2014 marked the turning point in my life. It was the year that I decided to move to Australia in pursuit of my dreams of being a Dietician. It was a year filled with uncertainties, insecurities and struggles. Through these challenges, I’ve met the most wonderful people in Melbourne that have welcomed me into their lives and helped me adapt to the new environment. Even though my time in Melbourne has come to an end as I look forward to moving to Newcastle, but I’ll never forget the friends and memories made in 2014.

As a little present to all of my friends, I’ve decided to share my 10 favourite cafes in Melbourne. Most of these cafes are located away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They are what I would call the hidden gems of Melbourne and I hope that you would fall in love with this city like I did.

1. Left-handed Chef
2/219 Park St
South Melbourne VIC 3205
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Recommendations: Green Breakfast and smoked salmon brioche.
Click here to enter their website.

Smoked salmon brioche (AUD14.50)

Green breakfast (AUD14)

Eggs Atlantic (AUD15.50)

Farmers breakfast )AUD15)

Eggs benedict (AUD 14.50)

Flat white – good cup of coffee to start off the day!

2. Merchant’s Guild 
680 Centre Road
Bentleigh East Vic 3165
Recommendations: Pumpkin feta polenta, Hotcakes and Superfood Breakfast.
Click here to enter their website.

Pumpkin, feta polenta with poached eggs

Superfood breakfast! Avocado, kale, broccoli flowerette, barley, mung sprouts, green chilli and pumpkin seeds on toast with light cottage cheese and free range eggs (AUD 18.50)

Special of the day: Pancakes with mascarpone cheese

Eggs Panzanella. Toasted torn bread, jamon, basil, dehydrated cherry tomatoes and marinated white anchovies dressed, tossed and served with two poached eggs (AUD18.50)

Slow cooked lamb with chick peas

Flat white

3. Breakfast Thieves
420 Gore St
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Recommendations: Spanish gypsy dance and Say A.B.C.D.
Click here to enter their website.

The legend

SAY A.B.C.D

Leprechaun

Spanish gypsy dance

Thieves on the run

4. Baba Sus
15/17 Bardolph St
Glen Iris VIC 3146
Recommendations: The Baba Sus, Blue mountain wagyu burger, Japanese cabbage & corn fritter and Brioche lego.
Click here to enter their website.

The baba sus

Blue Mountains Wagyu Burger

Japanese Cabbage & Corn Fritters

Green Monday

Puffed Rice Granola

The Hangover

Brioche Lego

5. Tivoli Bakery
3 Tivoli Rd
South Yarra VIC 3141
(03) 9041 4345
Recommendations: Croissant and sandwiches.
Click here to enter their website

Croissant

Smoked trout sandwich

Vegan sandwich

6. Red Robyn
393 Camberwell Road
Recommendations: Polenta scotch eggs and pork belly omelette.
Click here to enter their website.

Polenta scotch eggs

Pork belly omelette

Sweet potato rosti

Build your own breakfast on toast

7. Miss Marmalade
126 Union Street
Brunswick VIC
Recommendations: Green fritters, The Big and their cakes.
Click here to enter their website.

Banana cake

The Big (AUD18.6)

Green Fritters (AUD 14.6)

8. Babka Bakery
358 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Recommendations: Lemon tart and poached eggs on brioche bun

Sauerkraut and sausage sandwich

Chili scrambled eggs

Poached eggs on brioche bun

Lemon tart

9. Dr Jekyll
107-113 Grey Street
St Kilda, VIC 3182
Recommendations: Eggs benedict and omelette.
Click here to enter their website

Omelette with prosciutto gorgonzola and baby spinach

Brekkie burger

Viennese roll

Flat white

Indoor sitting area

Great place for brunch

10. Touchwood Cafe
480 Bridge Road
Richmond Vic 3121
Recommendations: Crumpets and Waffles.
Click here to enter their website.

Dr. Martys crumpets with fresh honeycomb and maple butter (AUD9)

Dr. Martys crumpets with fresh honeycomb and maple butter (AUD9)

Banana and blueberry wholemeal waffles, organic amply syrup, banana ricotta and strawberry dust (AUD16)

House made fig and apricot fruit bread, whipped ricotta, rooftop honey (AUD10)

Flat white