The Best Coffee in Melbourne

Coffee in Melbourne isn't a side note, it's part of how the city runs. From laneway hole-in-the-wall counters in the CBD to roaster-led cafes across the inner north, the scene rewards both quick takeaway espressos and slower mornings spent watching a busy pass. This guide rounds up a spread of cafes across Melbourne's coffee-loving suburbs, from the CBD through Carlton, Collingwood, Brunswick and beyond.

Why Melbourne delivers

Whether you're chasing a sharp espresso between meetings or somewhere to settle in for a long brunch, Melbourne's cafes are clustered conveniently across the inner city and surrounding suburbs. The CBD alone packs in several well-known coffee spots within walking distance, while the inner north and south-east offer their own neighbourhood favourites. It's easy to build a coffee crawl on foot or a short tram ride.

Highlights

• CBD coffee on the go: Patricia Coffee Brewers, Brother Baba Budan, Little Rogue. and Prologue Cafe Melbourne are all in the city centre
• Inner north cafe-hopping in Collingwood and Carlton, including Commune, Aunty Peg's, The Heart of Carlton and Hareruya Pantry
• Roaster-focused stops for those who like to dig into the coffee itself, such as Aunty Peg's and Coffee Geek Brewers in South Yarra
• A relaxed brunch with your coffee at Wedge St Kilda, billed as Middle Eastern inspired brunch
• Brunswick locals: Bellboy Cafe

Our top picks

Hand-picked from our highest-scoring listings:

• Patricia Coffee Brewers — Melbourne CBD
• Bellboy Cafe | Brunswick Cafe — Brunswick
• The Heart of Carlton — Carlton
• Commune — Collingwood
• Regretless - Low Carb Pleasure — Melbourne CBD
• Hareruya Pantry — Carlton
• Little Rogue. — Melbourne CBD
• Mr. Summit Cafe City Road — Southbank
• Aunty Peg's — Collingwood
• Wedge St Kilda | Middle Eastern Inspired Brunch — St Kilda

Explore more

Browse all cafes, coffee in Melbourne.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find good coffee in Melbourne's CBD?

Several cafes in this guide are right in the Melbourne CBD, including Patricia Coffee Brewers, Brother Baba Budan, Little Rogue., Prologue Cafe Melbourne and Regretless - Low Carb Pleasure.

Which suburbs are good for cafe-hopping?

Beyond the CBD, this guide covers cafes across the inner north and south-east, including Collingwood (Commune, Aunty Peg's), Carlton (The Heart of Carlton, Hareruya Pantry), Brunswick (Bellboy Cafe), Richmond (Riché), Southbank (Mr. Summit Cafe City Road, CIEL Cafe), South Yarra (Coffee Geek Brewers) and St Kilda (Wedge).

Are there cafes that focus on the coffee itself rather than food?

Yes. Spots like Aunty Peg's in Collingwood and Coffee Geek Brewers in South Yarra lean towards a coffee-focused experience. We'd suggest checking each venue directly for their current offering, hours and brew options.

Can I get brunch as well as coffee?

Some venues here pair coffee with a food offering, such as Wedge in St Kilda, described as Middle Eastern inspired brunch. For specific menu details, it's best to check with the venue.