NewsBite

Advertisement

279 Victoria St

This cafe is a finalist for best coffee in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025.

279 specialises in musubi.
1 / 5279 specialises in musubi.Justin McManus
Inside the West Melbourne caf.e
2 / 5Inside the West Melbourne caf.eJustin McManus
Saba-chazuke musubi with cured mackerel.
3 / 5Saba-chazuke musubi with cured mackerel.Justin McManus
Musubi topped with panko-crumbed, deep-fried chicken.
4 / 5Musubi topped with panko-crumbed, deep-fried chicken.Justin McManus
Matcha tiramisu.
5 / 5Matcha tiramisu.Justin McManus

Japanese$

Perched on a sun-drenched corner, this cafe (a sibling of Le Bajo, Hareruya Pantry and Chiaki) is a classic example of Japanese specialisation. Onigiri rice balls and top-notch coffee are the main reason you’re here, and both are made with the best ingredients possible. Pour-overs might use beans from Sumatra or Rwanda, rice and nori are selected from Japan, and staff show pride and care at every turn.

Must order: Onigiri, but also signature mochinuts (textural doughnuts made with glutinous rice flour).

Continue this series

Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025: Coffee
Up next

Foremost Coffee

This cafe is a finalist for best coffee in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025.

Previous
The coffee flight at Saazaa Coffee.

Saazaa Coffee

This cafe is a finalist for best coffee in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025.

See all stories

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/279-victoria-st-20250513-p5lywp.html