Sometimes, the best culinary experiences are the ones you didn’t see coming. The ones that take something familiar, twist it sideways and plate it up as something bold, imaginative and utterly crave-worthy. Across the country, a select few kitchens are eschewing tradition in favour of innovation - flipping the script on brunch favourites, blending cuisines in unexpected ways and proving that ‘classic’ doesn’t have to mean ‘conventional’.
These five venues aren't just serving food - they’re redefining it. Think breakfast burgers laced with Korean BBQ, crumpets with brisket and Vegemite Hollandaise or eggs Benedict reborn inside a bánh mì roll. If you're looking for where creativity meets culinary mastery, this is your shortlist.
All good morning walks in Camberwell inevitably lead to Miss Frank on Through Road. With its glowing neon signage out front and breezy interior of blond wood, whitewashed walls and lush potted greenery, it feels like an inner-city oasis made for long brunches and low-key catchups. Equal parts café and local providore, Miss Frank pulls in locals early for a quality flat white and plates that surprise and delight. Whether you’re lounging in the morning light or swinging by for a relaxed lunch, there’s always something fresh to tempt.
It’s the bánh mì eggs Benedict that really sets the tone - this is not your standard fare. Crispy pork belly anchors the dish with rich indulgence, offset by the zing of pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber and coriander. Poached eggs sit perfectly nestled within a crusty white roll, doused in an audaciously brilliant sriracha Hollandaise. The whole thing is tied together with crispy shallots for texture, bringing Vietnamese street flair into a distinctly Melbourne brunch format.
Major Mitchell Café – Carnegie, Vic
You don’t just stumble into Major Mitchell - you’re drawn in by the punchy pink façade of this Carnegie gem, housed inside a lovingly transformed 1950s post office. From terrazzo countertops to dusty rose walls, it’s a visual delight before the menu even lands. This is a café with personality, where cocktails mingle with coffee and bold design meets bold flavours. Locals come for the vibe, but stay for the surprisingly inventive takes on comfort food favourites.
The standout? A housemade granola bowl, sure - but not like you've seen it before. This iteration is layered with tropical housemade mango sorbet and creamy coconut yoghurt, finished with seasonal fruit that changes with the local produce. Light, luscious and totally unexpected, it takes a breakfast staple and turns it into a sunny escape in a bowl. It's health-conscious but hedonistic in all the right ways.
Two Dogs Laughing – Fremantle, WA
Newly relocated to South Street in Beaconsfield, Two Dogs Laughing still delivers the cafe fare with flair that keeps diners returning time and again. This café and catering business welcomes you with flavourful delights and a hint of cheekiness with an eclectic vibe from potted greenery, musical instruments and kitsch furniture. However, it’s the food that truly speaks volumes. The kitchen is fearless, pulling global flavours and local ingredients into all-day dishes that demand attention.
The Çilbir is a sleeper hit. A Turkish-style egg dish turned high-art, it’s built on a base of smoked yoghurt and Aleppo burnt butter, scattered with native dukkah and kissed with pomegranate. Each bite is a textural revelation, with the tang of yoghurt melting into the nutty crunch and subtle heat. It’s both rustic and refined, a nod to tradition with a wink toward reinvention.
Tomo's Little Collins – Melbourne CBD, Vic
Hidden in plain sight along Little Collins Street, Tomo's is an elegant pocket of calm in the city’s pulse. The space marries modern minimalism with heartfelt hospitality - alfresco seats for sunny mornings, cosy corners for lingering lunches. Known for its coffee game and a menu that nods respectfully to Japanese and Modern Australian flavours, Tomo’s caters to those who appreciate subtlety and a sense of occasion.
One dish that steals the show is the chilli prawn scramble. This is no timid breakfast. Juicy prawns are tossed in hot chilli and garlic, folded through creamy scrambled eggs and crowned with coriander atop golden sourdough. It's a dish that manages to be fiery yet delicate, rich but never overdone. The kind of breakfast that leaves you rethinking everything you thought you knew about eggs.
Hays Street Bar + Kitchen – Goolwa, SA
In the heart of Goolwa’s laid-back wine country sits Hays Street Bar + Kitchen, a rustic-meets-refined haven with a menu that leans into its European soul. Exposed brick, wooden beams and a bar lined with boutique bottles create a warm welcome, while the menu is a love letter to seasonal local produce. Think long lunches, bold wines and hearty plates designed to nourish, not just impress.
The free-range roast chicken is a perfect example of doing the familiar…differently. The dish is plated with almond cream, grilled grapes, a drizzle of Goolwa honey and finely chopped chives. Sweet, savoury and silken in texture, it reinvents the Sunday roast in a way that’s both comforting and unexpectedly luxurious. It’s the kind of plate that turns a quiet lunch into a slow celebration.
Dining differently isn’t about gimmicks - it’s about breaking the mould with intention and imagination. These venues aren’t just flipping recipes, they’re reimagining what it means to serve a ‘favourite’ by fusing global influences, bold techniques and a deep respect for produce. Whether you’re chasing something nostalgic with a twist or discovering an entirely new flavour story, these are the places where culinary creativity truly shines.
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