Where to go for brunch in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs

FROM Sunshine to South Morang, Reservoir to Roxburgh Park, these are the best places to brunch in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Roxburgh Park’s Corner Store Espresso is shaking things up in the north. Picture: Supplied

WHEN it comes to Melbourne’s best breakfasts, north might just be the new black.

And we're not just talking about the hipster hoods of Fitzroy and Northcote.

Melbourne’s brunch scene is in the middle of a suburban revolution, with increasing numbers of baristas, chefs and cafe conglomerates opting for the outer suburbs over the inner city.

This is great news for anyone who doesn’t live within a five-kilometre radius of Melbourne, but still wants to enjoy delicious, Instagram-worthy brunches and specialty coffee without a side serve of traffic congestion and parking lot tango. Which is, geographically speaking, basically everyone.

From Coburg to Craigieburn, Bundoora to Broadmeadows — and everywhere in between — this is our guide to the north’s brightest-shining brunch stars.

MORE: THE BEST CAFES IN MELBOURNE’S OUTER SOUTHEASTERN SUBURBS

(NOT QUITE) A MILLION WAYS TO DINE IN THE WEST

LITTLE-KNOWN MUST-VISIT SPOTS IN MELBOURNE’S NORTHERN SUBURBS

In case you're wondering why some places are in and some are out, this is how we drew our boundary.

BROADMEADOWS

Bookmark 3047: 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows

Bright and cheerful cafe that showcases locally sourced ingredients. Gluten-free friendly. Coffee by Five Senses.

Lakeside Espresso: 1/40 Lakeside Dr, Broadmeadows

Sure, this industrial estate cafe does killer breakfasts, but their house-baked specialty cakes are where it’s at. Hello, pistachio and raspberry tiramisu, or pistachio and hazelnut mousse with vanilla custard Mille feuille. Halal and hella beautiful.

COBURG

The Glass Den: 15 Urquhart St, Coburg

Art on a plate. Because who wouldn’t want an edible breakfast waffle bouquet?

Ruby’s: 138 Nicholson St, Coburg

Art deco cafe meets 50s diner.

O’Heas Bakery: 203-205 O’Hea Street Coburg

Freshly baked croissants, Italian-inspired pastries and chia puddings to go. That's our kind of cafe.

Wild Timor Coffee: 282 Sydney Road, Coburg

Coffee with a conscience. Grown in Aileu, roasted in Melbourne, empowering Timorese to trade themselves out of poverty. Plus delicious food to boot.

The Boot Factory: 19 Pentridge Blvd, Coburg

Prison cafe, literally. The Boot Factory is set in the grounds of Coburg’s former Pentridge Prison, which closed in 1997, and has since been converted into an apartment complex/urban hub. We are obsessed with the Eggs Benny on a cauliflower and caramelised onion hash and served with braised smoked ham hock, grainy mustard apple cider hollandaise and julienne apple.

Generator Urban Eatery: 89/91 Bakers Rd, Coburg North

Hipster food haunt with mismatched, shabby chic decor and delicious food.

The Elizabeth Cafe: 130 Elizabeth St, Coburg North

Because Dark Chocolate Malteser Cheesecake is life.

CRAIGIEBURN

Waterside Cafe: 1-17 Northshore Dr, Craigieburn

Hearty meals + rustic charm = a recipe for awesomeness.

Crafty Cafe: 350 Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn

Cool cafe come kids craft workshop with the motto ‘Eat, play create’. This northern star shines bright like a diamond.

EPPING

Hexx Cafe: 13/82 Gateway Boulevard, Epping

Industrial estate cafe with a cool fit out and healthy eating options. That’s a hexx yes from me.

ESSENDON NORTH

Hey Jude, 100 Keilor Rd, Essendon North

Pork belly Benny served on roti with sriracha hollandaise? Tick. Smashed peas with haloumi, cured salmon and egg on pumpkin sourdough? Tick. Honeycomb French toast with Brownie crumble? Jackpot.

HADFIELD

Silver Sage: 10 Post Office Place, Glenroy & Hadfield

Baked beauty. Please and thank you very much.

Middle Street Food and Coffee: 142 Middle St, Hadfield

Modern eatery with a funky fitout and fresh menu. Allpress Coffee on pour.

Cafe Stradina: 22 Eileen St, Hadfield

Hearty, homemade meals served in a relaxed atmosphere. And their Turkish delight shortbreads are to die for. Yes — that’s Turkish delight stuffed between two shortbread biscuits. This is not a drill.

KEILOR

Little Sister: East Keilor Centreway Villag, 52 Wingara ave, East Keilor

Specialty coffee, cool coffee cups and potentially the state’s fluffiest ricotta hot cakes.

KINGSBURY

Red Door Cafe: 3 Link St, Kingsbury

Retro cafe with great coffee, delicious food, friendly service, vintage cars and billiards tables.

MERNDA

Two Beans and a Farm Cafe: Carome Homestead, 10 Hathfelde Blvd, Mernda

Rustic cafe serving home-style food from the heritage-listed 1860s Carome Homestead building. Brunch with a side serve of history.

MILL PARK

Jahdomes Bakery & Cafe: Stables Shopping Centre, 314-316 Childs Road, Mill Park

You had us at croissant. French-inspired cafe in the heart of Mill Park.

OAK PARK

Francis Winifred: 94 Winifred St, Oak Park

From smoothie bowls and rainbow lattes to cajun chicken burgers and house-baked beans, this northern star is bringing a taste of inner Melbourne to the ‘burbs. Allpress Coffee on pour. Get around it.

PASCOE VALE

Le Jolie Cafe: 438 Gaffney St, Pascoe Vale

Fully licensed French cafe and gallery in the heart of the vale. Try their Mistral Bowl — a Mediterranean-inspired version of a Buddha bowl. Or stick with the classics — like crepes, croissants and French-style beignets; brioche doughnuts filled with Nutella and raspberry. C’est maqnifique.

Jack & Daisy: 152B Cumberland Rd, Pascoe Vale

Because smashed avo layer toast. ‘Nuff said.

Gaffney Place: 337 Gaffney St Pasco Vale

Home of the Ferrero Rocher Nutella Doughnut. Need we say more? The pulled beef burger on brioche is also pretty special.

Venita: 159 Cumberland Rd, Pascoe Vale

These guys just get me, you know? For realz.

Ferrovia: 8 Railway Parade, Pascoe Vale

Contemporary industrial-meets-vintage-chic cafe. Menu faves include Nutella tiramisu, banana and butterscotch pancakes and a twist on the classic brekkie bruschetta served with tomato, avo and bacon.

Three 044 Cafe: 1 Pascoe St, Pascoe Vale

Light and bright space with polished concrete and plywood accents. Specialties include freshly baked treats and gourmet KA Pies — winners of Australia’s Best Pie 2016.

Old Faithful: 65 Coonans Rd, Pascoe Vale South

Everybody needs one, especially when there’s halloumi on the menu.

PRESTON

Boundary Espresso: 107 Plenty Rd, Preston

You’ll be bounding for this Preston gem. The baked eggs with spicy chorizo and topped with preserved lemon guacamole are on point. The kids’ menu has grown-up items designed for little palates. Coffee by Coffee Supreme.

Pomona Cafe: 474 Murray Rd, Preston

Sure, breakfast is delicious, but let's not forget about how great lunch is. A) you get to sleep in. B) You don’t have to wait for a table because the Melbourne hipsters are all about brunch. C) You can eat all the burnt butter gnocchi.

Cheese & Bread: 518 High St, Preston

A cafe-come-food truck celebrating two of life’s greatest pleasures? What a time to be alive.

Jacksin Dodds: 611 Gilbert Rd, West Preston

Get a sweet start to your day at JDs. Or go for a smashin’ savoury option. We love the smashed peas with halloumi, red quinoa and beetroot labne on toast with poached eggs. The brekkie charcuterie is pretty swell, too.

Cheshire: 583 Gilbert Rd, West Preston

Trendy brunch spot that ticks all the boxes. Cool fitout. Friendly service. Great coffee. Delicious food. Cronuts.

RESERVOIR

The Window Cnr Cafe: 3 Mendip Rd, Reservoir

A Rezza fave. The jaffles come highly recommended.

Lady Bower: 1A Marchant Ave, Reservoir

Smashed avo and green smoothies. Done and done. A health-conscious local dishing up delicious and nutritious options, as well as indulgent treats. Coffee by Five Senses,

Gellibrand Cafe: 16 Gellibrand Crescent, Reservoir

Because sometimes you just really want a delicious sanga. As the saying goes, the best things in life are bread. Or something like that. Coffee by Wide Open Road.

Bean & Gone Espresso: 1101 High Street, Reservoir

Would you like that to have here or take away? Drive through coffee and croissant merchant with a limited seating area for those who prefer their espresso and bagel with a side serve of lawn bowls.

ROXBURGH PARK

Corner Store Espresso: 1/64 Sahi Cres, Roxburgh Park

Hands down, our new fave. Do yourself a favour and get there, pronto. All the yum.

ZeitwZaytoon: Roxburgh Park Shopping Centre, 250 Somerton Rd, Roxburgh Park

Middle Eastern bakery cafe dishing up the best Lebanese breakfast going ‘round. Try the lamb and labne bowls and the house-made pides. Divine.

SOUTH MORANG

Santos Cafe & Bar: 2/795 Plenty Road, South Morang

Humble food that packs a delicious punch. Open all day. Oh, and pizzas. All the pizzas.

Bunkers Cafe, Bar & Bistro: 649 Yan Yean Road, South Morang

Nine and dine: Because weekends are all about good food and golf.

Maple Tree Cafe: 9/330 McDonalds Road, South Morang

Fresh fare and Nutella-filled doughnuts; the perfect combination.

THOMASTOWN

That’s Amore Cheese: 66 Latitude Boulevard, Thomastown

A cafe and deli, dedicated to Italian cheese. This is not a drill.

Food Factory Cafe: 267 Settlement Road, Thomastown

Good food, delicious coffee and corporate catering. Triple threat.

YARRAMBAT

Rivers Cafe: 28 Kurrak Road, Yarrambat

Lunch and golden lattes with a view. The ideal spot for an easy Sunday morning.

WESTMEADOWS

Madison’s Woodfired Cafe: 1/13 Fawkner St, Westmeadows

All-day eatery dishing up hearty, Mediterranean-inspired meals.

WHITTLESEA

Ruby Green & Co: 61 Church St, Whittlesea

Bustling cafe brimming with vintage charm. House specialties include a selection of delectable jaffles and old-fashioned treats.

Happy brunching. Dig in.