16 Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne

As a lifelong Melburnian, coffee isn’t just a drink for me—it’s a daily ritual. Whether it’s a quick morning pick-me-up or a slow, indulgent sip on a lazy afternoon, I love discovering the best coffee spots across the city.

Melbourne’s coffee culture is legendary, with specialty roasters, hidden laneway gems, and passionate baristas crafting world-class brews. Over the years, I’ve explored countless cafés, and now I’m sharing my favourites with you.

1. Patricia Coffee Brewers

📍 493-495 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Patricia Coffee Brewers is one of Melbourne’s hidden gems in the CBD. There’s no seating here—just standing room—but that’s part of its charm.

If you blink, you might miss the entrance, but once inside, you’re greeted by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and some of the friendliest baristas in town.

I first visited Patricia on a cold winter morning, rushing between meetings.

The flat white I grabbed was one of the best I’d ever had—smooth, balanced, and packed with flavour. I returned the next day to try their pour-over, which was equally impressive.

☕ Must-Try: Flat white, pour-over

2. ST. ALi Coffee Roasters

📍 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne

ST. ALi is one of the most iconic names in Melbourne’s coffee scene. Since 2005, this warehouse-style café has been pushing the boundaries of specialty coffee, serving expertly roasted beans and bold, innovative blends.

I love coming here on weekends with my husband—it’s our go-to spot for a lazy brunch paired with an exceptional coffee.

The first time I had their cold brew, I was blown away by its smooth, chocolatey notes and refreshing finish.

It’s also one of the few places where I genuinely enjoy an espresso straight-up, thanks to their carefully sourced beans and expert roasting.

☕ Must-Try: Cold brew, house espresso blend

3. Little Rogue

📍 12 Drewery Ln, Melbourne

Little Rogue is a must-visit if you love discovering hidden cafés in Melbourne’s laneways. Tucked away in a charming side street, this small but inviting café has a cult following for its light, delicate coffee and Japanese-inspired drinks.

I first stumbled upon Little Rogue while wandering the city on a quiet weekday afternoon. I ordered their iced filter coffee, which was perfect—bright, fruity, and refreshing.

On colder days, I opt for their matcha latte, one of the best I’ve had in Melbourne.

☕ Must-Try: Iced filter coffee, matcha latte

4. Dukes Coffee Roasters

📍 247 Flinders Ln, Melbourne

Dukes Coffee Roasters is the place to go if you care about ethically sourced, sustainable coffee. They roast their beans in small batches, ensuring consistent quality and incredible flavours.

I love stopping by Dukes in the city—it’s my go-to spot for a beautifully brewed single-origin espresso. The first time I tried their organic filter coffee, I was amazed at how smooth and naturally sweet it was.

Their baristas are also incredibly knowledgeable and always happy to recommend something based on your preferences.

☕ Must-Try: Single-origin espresso, organic filter coffee

5. Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters

📍 114 Berkeley St, Carlton

There are some cafés where you can sit for hours, sip coffee, and get work done without feeling rushed—Seven Seeds is one of them.

This airy, industrial-style café in Carlton is not just about great coffee; it’s about creating a space where people can focus, chat, or enjoy a peaceful break.

As a writer, I love grabbing a seat by the window with my laptop. The atmosphere is calm yet buzzing with creative energy, making it the perfect place to draft a new blog post.

Their batch brew is my go-to—it’s smooth, complex, and keeps me going for hours. If I meet a friend for a casual work chat, I’ll switch things up with their seasonal espresso.

☕ Must-Try: Batch brew, seasonal espresso

6. Higher Ground

📍 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Higher Ground is the spot if you’re looking for a place that feels like a luxurious escape while still serving top-tier coffee. Housed in a stunning heritage-listed building, this café blends historic charm with modern sophistication.

I first came here for a coffee date with my husband, and we were both blown away by the interiors—high ceilings, soft lighting, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

It’s the place that makes you want to sit and linger. Their house blend cappuccino is beautifully crafted, and the food menu is equally impressive.

If I’m catching up with friends, I’ll usually order their pour-over coffee to appreciate the depth of flavour truly.

☕ Must-Try: House blend cappuccino, pour-over coffee

7. Brother Baba Budan

📍 359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Named after the legendary Sufi who brought coffee beans to India, Brother Baba Budan is a tiny yet legendary café in Melbourne’s CBD.

With chairs hanging from the ceiling and a steady stream of coffee lovers walking in and out, this place is always buzzing.

For me, this is my go-to café between office meetings. When I have a packed schedule but still want a quality caffeine fix, I know I can rely on Brother Baba Budan for a perfectly brewed flat white.

The service is quick, and the baristas are some of the best in the city. I’ll grab a mocha on a particularly hectic day for extra indulgence.

☕ Must-Try: Flat white mocha

8. Brick Lane Melbourne

📍 33 Guildford Ln, Melbourne

Sometimes, all you need is a laid-back café where you can enjoy a quiet moment with loved ones. That’s precisely why I love Brick Lane Melbourne.

Tucked away in a charming laneway, this café feels cosy and intimate, making it an excellent place for a small family catch-up or a relaxed morning coffee.

Last month, I brought my kids here for a weekend coffee and hot chocolate outing, and they loved it.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and their oat milk latte was just what I needed after a busy week. My husband, who’s usually not a big coffee drinker, even commented on his smooth espresso tonic!

☕ Must-Try: Oat milk latte, espresso tonic;

9. Proud Mary Coffee

📍 172 Oxford St, Collingwood

Some cafés serve great coffee. Others redefine what coffee can be—and that’s precisely what Proud Mary does.

This Collingwood-based coffee institution has been leading the specialty coffee scene in Melbourne for years, sourcing beans directly from farmers and constantly pushing the boundaries of brewing techniques.

I remember the first time I visited Proud Mary—a quiet weekday morning, and I decided to treat myself to something special.

I ordered a Chemex pour-over, and the flavours were unlike anything I’d ever tasted—bright, fruity, and incredibly smooth. It felt like I was drinking coffee for the first time again.

This is the place to go when you want to slow down, appreciate your coffee, and taste the difference quality makes.

☕ Must-Try: Chemex pour-over, nitro cold brew

10. The Kettle Black

📍 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne

If you love coffee just as much as you love a beautiful café experience, The Kettle Black is your place.

Located in a stunning Victorian-era terrace house, this café blends old-world charm with sleek modern design, making it one of Melbourne’s most Instagram-worthy coffee spots.

I came here for a brunch catch-up with my best friend, and we spent over two hours chatting over coffee and pastries.

The house blend latte was rich and creamy, and their signature dishes (like the hotcake with berries) made it even harder to leave.

If you’re looking for a café that feels like a treat, The Kettle Black is it.

☕ Must-Try: House blend latte, espresso martini

11. Manchester Press

📍 8 Rankins Ln, Melbourne

Hidden in a quiet laneway in the CBD, Manchester Press is one of my favourite escapes from the office hustle.

Whether I need a quick reset between meetings or want to spend a lunch break drafting ideas for a new blog post, this café provides the perfect atmosphere.

What makes it stand out? Its spacious, industrial-chic design and its focus on quality coffee.

They serve a fantastic cold drip coffee, my go-to when I need a long-lasting caffeine boost to power through an afternoon of writing. If I’m meeting a colleague, their chai latte is another excellent option—comforting and smooth.

☕ Must-Try: Cold drip coffee, chai latte

12. Aunty Peg’s

📍 200 Wellington St, Collingwood

You can’t skip Aunty Peg’s if you’re a coffee enthusiast. This black coffee-only café is an extension of Proud Mary and is designed for those who want to experience coffee in its purest form.

I came here out of curiosity but left with a new appreciation for how complex coffee can be.

There are no milk-based drinks here—just carefully crafted filter coffees, espresso tastings, and baristas who love to share their knowledge.

It’s not the kind of café where you grab a quick takeaway—it’s a coffee experience that’s worth trying if you love learning about the craft behind every cup.

☕ Must-Try: Pour-over coffee, espresso flight

13. ONA Coffee Melbourne

📍 22 Ovens St, Brunswick

If you ask any barista or coffee connoisseur in Melbourne about the best specialty coffee, chances are they’ll mention ONA Coffee.

Founded by World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic, ONA takes coffee craftsmanship to another level.

I remember my first visit—it felt more like a coffee-tasting experience than just grabbing a cup.

Their menu is divided into different coffee profiles, offering flavours that range from sweet and fruity to rich and chocolatey. Unlike any coffee I’ve ever had, I tried the Raspberry Candy Blend—bright, slightly tangy, and incredibly smooth.

If you’re serious about coffee, this place is a must-visit.

☕ Must-Try: Raspberry Candy Blend, V60 filter coffee

14. MAKER Lt Bourke

📍 387 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Some cafés thrive on elaborate décor and Instagram-worthy aesthetics—MAKER Lt Bourke is the complete opposite. This small, minimalist coffee bar strips everything down to what truly matters: the coffee.

I stopped by one afternoon while running errands in the CBD and was immediately drawn to the calm, almost meditative atmosphere.

The baristas take their time, carefully weighing and brewing each cup with precision and care. I chose a bright, floral, beautifully balanced Ethiopian single-origin espresso.

This is the perfect café if you love specialty coffee in a quiet, distraction-free environment—ideal for a midday reset or a solo coffee moment.

☕ Must-Try: Ethiopian single-origin espresso, hand-brewed filter coffee

15. Vacation Coffee

📍 1 Exhibition St, Melbourne

If there’s one café in Melbourne that instantly lifts my mood, it’s Vacation Coffee. With its pastel colour palette, sunlit space, and lighthearted vibe, this place makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a coffee shop version of a summer holiday.

I love coming here when I need a break from the workday hustle.

Whether a quick cappuccino on my way to a meeting or a long coffee chat with a friend, this café always feels welcoming.

The baristas are warm and friendly, and their coffee has a beautifully smooth finish.

☕ Must-Try: Cappuccino, oat milk, flat white

16. Axil Coffee Roasters

📍 322 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn

Last but certainly not least, Axil Coffee Roasters is one of Melbourne’s best-known coffee brands, and for good reason.

Their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability makes them a standout in the city’s café scene.

I visited their Hawthorn location, and the attention to detail blew me away—not just in their coffee but in their food, service, and overall atmosphere.

Their espresso was bold and complex, and the barista even gave me a mini coffee tasting of one of their new single-origin beans.

If you love a combination of great coffee, creative brewing techniques, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, Axil should be on your list.

☕ Must-Try: Single-origin espresso, iced latte

Best Restaurants in Melbourne

No visit to Melbourne is complete without exploring its vibrant food scene, which perfectly complements its world-class coffee culture.

Just as the city’s cafés cater to every coffee lover, its restaurants offer unforgettable dining experiences—from fine dining at Attica to the bold flavours of Chin Chin and the handmade pasta at Tipo 00.

Whether planning an intimate dinner or a lively group meal, this guide to the best restaurants in Melbourne has you covered with top recommendations.

Takeaway

Melbourne’s coffee culture is diverse, innovative, and world-class. Whether you need a quick caffeine fix between meetings, a cosy spot for a coffee date, or a specialty roaster that takes coffee to the next level, there’s a café for every occasion.

Each of these 16 coffee shops brings something unique—sustainability, exceptional brewing techniques, or a perfect ambience.

No matter your coffee preference, you’ll find a place that feels like home in this city. If you’re in Melbourne, don’t just settle for coffee—explore, taste, and experience the best. Your next favourite café is waiting. ☕