From the Editor, Leigh O’Connor.
Brunch in Australia is more than a meal - it’s a ritual woven into the country’s lifestyle. Late mornings unfold beneath the soft glow of coastal sunshine, where the clink of cutlery mingles with the hum of conversation drifting across airy cafés.
Plates arrive brimming with colour: smashed avocado glistening on sourdough, poached eggs spilling golden rivers, native herbs and fresh citrus brightening every bite. There’s an unhurried rhythm - people linger, coffee cups warm in their hands, laughter spilling between mouthfuls of fluffy ricotta pancakes or smoky bacon.
The air often carries the scent of ocean salt or eucalyptus, reminding you that this is uniquely Australian. Brunch here isn’t rushed; it’s a celebration of freshness, community and a love of the outdoors.
Whether in bustling city laneways or seaside towns, it captures the nation’s spirit - vibrant, laid-back and deeply connected to the joy of sharing food together.
Welcome to Brunch Week…
Walk into a café on a crisp morning in Melbourne or along the breezy streets of Bondi and something catches your eye. Among the earthy browns of cappuccinos and the creamy swirls of flat whites, there it is - a cup glowing with a vivid, almost luminous green.
Matcha. Once an unfamiliar word, spoken softly by tea aficionados, it is now pronounced with casual confidence across counters and scribbled on chalkboard menus. Australians, long loyal to their coffee rituals, are beginning to cradle mugs of this finely ground Japanese tea with the same affection once reserved for their morning espresso.
There was a time when smashed avocado on toast felt like the ultimate symbol of carefree living. A simple indulgence, creamy and green against warm sourdough, it represented slow mornings, easy laughter and the kind of weekend ritual that made life feel light.
The world has shifted and so has the meaning of smashed avo. These days, every forkful feels heavier, not because of the fruit itself but because of what it costs. Avocados are ‘green gold’ now, their price swaying with unpredictable seasons and global demand.
There is something undeniably magical about brunch - the moment where the golden glow of a late morning folds effortlessly into the indulgence of a leisurely afternoon. Hosting the perfect brunch is less about strict rules and more about curating an atmosphere where laughter flows as freely as the Champagne and every detail feels intentional yet unforced.
We dish up the ultimate guide to hosting the perfect brunch, along with a boujee eggs Benny recipe collection, brunch cocktails to die for and in case you didn’t know – brunch etiquette for those who aren’t sure how to balance the ease of casual dining with the refinement of thoughtful manners.
Brunch has never looked better!
