Melbourne is an absolute haven for anyone who enjoys good, clean food and quality coffee. There seems to be a cool, quirky coffee shop on every corner, often accompanied by an extensive superfood menu.
We are lucky enough to have regular(ish) meetings in Melbourne so we can slowly but surely work our way through our cafe list. The difficulty is deciding where to prioritise… there are simply not enough meals in the day if you ask us.
There are still so many places we are yet to try, and we are always on the hunt for the newest healthy eatery on the block. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below!
For now, we’ve compiled our top 5 healthy cafes in Melbourne, as well as a short list of ones we are just dying to try.
#01
Combi, Elwood
Located slightly outside of the centre of Melbourne, it’s not one you would easily stumble across (although it is very well known amongst the Melbourne cafe-goers!)
It’s Byron meets Melbourne with its bohemian, colourful interior and selection of smoothie bowls, bunless veggie burgers, zucchini noodles and raw treats.
Our pick? The peanut butter acai bowl (I’m addicted!). All their smoothies/smoothie bowls are packed with superfoods which we love. We’re talking maca powder (hormone-balancing), raw protein powder (plant-based), spirulina (immunity boosting), lucuma (source of iron, zinc and calcium, as well as being a natural sweetener), probiotics (promoting gut health), and the list goes on and on and on. Their smashed avo is also delicious, as is their signature Combi vegan toasted sandwich.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure you try their signature raw caramel slice…. it is to die for. All their desserts are made on site, and are refined sugar free, dairy free, gluten free, raw and 100% organic, sweetened only with maple syrup and coconut nectar. Just the way we like them!
#02
Seedling Cafe, CBD
The perfect spot to get your health fix, located in the heart of the CBD (they have two locations – one on Flinders Lane, the other on Little Collins Street). Seeding cafe is 100% gluten free and paleo-inspired, focusing on nutrient-dense, clean, ethically sourced (and delicious) food.
If you’re after something simple and satisfying, try their seeded buckwheat gluten free toast with homemade almond and coconut spread. They also have a great selection of salad bowls, smoothies, juices and raw desserts. The “beet it” juice with beetroot, mixed berries, coconut water, ginger and mint is the ultimate refresher.
They also do great coffee… really ticking all boxes here!
#03
Bentwood, Fitzroy
This is an absolute must for our fellow health foodies. The acai is as delicious as it is pretty (and that’s really saying something in this case). It’s one of the few places that gets the granola to acai ratio right if you ask me, by which I mean there is lotsss of granola… It’s also served with peanut butter which is a must in my eyes.
If you’re after something savoury, the smashed avo is also on point. It is served on dark rye bread with fresh chilli, dukkah, feta and pomegranates. Another menu item I am dying to try is the brunch bowl… It is packed with goodness! Kale, quinoa, cashew-basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, haloumi, a poached egg, avo, hemp seeds, yoghurt and pita chips… Who else is hungry after reading that?
#04
Cocomamas, Elsternwick
Smoothie bowl heaven. Cocomamas is located about 30 minutes from the CBD, but well worth a visit. It is a takeaway style cafe however they do have a few bar stools if you want to eat in.
We tried their deluxe “Snickers Delight Bowl” which has frozen banana, peanut butter, cacao, dates and coconut, topped with buckwheat and almonds, cacao nibs, clean chocolate sauce, peanut caramel and cashew vanilla ice-cream. Sounds to die for, and it is! Next on my hit list – the Peanut Butter and Jelly Bowl.
For those who prefer a savoury breakfast, they also have avocado on gluten free toast served with housemate almond “feta”, beetroot, kraut and hemp seeds.
#05
Serotonin Dealer, Burnley
Serotonin Dealer is a one stop shop for all things health and wellbeing. Their aim is to provide a sanctuary to escape from our fast-paced lives, integrating both a nourishing cafe and a holistic exercise centre.
Their extensive plant-based menu leaves you feeling spoilt for choice (and quite frankly a little stressed about what to order!). By now, you’ll be shocked to know we opted for the smashed avocado and the acai bowl. This acai is a little different (and we mean that in the best kind of way). It is a dairy-free, sugar-free acai ice cream served with the signature Serotonin granola, fresh berries, pistachio list, house-made peanut butter (incred), banana and best of all, topped with a banana & coconut “magnum” ice-cream. Dreams really do come true!
The smashed avo (or smiling avocado as it is called at Serotonin) is served on toasted sprouted seed loaf and has a delicious blend of avocado, smashed pea and mint, topped with cherry tomatoes, feta and fresh chilli. It’s no ordinary avo toast!
I also tried their cacao coconut latte which is house-made 70% dark hot chocolate with organic raw cacao and grated cacao butter, spun on coconut milk. I added a shot of espresso which I would highly recommend for any fellow mocha lovers.
One I haven’t included on the top 5 list but is well worth a mention, is Brother Baba Budan in the heart of the CBD. They only do coffee and croissants but boy they do it well. It’s decor is very ‘Melbourne’, with chairs tied to the ceiling and exposed brick walls. Trendy is an understatement. Their coffee is amongst the best I’ve ever tasted and the constant flood of people (there is often a queue) suggests I am not alone! They make their own dairy-free milk which is an almond, macadamia and date blend. I’m obsessed!
Dying to try…
Matcha Mylk Bar, St Kilda
Our friends over at Matcha Maiden are not only the founders of the incredible matcha green-tea brand, but they have also opened their very own cafe in the heart of Melbourne. Not surprisingly, they have a very matcha-inspired menu featuring green matcha porridge, matcha-made-in-heaven pancakes and a matcha burger. For those not so matcha inclined, don’t fret, they have everything from shakshuka and your classic #vegan big breakfast to waffles and healthy breakfast bowls. It’s top of the list for next time!
Tinker Northcote, Northcote
With the same owners as Bentwood in Fitzroy, I feel confident that this one will not disappoint. Other establishments with the same ownership include Clubhouse and Mob… so I think we need to try them all!
We hope this list helps you make an informed decision on where to eat for your next Melbourne trip… Let us know your thoughts!
Visiting Sydney soon?
You may want to check out our post on our favourite healthy cafes in Sydney!
