The Best Brunswick Cafes for Brunch Enthusiasts

If you’ve ever wandered Brunswick, you’ll know it’s packed with quiet gems that don’t need to shout to be heard. These cafes have a laid-back confidence — blending old-school charm with sharp, modern flair. It’s where the coffee hits just right, the food feels like honest comfort, and the vibe is effortlessly good. This is a neighbourhood that just gets it — no fuss, all flavour.

And no Brunswick cafe roundup is complete without tipping the hat to Green Refectory. Homemade cakes, flaky pastries, quiche that hits the spot, and muffins wrapped in pure cosiness. If you know, you really know.

Here’s the lowdown on the best cafes in Brunswick, where you can step inside and enjoy a truly unforgettable breakfast or brunch.

Core Roasters

Core Roasters is a spot that makes you want to slow down and stay a while. It’s got that raw, warehouse vibe but with incredible coffee and pastries that feel anything but ordinary. Sure, their almond croissants and carrot cake are solid gold, but it’s the unexpected things — pandan coconut jam toast, mushroom rendang pastries, tiramisu cookies — that really grab you. And don’t miss their housemade hot chocolate or lightly fizzy Taiwanese iced tea. Trust us, this place is worth the trip.

14 Barkly Street, Brunswick

Kōhī No Deshi

Kōhī No Deshi is a playground for the curious coffee drinker — a relative Melbourne newcomer next door to Discipline Roasters, rewriting the rules on what your cup can be. Here, dairy and plant-based milks mingle with unexpected flavours like peach, toffee apple, and sakura, turning every sip into a bit of adventure. Not quite ready to wander off the beaten espresso path? Don’t worry — the classics are still on the menu, polished and proud.

18 Black Street, Brunswick

Donny’s Deli

Donny’s Deli in Brunswick is a cult-fave sandwich spot slinging some of the city’s best toasties. This halal-friendly spot is all about comfort, with oozy melts like the classic Tuna Melt or the loaded Reuben with pastrami and Swiss cheese. Vegos are looked after too — don’t sleep on the Shroom Toasted with truffle mayo. Friendly vibes, solid coffee, and house-made juices round out the offering. It’s casual, crave-worthy, and always hits the spot.

170A Moreland Road, Brunswick

ONA Coffee 

ONA Coffee Melbourne, the flagship café of world-renowned roaster and World Barista Champion Saša Šestić, is a must for coffee lovers and brunch seekers alike. Spacious and light-filled, with a leafy alfresco area where dogs are warmly welcomed, it’s a Brunswick cafe you’ll want to linger in.

The coffee is world-class — from creamy espresso and smooth batch brew to standout signature drinks like the refreshing espresso tonic, indulgent iced berry latte, pistachio cream iced latte, and iced strawberry matcha. Pair yours with green chilli scramble, zucchini and corn fritters, or the decadent hojicha brioche French toast. We’re seriously in love with the vibes here.

22 Ovens Street, Brunswick

Walrus

Walrus is a vibrant nod to classic American diners, where nostalgia and modern charm collide. Cosy wooden booths set the scene for an experience all about comfort and flavour. The menu is a dream: fluffy stacks of pancakes, classic French toast dusted with icing sugar, crispy bacon, bodega-style sandwiches, bowls of hearty chilli, and a well-earned slice of cherry pie — each bite delivering that unmistakable Americana vibe.

312 Sydney Road, Brunswick 

Iris the Bakery

Iris The Bakery brings a slice of Copenhagen’s pastry culture to Melbourne, with a focus on sustainable, earth-nourishing ingredients. The menu features delectable sourdough breads, mouthwatering pastries, and exceptional coffee, all made with care and quality. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch their tiramisu pastry lining the glass cabinet — it’s an absolute must-try. Each bite is a perfect balance of creamy, coffee-soaked goodness, making it a true highlight of their ever-changing, irresistible offerings.

1 Wilson Avenue, Brunswick

Ima Asa Yoru

Ima Asa Yoru quietly gets it right — Japanese breakfast rituals served with a slick, modern edge. Once the Carlton-born Ima Asa Project, it’s now settled into striking, roomy, paper-lantern-lit digs at Nightingale Village, where clean lines, shocks of Yves Klein blue, and warm light put the focus firmly on the food.

Their teishoku is simple comfort on a plate — steamed rice, miso, and your choice of fish or eggplant — while chirashi with kingfish and tamagoyaki, or the dry, layered mazesoba noodles, hint at more complexity. With Wide Open Road coffee or a matcha latte in hand, a spot that wears its style light and bright without ever sacrificing flavour.

1 Duckett Street, Brunswick

Lunar by Hikari

Lunar by Hikari doesn’t just serve food, it transports you. This all-day haven on Sydney Road is a sensory journey to Japan, effortlessly weaving the elegance of a cafe, the artistry of a restaurant, and the warmth of a sake bar. The menu is an exploration: thick slices of shokupan with Pepe Saya butter and red bean paste, egg sandos, a luxurious unagi and tamagoyaki set meal, prawn tempura or tuna mayo onigiri, and a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu sukiyaki don.

Matcha is the star here — some of the best in the city — complemented by a range of delectable drinks, from sesame lattes and cold brew yuzu spritzes to the creative miso cream, paired with cold brew, tonka beans, sea salt, and a twist of elderflower.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss the rum and raisin affogato for a sweet ending.

458 Sydney Road, Brunswick 

A1 Bakery

Where the soul of the Middle East meets the vibrant pulse of Brunswick. The smell of fresh-baked khobz and sizzling Lebanese pizzas draws you into A1 Bakery before you even step inside. Trust, this iconic spot is where you’ll want to order one of everything: crisp, golden kibbie, tender shawarma wraps, and baklava that’s so sweet it feels like a secret. It’s comfort, simplicity, and bold flavours in their purest form, eaten on the go or lingered over with a coffee. 

643-645 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Wild Life Bakery

Wild Life Bakery in Brunswick East is an institution — a breakfast haven that nails simplicity and flavour. Their buttery croissants and fruit galettes are a pastry lover’s dream, but the egg roll truly wins hearts. Chive scrambled eggs, melted comté, and spicy mayo nestle in a soft bun; with added bacon, it’s pretty much perfect. The sourdough, subtly infused with fennel seed, is also a must-try.

Oh, and did we mention the selection of sandwiches and toasties? The loaded vegan salad, gochujang chicken thigh baguette, and cheesy mushroom and garlic greens toastie rule the palate, each bite a reflection of fresh, exceptional ingredients pulled together with care.

90 Albert Street, Brunswick East 

Good Days Hot Bread 

Good Days Hot Bread isn’t just making banh mi — it’s crafting edible poetry. Picture a crusty, golden baguette cradling crispy pork belly, pickled veggies, and just the right amount of heat. Or dive into the turmeric cauliflower version, spiced to perfection. It’s that golden balance of bold and fresh, crunchy and tender. No pretension, just pure, unadulterated flavour. Whether you’re a banh mi fan or a newbie, it’s a very good day when you sink your teeth into one at Good Days.

644 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Ovens Street Bakery

Found in the backstreets of Brunswick, Ovens Street Bakery feels like a hidden gem that rewards the curious. The sourdough here is crusty perfection — crispy on the outside, soft and tangy within — while their pastries are nothing short of a warm hug. From flaky croissants to buttery tarts, everything feels effortless, yet crafted with care at this locally beloved microbakery.

19 Ovens Street, Brunswick

Donatello’s 

Donatello’s is the new Brunswick cafe that gets the essentials exactly right, right down to the warm, friendly service. From smoked turkey to the molten three-cheese toastie, every sandwich strikes that perfect note of crusty, gooey comfort. The coffee? Straight-up magic. And their signature, The Brunny — a cold brew crowned with luscious banana cream — is pure playful indulgence. Coconut matcha’s just as good, and now they’ve caved to local love for pistachio cream matcha, which we’re totally here for.

When the weather’s off, dive into their soups — because honestly, soup and sandwiches are the unshakable king and queen of perfect combos. Just go. You’ll get it.

2/2B Mitchell Street, Brunswick

Wide Open Road

Wide Open Road is a Brunswick stalwart that makes you feel right at home, where coffee dreams truly come alive. Their Bathysphere blend is a bold, complex masterpiece with notes of caramel, milk chocolate, and stone fruit, while the Shady Lane offers rich dark chocolate, cherry, and vanilla undertones.

The space exudes warmth, blending industrial charm with cosy vibes; perfect for relaxing or catching up. Pair your coffee with something from their seasonal menu, each dish thoughtfully crafted to make your day better.

274 Barkly Street, Brunswick 

Capulus & Co

Capulus & Co wears its suburban quirk like a badge of honour — a Brunswick lounge room turned coffee shop, where Allpress espresso flows and the bocconcini sangas hit just right. Run by siblings Francesca and Christian Sullivan, it’s homemade sweets, spectacular yoghurt bowls, early morning sandwich prep, and chats out front with whoever swings by. It’s casual, curious, and quietly brilliant.

9 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Egglab

Egglab Brunswick is your no-fuss, all-flavour breakfast fix before you dive headfirst into Savers’ racks or Dejour’s curated cool. This former kebab shop on Sydney Road now flips Melbourne’s classics into burger form — with hash browns, fried eggs, bacon, and a slick house-made relish that somehow makes it all sing. Quick, comforting, and utterly unpretentious — Egglab is Brunswick’s laid-back breakfast anthem.

702 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Bagels & Co

We just found one of those rare breakfast bagels that actually lives up to the hype — and it’s right on Sydney Road, Brunswick. Bagels & Co keeps it effortlessly good with a no-fuss menu that nods to the Mediterranean in all the right ways. The gooey egg, avocado, tomato and chilli on poppyseed? Absolute bagel perfection. Come lunch, the crumbed chicken punches well above its weight, and the smoked salmon bagel? Easily one of the city’s best bites. These bagels strike that dream balance: soft enough to give, firm enough to satisfy. Add the chips and pickles and prepare for full-on eating joy.

627 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Sani

A Brunswick East treat, Sani is a cafe that effortlessly combines the spirit of a world tour with the intimacy of a neighbourhood haunt. The moment you walk in, the exposed brick arches and parquetry floors set the scene for something special — warm, rustic elegance meets a laid-back vibe. Their dishes are an adventure in themselves: Turkish eggs with labneh and za’atar, Japanese eggs with miso butter corn rice, a coconut and lime breakfast pannacotta, and an Italian prosciutto sandwich that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with anything else. 

63 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

Project 281 Coffee Roasters 

Project 281 Coffee Roasters is the unpretentious gem Melbourne’s caffeine obsessives have quietly claimed as their own. It’s all warm vibes and lush greenery — a rare breath of calm on a busy street. Anne Cooper’s roasts are precision-tooled beauties that never miss the mark. The all-day menu punches well above its weight, with breakfasts that feel like a hug and lunches that land with effortless flavour. Seasonal shifts keep it interesting, but it’s the steady, nailed-it-every-time quality that keeps locals loyal.

281 Albert Street, Brunswick

Lux Foundry

Lux Foundry is a Brunswick icon, set inside a heritage-listed building where industrial charm meets laid-back vibes. You’ll lose track of time here, sipping strong coffee while the all-day menu delivers comfort with an inventive edge — think hearty vegan options and classic favourites done right. With a spacious, dog-friendly courtyard and global lunch offerings, it’s the ideal spot for a caffeine fix or relaxed bite.

Fancy breakfasts, cocktails, and a hip, former warehouse — Lux Foundry sums up Brunswick in style, one distressed wall at a time.

21 Hope Street, Brunswick

Whether you’re after a quiet coffee, a hearty brunch, or simply a cosy corner to unwind, these Brunswick cafes are ready to welcome you with open arms and exceptional flavours. Quite like these charming French restaurants and Prahran cafes. 

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

25 July 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.