Best cafes in Melbourne’s outer north east

FROM Heidelberg to Hurstbridge, Doncaster to Doreen, these are our fave cafes and coffee shops in the outer ‘burbs.

This Maxijohn — lemon and blueberry semifreddo sandwiched between two gingerbread waffles, finished with lemon curd and blueberry gel — might just be the best thing that ever happened to brunch. Down the Rabbit Hole Cafe: we salute you.

WITH Melbourne’s suburban sprawl showing no signs of slowing down, it’s no wonder more people are buying north. And businesses are starting to follow suit.

Gone are the days of having to trek into the inner enclaves for your weekly dose of smashed avo and small batch specialty coffee. As the old saying goes; ‘move there, and the coffee will come.’

This couldn’t be more true for Melbourne's burgeoning north eastern suburbs, where the weekend cafe scene is — and has been for years — totally thriving.

From Macleod and Montmorency to Warandyte and Wonga Park, these are the best places to nosh in the north east.

CAFE GUIDE: BRUNCH GEMS IN THE NORTH

CAFE GUIDE: BEST OF THE WEST

CAFE GUIDE: WHERE TO EAT IN THE SOUTH EAST

THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTHERN SUBURBS

Best cafes in Melbourne's outer north eastern suburbs

*This is how we have calculated Melbourne’s outer suburban boundaries.

BUNDOORA

HILL CAFE: 12 ORMOND BLV, BUNDOORA

Traditional Vietnamese street food dished up in a bustling, vibrant atmosphere. The banh mi and bo la lot are fresh and delicious, and the slow-cooked clay pots are pretty epic.

PREGO ESPRESSO BAR: 31/25 PLENTY RD, BUNDOORA

Coffee, focaccias and fresh-baked treats.

MINI ME MANGO CAFE: 24 SCHOLAR DR, BUNDOORA

Known for their raw treats and delicious vegan doughnuts. The green chilli fritters are all time.

LOLLIPOPS: 6/19 ENTERPRISE DR, BUNDOORA

The ideal blend: entertainment for kids, coffee and cake for adults.

CAFE LUCIO: 27 PLENTY ROAD, BUNDOORA

All-day eatery dishing up classic hits at a fair price.

CHIRNSIDE PARK

THE BOSSES BOOTS CAFE: 1 EAST RIDGE DR, CHIRNSIDE PARK

New Chirnside local with a fresh approach and even fresher menu. The folded omelet with marinated artichokes, goats curd, dill and watercress is on point. If you like to get a sweet start, the Bosses Waffles with salted caramel mascarpone, grilled banana and chocolate walnut crumble is a smash hit. Dukes Coffee on pour.

PLATINUM CAFE & RESTAURANT: 1 EAST RIDGE DR, CHIRNSIDE PARK

When a breakfast menu gives you three waffle options, you know it’s going to be pretty epic. Hello, maple syrup and double bacon.

DIAMOND CREEK

PICCOLO MECCHANICO: 57 CHUTE STREET, DIAMOND CREEK

Yield Specialty Coffee. Bearded barista. ‘Nuff said.

PLATTERS CAFE & BAR: 1/67 MAIN HURSTBRIDGE RD, DIAMOND CREEK

Red velvet lattes and lamingtons. *Insert love heart eyes.* Also, try the pulled pork on house-made hash brown.

THE VINES CAFE: 11 CHUTE ST, DIAMOND CREEK

You know it’s a good cafe when even this little guy can’t resist crashing a brunch date.

BRIDIE’S BEANERY: 48-50 MAIN HURSTBRIDGE RD, DIAMOND CREEK

Freakshakes, friendly service and overflowing marshmallow hot chocolates.

DONCASTER

THREE MONKEY’S PLACE: 2 JACKSON CT, DONCASTER EAST

This cute cafe has an epic courtyard and n even more epic menu. The beets and thyme salmon is a delicious work of art.

L’AFFOGATO CAFFE: 3 TUNSTALL SQUARE, DONCASTER EAST

Because scallop omelets.

WIND CHIMES CAFE: 250 BLACKBURN RD, DONCASTER EAST

French toast filled with banana custard and topped with caramelised banana, creamy mascarpone, crunchy pistachios and biscuit crumble. Goes down nicely with a pink latte. The minimalist interior, copper pendants and beautiful green wall make it an Instagrammer’s dream.

INDULGENCE CAFE: 80/181 REYNOLDS RD, DONCASTER EAST

Indonesian-inspired menu. Caters to all dietary requirements.

DOREEN

JOJAYZ CAFE: 25 HAZEL GLEN DR, DOREEN

50s-style diner dishing up much-loved American breakfast classics.

APPRET CAFE: 1/101 HAZEL GLEN DR, DOREEN

We love the fancy smashed avo on sourdough with a drop of beetroot yoghurt. If you're feeling adventurous, the kransky loaded with pulled pork, cheese and BBQ sauce is a little bit naughty but oh so nice.

ELTHAM

SHILLINGLAW CAFÉ, 4 PANTHER PL, ELTHAM

Fresh, handmade food cooked fresh from a historic cottage and garden.

SECOND HOME, 21 BROUGHAM ST, ELTHAM

A beautiful cafe housed in an iconic Alistair Knox-built Eltham warehouse.

CAFÉ ZEN DEN: 736 MAIN RD, ELTHAM

Health-conscious cafe with a focus on fresh, local and gluten-free. Try the house-made crumpets with smoked salmon and avo salsa. Yaaasssss.

THE MAIN, 906 MAIN ROAD: ELTHAM

All-day eatery offering delicious options from breakfast rough to dinner.

THE GLASSHOUSE: 1425 MAIN ROAD, ELTHAM

Dine among the treetops at this spacious brunch spot. Smashed avo, acai bowls and stacked pancakes are local faves.

THE BOULEVARD @ MONTSALVAT: 7 HILLCREST AVE, ELTHAM

Breakfast among the creatives at Australia’s oldest artists colony. Try the roasted field mushrooms on chargrilled rye with basil pesto, Swisse cheese, pumpkin seeds and a poached egg.

ELTHAM TEAHOUSE: 561 MAIN RD, ELTHAM

Donkey knew a think or two.

PAPA BEAR CAFÉ: 972 MAIN RD, ELTHAM

Axil coffee beans. Slow-braised beef cheek pies. Fresh-baked cakes and a focus on gluten-free and vegan options. The raspberry and coconut loaf is a treat for gluten free tastebuds.

VOLUMES CAFÉ: 70 COMMERCIAL PLACE, ELTHAM

Eating, reading, shopping: these are a few of our favourite things. Thankfully, we can do all of them at Volumes.

GREENSBOROUGH

URBAN GROOVES: 99 GRIMSHAW ST, GREENSBOROUGH

Greensborough institution. Open from 8am til late, daily.

TWO YOUNG BOYS: 67 GRIMSHAW ST, GREENSBOROUGH

Tucked away in its own hiding place. Menu offers modern, healthy and organic food. The organic hibiscus poached pear porridge with honey crunch, spice and hibiscus syrup is the epitome of winter comfort food. Coffee by Toby’s Estate.

MABEL JONES: 67 GRIMSHAW ST, GREENSBOROUGH

The new girl next door. Food is art on a plate. Interior is light, bright and contemporary. Love the green ceiling gardens and subway tile accents. A Greensborough go-to.

HEIDELBERG

THE CHAIRMAN CAFE: FRANCIS ST, HEIDELBERG HEIGHTS

Proud Mary beans. Meatball subs. Gluten and dairy-free friendly.

CRATE SPECIALTY COFFEE: 67 HAIG ST, HEIDELBERG HEIGHTS

Maker Fine Coffee. Get around the daily soup and savoury muffin combo. Lunch sorted.

THE TRAIN YARD: 184 BURGUNDY ST, HEIDELBERG

Raw Conscious Cravings Co treats. Sweet and savoury waffles. Beetroot burger buns. Axil coffee. We know you’ll love it.

THE ALLEYWAY: 134 BURGUNDY ST, HEIDELBERG

Light and bright cafe with an industrial edge. It’s all French toast roll-ups, avo smash, brekkie bowls and burgers. Yes. We said French toast roll-ups.

IZZI CAFETERIA: 94 HAWDON ST, HEIDELBERG

Light and bright interior with whitewashed walls. The almond croissants are pretty delish.

CAPESIDE COFFEE: 3/119 CAPE ST, HEIDELBERG

Coffee, sweets, sangas.

THE SWEET BY NATURE KITCHEN: 131/133 BAMFIELD RD, HEIDELBERG WEST

This bright and cheerful brunch spot is a hidden gem. Their Golden Glammie Ice-Cream Sandwiches have become a cult fave. Moist vanilla cake filled with caramel fudge and ice-cream, dipped in choc then finished with the signature honeycomb cookie crumb and chunky honeycomb pieces. Go on, #treatyoself

JAM & CREAM: 1 ORR ST, HEIDELBERG HEIGHTS

Just like nanna makes.

HURSTBRIDGE

POST OFFICE CAFE: 794 MAIN ROAD, HURSTBRIDGE

Mmmmm, chilli caramel.

WILD WOMBAT: 2/784 HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE RD, HURSTBRIDGE

The fruit and nut toast with cinnamon butter is on point.

BRIDGE 2 EDEN CAFE: 6/920 MAIN RD, HURSTBRIDGE

Down-to-earth cafe dishing up humble heroes packed with flavour. The burrata with roasted and fresh tomato salad, macadamia pesto and crusty sourdough is a taste explosion.

KANGAROO GROUND

DARK HORSE CAFE: 765 ELTHAM-YARRA GLEN RD, KANGAROO GROUND

Ottimo Coffee. Local wien and produce. Mouth-watering meals and an outdoor setting that is second to none.

LOWER PLENTY

CHARLIE & LEO’S: 81 MAIN RD, LOWER PLENTY

Lamington. Jaffle. Yes, apparently they’re a thing now. I die.

MCLEOD

CAFE ABERDEEN: 34 ABERDEEN RD, MACLEOD

Fresh and light interior and friendly service. The zucchini fritters with smoked salmon, dill crème and grilled asparagus are too good to resist.

MILL PARK

4 DOORS: 28 THE LINK, MILL PARK

All-day cafe, bar and grill. Get a serve of their Spanish baked eggs with chorizo, tomato, black beans, corn and chilli served with homemade toast and a side of spiced yoghurt in ya.

MONTMORENCY

ESPRESSO 3094: 44 WERE ST, MONTMORENCY

Cool cafe with a funky menu and enviable crockery collection. We loved the Belgium waffles with spiced, poached spiced pears, quince and rhubarb jam, vanilla bean mascarpone, crushed pistachios and a drizzle of maple syrup. #clean eating #faileo

BOOTS & BARLEY CAFE: 2/39 GRAND BLVD, MONTMORENCY

Vegan friendly cafe with a pretty epic menu. Their orange blossom citrus slice is a tart lover dream. Also, their babycinos come with marshmallows and sprinkles. Best. Idea. Ever.

THE WERE STREET FOOD STORE: 30 WERE ST, MONTMORENCY

Bright and bustling boutique cafe.

PARK ORCHARDS

BLUE DOG BAR: 590 PARK RD, PARK ORCHARDS

Rad, dawg-friendly cafe with a barking good menu. Shorizo omelets, Eton mess waffles, honey-roasted granola. Atta boy.

RESEARCH

HEALTH BAR MELBOURNE, RESEARCH

It’s pretty much a health emporium. Maker Coffee. Nutrition Darling raw treats. Ace cookies. Green St Juice. Plus all the other nutritious deliciousness.

ROSANNA

MISS MARIE: 45 BEETHAM PDE, ROSANNA

Burgers. Beets. Battlestar Galactica. If you have never watched ‘The Office' this slightly edited quote will make even less sense to you. The menu is rad. Burgers and beets feature heavily. That's all that matters here.

HUNTER LANE CAFÉ: 76 TURNHAM AVE, ROSANNA

New cafe in the former Byzantine restaurant space. Vegan and Instagram friendly.

FUNKIE BREWSTER: 29/31 DAVIES ST, ROSANNA

Axil coffee. Try the almond berry pancakes or the savoury sweet potato waffles. Go on, you know you want to.

FOUR LEAVES CAFE: 37 GREVILLE RD, ROSANNA

Because huevos rancheros are life.

ST ANDREWS

A BOY NAMED SUE: 87 BURNS ST, ST ANDREWS

Any cafe/restaurant that is named after a Johnny Cash song is all right in my books. Pizza is their thing. You can even order it at breakfast. Winning.

TEMPLESTOWE

POWER PLANT, 2-6 SWILK ST, TEMPLESTOWE

The menu is so good you won’t even realise it’s 100 per cent plant based. Co-located at Westerfolds Sport Centre that houses a spa and swim school.

YARRA ORGANICS: PETTYS ORCHARD, 1B HOMESTEAD RD, TEMPLESTOWE

A spot of tranquillity in the heart of Templestowe. Organic foodstore come cafe come apple orchard. Needless to say, apples get a good run on the everything-housemade menu.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE CAFE: 8/22 NEWMANS RD, TEMPLESTOWE

Waffle semifreddo sandwiches are definitely worth getting lost down the rabbit hole for. If you can’t decide what to eat, the breakfast board is your bestie. It features mini verios of all our faves: the acai bowl, mini bronut’s and a breakfast bagel. Did we mention these guys are bronut specialists, too? #slay

COFFEE MAMA: 37A ANDERSON ST, TEMPLESTOWE

Warm up with coffee options in every colour of the rainbow, cold-pressed juices and specialty hot chocolates.

LOWER TEMPLESTOWE

AURA CAFÉ: 401/200 HIGH ST, TEMPLESTOWE LOWER

Popular local with a bangin’ menu and small batch beans from speciality coffee dealers Rosso Roasting Co.

SALTED CARAMEL COFFEE + EATERY: 6 MACEDON RD, TEMPLESTOWE LOWER

Newcomer to Lower Templestowe’s cafe scene. When they’re pouring Proud Mary and have a subway-tile splashback, you know they’re gonna be worth it.

THOMASTOWN

FOOD FACTORY: 267 SETTLEMENT ROAD, THOMASTOWN

Burgers + coffee + catering = happy days.

WARRANDYTE

WARREN GLEN CAFÉ: 373 RINGWOOD – WARRANDYTE RD, WARRANDYTE

Breakfast with a side serve of pot plant inspiration.

BEASLEY’S TEAHOUSE: 195 HEIDELBERG-WARRANDYTE RD, WARRANDYTE

Give me a lunch among the gum trees.

WARRANDYTE CAFÉ: 61 YARRA ST, WARRANDYTE

There are pompoms hanging from the roof, which obviously means cool status is automatically applied.

NOW AND NOT YET, 148 YARRA STREET, WARRANDYTE

A not-for-profit social enterprise that reinvests and profits made back into the local community. Menu showcases fresh, local and ethical foods. Vegan and gluten-free friendly.

YARRALICIOUS CAFE: 486 WARRANDYTE-RINGWOOD RD, WARRANDYTE SOUTH

100 per cent gluten-free cafe that doesn’t sacrifice taste or quality.

STONEHOUSE CAFE: 321 RINGWOOD-WARRANDYTE RD, WARRANDYTE

Brunch on the banks of the Yarra in a unique historical building that exudes all the ambience of yesteryear.

THE ROUNDABOUT CAFE: 166 YARRA ST, WARRANDYTE

Jamaican inspired food. Handmade Belgian chocolate. Home of the Roundabout Indoor Market.

COCOA MOON CAFE: WARRANDYTE NORTH

Floor-to-ceiling windows looking on to the street and clear cabinets looking on to mouth-watering, house-made treats. We’re talking ice cream, macarons and fair trade organic coffee.

WATSONIA

THE A TEAM KITCHEN: 87 WATSONIA RD, WATSONIA

From the same architectural team that brought you Lilydale cafe Hutch & Co's winning interior design — Biasol Architects — comes this new north eastern gem. The menu matches the decor. Fun, fresh and brunch envy inducing.

SYRUP CAFE: 4 MORWELL AVE, WATSONIA

Conveniently located across the road from Watsonia Railway Station so weekday commuters can get their fix of Allpress Espresso. Try the uten-free chocolate slice.

WHITTLESEA

MOXIE CAFE: 24 CHURCH ST, WHITTLESEA

All the housemade slices. Hedgehog with hundreds and thousands: Heck yes.

CAFE 59 ON CHURCH: 59 CHURCH ST, WHITTLESEA

Dem. housemade sausage roll feels.

WONGA PARK

JUMP INN CAFE: 70 JUMPING CREEK ROAD, WONGA PARK

High tea, anyone?

YARRA GLEN

YARRA GLEN CAFE & STORE: 36 BELL ST, YARRA GLEN

Warm and inviting cafe in a beautiful old building. Friendly service, beautiful scones and delicious cakes.

VINTAGE & CO CAFE: 4 BELL ST, YARRA GLEN

Trendy grey weatherboard cafe with a contemporary fitout. Equilibrio coffee beans. Open for breakfast lunch, dinner and everything in between. The chilli omelet is the bomb.

YARRAMBAT

TANCKS CORNER: 461 IRONBARK RD, YARRAMBAT

Cafe and homewares boutique in one. Allpress coffee. Acai bowls. Smashed avo. You can take the cafe out of Melbourne, but you can’t take Melbourne out of the cafe.

Have we missed your fave local? Tell us in the comments below.