Melbourne Breakfast 2009 Coffee and Toast Round Up

Some people are strictly meat and potatoes, but when it comes to breakfast, I'll admit to being a coffee and toast man. In the morning I'm a light eater. What I'm really after is good coffee. Add toast to that and we can call it breakfast. Luckily I live in Melbourne where making good coffee is taken seriously at many cafes. Any kind of food outlet not at least running an espresso machine just doesn't cut it in this city.

You can expect to pay between $2.50 to $3.60 for a small cup of coffee in Melbourne. Unlike parts of Europe which are also serious about serving good coffee, the coffee here in Melbourne, Australia is cheap enough to enjoy as often as you have a spare 15 minutes.

Since the toast makes this breakfast, I usually go for a gutsy raisin or fruit toast, topped only with a little butter. These are my staples. I have been known to be tempted by the odd crumpet (of the kind served on a plate) dripping with honey, but will again return faithfully to fruit toast with butter.

Listed below are some of my favourite good value cafes for a pleasant coffee and toast breakfast in Melbourne.

Open 7 Days
Covering overheads for staff on weekends, you can expect to pay up to $8 for coffee and toast at these cafes open any day of the week. Note that some cafes also charge a 10% surcharge on weekends and public holidays. Most businesses in Melbourne are closed on the mornings of Christmas day, Good Friday and ANZAC day.

The Bean Room. 261 - 265 Russell St, Melbourne. $4.50 for two slices of poppy encrusted raisin toast, or $2.50 for a single slice. $3.20 for coffee.
Brubakers at Crown. Crown Complex, Southbank. $3.50 for two slices of thick cut raisin toast. $3.50 coffee.
Café Aniamo, 36-38 Degraves St, Melbourne. Plain toast $4. Raisin Toast $4.20.
Degraves Espresso, 23-25 Degraves St. Crumpets or Toast with condiments for $4.50. Coffee is $3.40.
El Gran Cafe. 139 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. $2 per slice of thick cut raisin toast. Coffee is $3.60. Tea $3.
Five66. 566 Flinders St, Melbourne. $4.50 Blueberry Bagel. $5 Sultana & Cinimon Bread Toast. $3 Coffee. $3.50 Tea.
Journal Canteen. Shop 1, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. $7.20 Coffee & Toast.

Open Monday to Friday
Usually better value if you're in town during the week, these places will see you through breakfast for as little as $5 to $6. Keep your eyes open for blackboard specials in any part of town during the week. "Coffee & Muffin" combinations are widely available for around $5 but make a poor excuse for a nutritious breakfast in my opinion.

The Maj. 219 Exhibition St, Melbourne. $5 Raisin loaf toast with coffee or tea.
Olivino. Shop 1, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. $6 coffee with 2 slices of fruit or raisin toast. Or $5 for one less slice of toast.
Hydra Cafe. 480 Collins St, Melbourne. $5.50 Coffee & Fruit Toast.

Related Melbourne Posts
DFO South Wharf
Where to Eat in Melbourne from under $30 per day
Melbourne's Food Court Underbelly


View Best places for coffee and toast in Melbourne in a larger map