The Best Cafes in Footscray & Surrounds for Your Next Brunch Date

The West’s café revolution may have come a little later than in other areas of Melbourne, but they’ve well and truly caught up in the years since. Throughout every suburb you’ll find spectacular coffee, pastries and brunches, including many innovative venues exploring novel offerings. 

We’ve got you sorted with our guide to all the must-visit cafés in this vibrant part of town – so here’s where to go when you’re looking for…

Rudimentary

At  Rudimentary, three shipping containers have been cleverly grafted together to create a modern, sun-dappled café. Classic dishes get a fancy touch in housemade kimchi cheese toasties and confit duck rillettes on toast, while the menu also offers plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners. Out the back a bountiful kitchen garden provides many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs that go onto your plate.

16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray

Cafe Larome

This new, Japanese-French inspired gem might be tucked away in an unassuming location, but it's quickly become a must-try cafe in Footscray. Cafe Larome has a fantastic range on the menu, including selections of sandos, burgers, teishoku, takoyaki, chicken katsu, don rice bowls and a beautiful selection of baked goods, desserts and savoury pastries piled up at the front counter. It also has one of the best matcha lattes in Melbourne; but all the drinks are excellent, from the flavoursome ube latte to a rich and creamy hojicha. If you can, try them all! 

8 Warde Street, Footscray

Myrtle Wine Café

This gorgeous café will fill both your stomach and your heart with their wholesome and conscientiously made food. Myrtle Wine Café is situated in the Footscray Community Arts Centre, making it a perfect spot to recharge after a morning of culture. Sit alfresco beside the wide green lawn and tuck into daily salads and baguettes, baked bean toasties, generous breakfast boards and beef brisket rolls. To drink there’s 5 Senses coffee, cold pressed juices and brunch-appropriate cocktails like Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

45 Moreland Street, Footscray 

West 48

If there's one word to describe West 48's food, it would be hearty. You won't find any flimsy salads or half-hearted sandwiches here, but rather spicy sambal eggs on crispy roti, saucy beef brisket on hash browns, and ‘brekky hotdogs’ stuffed with smoked kransky and scrambled eggs. This is a place you go to be thoroughly nourished for the day, and be recharged by the chatter and Allpress coffee.

48 Essex Street, Footscray

Migrant Coffee 

Putting it mildly here, we're low-key obsessed with West Footscray's Migrant Coffee. In fact, this is everyone's favourite westside coffee and bagels - and it's easy to see why. The menu consists of New York style bagels with twists of Filipino, Thai and Island flavours, fusing the owners' love of classic bagels with tastes from home. 

More than just a cosy and friendly space for some of the best bagels in Melbourne, Migrant Coffee is also a QPOC owned and run business that stands for equality and inclusion. Founded by two best friends who share a love of culture and joy in daily ritual and connecting with people, their history is at the centre of everything they do, as proud first generation daughters of immigrants. Above all, this is a café for people to connect, celebrate and share stories, and it's the beating heart of the local community. For this reason alone, it stands strong as one of the best cafes in Footscray. 

3/576 Barkly Street, West Footscray

Small Graces

An inner city café with a wide country heart, Small Graces has an ethos of wholesome everyday food made from sustainable ingredients. Minimal waste, locally sourced ingredients and eco-friendly practices are all part of the feel-good equation as you tuck into thick smoothies, cheffy brunch plates and delicious sides like cheesy arepas and spicy adobo brisket. It should also come as no surprise then, that vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are readily available. 

57 Byron Street, Footscray 

Nabo

Nabo in Kingsville delivers Scandi-inspired serenity and delicate, considered food. Owners Sarah and Cameron fell in love with the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ – cosiness and comfort – during their travels to Scandinavia, and replicate it to great effect in their light and spacious café. Tuck into Nordic inflected dishes like Swedish potato waffles, traditional cardamom buns, and their many savoury and sweet variations of smørrebrød (an open-faced sandwich). 

2a Williamstown Rd, Kingsville 

Gordon Street Bakery

Start your weekend right with a visit to Gordon Street Bakery, a stunning French viennoiserie that’s creating carby magic. Come early to avoid missing out on their intensely-flavoured sourdough loaves, crispy baguettes, flaky almond croissants and glossy palmiers. You’ll see many locals scoffing down a fresh pastry and hot coffee outside the bakery before heading home with their goods in tow.

63 Gordon Street, Footscray

Pie Thief

At Pie Thief, former Supernormal chef Scott Blomfield turns the humble pie into works of art. Here you won’t find just any old pie, but innovative spins like Thai red chicken curry, vegan barbecue jackfruit, plus a wild (and wildly delicious) lasagne number that layers bolognese, bechamel and cheese inside flaky casing. Grab a piping hot number to go, washed down with Code Black coffee, malty milkshakes and nostalgia-inducing cups Milo.

297 Barkly Street, Footscray

Ollie’s Deli

Ollie’s Deli in Footscray is a popular spot for phenomenal sandwiches and on point coffee. Hit them up for buttermilk fried chicken in soft white rolls, truffle mushroom melts and brekkie bagels. The friendliest baristas around are pumping brews made with Proud Mary and Good Hustle beans, and weekly specials and soups will keep you coming back again and again.

7/158 Barkly Street, Footscray

Cornershop

This bustling brunch spot sits across the road from Yarraville's Sun Theatre. Take yourself to Cornershop and relax in the courtyard on a sunny morning or inside where vintage touches bring character and warmth. The menu is refined, with classics somewhat redefined. Think buckwheat waffles with slow poached quince, a saffron and cinnamon mascarpone cream and walnut crumble, or simple but elegant free range scrambled eggs with parmesan, cavolo nero, soft herbs and chilli. Whether you're looking for a great coffee and a Dr Marty's crumpet, or even a heartier snack like a Reuben sandwich or haloumi and mushroom butty, Cornershop will also have you covered. 

11 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

Boma Coffee

Simple and satisfying, the all-day menu at Boma aims to create the best possible version of all your breakfast favourites. Whether it’s buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup and berry compote (bacon optional!) or a vegan tofu scramble drizzled in chilli oil and cashew feta, you’ll leave this sunny café feeling ready for the day. It’s also impossible to miss Boma, with its wide, pastel pink frontage, and generous indoor and outdoor seating making it an all-weather delight.

127 Stephen Street, Yarraville

Occident 

Boozy brunch, anyone? That's the level of brilliance you can expect at this low-key Yarraville cafe. Settle in for Aussie brunch staples like avocado smash, chilli and chorizo scramble, baked eggs and fresh ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, berries and vanilla ice cream, alongside a warming latte or perhaps a Mimosa. There's an all-day list of burgers and sandos too, including a Korean fried chicken sandwich, Philly cheesesteak toastie and mushroom and haloumi burger. They all pair perfectly with a Negroni, passionfruit Mojito or Espresso Martini. 

Charming, warm and light-filled, this is a simply lovely cafe to linger in awhile. 

21 Anderson Street, Yarraville

Coracle 

Nourish yourself with the inviting Asian-inspired dishes at Coracle, a calming café in Yarraville. The menu traverses Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan, introducing diners to some of the classic breakfast and lunches enjoyed by locals in each nation. Sit down to warming abalone and chicken congee served in a claypot, sweet and sour meatballs served on a sizzling hotplate, or colourful sashimi bowls. The drinks are equally fun, with yuzu cold brews and kumquat sodas calling your name.

63/65 Anderson Street, Yarraville

Rocco’s Delicatessen 

Rocco’s Deli is a westside institution – and we don’t say that lightly. This beloved Italian delicatessen has been shaving prosciutto and slicing parmesan since 1977, and they’re going as strong as ever. Loyal regulars and far-flung visitors come for the Rocco Roll, a fresh deli sanga which you can fill with any of the salty meats, cheeses and antipasti on display. Choose from soft white rolls or crusty ciabatta, then go crazy with salami, mortadella, sopressa, grilled eggplant, artichokes and much, much more. The result is an epic sandwich that will sate you all day.

122 Roberts Street, Yarraville 

Common Galaxia

When they opened some 10 years ago, Common Galaxia heralded a new dawn of stylishly designed cafés serving quality coffee and fancy brunch in this suburban part of town. Over a decade later they’re still at the top of their game, spinning out banoffee pie waffles with dulce de leche, katsu pork sandwiches and lamb ragu baked eggs every bit as delicious as their newer competitors. The carefully considered space is a delight to spend the morning in, all light timber and soft edges, with daylight filtering in through full length windows. 

3/130 Victoria Street, Seddon 

Advieh

For brekky that’s big on flavour head to Advieh in Seddon, a Middle Eastern café that stands out from the crowd. Here your avo toasts are sprinkled liberally with herby dukkah, while scrambled eggs are folded with juicy Turkish sausage, and poached eggs are doused in spicy homemade harissa. If you’re dining with a partner go straight for the mezze breakfast for two, which will fill your table with fresh bread, dips, shakshuka and sides. The Moroccan-inspired décor is equally a delight, all colourful tiles and stained glass.

71B Gamon Street, Seddon

Cannoli Bar

There aren’t many sweet treats that light up the senses like cannoli, crisp pastry shells filled with lush custard or whipped ricotta. Cannoli Bar in Avondale Heights is dedicated to this storied Sicilian pastry, making each one to order in classic and fun flavours like lemon meringue, vegan pistachio and blueberry cheesecake. Best enjoyed with a strong espresso, they also do savoury Sicilian specialties like saffron-spiced arancini and scacciata (an addictive stuffed flatbread) – you’re sure to leave the premises stuffed!

23 Riviera Road, Avondale Heights

State Line

For an amazing coffee, breakfast and brunch, the ever reliable State Line is a safe bet. 

Passionate about bringing innovative dishes that are influenced by the food culture of Los Angeles, this relaxed, friendly neighbourhood café is home to one of the tastiest breakfast burritos in town, and plenty of dishes with vegan alternatives too. 

Enjoy the charming community vibes and pared back, minimalist space, as you sip happily on expertly crafted coffee, a fresh juice or smoothie. 

Other menu highlights include the golden tofu scramble with zesty salad, potato rosti and green goddess dressing and the grilled halloumi toastie, with herbed mushrooms, black bean truffle aioli, pickles and a fried egg sitting sunny side up.

Shop 6-7/51 Military Road, Avondale Heights

Particle Cafe 

Get ready for a healthier alternative to brunching, yet still so amazingly tasty! Particle is a 100% vegan cafe, with plenty of gluten-free options thrown in for good measure. If you're looking for a delicious smoothie bowl out west, this is the spot to head, pronto. It's small but with a big heart, brimming with great food and service and all the community vibrancy you want from your local cafe. 

With the special smoothie bowl menu constantly rotating with new ones, you’ll never be bored, either. Each and every of their bowl is so colourful and pretty to eat; we recommend the Cookie Dough Smoothie Bowl. It's so heavenly, with house-made muesli, berries, fudge brownie bites, banana, peanut butter, almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Matcha pancakes, veggie patch-style plates and fried 'chicken' burgers also feature. 

47 Military Road, Avondale Heights

Greenwich Deli

A pint-sized sandwich shop has arrived in Newport's backstreets, and it's set to steal your heart (and all your money) with its regular rotation of seven mouth-wateringly good sandwiches. Think stacked pastrami Reubens, a fried eggplant, olive tapenade, pesto and spicy vodka sauce sub, and an eggs benny style (pairing braised beef with a hot butter mayo, pickled onion, shredded lettuce and fermented chilli) on brioche bun. The occasional daily special is the chicken and avocado melt with sweet chilli mayo - and it's a must-try!

70 Hall Street, Newport

Leroys

Specialty coffee, scrumptious brunch dishes, good vibes and friendly people await at Leroys, a charming Newport cafe. Swing by on the weekend, bring your bestie and try and snag a table out on the sidewalk in the sunshine. The buzzy yet relaxed atmosphere is a big win. Order up a couple of Bloody Mary's (or bottomless Mimosas for two hours), watch the locals stream out for takeaway coffees with their doggos by their side, and indulge in fare like Mexican green chilli chicken waffles, burnt butter scrambled eggs with crispy chilli oil and acai bowls. 

5 Mason Street, Newport

Candied Bakery

Armed with an impressive repertoire of fresh baked goods, this westside neighbourhood bakery and cafe is also renowned for the scrumptious array of in-house made pastries. While savoury bites are available, including a hearty and magically delicious Philly Cheesesteak sandwich (on occasion), peeling your eyes away from the likes of cream cheese and custard, pistachio cream and peaches and cream pastries is a mighty task. We're partial to their range of delicious croissants, like these earl grey and lemon golden wonders. The crack pie and vanilla slice donut are also must try. Keep an eye out for their tiramisu ones as well. 

81A Hudsons Road, Spotswood

Pango

Newport café Pango is a fantastic hub for locals who stream in for pitch perfect coffee, vibrant, seasonal dishes and a relaxed, Sunday morning vibe that leads to even more relaxing wine-hued afternoons. The corner spot is instantly recognisable, painted in a distinctive mint colour with wide communal outdoor benches.

Start the morning strong with a bacon or smoked salmon benny laden with beetroot hollandaise, go traditional with zucchini-corn fritters, chilli scrambled eggs and smashed avo bruschetta, or take an international turn with shakshuka or potato and cheese croquettes, with slow cooked beef brisket, oyster mushrooms and a chimi churri sauce. 

Sitchu Tip: Their pasta and vino nights are also a must. 

24 Hall Street, Newport 

If you love trying out a new café every weekend, why not hit up these phenomenal spots for breakfast and brunch in the CBD or these decadent high teas? Walk it off afterwards by exploring these must visit art galleries across the city.