Uniquely themed and centrally located, these quirky cafes in Melbourne are eagerly awaiting your visit!
It’s safe to say Melburnians are spoilt for choice when they’re hankering for a coffee. With over 2,000 cafes across the city, sometimes it’s not enough to simply make just a ‘good’ coffee, or something tasty to nibble on – they have to offer something unique.
Thankfully, there are a handful of unique cafes in Melbourne that are eager to show off the city’s creative streak with stand-out snacks, distinctive drinks, and eccentric themes. So, if you’re looking for the coolest and the most unique cafes in Melbourne of 2024, this list is for you!
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Bakemono Bakers
A converted city garage, Bakemono Bakers looks like a private parking spot when the roller doors are down. But, when opened, the space transforms into a Japanese hole-in-the-wall cafe and bakery – complete with a wooden façade and rich doughy aroma. That inspiration carries onto the menu: popular items like their Korean-style garlic bread or Shokupan (milk bread loaf) are hard to come by in Melbourne. Time is of the essence at Bakemono Bakers with their pastries often selling out by midday – so plan to get there early if you’re keen to try one of the most unique cafes in Melbourne.
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The Budapest Cafe
Inspired by director Wes Anderson’s penchant for symmetry, clean lines and pastel colours, every fine detail at The Budapest Cafe has a handcrafted feel that can only be described as cosy. A selection of Japanese staples such as soupless udon and omurice make for the perfect brunch experience that’s paired elegantly with top-notch coffee. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Budapest Cafe also stocks the film’s iconic pink ‘Mendls’ boxes, filled with tasty desserts to enjoy.
Photographed by Larisa Blinova. Image via Shutterstock.
Cafe Colores
Cafe Colores may bring a little colour into your life. Considered as one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammable cafes, Cafe Colores has made a name for itself with a bright idea: the whole space is lined with LED panels that change colour every month. While every new combination changes the mood and feel of the cafe, their South American styled snacks and coffee are consistently excellent. Of note are the pasteles, square-shaped pies popular in Colombia, which are filled with either chicken, beef, or eggplant.
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Cat Cafe Melbourne
In one of Melbourne’s many picturesque alleyways lies the purr-fect place to hang out with friends: Cat Cafe Melbourne. Australia’s first cat cafe, this two-storey coffee shop is littered with fluffy feline friends for you to snuggle up with while sipping a warm coffee. As uniquely themed as it is Instagrammable, many of the cafe’s pawed residents come from rescue shelters, giving them time to recover while looking for a new home. If you’re looking for one of the best themed cafes in Melbourne, share a bite with some of the city’s fuzzier patrons at the Cat Cafe Melbourne.
Photographed by Daniel Téllez Girón. Image via Unsplash.
Chookas Coffee
Along an unassuming laneway in the heart of Brunswick, lies one of the most exciting new cafes to open in Melbourne’s ever-competitive cafe scene. This vital Japanese cafe with a unique cat theme is serving up a smorgasbord of Japanese savoury and sweet treats, including miso soup, matcha pudding, and their delectable hojicha cheesecake. Where Chooka’s excels are their handcrafted omusubi, or rice balls with unique fillings, ranging from Okinawa (spam and mayo) to shake-miso (salmon, mise, and cream cheese) that are simply irresistible. Just look out for the adorable cat sign for a one-of-a-kind cafe experience in Melbourne!
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Easey’s
One of the most original cafe concepts in Melbourne, Easey’s almost defies the laws of physics. On top of a multi-storey complex in Collingwood sits three train cars, rusting and tatted with street art. Undeniably, this quirky and unique cafe in Melbourne is just as cool as it is vintage. With the trains feeling as if they are hanging over the city, as if placed there by a feng shui King Kong, inside the carriages have been decked out to mimic a classic American deli, with booth chairs and sauce dispensers. Enjoy drop-dead delicious burgers, fries and hot-dogs while gazing over Melbourne.
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Eggholic
Eggholic operates by a simple philosophy: do one thing and do it well. This Korean sandwich eatery offers customers mouth-watering Korean-style egg sandwiches. For those unfamiliar, imagine two thick slices of toasted brioche bread, crammed with an egg and a variety of fillings. With two locations across the city, Eggholic is considered as one of the best cafes in Melbourne; and this street food staple pairs egg-celently with their Korean lattes, or even a bubble tea from one of Melbourne’s best boba shops. But you better crack on before their delicious creations are sold out!
Photographed by Paul Philipson. Image via Visit Victoria.
Hopetoun Tea Rooms
While most cafes come and go, some have stood the test of time. Just like one of the best cafes to visit in Melbourne: Hopetoun Tea Rooms. With decadent cake displays and period specific decor, Hopetoun feels frozen in time from when it first opened its doors all the way back in 1892. The vintage charm carries over to their sophisticated selection of teas, scones and cakes that will have you raising your pinkie in glee. One of the most audacious high tea experiences Melbourne has to offer, this cool cafe will ensure that you spoil yourself silly with this ageless institution. Reopening soon.
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Krimper
Tasked with taking over a former sawmill and cabinet factory, the team at Krimper wanted to preserve as much of the original charm and interior as they could. The result is a rustic, vintage cafe in the heart of Melbourne that captures the feeling of an industrial warehouse, with bare brick walls, lofty ceilings and weather wooden tables. Just as quirky as it is beautiful, take a snap of that history in between steaming coffees and a standout brunch menu.
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Marche Board Game Cafe
Victory has never tasted so sweet at Marche Board Game Cafe. Right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, this unique cafe offers the chance to eat delicious Taiwanese cuisine to the clitter clatter of Monopoly pieces. Dozens of board games are on offer including everything from classics like Catan and Cards Against Humanity, to any number of obscure tabletop adventures. For the more musical fans out there, Marche Board Game Cafe also doubles as a karaoke bar, letting you belt out classic tunes to your heart’s content.
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One Plus Piece Cafe
Calling all anime fans: the One Plus Piece Cafe will catch you hook, line and sinker. Step inside to find one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammable cafes brimming with merchandise and collectibles from the beloved pirate themed anime series One Piece. There’s even a mural on the back wall dedicated to the show like an anime Last Supper. Between chunky themed burgers, decadent milkshakes and One Piece latte art, this American-Japanese fusion cafe will have your tastebuds sailing the high seas. One of the best cafes in Melbourne for 2024!
Photography by photostocklight via Shutterstock
Operator Diner
Swill a milkshake and bite into some greasy bites at one of Melbourne’s most unique cafes. Operator Diner in Melbourne’s CBD is a retro American roadside diner featuring blush orange booths and knicknacks from days past. That homage to the past is also found in the all American menu featuring breakfast classics and specialty sandwiches with a Melbourne twist, such as their “Katsu Kick” and “Bun in a Million”. So grab a slice of Americana at this must-visit cafe in Melbourne!
From breakfast to boozy bottomless brunches, check out this list of The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Melbourne. Or, for cakes, pastries and bread, munch through this list of the 10 Best Bakeries in Melbourne of 2024.
