Brunch has long been a cherished ritual, but lately it’s been getting a serious glow-up. Gone are the days of predictable poached eggs and stock-standard smashed avo. Across Melbourne and Sydney, a new generation of cafés and eateries is reinventing the mid-morning meal, fusing global flavours, playful presentation and a touch of drama.
These are venues where soufflé pancakes flirt with fine dining, salmon meets miso on a bed of quinoa and traditional Italian breakfasts are recast with Aussie flair. Here’s your go-to guide for the best brunch spots with a twist - where mornings are anything but ordinary.
Criniti’s Carlton – Carlton, Vic
Criniti’s on Faraday Street is not your average Italian joint. With its rustic interiors and familial warmth, this Melbourne favourite feels like stepping into Nonna’s dining room - if Nonna were a culinary powerhouse with a penchant for wood-fired everything and menu pages that read like a novel. Awarded as one of the nation’s favourite Italian restaurants, Criniti’s is where heritage meets high-energy hospitality. Long communal tables, dim lighting and bursts of hearty laughter create a convivial vibe that’s ideal for lingering with family or friends over a sprawling brunch.
The brunch experience at Criniti’s is all about big flavours and bold combinations. The rustico bruschetta is the kind of dish that makes you sit up straight - wood-fired Italian bread layered with crispy bacon, sautéed forest mushrooms, hemp seeds and perfectly poached eggs. It’s comfort food with a cosmopolitan twist; or lean into seafood with popcorn prawns and chilli aioli before diving into fettuccine prawn alfredo, swirled with cream, Parmesan and a hit of parsley. This is brunch that brings the Italian spirit to life, no matter the time of day.
Linger Patisserie Café – Camberwell, Vic
Housed in a charmingly restored church with soaring ceilings and stained glass windows, Linger Patisserie is a love letter to refined café culture. Located on quiet Bowen Street, this Camberwell gem draws you in with its artful patisserie displays and keeps you seated with an atmosphere that encourages just that - lingering. Think soft morning light filtering through arched windows, gentle chatter and the clink of coffee cups under vintage hanging globes.
Linger’s brunch offerings don’t just look pretty - they’re packed with flavour. The miso salmon is a standout, balancing grilled richness with the delicate freshness of roasted cauliflower, jasmine rice and miso sauce. Quinoa adds a modern edge while cauliflower purée grounds the dish in velvety texture. It’s a sophisticated plate that blends Eastern notes with European finesse. Pair it with one of the famed cakes or a flaky croissant and you’ve got a brunch worth savouring.
The Brothers Café – Haymarket, NSW
Set within the lively hum of Darling Square, The Brothers Café merges laidback Sydney cool with Asian fusion flair. From the outside, it’s all casual alfresco vibes, but step inside and you're met with a minimalist-chic interior peppered with brass pendent lighting and black-and-white photography. The ambience hits a sweet spot between relaxed and refined - perfect for a catch-up that stretches into the afternoon.
The star of the show here are the soufflé pancakes, particularly the tiramisu soufflé crowned with Tim Tam crumble, coffee sauce and chocolate ice cream. It’s decadent without being over-the-top - a dessert-for-breakfast indulgence that somehow still feels justifiable. Beyond that, the fusion-forward rice bowls and pasta with Thai cream sauce show off the kitchen’s ability to remix traditional formats with playful inventiveness. It’s brunch with a wink - and a sugar high.
Vespa Rossa – Melbourne CBD, Vic
Tucked into the iconic laneway setting of Block Place, Vespa Rossa exudes Euro-chic charm with a Melbourne twist. Outside, the setting is quintessentially Parisian, complete with café tables and people-watching prime real estate. Inside, it’s a canvas of vibrant murals and plush banquette seating that makes you want to order a second coffee just to stay a little longer.
Vespa Rossa doesn’t shy away from bold brunch statements. The za'atar breakfast is a standout, layering creamy avocado, fresh tomato and feta on sourdough, then topping it all with rocket and poached eggs. What elevates it is the za'atar dressing - a Levantine spice blend that infuses the plate with earthy tang and fragrant complexity. For those seeking something heartier, the tagliatelle with Portobello mushrooms and basil pesto is a rich, comforting midday meal with a Mediterranean soul.
A true coastal treasure, Six Smith in Cronulla fuses beachside ease with paddock-to-plate principles. Located on Ewos Parade, the café is all about slow living and local produce. Much of what you’ll eat here is grown just metres away - eggs from resident hens, herbs from the kitchen garden and handmade preserves you can take home. It’s a relaxed space that still feels curated, with a gentle nod to rustic elegance.
The avocado bruschetta is a masterclass in modern brunch. Toasted sourdough is topped with marinated feta, roasted grape tomatoes, greens and creamy avocado, all finished with a miso drizzle and a sprinkle of dukkah. It’s nourishing yet indulgent and utterly Instagram-worthy. Pair that with a seasonal tart or a housemade sausage roll and you’ve got yourself the perfect post-surf feast.
Brunch is no longer just a weekend filler - it’s a canvas for culinary creativity. Whether you’re chasing soufflé pancakes in Sydney or za'atar-drenched eggs in a Melbourne laneway, the modern brunch scene is all about surprise and delight. These venues prove that mornings can be memorable, especially when they come with a twist.
Ready to book? Click on the venue link now!
