Having a quick stopover at Melbourne, but afraid that you have not enough time to enjoy their famous brunch spots? Don’t worry as this Bunny has got a game plan for you busy travellers!
This guide will take you to the crux of the cafe hopping scene in half a day, so you aren’t missing out on anything. Good thing is that they aren’t too far away from each other.
HALF-DAY MELBOURNE CAFE GUIDE
#1 LUNE CROISSANTERIE
Set your alarm clocks on to 7.30am because you have to get out of bed for this one. Trust me on this one, because it’s going to be all worth it. The lines just speak for themselves. I was here at 8.30am and at least 30 people were already in the queue.
Looks like Singaporeans are not the only “kiasu” ones.
Why are their croissants famous?
Well for one, they have been dubbed by the New York Times as “possibly the world’s best croissant” and the founder had apprenticed at the renowed Paris boulangerie Du Pain et des Idees.
And as the menu suggests, they offer a wide range of croissants from the Traditional [$5.50] to novel ones like Coconut Pandan [$9.50] and Carrot Cake [$12.50].
All baked fresh within an immaculately sterile glasshouse, I managed to snag the Twice-baked Almond [$8.50] and Traditional Croissant [$5.50] in 30 minutes.
Taste: 4.5/5
The texture was everything that I expected; feathery, honeycomb thin layers which flaked on every bite. For the Twice-baked Almond ones (pictured below), you’d find a pleasant surprise inside too, as the interior was filled with an ooey gooey syrup, making it even more irresistible.
This is by far, the best croissant I’ve had to date!
The bad part about the cafe is the limited number of seats that were tiny and claustrophobic. It wasn’t the best place to chill – unless you’re here alone. It was on first come first serve with no table service.
I had no time to waste and headed down to my next stop nearby after savouring my croissant. I kept the other one for a mid-day snack, as the best must be saved for the last.
+61 3 9419 2320
119 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Opening Hours:
7am – 3pm (Mon)
7.30am-3pm (Thurs, Fri)
8am – 3pm (Sat, Sun)
Stop #2 HAMMER & TONG
Take a 5-minute stroll from Lune Croissanterie and you’d find yourself at your next destination – Hammer & Tong. It is located along the main street of the unpretentiously hipster suburb of Fitzroy.
While its popularity may not match up to the previous cafe, I had been admiring their eclectic modern Australian brunch spread on Instagram for awhile. I wanted to to order everything on it!
I managed to boil down to one dish that is stunning in every way.
Coconut yogurt with strawberry, jasmine and lemon balm [$16].
Taste: 4/5
Hammer & Tong
412 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
+61 3 9041 6033
Opening Hours:
7am – 4pm (Sun, Mon)
7am – 10pm (Tues to Sat)
Stop #3 TOP PADDOCK
- 10-minute drive from Melbourne CBD. Parking can cost up to AUD10 per hour. I parked for 2 hours.
If you have not heard of Top Paddock, you’re missing out on the what could be the world’s most popular hotcakes.
Many cafes overseas, including Singapore have duped it, but I wasn’t impressed with them. Those I had here were cakey, cloying and very much like a dessert instead of a wholesome breakfast.
I hoped that the real ones weren’t like that.
To demystify this, I insisted on visiting Top Paddock no matter how packed my schedule in Melbourne is. Lucky for me too, the cafe is a short 10 to 15 minutes drive from the CBD.
Coffee aroma was already in the air, as I approached the vicinity. I loved how diners seated by the windows could pop their heads out to take a breath of fresh air.
Once I was in, I felt like I have entered the busiest cafe in the entire history of my cafe hopping experience.
Brisbane’s cafes were usually small, serene and cosy. But this was the total opposite: loud chatters, a long queue for takeaway coffee, shrill clings of cutleries and waiters manoeuvring around with a tough balancing act on their arms.
Welcome to Melbourne.
We were led to the extended alfresco area and had my order of a Mocha Latte. It was a decent cuppa with a distinct shot of espresso and cocoa.
For the savouries, we had a Hanger steak sandwich [$21.50] with red onion jam, wasabi butter, horseradish, tempura beetroot leaves in a brioche roll to share.
Taste: 4.5/5
One of the better steak sandwich I’ve had! Beef was tender and not chewy at all.
In particular, I was amazed by the chef’s attempt to blend the East and West. The wasabi butter definitely helped to add a kick to the protein, and the beetroot leaves were deepfried to perfection with a crisp edge.
I had never imagine them to be treated in this way, as tempura vegetables to Asians are usually long beans, okra or squash.
Another dish I couldn’t resist not getting was the Fresh Queensland soft-shell mud crab [$24] with fennel, dill salad & lime mayonnaise in a brioche bun.
Taste: 3.5/5
While the Soft Shell Crab burger looked so enticing, I was left utterly disappointed! The crab was unpalatable with the heavy hand on the salt. The lime and dill mayo didn’t add much value to it.
Felt like there could be a better condiments to match the perfectly fried and plump crab that was oh juicy. Sorry Queensland fishermen, the chefs didn’t do justice to your crab. I would totally toss it into my Thai Curry!
Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcakes [$21] with maple syrup, seeds & cream.
Taste: 5/5
This, thankfully did not go wrong.
It wowed me not just in its aesthetics, but also its texture! Nestled inside the batter were small chunks of ricotta, as well as blueberries that were oozing out their juices.
You can be assured that it is not cakey, and the occasional sweetness from the maple syrup was not overpowering. Still, it was a tad too large for one to finish. I would recommend sharing this between 2-3 people. I enjoyed crunching on all the nut toppings and made me feel lots healthier.
While it was about an inch thick, the hot cake was incredibly fluffy, light – and nothing like dupes that I’ve tried. The original one is indeed the best. However, I would like the Marscapone cream to be replaced with an ice cream scoop like Bailey’s onto the warm hotcake for a temperature contrast!
The rest of my day was spent dog-watching, and wishing that I could have this alluring piece of Matcha, Black Sesame & Mandarin Slice [$6]. Perhaps next time!
BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Hangar Steak Sandwich, Blueberry & Ricotta Hotcake
RATING
Ambience: 4/5 The cafe was unexpectedly huge with a modern and relaxing decor! Plants surround the cafe, and flowers are spotted at each corner. I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t have a seat at 1pm, but it was unfounded for. It could easily fit at least a hundred people. There is an indoor and alfresco area, which was so lovely. Dog owners even brought their pets here while they have their lunch!
Service: 5/5 Staff were genuine and unpretentious. I was impressed by how well they are trained – despite being such a busy cafe! Sometimes staff from highly reputable cafes can get aloof, but this one is as good as it gets. They memorised my orders and was alert in refilling our water.
Top Paddock
658 Church St, Richmond
VIC 3121, Australia
03 9429 4332
Opening Hours:
7am – 4pm (Mon to Fri)
8am – 4pm (Sat, Sun)
Website
info@thetoppaddock.com
Directions:
- 10-minute drive from Melbourne CBD. Parking can cost up to AUD10 per hour. I parked for 2 hours.
Hopping out…
BUNNY MUNCHIES 