Brunch isn't just a meal—it's a lifestyle. Whether you're a die-hard foodie or simply searching for your next caffeine fix, these five cafés take brunch to another level. From riverside hotcakes to Sri Lankan spice, each spot brings something fresh to the table.
Nestled near the train station, Chew Chew on Norwood Crescent is a favourite among Moonee Ponds locals looking for a stylish yet relaxed café experience. With exposed brick, recycled timber and a statement horn chandelier, it’s the kind of place where you can kick back with a smoothie, host a business lunch or even throw a function.
The seasonal menu celebrates local produce with dishes like The Big Chew—a hearty spread of bacon, pork and fennel sausage, hash brown, mushrooms, tomato, spinach and poached eggs on sourdough. For lunch, try the oven-baked salmon with brown rice, sweet potato, corn mash and chives, or a crispy pork belly baguette with slaw, pomegranate jam and cheese.
Tucked by the riverside, Left of Field has been shaking up the café scene in Rhodes since 2016. With pastel tones, high ceilings and plenty of greenery, it’s a light-filled haven perfect for an all-day brunch. A cup of Single O specialty coffee is a must, best enjoyed with the ever-changing hotcake selection.
Start the day with their famous buttermilk hotcakes, served with lemon ricotta, candied walnuts, cinnamon, honey tuille, berries and spiced honey drizzle. If you’re after something more savoury, the salmon ochazuke bowl is a standout—soy-ginger glazed salmon paired with brown rice, enoki mushrooms, edamame, bonito flakes, furikake and housemade dashi broth.
What started as a COVID-era pop-up is now one of Adamstown’s most beloved brunch spots. Café Haha’s blends Australian café culture with Vietnamese flair, all served up in a bright, minimalist space featuring whitewashed walls, dark wood tables and lush trailing greenery.
Start your day with housemade crispy corn fritters, paired with poached egg, sliced avocado, crumbled feta and chilli tomato relish. If you’re after something heartier, the coconut chicken banh mi hits all the right notes with pâté, mayo, cucumber, pickled carrot and coriander. For a fresh and flavour-packed lunch, don’t miss the lemongrass beef vermicelli bowl with crispy chopped spring rolls, mixed lettuce, pickled carrot, shallots and peanuts.
Ceylon Girl’s Café & Bar – Frankston, VIC
Bringing authentic Sri Lankan Burgher-style cuisine to Frankston, Ceylon Girl’s Café & Bar on Skye Road is a hidden gem. With polished wood floors, deep blue walls, traditional artwork and plenty of greenery, it’s an inviting space to enjoy everything from breakfast to cocktails.
Street food lovers will be in heaven with in-house-made curry puffs, Godumba roti, and fish and meat buns. The menu is filled with comforting Sri Lankan staples like lamprais—a traditional rice and curry dish wrapped in banana leaves—and kottu roti, a stir-fried shredded roti dish packed with spice. Whether you go for a classic curry or a cheeky cocktail, this spot offers an exciting twist on café dining.
From riverside brunches to Sri Lankan spice and Vietnamese-inspired classics, these cafés prove that brunch can be so much more than eggs on toast. Whether you’re in the mood for a rustic countryside escape, an elegant city feed or something left of field (literally), these spots are sure to impress.
