East Melbourne has 15 verified spots worth your time for cafes. Every venue below is a real, operating business with a Google listing — no placeholder names, no made-up addresses.
| Venue | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riché - Cafe Richmond | 4.8/5 | 980 | $$ |
| acidity. bar & coffee | 4.8/5 | 62 | — |
| Roccella Italian Restaurant East Melbourne | 4.7/5 | 2596 | $$ |
| Roule Galette | 4.7/5 | 2175 | $$ |
| Black Gold | 4.7/5 | 666 | $$ |
| Friends of the Earth Melbourne Food Coop & Cafe | 4.7/5 | 281 | — |
| CHEFS JUNGLE Breakfast Lunch & Private Dinner | 4.7/5 | 258 | — |
| Long Street Coffee | 4.7/5 | 216 | $$ |
1. Riché - Cafe Richmond
Address: 3/189 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Rating: 4.8/5 (980 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 980 Google reviews. Rated 4.8/5 by locals.
2. acidity. bar & coffee
Address: Unit 3/240, Unit 3/228 Victoria St, Richmond
Rating: 4.8/5 (62 reviews)
acidity. bar & coffee is a verified local spot in East Melbourne. Check their latest hours and menu before visiting.
3. Roccella Italian Restaurant East Melbourne
Address: 158 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (2,596 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 2,596 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
4. Roule Galette
Address: Shop 1/241 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (2,175 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 2,175 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
5. Black Gold
Address: 285 Lennox St, Richmond
Rating: 4.7/5 (666 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 666 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
6. Friends of the Earth Melbourne Food Coop & Cafe
Address: 312 Smith Street, Collingwood
Rating: 4.7/5 (281 reviews)
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 281 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
7. CHEFS JUNGLE Breakfast Lunch & Private Dinner
Address: 115 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (258 reviews)
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 258 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
8. Long Street Coffee
Address: 45 Little Hoddle Street, Richmond
Rating: 4.7/5 (216 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 216 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
9. East Melbourne General Store
Address: 53 Hotham Street, East Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (174 reviews)
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 174 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
10. Bar Carlo
Address: 20 Meyers Place, Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (81 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 81 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
11. Mamas Gozleme
Address: 14 Birrarung Marr Walk, Melbourne
Rating: 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 55 Google reviews. Rated 4.7/5 by locals.
12. Dymocks Melbourne
Address: Lower Ground Floor, 234 Collins Street, Melbourne
Rating: 4.6/5 (3,005 reviews)
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 3,005 Google reviews. Rated 4.6/5 by locals.
13. Shortstop Coffee & Donuts
Address: 12 Sutherland Street, Melbourne
Rating: 4.6/5 (1,707 reviews)
Price: Affordable
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 1,707 Google reviews. Rated 4.6/5 by locals.
14. Blackcat Fitzroy
Address: 252 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Rating: 4.6/5 (1,195 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
Blackcat Fitzroy is a verified local spot in East Melbourne. Check their latest hours and menu before visiting.
15. South of Johnston
Address: 46 Oxford St, Collingwood
Rating: 4.6/5 (1,173 reviews)
Price: Mid-range
A local cafe in East Melbourne with 1,173 Google reviews. Rated 4.6/5 by locals.
About This Guide
Every venue in this guide is a verified, currently operating business sourced from Google Places API. Data last refreshed: 2026-03-31. If a venue has closed or moved, let us know.
More East Melbourne: East Melbourne Suburb Guide · Cost of Living · All East Melbourne Guides
Top Cafe Picks
Square & Compass
A polished East Melbourne brunch staple with strong coffee, bright interiors and a menu that suits both weekday catch-ups and slower weekend breakfasts. It is especially useful if you want a proper sit-down cafe meal without drifting into the CBD.
KereKere Green
Set beside Fitzroy Gardens, KereKere Green is ideal for coffee, pastries, toasties and a calmer garden-side pause. It works best as a pre-walk, post-walk or picnic-adjacent stop rather than a rushed office coffee run.
Grocery Bar East Melbourne
Grocery Bar East Melbourne is a dependable local option for brunch, sandwiches, pastries and takeaway coffee. It is a good pick around the hospital and Victoria Parade side of the suburb, especially when you want something practical but still cafe-quality.
East Melbourne General Store
East Melbourne General Store has the neighbourhood charm of an old-school milk bar with coffee, toasties, pies, milkshakes and grocery essentials. Go here for a casual, local-feeling stop rather than a long brunch session.
Basement Espresso
Basement Espresso is a quieter pick for coffee near East Melbourne’s medical and office precincts. It is best for a quick caffeine stop, simple breakfast or low-key meeting when you want to avoid the busier brunch crowd.
Local Tips
East Melbourne is not a dense cafe suburb like Fitzroy, Carlton or Collingwood, so the best approach is to plan by pocket. For garden time, choose KereKere Green; for a fuller brunch, choose Square & Compass; for errands and local character, choose East Melbourne General Store.
Weekday mornings can be shaped by hospital staff, office workers and commuters, especially around Victoria Parade. If you want a quieter seat, aim after the first coffee rush or closer to late morning.
Fitzroy Gardens changes the cafe rhythm here. A takeaway coffee and pastry often makes more sense than locking into a long meal, particularly on clear days.
Check hours before travelling, as smaller East Melbourne cafes can close earlier than inner-north brunch venues. The City of Melbourne’s official What’s On guide lists local cafe options including KereKere Green and Grocery Bar East Melbourne: What’s On Melbourne.
FAQ
What is the best cafe in East Melbourne for brunch?
Square & Compass is the strongest all-round brunch choice, especially if you want a proper menu, table service feel and reliable coffee. Grocery Bar East Melbourne is also a good option for a more casual brunch or takeaway-friendly meal.
Where should I get coffee near Fitzroy Gardens?
KereKere Green is the obvious choice because it sits right by the gardens and suits walkers, families and visitors. It is better for a relaxed coffee or light bite than a heavy brunch.
Are East Melbourne cafes good for takeaway?
Yes, especially around Victoria Parade and the garden edges. Grocery Bar East Melbourne, Basement Espresso, East Melbourne General Store and KereKere Green all suit quick coffee, sandwiches or pastries without needing a long sit-down meal.
