Best cafes in bayside Melbourne

FROM Cheltenham to Chelsea, Bangholme to Bonbeach — these are the best cafes and coffee shops in the outer bayside suburbs.

WHAT'S not to love about a beachside brunch date?

Digging into some smashed avo and sipping a skinny latte while overlooking the bay seems like a pretty epic way to kick off the weekend.

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Thankfully, Melbourne's bayside suburbs have upped their breakfast ante, with cool coffee cafes and contemporary local eateries popping up everywhere from Black Rock to Bangholme, Moorabbin to Mordialloc.

Here’s our guide to Port Phillip peninsula’s best brunch spots.

*This is how we calculated our suburban cafe boundaries

BEST CAFES IN MELBOURNE’S OUTER BAYSIDE SUBURBS

ASPENDALE

TWO FARM GIRLS: 133 NEPEAN HWY, ASPENDALE

Fresh, wholesome brunch dishes with a farm-to-plate mentality.

BUTCH & SUNDANCE: 133 NEPEAN HWY, ASPENDALE

Providore and cafe dishing up scrumptious, homemade treats.

BANGHOLME

THE CRAFT & CO FARM: 170 RIVEREND RD, BANGHOLME

A unique, 40-acre site with cafe, winery, cellar door and farm. Sister site to @TheCraftandCo in Collingwood.

BEAUMARIS

RICKETT’S POINT BEACHSIDE CAFE: 243 BEACH RD, BEAUMARIS

A beachside institution (has been around for more than 50 years) overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

GINGER FOX CAFE: 23 SOUTH CONCOURSE, BEAUMARIS

Genovese coffee and a menu that features all your breakfast faves.

EST ESPRESSO & KITCHEN: 38 EAST CONCOURSE, BEAUMARIS

Organic, sustainable and seasonal produce come together to create a pretty epic menu. We love the hazelnut pancakes with mandarin, chocolate, berries and marshmallows and the sesame-crusted eggs with smoked salmon, smashed avo, beetroot cream, chard and fetta.

BLACK ROCK

CAFETERIA: 36 BLUFF RD, BLACK ROCK

Laid-back neighbourhood eatery with a focus on fresh and seasonal. Toby’s Estate beans on pour.

FLAVOURS PATISSERIE: 31 BLUFF RD, BLACK ROCK

The ultimate coffee and cake stop.

UNCLE BART ESPRESSO BAR & KITCHEN: 607 BALCOMBE RD, BLACK ROCK

Quality coffee and serious waffle stacks.

EBENEZER COFFEE & WINE BAR: 615 BALCOMBE RD, BLACK ROCK

Coffee, wine and all-day breakfast. What more could you want in life?

BONBEACH

THE LITTLE FRENCH DELI: 524 NEPEAN HWY, BONBEACH

Bringing a taste of France to the bayside. The Croque-Monsieur with apple and brown onion chutney, cornichons and pickled onions is pretty hard to beat.

CARRUM

THE WHOLESOME NEST: 642 NEPEAN HWY, CARRUM

Laneway coffee shop inside Beach Lane — a share space designed to foster creative community, artistic works and support entrepreneurial start up ventures.

CAFE MOTO: 612 NEPEAN HWY, CARRUM

Cafe-come-motorcycle garage with delicious food, motoring paraphernalia and Food Truck Sundays.

FREDDIE’S COFFEE: 503A STATION ST, CARRUM

Kitchen, bar and deli. It is rumoured to have some of the best coffee on the peninsula.

CARRUM DOWNS

THE MUSTARD SEED CAFE: 47B/100 HALL RD, CARRUM DOWNS

Come for the freakshakes, stay for the food.

FRANKIE’S: BALLARTO RD, CARRUM DOWNS

Smashed avo is life.

CHELSEA

MISS MAGGY’S: 12A/93 WELLS ROAD, CHELSEA HEIGHTS

Protein packs, delicious salads and wholesome home-cooked meals made daily. Get a slice of their raspberry banana spelt bread in your belly. Stat.

WHERE’S YOUR AUNTY: 384A NEPEAN HWY, CHELSEA

Sri Lankan-inspired breakfast spot. Open all day. If you want beef curry with poached eggs for breakfast — this is your place.

TWO FEET FIRST: 451 NEPEAN HWY, CHELSEA

Contemporary cafe with a thoroughly modern menu. The brocollini with beetroot puree, fried egg, crumbed fetta, almond dukkah, flat bread and quinoa tabouli is en pointe. Or, for a sweet fix, try the poached pears with quince, polenta and coconut cake, coconut cream and sweet dukkah.

CHELTENHAM

THE PARLOR MILK BAR & KITCHEN: 40 WEATHERALL RD, CHELTENHAM

An underrated Cheltenham gem.

FRANK’S: 97 CAVANAGH ST, CHELTENHAM

Asian and French fusion menu. If it’s good enough for Georgia Love, it’s good enough for us.

TWO BOB SNOB: 256 CHARMAN RD, CHELTENHAM

A cafe for self-confessed coffee snobs. Because Melbourne.

MILKBOY ESPRESSO & KITCHEN: SHOP 1, RAILWAY WALK, 255 CHARMAN RD, CHELTENHAM

Proud Mary coffee. Mad tunes. Great menu. There is not much we don’t love about this Cheltenham local. Plus, it’s conveniently located right across from the station for when you need that AM coffee hit.

JOHNNY DANTE: 253 CHARMAN RD, CHELTENHAM

Bustling weekend brunch spot. Try the Johnny Stack — hash brown with local asparagus, smashed avo, goat’s curd, smoked salmon, poached eggs and pistachio dukkah.

THE ODD ROOM: 323 BAY RD, CHELTENHAM

Specialty Coffee. Breakfast. Lunch. We’re already salivating.

IL GIARDINO CAFE: GILL’S NURSERY, 266 BAY RD, CHELTENHAM

Fully licensed and open all day for breakfast and lunch.

CLAYTON

TWOSOME STORY: 300 CLAYTON RD, CLAYTON

Contemporary fitout and delicious coffee.

THE GRAIN EMPORIUM: 318 CLAYTON RD, CLAYTON

Bakery and cafe. Hand-crafted, stone-baked breads. This is a party-lover’s paradise.

DINGLEY VILLAGE

MATCH & CO CAFE: SHOP 13-14 109/79 CENTRE DANDENONG RD, DINGLEY VILLAGE

Bustling, family-friendly cafe. Kick off your weekend with some Nutella, honeycomb and vanilla ice cream waffles. Because Satur-yay, #amiright?

EDITHVALE

SOUL PRESS: 265 NEPEAN HWY, EDITHVALE

Food for the soul. Like smoothies, acai bowls and salted caramel waffles. Plant-based, vegan and allergy friendly.

FRANKSTON

OL’MATE COFFEE: 465 NEPEAN HWY, FRANKSTON

Specialty blend from Commonfolk Coffee in Mornington paired with a delicious menu and creative desserts.

STEREO ESPRESSO: 4 WELLS ST, FRANKSTON

Specialty coffee and hot jam doughnut jaffles. That is all you need to know.

EENY MEENY: 96 YOUNG STREET FRANKSTON

Creative cafe with a rotating specials board of menu magic. Try the activated turmeric toast with peanut butter, black pepper, roasted coconut, ginger and spring onion. Or go all out with the grilled haloumi and braised mushrooms on Noisette Bakery grain toast.

ROCOTILLOS: 36 WELLS ST, FRANKSTON

Fresh food and friendly service. Tick.

THE MILKMAN : 8 KANANOOK CREEK BLVD, FRANKSTON

To quote Fergie, you got that Milkman money?

HEATHERTON

OTTO LANE: 8 ARCO LN, HEATHERTON

BRB. Waffles.

HIGHETT

BLUE DISH: 326 HIGHETT RD, HIGHETT

Well, what are you waiting for?

MONKEY CAN FLY: 519 HIGHETT RD, HIGHETT

Coffee by 5 Senses so you know it has to be good.

THE DIPLOMAT: 4 RAILWAY PARADE, HIGHETT

Get in my belly.

LYNDHURST

COCO BEAN DESSERTS & CAFE: 10-18 SOCIETY AVENUE, LYNDHURST

Smashed avo lovers unite.

LYNBROOK

SUBURBAN GRIND CAFE: LYNBROOK VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE, 28/75 LYNBROOK BLVD, LYNBROOK

Rise and grind, Lynbook.

MENTONE

THE GRAZERY: 144 BALCOMBE RD, MENTONE

Healthy food — fresh, preservative free, healthy food, fast.

LE ROI: 44 COMO PARADE WEST, MENTONE

Busy cafe opposite Mentone station. The smashed avo on dark rye with feta and pomegranate is a smart choice.

CHAIN OF FOOLS: 68 BEACH RD, MENTONE

Environmentally friendly, across from Mentone beach. Stop in for a rainbow latte or a fresh-baked fig and chocolate brownie.

THE CORNER STORE: 1 SWANSTON ST, MENTONE

Trendy neighbourhood cafe with rad eats.

MOORABBIN

THE TRADESMAN: 1/260 WICKHAM RD, MOORABBIN

Trust us, you want to pay this place a visit.

MISS MAVIS: 20 CORPORATE DR, MOORABBIN

Sister of Notting Hill’s Little Collins Cafe. Hearty fare, made with love.

CAFE SICILIADOLCE: 74/80 KEYS RD, MOORABBIN

A southern Italian-inspired pasticceria. The torciglione (doughnut cannoli filled with custard cream) are what your tastebuds’ dreams are made of.

MORDIALLOC

HENDRIKS CAFÉ: 107 WHITE ST MORDIALLOC

Bread and butter pudding is always a good idea. Likewise, the deconstructed matcha cheesecake.

MAIN STREET CAFÉ: 503-505 MAIN ST, MORDIALLOC

Get a doffle in you. That's right — a doughnut waffle with toasted marshmallows, crushed hazelnuts, Nutella mascarpone and fresh strawberries.

SEED CAFÉ: 9 CENTREWAY MORDIALLOC

It doesn’t get much Benny that this.

RUSTIC BAKERY CAFÉ: 5/540 MAIN ST MORDIALLOC

Artisan bakery and cafe. Organic and fair-trade coffee. No GMOs, additives or preservatives. Just deliciousness.

PARKDALE

PARKDALE BEACH CAFÉ: BEACH FORESHORE, BEACH RD, PARKDALE

Sprawling beachfront cafe with outdoor picnic tables overlooking the water and a sun-drenched courtyard.

PARKERS CAFÉ: 79 PARKERS ROAD, PARKDALE

Contemporary space and a modern menu. Try the smashed avo or the PoTacos — crispy skin potato shell with chilli scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, crème cheese, tomato salsa and hollandaise sauce.

CAFÉ ON WARREN: 83/85 WARREN RD, PARKDALE

Drool alert. Head chef Hugh Sanderson is bringing sexy back to the suburbs. His plating skills are seriously on point. And the menu? Divine.

THE LOCAL ON COMO: 254 COMO PARADE WEST, PARKDALE

The place to go when you have a hankering for jaffles, waffles, crepes or coffee.

PERRY COMO CAFÉ WINE BAR: 196 COMO PARADE WEST, PARKDALE

Coffee, cocktails and chorizo meatballs. And yes, there is chocolate oozing out of that muffin.

SEAFORD

CRACKERJACK WATERFRONT CAFÉ: 4/1N NEPEAN HWY, SEAFORD

Beachfront cafe with a cracking menu. We can’t get enough of this crumbed pork cutlet with roasted root vegetable and apple salad, hummus and dukkah-coated goat’s cheese.

BEACH CAFÉ: 1/10N, NEPEAN HWY, SEAFORD

That view though.

BEAR AND CUB: 37 ARMSTRONGS RD, SEAFORD

Kid-friendly cafe-come-art gallery. Yummy food, treats, chai, smoothies and recycled fashion.

HAVE WE MISSED YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.