In South Melbourne, brunch is a neighbourhood ritual and there’s no shortage of places for a hearty brekkie and silky latte. However, it’s the cafes that keep regulars coming back that define the area which thrives on community.
“South Melbourne has always had a dual identity: a working suburb with a real community, but it's also a gateway to the city,” explains Keelan McCoy, who works at The Kettle Black.
“This means the dining scene has had to earn its regulars rather than rely on tourism or passing trade. That tends to produce venues with a bit more substance and staying power. There's also a strong thread of independent hospitality here that predates a lot of the newer Melbourne precincts, and that history gives the neighbourhood a grounded quality that's harder to manufacture elsewhere.”
To help Local:South Melbourne residents keep it local, we’ve picked seven cafes for brunch that span South Melbourne Market as well as along Coventry and Clarendon streets, on the quieter blocks near Dorcas Street and towards Albert Road. Visit any of these on a regular basis and you’re bound to be on a first name basis with the barista in no time.
The Kettle Black occupies an 1880s heritage terrace wedged between two modern buildings. The contrast gives it a touch of the house from Pixar’s Up.
Since opening in July 2014, it has become one of Albert Road’s most recognisable cafes. Keelan McCoy says its appeal lies in the space between a neighbourhood cafe and a restaurant, with a seasonal menu that makes brunch feel like an occasion.
“Kettle Black sits between a neighbourhood cafe and a proper restaurant, offering the pace and accessibility of the former with the food and service standards of the latter.
“The menu is produce-driven, with an emphasis on quality local ingredients and technique that goes further than most cafe kitchens. Pair that with specialty coffee and a space that's architecturally renowned.”
If you remember heading down the bluestone lane to Chez Dré, you’ll find things have changed. Chez Dré and Bibelot combined to open Chéri in 2024, bringing their bakery and patisserie traditions together in an all-day eatery facing South Melbourne Market.
Drop in for a house-made pastry, such as the pistachio and orange blossom tart, or settle in for brunch where you’ll find the classic alongside unique dishes with a Parisian touch such as Truffle Mushroom Scrambled and Croissant French Toast.
Chances are, if you live in Melbourne, you’ve heard of ST. ALi. The coffee roaster now lists nine venues, reaching as far as Bali, but it began in a South Melbourne warehouse in 2005. Founded by Mark Dundon and later taken over by Salvatore Malatesta, it helped shape Melbourne’s specialty coffee scene.
The warehouse still has an easygoing feel, especially when the roller door is open on a warm day. Coffee remains the drawcard, but there’s plenty of reason to stay for brunch or lunch. A longstanding favourite is My Mexican Cousin which pairs corn fritters and poached eggs with halloumi crumb, sweetcorn salsa and kasundi.
A short walk from the bustle of South Melbourne Market, Dead Man Espresso offers a quieter spot for brunch in a beautifully designed industrial style setting. Former ST. ALi staff Kylie Mackinlay and Luke Mutton opened the cafe in 2009, giving this corner of Market Street its own place in the neighbourhood’s coffee story.
Dead Man made its name with a custom blend roasted by Seven Seeds and a seasonal approach to food which includes herbs and veggies from the rooftop garden.
Clementine is a little removed from the market circuit, in South Melbourne's lakeside pocket. Founder Philippe Perrey says he opened it about three years ago, drawn by the suburb's reputation for coffee and brunch and by the range of people who live and work nearby. “It's the diversity really that I think makes the area special. You’ve got workers, families, retirees – it’s a mixed clientele which we love.”
That variety has helped shape a menu with what Perrey calls “a touch of luxury” and “a bit of show”. The current menu pairs a lobster Benedict with a tiramisu breakfast soufflé, as well as simpler eggs, sandwiches, and healthy salad bowls. All of this alongside a cup of coffee from Dukes, which Perrey says is one of Melbourne's consistently excellent roasters.
Proper & Son makes a compelling case for eating at the market before you fill your shopping bags. Chef and owner Eugene Lavery has operated at his venue inside the South Melbourne Market since 2015 and operates on market days (Wednesday-Sunday). Breakfast, coffee, salads and roast meat rolls all draw on a menu shaped by the produce around him with a menu that changes weekly and brunch to order until 11:30am.
“We're all about the market to the plate,” Lavery says. He sources much of what he uses from market traders, though he is careful to say it is not every ingredient. For him, the market's character comes from the people behind the stalls: “It's the traders, really. They're the ones putting the origin in and caring about what they sell and how they sell it.”
Lavery says Proper & Son is built for locals with friendly price points with most breakfast items costing around $10-15.
You’d never know that Nine Yards cafe once served as a stable in the 1800s, but like many of the historic buildings in on Dorcas Street, its quirky past remains part of its character and a reason why locals love it.
The menu is built around seasonal produce and creative touches with some extra Aussie flavour such as the Peaches and Cream Hotcakes with Anzac biscuit crumble and the Avocado on Toast with Australia Bush Dukkah.
These cafes can be busy on weekend mornings, so go early if you want a table without a wait, particularly with a group. Also keep parking in mind, many locals find parking around the area becomes impossible on market days (Wednesday-Sunday), so if you can walk, this is a huge bonus.
The market, Coventry Street and the nearby Clarendon and Dorcas Street cafes make an easy walking circuit. Kettle Black and Clementine extend the choice towards Albert Road and the lake. From Local: South Melbourne, you can make brunch part of a market run or take a tram towards the venues farther away. Check the route and each cafe's current menu and opening hours before setting out.
Want these local spots within reach of home? Explore apartments at Local: South Melbourne.
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