Some family venues trade in crusty ballpits, purple monsters and dicey nutritional values. Others prefer to prioritise culinary merit, warmth of service and amenities that make dining out with the clan a thing of pleasure. The latter tend to be the ones we hold dear – for example, every cafe listed below.

We’ve pulled this list together for Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025. Presented by T2, this guide celebrates the people and places that shape our excellent cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 10 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea, coffee and matcha, and where to get the city’s best sweets, sandwiches and baked goods.

Now, all you need is a bit of sun for a fun day out.

Levi

Lovely and light, large but cleverly designed with cosy pockets, this brunch destination for the south-east wears many hats. An all-day menu stretches from clear-the-cobwebs eggs Benedict with brisket to vibrant soba noodle salads. Meanwhile, wine and beer mingle with lattes and smoothies. Colouring and crayons are dispatched to children without delay, and meals (for them and you) arrive just as swiftly.

Good to know: The generously spaced Scandi-chic tables are pram and highchair-friendly.

6 Railway Parade, Murrumbeena, levimelbourne.com.au

Tyler’s Milk Bar

Jumbo milkshakes come in old-school metal cups and hefty salad sangers require two hands at this family-run milk bar and cafe. Well-loved card games and books keep little hands busy in the gnome-studded garden as adults tackle French onion toast, a tumble of meaty mushrooms and gooey Maffra cheddar that’s a star of the unpretentious menu. Grown-up Monte Carlo biscuits with raspberry-grappa jam are baked fresh.

Good to know: Staff happily split the giant shakes on request.

656 Plenty Road, Preston, tylersmilkbar.com.au

Rudimentary

Shipping crates and an unused car park had a remarkable glow-up a decade ago to become this crisp and light-filled community favourite. Staff take scissors to the lush kitchen garden for fizzy rosemary, basil and rhubarb shrub, or to garnish brunch stars including a cauliflower croque monsieur with scorched cheesy top. There’s a shaded astroturf lawn for kids and dogs, and Bellinis for their adult supervisors.

Good to know: Street parking is plentiful and unmetered for stress-free long brunches.

16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray, rudimentary.com.au

Matilda

A tribute to European cafe culture that avoids caricature, Matilda’s menu swings from rich (croque madames, three-cheese mushroom toast) to wholesome (acai, overnight oats). House-made cakes such as a courgette-pistachio loaf are superb; better still is bottomless filter coffee.

Good to know: Neighbouring sister venue Petite handles takeaways and lends picnic rugs.

15 Arcade Road, Mont Albert, matildamontalbert.com.au

The Farm Cafe

A cupcake, a babycino and the opportunity to see some cows and ponies? It’s the toddler equivalent of dinner and show. Tucked behind the Abbotsford Convent is the slightly ramshackle but completely joyful Collingwood Children’s Farm cafe. Adults will love the generous avocado toast with poached eggs, beetroot relish and goat’s cheese, or stewed rhubarb topped granola and excellent Streat coffee.

Good to know: Entry is free, accessed from the riverfront bike path.

Main Yarra Trail Collingwood, 18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, farmcafe.com.au

Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025, presented by T2, celebrates the people and places that shape our excellent cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 10 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea, coffee and matcha, and where to get the city’s best sweets, sandwiches and baked goods. Download the Good Food app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to discover what’s near you.