Diners' Choice: Cafe Dining restaurants in Melbourne

OpenTable

Updated 05 September 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Cafe Dining cuisine in Melbourne? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Secret Grounds Cafe Doncaster

4.7

4.7 (50)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Doncaster

About the restaurant

At Secret Grounds Café in Doncaster, we serve up delicious, feel-good food in a warm and welcoming space. Our Pumpkin Smash is a local favourite, loaded with maple-roasted pumpkin, sumac avocado, blistered halloumi, and a perfectly poached egg on sourdough.

If you're in the mood for something sweet, our Banana & Blueberry Hotcake, topped with fresh berries, butterscotch, and ice cream, is a must-try. Pair it with our tropical Bahamas smoothie for the perfect start to your day.

More than just great food, we’re all about good vibes and friendly service.
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, catching up with friends, or treating yourself to brunch, we make sure every visit feels special. Come in, relax, and enjoy a meal made with love at Secret Grounds Café (Doncaster's best kept secret!)

Top review

Andrea

Dined on 10 Jul 2026

Always a great location for a group of carers to get together for a lovely meal and some well earned time off from caring. The staff are genuinely lovely and the food choices are fabulous. Thanks again, we'll be back

Two Birds One Stone

4.7

4.7 (209)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

South Yarra

About the restaurant

Two Birds One Stone Café is a bright, bustling, sophisticated café located in South Yarra

Top review

Michelle

Dined on 4 Jul 2026

Food is absolutely amazing and service is outstanding! Always a pleasant experience here, thank you.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Rivers Cafe and Foodstore

4.6

4.6 (2161)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Yarrambat

About the restaurant

We are fully licensed Cafe and offer indoor table service and outside takeaway dining. Enjoy views of our garden and lakeside setting along with resident ducks, turtles and kangaroos!
Celebration Cakes
We do not allow cakes to be brought in, however we can make one for you with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. Just call us on 9436 3210.
About Us
Located within the iconic Rivers of Yarrambat Lifestyle Centre, we are known locally and regionally for our truly unique offer. Expect quality food, friendly service, health inspired dishes and home grown produce from our kitchen garden. Star dishes include our posh cheese, Berry crepes and Belgian lemon teacake.
Dietary
We cater for vegetarian, gluten free, vegan and dairy free diets.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 2 days ago

Great friendly staff. Good selection of yummy food. Lovely atmosphere with pleasant surroundings. Highly recommended. Ample parking.

Rosso Coffee North Melbourne

4.8

4.8 (78)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

North Melbourne

About the restaurant

Forget everything you thought about Melbourne cafes and jump on-board the Rosso Coffee Experience.

This brand new concept is founded in quality – there’s great food and of course, the coffee is exceptional – but the Rosso team want you to embrace your inner-barista and take ‘the group by the hand’ to lift your coffee game.

Book a time that suits you and be personally guided through our make-your-own-coffee bar.

If you are a beginner and are keen to learn the basics, or if you are a passionate coffee nerd and want to fine tune your coffee skills for your fancy home kit, our baristas will give you one-on-one instruction.

Check out our roastery at the back of the cafe, take some of our coffee beans home, stay for brunch and enjoy our seasonal menu by Chef Michael Bernerger Kevin.

We got you and your coffee needs covered.

Top review

Eileen

Dined on 11 Sept 2026

Fun coffee experience & Stephen was very knowledgeable! Food was delicious :)

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Experience

Single Origin Cupping Session

Arthur's Milkbar

4.6

4.6 (33)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Kew

About the restaurant

Arthur's Milkbar brings nostalgic Australian café culture to life in the heart of Kew. Our vibrant eatery celebrates classic milkbar traditions with a contemporary twist, serving everything from hearty all-day breakfasts to indulgent milkshakes and house-made sweet treats. With its retro-inspired décor and welcoming atmosphere, Arthur's is the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch with friends or a quick coffee on the go. Located conveniently in Kew, we pride ourselves on friendly service, quality ingredients, and creating memorable dining experiences for locals and visitors alike.

Top review

Jane

Dined 2 days ago

First time to Arthur’s Milk Bar- loved it - staff were adorable 💙💙

ST. ALi Coffee Roasters - South Melbourne

4.7

4.7 (31)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

South Melbourne

About the restaurant

ST. ALi South Melbourne stands as a beloved cornerstone of Melbourne's vibrant coffee culture, serving exceptional specialty coffee and innovative breakfast dishes in the heart of South Melbourne. Our expertly crafted menu features locally sourced ingredients and creative takes on breakfast classics, complemented by our signature house-roasted coffee blends. Whether you're seeking a perfect flat white to start your day or a leisurely brunch experience, ST. ALi offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that embodies the essence of Melbourne's renowned café scene.

Top review

Grace

Dined 2 days ago

Food, drinks and service was amazing. Mum had the crab soufflé and said it was the best meal she had ever had! Highly recommend

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Experience

Coffee and Cake Reservation

Experience

ST. ALi Christmas 2026

Ophelia Westgarth

4.6

4.6 (101)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Northcote

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ophelia Westgarth, a charming restaurant in the heart of Northcote where we offer a relaxed yet refined dining experience.

We’re all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to ensure every dish is as vibrant and fresh as it can be. Pair your meal with our expertly brewed specialty coffee or try something unique, like our Miso butterscotch Latte—perfect for a morning pick-me-up or a leisurely brunch.

Set in a stylish and inviting space, Ophelia Westgarth is the perfect spot for casual catch-ups or solo coffee breaks. Our friendly team is here to make every visit special, whether you’re enjoying a hearty meal or just popping in for one of our fresh pastries.

Top review

Ashleigh

Dined on 4 Sept 2026

Incredible experience! Thank you so much. Food and its quality was amazing, as well as the lovely servers! Have already recommended to a few people and will continue to do so. Thanks team :)

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Experience

$20 PASTA NIGHT - Tuesdays & Thursdays

Experience

$35 Steak Frites Night

Experience

Cafe Dining | 60 - 90mins

Goonawarra Cafe

4.5

4.5 (39)

$41 to $100

Cafe Dining

Sunbury

About the restaurant

Set within the sun-drenched walls of our historic 1863 bluestone estate, the Goona Warra Café is where heritage charm meets modern culinary exploration. Under the guidance of our Head Chef, the menu departs from the expected, offering a fusion-inspired take on seasonal dining. We pair the finest produce from the Macedon Ranges with global techniques—creating vibrant, aromatic dishes that are as storied as the landscape itself. Whether you're stopping in for a bold morning brew or a long, curiosity-led lunch, we invite you to settle in and savour the art of the unexpected.

Top review

Zoe

Dined on 6 Sept 2026

Best Breakfast I’ve had on the 2 occasions I’ve been!

Operator Diner

4.3

4.3 (33)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

A diner style café by the Operator25 team, serving all day breakfast, coffees & sandwiches. Overlooking the park in Wesley Place, it is a comforting space with warm and cosy vibes. Enjoy classic breakfast staples such as pancakes & breakfast muffins, as well as specialty sandwiches with a Melbourne twist when dining here, alongside house made specials such as ice tea, lemonade & milkshakes, on top of coffee by Code Black.

Top review

Lamar

Dined on 10 Sept 2026

The food is immaculate Good portions, flavorful and well cooked The staff are so friendly and welcoming always and despite how busy it is Not my first and won’t be my last meal

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Experience

$50pp No Biggie Large Group Bookings

Heide Kitchen

4.3

4.3 (73)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Bulleen

About the restaurant

At Heide Kitchen, we serve Modern Australian lunch inspired by the garden and the farm.

Our menu features fresh produce from the Heide Kitchen Gardens and the Common Ground Project farm, highlighting vibrant seasonal dishes built for sharing or enjoying solo. Guests can order from our selection of café staples or choose a picnic basket to enjoy in our expansive gardens and sculpture park.

We complement the food with a thoughtful beverage offering that includes coffee, local wine, and non-alcoholic choices, all intended to reflect the same mindful sourcing as our menu.

Our atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, set against the backdrop of museum gardens. Families and friends gather under trees, sit in our light-filled dining room, or stroll through sculpture as plates arrive — it’s dining grounded in nature, art, and community.

Top review

Danielle

Dined 4 days ago

We had a delicious lunch following the Brassai exhibition. The food was excellent and the service very good.

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Experience

BOOK A PICNIC HAMPER

Experience

CHEFS SET MENU | 2 Course $48

Experience

BOOK A TABLE

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