Northcote brunch isn’t a meal — it’s a weekend ceremony. Somewhere between the Saturday morning hangover and the Sunday arvo plan-making, there’s a window where Northcote locals descend on High Street in search of eggs done interestingly, coffee that could restart a dead heart, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you have a load of washing sitting in the machine.
The inner north does brunch better than anywhere else in Melbourne. Northcote specifically has a brunch identity that distinguishes it from its neighbours. It’s less performative than Brunswick, less polished than Fitzroy North, and more community-driven than both. These are places where the staff know the regulars, the menu changes with the seasons, and a plate of eggs will cost you less than the tram fare to get here from the CBD.
1. Maling Room — The Corner Store That Outgrew Its Boots
Where: 389 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 (corner of Maling Road) Best for: Classic brunch done exceptionally well Price: $18-$26 for brunch plates Vibe: Sun-drenched corner position, mismatched chairs, a chalkboard that changes weekly.
Maling Room is where Northcote brunch dreams go to be realised. Sitting at the southern end of High Street where Northcote bleeds into Fitzroy North, this corner cafe has been quietly serving one of the best brunch menus in the inner north for years.
The ricotta hotcakes are the headliner — fluffy, golden, served with seasonal fruit and a honeycomb butter that melts into every crevice. The breakfast burrito is a sleeper hit: scrambled eggs, black beans, pickled jalapenos, and a salsa verde wrapped in a tortilla griddled until it’s crispy in all the right places.
The move: Get there by 9am on a Saturday. By 10, there’s a 20-minute wait. Tuesday mornings are blissfully quiet and they serve the full menu.
2. Dead Man Espresso — The Name Alone Is Worth the Visit
Where: 358A High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Best for: Brunch with attitude. Big flavours, bigger portions. Price: $16-$24 for brunch plates Vibe: Dark timber, exposed brick, the faint smell of smoked meat.
Dead Man Espresso takes brunch seriously without taking itself too seriously. The “Dead Man’s Breakfast” is a full English-style spread with free-range eggs, streaky bacon, chorizo, roasted mushrooms, sourdough, and a tomato relish made in-house. The corn fritters with avocado, pickled red onion, and chilli jam nail the texture: crispy edges, fluffy centre, no sogginess.
The coffee here is strong. Proper strong. Consider a piccolo instead of a flat white — the espresso blend has a punch that can overwhelm a full milk-based drink.
3. Mister Nice — The One That Breaks the Rules
Where: 206 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Best for: Sweet brunch. If you have a sweet tooth, stop reading and go here. Price: $15-$22 for brunch plates Vibe: Bright, pastel, Instagram-friendly without being obnoxious.
Mister Nice does what most brunch spots won’t: commits fully to the sweet side. The fluffy Japanese-style souffle pancakes are the main event — towering, wobbly, and served with a rotating cast of toppings including matcha cream, yuzu curd, and salted caramel. The brioche French toast with bacon, maple, and a fried egg bridges the sweet-savoury divide perfectly.
It’s on the smaller side, which means waits on weekends. No bookings.
4. Tuleli — The Italian Nonna Energy
Where: 515 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Best for: Italian-inspired brunch with a deli counter worth browsing Price: $18-$28 for brunch plates Vibe: Warm terracotta tones, imported goods on display, someone’s nonna energy in the kitchen.
Tuleli is part cafe, part Italian deli. The shakshuka — technically North African but with Italian tweaks — is one of the best in Melbourne. A cast-iron pan of spiced tomato sauce with two eggs baked in, served with house-made focaccia. The polenta waffle with mascarpone and roasted stone fruit is the kind of dish that makes you wonder why every menu in Melbourne isn’t doing polenta waffles.
Insider tip: Sit in the back courtyard. It’s tiny — maybe six tables — but it gets afternoon sun in winter and feels like a secret.
5. Wide Open Road — The Brunswick Border Crosser
Where: 296 Lygon Street, Brunswick VIC 3056 Best for: Vegetarian and plant-forward brunch Price: $17-$25 for brunch plates Vibe: Spacious, light, communal. Feels like a well-designed community hall.
Wide Open Road is technically in Brunswick, but it’s so close to the Northcote border that it regularly appears on Northcote locals’ brunch rotation. The shakshuka is legitimately one of the best in Melbourne — warm, not aggressive spicing, with a tomato base reduced until it’s almost jammy. The vegan banana bread is famous for good reason.
Brunch by Budget
| Venue | Avg Brunch Cost | Coffee Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Maling Room | ~$28 | No |
| Dead Man Espresso | ~$25 | No |
| Mister Nice | ~$24 | No |
| Tuleli | ~$30 | No |
| Wide Open Road | ~$27 | No |
Budget tip: Most Northcote brunch spots do a solid coffee + toast combo for $12-$15. Maling Room’s $14 toast with house-made jam and a flat white is the weekday morning power move.
Getting There
All five spots are on or near High Street. The 86 tram from the CBD drops you right on the strip. Northcote station and Merri station (Hurstbridge/Mernda line) are both within walking distance. Parking is free on side streets off High Street — Westbourne Grove and Clarke Street usually have spots on weekend mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best brunch in Northcote for groups? Maling Room handles groups well with its corner layout, or Wide Open Road has communal tables that suit bigger parties.
Where can I brunch with a dog? Maling Room’s outdoor seating is dog-friendly. Tuleli’s courtyard is also welcoming to well-behaved dogs.
Which brunch spot has the shortest wait? Dead Man Espresso is usually the quickest to seat on weekends. Mister Nice has the longest waits due to its size.
The Verdict
Northcote’s brunch scene is deep enough that you could eat somewhere different every weekend for a month and not repeat. The sweet spot is the stretch of High Street between Maling Room at the south end and Tuleli further north — five minutes of walking, three months of brunch discovery. Start with the ricotta hotcakes at Maling Room. Work your way from there.
More on Northcote: Northcote Suburb Guide · Best Cafes in Northcote · Best Coffee in Northcote · Cheap Eats in Northcote
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