eggs? It's a day starter that's achieved cult status in this breakfast-loving town like so few dishes can, and it proudly puts Sydney's Parramatta on the map as a breakfast destination. Not a fan of creamy labneh layered with fried eggplant, brown butter, crisp sage, crunchy leeks and poached eggs? Fret not. It's all killer, no filler – and that includes the coffee, roasted in-house. It's no wonder Circa Espresso was the People's Choice Award Winner in the Time Out Sydney Food & Drink Awards 2022 and 2023.
The definition of hidden gem, Dandy Lane is one of Hobart’s best cafés and best-kept secrets. You’ll find it down the end of a pedestrian laneway called Collins Court, serving all-day brunch with a hefty side of Tassie friendliness from the staff. Treat yourself to French toast, fried chicken benny or the baby Dutch pancake served in its own little cast iron pan. All of it pairs perfectly with Dandy Lane’s excellent coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s tough to brave the winter air after brunch at this place.
The space that Florian occupies boasts a rich history, having once housed Rathdowne Street Food Store, and then in more recent times, the cult favourite eatery Small Victories. That pressure's proven to not be too much for Florian, which has enjoyed plenty of subsequent success in its own right. The café's focus on local seasonal produce shines in the Farmer’s Breakfast plate of cured meats, cheese, boiled eggs, house-made pickles, rye bread and yoghurt with fruit compote. The mushroom toast with macadamia cream, tarragon, pickled shallot and salad leaves has also proven to be a big morning hit with locals. Oh, and it's utterly charming inside.
If you've never had a hash brown benny (i.e. what dreams are made of), this is your chance. You can’t argue with the kind of eggs benedict that oozes effortlessly on your plate. But you should also stick around this family-run café in Inglewood for the black forest french toast, pork belly bulgogi rice bowl and brussel sprouts to share.
This sunny, suburban café and bakery is a love letter to its local community. Put your name down for a table in the front courtyard and skim the all-day menu, featuring Mexican baked eggs, Teriyaki chicken bowls, rosti burgers and vegan pumpkin bread. Pair your brunch with a hot cuppa or refreshing bevvy from Canberra’s very own Redbrick Coffee, Adore Tea, Yarrh Wines and Bentspoke Brewery. Don’t leave without saying hello to the pastry cabinet, where you’ll likely be tempted to grab a cream-filled doughnut or fruit and honey loaf for the road home.
What do you get when you serve authentic Middle Eastern fare in a quintessentially Queenslander-style corner café? The answer is Naïm, one of Brisbane’s favourite all-day breakfast spots serving modern Australian takes on Arab-world classics. Perch yourself up in the quaint dining room overlooking Paddington’s jacaranda-lined streets and be transported to Tunisia with their most popular dish, a traditional shakshuka (baked eggs). Other Middle Eastern-inspired meals include a brekky pita board with light and fresh housemade hummus, and a souvlaki octopus skewer plate – add zhug for a spicy hit. There’s also the option to turn any of the dishes into a plant-based alternative – yep, even the meatballs.
Come for the specialty coffee and stay for the Singaporean-style breakfast at this wholesome café in Darwin City. For more than a decade, Kopi Stop has been serving up comforting breakfasts made using recipes passed down through generations. Signature dishes include their sweet kaya (coconut jam) toast with soft-boiled eggs, thick congee (rice porridge) with golden century egg, and prawn wonton laksa – don’t skip out on a dollop of their house sambal. Coffee is a serious art form here, with local beans sourced from the sustainable heroes at Ona and grounds for their kopitiam drinks imported from Singapore. Whether you prefer it black or iced, with butter or condensed milk, there’s bound to be a brew for you.
This Adelaide icon is always buzzing, and no, it’s not because of the electrical substation next door. Overflowing with plants and people, Peter Rabbit is a crowd-pleaser for a good reason. Their all-encompassing brunch menu will tick everyone’s boxes. Try their triple scrambled eggs with a cup of coffee, mushroom udon and a matcha latte, or Nonna’s gnocchi with a glass of red. Their cocktail menu riffs on café classics and is the perfect excuse to have a boozy brunch.
It doesn't get much more Inner West than this laid-back Marrickville haunt behind a roller door on Chapel Street, with plenty of exposed brick, communal tables, mismatched furniture and an entirely vegetarian menu. House-baked sourdough is a great place to start, but the made-from-scratch ethos is alive and well on each and every plate.
CBD café Hamlet doesn’t just dish up good food – it has immaculate vibes too, as it’s a social enterprise café dedicated to providing opportunities for those living with a disability. Hamlet’s training programs have seen participants secure employment in a range of businesses around the city, so when you drop in for brunch you’re supporting this excellent initiative at the same time. With an ever-changing menu that heroes local produce and the perfect spot next to the Rivulet Walk, it’s one of the best and most beloved cafés in Hobart.
Cibi translates to ‘little one’ from Japanese and the unfussy dishes on offer at this concept store and eatery certainly suggest an air of innocence. But it's precisely this simple approach to food and drink that allows the freshness and quality of the ingredients to shine through. All of the green tea is sourced from organic farms in Japan, and the fragrant delicacy of these infusions is alone worth a visit. But if you're hungry, tuck into a warming udon noodle soup and a yuzu pound cake before checking out all the beautiful homewares on display. A silver thread of Japanese philosophy ties both the cafe and store together. Fun fact: Harry Styles was once spotted here!
Farm-to-table isn’t just a tagline at Two Before Ten, Canberra’s most sustainable café empire. Over the last decade, their original Aranda café has evolved from an abandoned shopping village into a bustling community hub and urban garden, complete with an on-site roastery, beehives, fruit trees, expansive vegetable garden and industrial composter. TBT’s Urban Garden provides year-round produce to support its 13 cafés, with seasonality taking centre stage on the 70 per cent vegetarian menu.
“A Portuguese oasis in Petersham,” is what Jose Silva and wife Basia wanted to create with their corner-eatery Lunas, named after the couple’s daughter. And we’d say they’ve pretty much nailed it. The all-day café serves classic breakfasts with Portuguese flavours – think hotcakes with a Portuguese tart custard, cinnamon, raspberries and vanilla ice cream; and chorizo scrambled eggs with onion, sobrasada (cured sausage), chives, coriander, and gordal olives. Take a seat in the courtyard which overlooks the verdant garden, lush with herbs, citrus, fig and pomegranate trees.
Having served the Richmond community for eight years in a plant-filled warehouse, Karma and Crow’s new digs in Brooklyn Park shares the same magical essence. Free pool, board games, and weekend markets and events take Karma and Crow from beyond being just a café to being the ultimate third space. Their seasonal brunch menu traverses the globe, featuring lemon ricotta hotcakes with a matcha labneh, or chilli scrambled eggs served with gojuchang butter on a flakey roti. At night time, replace your St Ali coffee with a signature pizza sando and a YM beer at their dinner concept, Yellow Matter.
A true landmark in North Perth, walking into Satchmo is much like walking into an old-school New York City deli. The same can be said for its food, which features deli-style dishes, like cream cheese bagels, Reuben sandos and meatball hoagies, amidst its 1970s-inspired interiors. After moving a few doors down from its original location, Satchmo has somehow become even more popular. Trust us, it’s the place to be seen in North Perth.
Couple Nerissa Jayasingha and Hiran Kroon own and run Lankan Tucker in a quiet pocket of Brunswick West. Their cosy place has all the trappings of a Melbourne café – St Ali coffee, laidback vibes, lots of greenery, service-with-a-smile – but look closer and you’ll discover a menu jammed with Sri Lankan classics. Do as the regulars do and order the egg hopper. Crisp-edged and with a runny yolk in the middle, you fill the bowl-shaped crepe with lacy string hoppers (clusters of red rice flour vermicelli) doused in an aromatic coconut curry. Add in a trifecta of crunch, zing and herbal freshness from the coconut, red onion and parsley sambols for a full-blown palate party.
No meat? No worries. Sweet Bones has been winning the hearts of Canberra’s vegan crowd and beyond since 2012. Don’t let the punk rock-inspired interiors and skull table numbers fool you. These guys make plant-based eating approachable for all with their fully vegan cakes, ‘sinnerbuns’ and Mexican-inspired brunch items. Go all out with loaded banana bread, a stack of almond protein pancakes, a tofu riff on the McMuffin, or the almighty nacho mountain with smokey baked beans and coconut bacon.
Don’t wait until the middle of the day to check out one of Manly’s newest cafés, Noon. And that’s because it’s probably the most exciting morning offering we’ve seen in the coastal town of late – and this is coming from a born-and-bred Northern Beaches local. It's by the team behind some of Manly’s best spots, including the fun-times-only Japanese-ish Sunset Sabi, pasta and vino haven Busta, and OG date-night spot, Chica Bonita. Come for mince on toast, loaded B&E rolls, lots of sunshine and a retro fit out.
This Barbie-esque café, located in the heart of Darwin’s industrial district, has won multiple awards, including the title of best burger in the NT in 2022 and best breakfast café in 2023. Pink isn't just a colour here – it's a vibe that extends from the decor to the plates. Picture a pork benny hash dressed in a bright pink chilli hollandaise, a poke bowl bursting with hot pink watermelon radish, burnt butter toast topped with berry sorbet, and granola sitting under a wobbly dragonfruit panna cotta. Besser Brew Bar will be a hit for the whole family, with dedicated menus for kids and dogs.
On the eastern side of the Tasman Bridge is Bellerive’s Marla Singer, named for the character in Fight Club. But the name is where the similarities end, as this Eastern Shore eatery is as far from chaotic as you could get. Situated in a quiet waterfront suburb, this cool yet welcoming café serves up brunch treats like housemade crumpets with whipped ricotta and preserved fruit, pecorino omelette, nduja baked beans, and the muffuletta – a New Orleans-style breakfast sandwich layered with meat, pickles and cheese.
Is this Adelaide’s best coffee? It just might be. Keeping us caffeinated with their sustainably sourced beans since 2013, Exchange has expanded from just specialty coffee to an epic food menu. Come with a group and split their one-litre carafe of filter coffee while you explore the menu. Breakfast doesn’t go harder than their bone marrow bolognese served on thick-cut brioche. Come for lunch and try their ultra crisp southern fried chicken with mac and cheese and house-made barbeque sauce.
Woolloongabba's Paw Paw café seamlessly blends the nuances of Southeast Asian cuisine with a contemporary twist on breakfast classics. The usual suspects – from omelettes to fritters – take on an Asian variation with ingredients such as Worcestershire caramel and spicy chilli jam dressing. If a slow start is on the cards, the lunch menu – available from 11am onwards – includes a Massaman beef cheek curry or chilli popcorn tofu tacos with Thai laab spices. The venue itself is light, bright and modern with ample space for groups or cosy corners for two.
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