Gone are the days when cafés just meant a quick caffeine hit and smashed avo. Across Australia, cafés are elevating their menus with restaurant-quality dishes, inventive plating and ingredients that surprise and delight - all while keeping the easy-going charm that makes them so beloved.
From Sydney to Melbourne and Canberra in between, here are the cafés proving that casual can still mean gourmet:
Toco Fresh Concord – Concord, NSW
Nestled on Majors Bay Road, Toco Fresh Concord is where urban cool meets culinary creativity. With its whitewashed brick, greenery-draped walls and laidback buzz, this is a café that doesn’t just serve brunch - it curates it. Perfect for sunny-day street-side dining, the vibe is as fresh as the food.
For a gourmet twist on a classic, the corn fritter and
halloumi stack is a scene-stealer. Perfectly poached egg, creamy avocado and
golden grilled halloumi layer up with flavour and texture that feels indulgent
yet nourishing. Perhaps opt for the Dirty Bird - fried chicken atop a Belgian waffle
with maple syrup - for that sweet-salty balance you didn’t know you needed.
Brunch like you mean it - visit Toco Fresh for bold bites with flair.
Els Café & Bar – Winston Hills, NSW
Els Café & Bar is the ultimate neighbourhood hero with a sophisticated side. Recently expanded and refreshed, it’s now an all-day destination that handles everything from lazy weekend breakfasts to romantic evening meals with ease. The new alfresco dining space brings a breezy, elevated touch to your go-to local.
The slow-braised pulled lamb shoulder served on wood-fired
pita is peak café-gourmet fusion - tender, seasoned lamb with diced salad,
cucumber yoghurt and crispy fries for a dose of comfort with finesse. Craving
seafood? The Tiger prawn spaghetti brings the zing of chilli and garlic with
the elegance of a restaurant main.
Make your next casual catch-up feel like a special occasion - book a table at
Els.
Miss Frank is the café Camberwell locals quietly brag about - an effortlessly stylish spot with Scandi-inspired interiors, a providore feel and an inventive menu that’s anything but basic. Whether you're perched solo with a book or sharing plates on a long brunch date, Miss Frank is equal parts ease and elegance.
Start with bircher muesli with Summer fruit, buckwheat
clusters and Tim’s watermelon yoghurt - a refreshing, beautifully balanced dish
with texture and tang. The zucchini and corn fritters with whipped ricotta and
chilli jam are just as satisfying, delivering heat, crunch and cream in every
bite.
Drop in for a café experience that’s clean, creative and full of heart.
Capital Eatery – Canberra CBD, ACT
Right in the pulse of the nation’s capital, Capital Eatery serves up refined café fare in a modern, city-slicker setting. Its polished timber floors, granite counters and softly lit atmosphere give it the kind of sophistication that suits both morning meetings and long lunches alike.
The Tuscan delight is a go-to for gourmet lovers - roasted
tomato, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, rocket and garlic spread on toasted
sourdough with a balsamic glaze that ties it all together. Light but luxurious,
it captures everything a café dish should be: simple, high quality and made
with intent.
Take a break from the office grind - visit Capital Eatery and taste the upgrade.
Velvet Bean Albert Road Café – Melbourne CBD, Vic
Tucked into Albert Road in Melbourne’s CBD, Velvet Bean is where café classics are transformed into culinary statements. Warm, welcoming and effortlessly cool, it’s the kind of place that lures you in with coffee but hooks you with the menu.
Take the slow-cooked lamb risotto - a rich, robust dish with
spinach, tomato sugo, green peas and aged Parmesan. It’s hearty, comforting and
layered with spice, perfect for Melbourne’s moody weather. If you're after
colour and crunch, the poké bowl with purple rice and smoked salmon is just the
thing.
Elevate your every day with a lunch that lingers - book a spot at Velvet Bean
today.
From stacked fritters to saffron-slicked risottos, these cafés show that gourmet doesn’t have to mean formal and casual dining doesn’t have to mean ordinary. Whether you’re catching up with friends or treating yourself solo, these are the places that serve café culture with a side of serious culinary clout.
