While Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs are renowned for their top-tier joints slinging some of the best brunches known to man (we’re looking at you, Collingwood), you’d be forgiven for thinking brunch places in Melbourne CBD aren’t all that.
Some of Melbourne's OG brunch spots were born on the cobble laneways of the Hoddle Grid and some truly fab new spots have made these streets their own, making the CBD a brunch destination you don’t want to miss.
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Whether you're in the CBD to shop up a storm, or looking for an easy meeting place with friends who live on the other side of the city (we’ve all been there), there are plenty of Melbourne CBD brunch spots that tick the box on your brunch goals.
Here are Urban List's picks for the best brunch Melbourne CBD has to offer in 2025.
Higher Ground
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Higher Ground | Supplied
Higher Ground is approaching icon status when it comes to brunch in the CBD. Situated in a stunning heritage-listed building, they serve up elevated brunch all day long with a menu that will soothe even the hungriest of stomachs.
The food is guided by a paddock-to-table philosophy that makes you feel good just for eating it. There are few must-trys on the menu depending on whether you’re after something sweet or savoury. Got a sweet tooth? Their signature ricotta pancakes are known far and wide. The spanner crab benedict, though, is the go-to for a savoury option.
INSIDER INTEL
- No brunch would be complete without great coffee, and Higher Ground delivers.
- Looking to up the ante? The brunch cocktails are unreal.
- If you forget to book a table, you can always grab a coffee while you wait in line.
Operator Diner
Shop 2/130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
It’s a good old fashioned American diner meets Melbourne-tier cafe at Operator Diner, and it hits hard. From the team behind Operator 25, these guys know what they're doing. The interior is seriously nostalgic with big 70s vibes and the most perfectly ambient lighting. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. They’re open early til 4pm everyday, perfect for those days when brunch runs late.
INSIDER INTEL
- The buttermilk pancake stack is a serious contender for best pancakes.
- Walk-ins only, but they do deliver if you’re mid staycation and don’t want to de-robe.
- Their Coke float is an absolute throwback.
Brick Lane
33 Guildford Lane, Melbourne
Image: Brick Lane | Supplied
Brick Lane is a Melbourne CBD brunch institution. The old red brick facade and green lined windows are immediately recognisable as somewhere you’re going to get an epic brunch.
The menu changes with the season, with a focus on fresh and local produce. You can expect brunch favourites like a big breakfast, house omelette, smashed avo, and chilli scrambled eggs. It might sound boring, but trust us it’s not — it’s the classics, elevated.
INSIDER INTEL
- Expect a wait on weekends, it gets busy and you can’t book. But it’s worth the wait.
- The banana smoothie is inhale-able.
- You can perch on the stools out front if weather permits, and hang out in the leafy lane.
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Tomo’s Little Collins
382 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Tomo’s is the Japanese-fusion CBD brunch spot you’ve been craving, tucked away on Little Collins Street. If you’re looking for the perfect start to the weekend, this is it.
For brunch, grab their signature French toast with brioche toast and fragrant Cointreau cream or the truffle mushrooms with gooey burrata on sourdough. For more Japanese-leaning options, you can’t go past the chicken karaage or on the weekend get the special grilled unagi bowl. The desserts here are also particularly note-worthy, and good luck picking just one with options like strawberry shortcake and tiramisu. No matter what you get, you’ll be snapping a pic because it all looks perfectly aesthetic.
INSIDER INTEL
- The spiced winter pear on French toast will warm you up from the inside out.
- Their iced mango cream matcha is yummo.
- It gets busy but you can book a table online.
Manchester Press
8 Rankins Lane, Melbourne CBD
Laneway cafes are the bread and butter of Melbourne and Manchester Press is your classic Melbourne laneway gem, tucked down Rankins Lane just near Elizabeth Street. This place gets busy every morning for a reason. Bagels are the star of the show here, perfectly made, toasted, and constructed. Not served in the usual method, these bad boys come out open with stacks of toppings layered on. If you’re going carb-less there are tasty salads that will fill you up. The coffee’s top notch or there's frosty Liberty kombucha if you're feeling virtuous.
INSIDER INTEL
- Go the bacon & maple bagel on a mixed berry bagel with banana, mascarpone, and popcorn, it's nuts.
- The coffee's by Ona, the Raspberry Candy blend (IYKYK).
- Craving something different? Try their hojicha latte.
Rustica
Various CBD Locations
Image: Rustica | Supplied
Baking legends and Melbourne cafe royalty, Rustica, have got everything that you’d ever want for a brunch fix, even when considering the rigorous standard of Melburnians in 2025. Their two CBD locales—Rialto Towers and Queen Street—stock their top-shelf lineup of bread and baked goods, with First Love coffee, along with a menu of visually stunning dine-in options.
INSIDER INTEL
- Their avocado toast with Meredith feta and pickled salad is one of the prettiest things you’ll ever see on a plate.
- The maple butter croissant french toast will spike your cholesterol and it’s worth it.
- Take a loaf of sourdough to-go, you won’t regret it.
Bowery To Williamsburg
16 Oliver Lane, Melbourne CBD
Injecting some serious New York energy into the CBD’s cafe offering Bowery To Williamsburg is a solid choice for brunch in the city. The American diner-style menu has plenty of U.S. based delicacies including their 14-hour roasted beef brisket and eggs with salsa roja on toasted cornbread. The food here is crazy good, and the servings are huge. Just don’t leave it too late as they close at 2:30pm every day.
INSIDER INTEL
- It wouldn’t be brunch without their Texas Bloody Mary with a dill pickle.
- They offer three variations of shakshuka and they’re all delicious.
- Bring the fluffball because dogs are welcome here.
The Hardware Société
Various CBD Locations
Image: The Hardware Société | Supplied
Growing out of their former spot on their namesake Hardware Lane, The Hardware Société now operates out of a second locale on Katherine Place. Both venues have all the things we loved about the original: French-inspired flavours, coffee that slaps, and of course their signature baked eggs. There are a raft of other heavy-hitters on the menu including a lobster benedict, just magnificent. The coffee is by Melbourne favourites Market Lane, and it comes with an adorable mini doughnut ball treat.
INSIDER INTEL
- Check their Instagram for weekly specials.
- They completely nail both sweet and savoury options.
- Bookings aren’t available but you’ll usually get a table straight up.
Krimper Cafe
20 Guildford Lane, Melbourne CBD
That’s right, another converted brick warehouse turned top-tier brunch joint. But that’s where you’ll always find the best brunch cafes Melbourne CBD has to offer. In an old furniture factory through the huge rustic wooden doors is Krimper Cafe, and they’re serving up damn fine brunch. Inside it’s all wood and brick, made extra cosy with fairy lights hanging from the big roof beams.
The menu is packed with the classics and the portions are decent. And best of all (whether you’re feeling dusty or getting ready for a big day of fun), all your fave brunch cocktails are on offer: mimosas, espresso martinis, Aperol spritz and limoncello.
INSIDER INTEL
- The almond French toast is their most ordered dish for good reason.
- Get the yuzu spritz with a shot of cold brew, trust us.
- It gets busy, so come prepared for a short wait in line during peak times.
Main Image Credit: Operator Diner | Supplied
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