Restaurant Reviews

The best cafés in Australia, city by city

Brunch and a batch brew? Avocado toast and a flat white? These are the best cafés in the country right now according to our GT 2020 Restaurant Guide.

Hardware Société
It's no secret that Australia has perfected it's café culture. The simple combination of a good breakfast and even greater coffee is one of our greatest exports in recent times. Brunch and a batch brew? Avo toast and a flat white? Here's our quick-fire hitlist of the best cafés in Australia right now, according to our Gourmet Traveller 2020 Restaurant Guide.

Adelaide

Classic pastry technique and modern tweaks with a Venice Beach aesthetic.
What to order: Outstanding sfogliatelle.
78 Pirie St, Adelaide, (08) 7099 2210
Come for the expert barista work, stay for the all-day menu that features a whopping three-cheese and 'nduja toasted sandwich.
What to order: Whatever the Aeropress calls for.
1-3/12-18 Vardon Ave, Adelaide, 0415 966 225

Top-notch beans from quality farms around the world, brewed in a sunny open-plan warehouse space.
What to order: Filter coffee.
9-17 Young St, Adelaide, 0450 066 216
On-site roasting ensures that whatever ends up in the cup is always a cut above the rest.
What to order: The Traffic Stopper.
191 Wright St, Adelaide, (08) 8410 7408

Brisbane

A speedy, no-fuss authentic Vietnamese café using premium produce and offering plenty of vegan options.
What to order: The ultra-flavourful vegan pho chay.
15 Cracknell Red, Annerley, (07) 3255 9778
This good-looking CBD laneway bolthole under-promises yet over-delivers.
What to order: The crumbed pork rillettes burger.
50 Burnett Ln, Brisbane, (07) 3161 7966

Tightly run Scandinavian-leaning neighbourhood café that's several notches above the competition.
What to order: The aptly named Forest Floor.
31 MacGregor St, Wilston, 0458 159 945

Canberra

A popular, pocket-sized pit stop flaunting great flatties and stellar cold brew.
What to order: Mushroom congee.
59/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon, 0423 100 814

The home of coffee guru Saša Šestić's world-beating brew.
What to order: The Black Betty blend.
1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra

Hobart

Equal parts inventive and dependable.
What to order: Scrambled silken tofu.
338 Elizabeth St, North Hobart, (03) 6231 0508
The Art Deco Mercury building is home to Hobart's best bread and pastries.
What to order: The lemon tart.
32 Argyle St, Hobart

Melbourne

Attitude-free coffee fanaticism complete with ethically-sourced, house-roasted beans and a couple of pastries.
What to order: Espresso, filter or pour over.
247 Flinders La, Melbourne, (03) 9417 5578
Indulgent brunch (duck and burrata in the mix), plus great coffee and cocktails.
What to order: Lobster Benedict.
10 Katherine Pl, Melbourne, (03) 9078 5992
Multi-tasking café, produce store and wine shop in a marble and stone foyer.
What to order: The porchetta roll.
161 Collins St, Melbourne, (03) 9639 8264
Best croissants in the country and then more precision-baked goods to paralyse the decision-phobic.
What to order: The almond croissant.
119 Rose St, Fitzroy

Cheese toasties and other cheeserelated eats from Melbourne's premier cheese guy, Anthony Femia.
What to order: Swiss raclette toastie.
Stall 25, Prahran Market,163-165 Commercial Rd, South Yarra, +61 413 900 490
Katsu sandos (classic pork and beyond) and excellent coffee to boot.
What to order: Your call – crumbed pork, chicken, wagyu or prawn.
Level 2, 260 Collins St, Melbourne

Perth

This "coffee concept store" takes caffeine very seriously.
What to order: The $7 all-you-can-drink tasting is tailor-made for coffee geeks.
41 Welshpool Rd, Welshpool, (08) 6162 1034
Pastries? Recovery breakfast? Your daily bread? This Perth favourite - via its many outlets - has you covered.
What to order: Cheese on toast.
507 Beaufort St, Highgate, 0499 509 300

Sydney

A move two doors down and a striking re-design have reinvigorated this Sydney breakfast institution.
What to order: Those ricotta hotcakes.
359 Crown St, Surry Hills, (02) 9360 4762
Thai classics and Western twists collide at this all-day café-cum-grocer offshoot of the Chat Thai empire.
What to order: Pandan custard croissant.
1/425 Pitt St, Haymarket, (02) 9281 2114

Some of the city's best bread and standout coffee in a compact corner spot.
What to order: The almighty bacon sandwich.
206 Cleveland St, Chippendale,(02) 9698 7880
Mecca remains a benchmark for coffee connoisseurs.
What to order: Any of their impeccable roasts in filter or espresso form.
26 Bourke Rd, Alexandria, (02) 9698 8448

Freshness wins the day at this Newtown newcomer, where everything's under $20.
What to order: The seasonal salads.
Shop 1/131 Wilson St, Newtown
The tight space is always cramped for a reason – reliable café fare done right.
What to order: Avocado on toast doesn't get much better.
10 Llankelly Pl, Potts Point, 0432 445 342
The newly renovated Surry Hills stalwart now sports a DIY batch-brew tap bar.
What to order: The Gone Bush breakfast.
60-64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills (02) 9211 0665
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