Brunswick is a brunch lover's dream. Whether you’re catching up with friends or simply treating yourself to a delicious morning meal, this vibrant suburb is home to some of Melbourne’s best brunch spots. From cosy cafes serving up perfectly poached eggs to innovative fusion menus, there's something for every taste. Let’s dive into some of the best brunch destinations in Brunswick, including our very own cafe, offering takeaway and delivery options to enjoy your brunch at home!
1. Neighbourhood Favourites: Where Community Meets Flavour
Brunswick is known for its tight-knit community, and its cafes reflect this. Many of these spots have become local favourites, offering not just great food but a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
Project 281: Project281 crafts its own coffee, using a 12-kilogram Probat roaster. This house roasted blend is then transformed into magnificent espresso by their skilled baristas. Coffee is often served in Huskee Cups, made from a blend of plastic and recycled coffee husks. While they may not have the feel of ceramic, they offer superior insulation, keeping your coffee warmer for longer—perfect if you like to savour your drink slowly.
Next to the coffee bar, the kitchen serves up classic breakfast dishes with a pan-Asian twist. Expect offerings like coconut rice pudding with peach sponge and raspberry pearls, poke bowls, and a Korean chicken burger paired with kimchi fries.
Photography: Pete Dillon
Small Axe Kitchen: The welcoming café offers a mix of open-air seating and cozy nooks, perfect for any mood. Housed in a century-old building, it blends modern industrial design with an espresso bar, street-side tables, and charming internal laneways.
Drawing inspiration from the head chef's heritage and a memorable honeymoon in Sicily, the menu leans heavily on Italian flavours. Take the breakfast pasta, for example: maccaruni topped with cured pork cheek, peas, mint, salted ricotta, and a slow-cooked egg. Other popular dishes include Sicilian meatballs with a slow-cooked egg and pecorino on toast, chargrilled sardines, and a smoked eggplant salad.
The drink menu features a selection of both Italian and Australian wines, while the coffee is a seasonal blend from Code Black.
Photography: Ben Moynihan
2. Your Perfect Brunch at Our Cafe
Of course, we can’t leave out our very own café! Mary Miller Cafe started life down Miller Street where it quickly became a cult following in North Fitzroy. The cafe shifted up the road to its current location in Brunswick East where it was subsequently sold to an ex-Vue De Monde chef. This fine dining pedigree resulted in a flawlessly executed brunch menu featuring an eclectic mix of inspirations from Sri Lanka to Japan.
The coffee is equally well crafted with the cafe sourcing its beans from Project 281. The strong relationship with this roaster has enabled Mary Miller Cafe to serve up the best coffee in its neighbourhood. Expect a wider range of drinks beyond coffee such as beer, wine, smoothies and even a signature espresso martini which features a coffee syrup that utilises spent coffee grounds.
What to try: Our signature French Toast gives new life to left over croissants. In an effort to reduce its waste, the head chef devised a recipe which transforms stale croissants into a form of bread and butter pudding layered with Nutella. This is portioned and then caramelised in butter to produce a wonderful take on French Toast. Served with whipped ricotta, a berry maple sauce and pistachios, you almost wish every croissant gets leftover if it can be transformed into a brunch dish like this!
3. Hidden Gems: Where to Go for Something Different
Brunswick is also home to a few under-the-radar brunch spots that offer something a little different.
Ima Asa Yoru: The reincarnation of the original Ima Project in Carlton. Fans of the old site will be glad to know that, by day, you can still get the signature teishoku (a Japanese set meal of rice, miso soup, pickles and your choice of either fish or eggplant), alongside a host of new dishes. One of those could be chirashi, a bowl of seasoned sushi rice topped with kingfish, tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) and rice puffs; or mazesoba, a dry noodle dish with minced pork, vegetables and an onsen egg.
Photography: Samantha Schultz
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Tom Phat: The strong Thai influence is evident in this Sydney Road gem. A touch of modern Australian style, shines through in dishes like the standout wok-tossed roti omelette. Filled with bacon, chives, and roasted tomato salsa, it's the perfect remedy for a Sunday morning hangover, offering a satisfying mix of comfort and exotic flair.
Another must-try is Uncle Ho’s Breakfast, featuring a marinated grilled pork chop paired with a crispy fried egg, tomato, cucumber, and rice—a delicious twist on the traditional breakfast fry-up.
Lunch and dinner are just as inventive, with options like "Phat Tacos," colourful salads, and a variety of curries that range from earthy to fragrant. And if the heat gets a bit much, you can cool down with a refreshing smoothie or fresh juice.
Photography: Laura May Grogan
4. Why Brunch in Brunswick?
Aside from the great food, what makes Brunswick such a special place to brunch? It’s the laid-back atmosphere, friendly service, and of course, the abundance of great cafes to choose from. Whether you're a local or just passing through, brunch in Brunswick is an experience not to be missed.
Order Online: Enjoy Your Brunch at Home!
Can’t make it out to Brunswick this weekend? No problem! With our easy-to-use online ordering system, you can enjoy your brunch favourites from the comfort of your own home. Simply visit our online food ordering page, select your dishes, and we’ll take care of the rest. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy breakfast at home or planning a relaxed brunch with friends, we’ve got you covered with our fast delivery service.
Other Notable Mentions
Brunswick is full of amazing food, and brunch is just the beginning. As you explore the cafes mentioned here, don't forget to drop by and say hi to us at our cafe. Whether you’re dining in or ordering online, we look forward to serving you the best brunch in town!
Ona Coffee
Lobbs
Lux Foundry
All Day Donuts
Brunswick Foodstore
Waxflower
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