C&G’s Guide to the Best Bayside Cafes
With Melbourne’s cafes back up and running for dine-in, this C&G blog looks at four establishments to try in the Bayside area that will help you support local businesses while satisfying your caffeine fix.
Without a doubt, hospitality is the beating heart of Melbourne. From our cafe-lined streets to hidden bars and restaurants that we’ll happily queue for hours to enter, these are the venues that make our city what it is.
So, after months of restrictions the city's cafes once again open for business, and most of us have only one thing on our minds - brunch! Today we’re taking you for a Bayside cafe crawl, with tips on our favourite places to get the perfect latte and avo smash. Remember, demand will be high – and although some of these venues accept walk-ins, we recommend booking or calling ahead wherever possible.
12-18 Yarra Place South Melbourne 3205
A Melbourne cafe stalwart, St Ali has been slinging lattes to the masses since 2005. Located in a large brick-clad converted warehouse in the back streets of South Melbourne, you’ll be greeted by an enthusiastic team of coffee aficionados and a menu that’s innovative, but still has some of your classic cafe fare.
113 Victoria Avenue Albert Park 3206
Light, bright and airy, Lenny is the cafe Bayside never knew it needed, but now couldn’t live without. With inviting wicker chairs, a pink marble benchtop and a palette of white, blue and coral, its interiors are reminiscent of the beach, which is located just a stone's throw away.
The menu caters for everyone’s tastes, from superfood breakfast salads with buckwheat and seasonal greens to a substantial roast chicken roll with chips and homemade gravy. There’s even a dedicated vegan menu for the plant-based folk.
258 Glen Eira Road Elsternwick
Located in Elsternwick, this 1930s service station was transformed into a bright and spacious cafe in 2016. The fit-out is sympathetic to the space’s Tudor architecture, with wool-blend tartan banquettes and herringbone tiles, and hints of copper and clean black lines to give the space a polished look.
The menu has ample offerings and includes everything from a lemon and cured trout bagel with whipped cream cheese to heftier lunch dishes like sticky beef short ribs and pesto pappardelle.
Just a few hundred metres from Elwood beach, Plain Sailing is the perfect place to brunch post beach stroll. The fit-out has east-facing floor-to-ceiling windows, drenching the space in natural light and brass finishings lend a little sophistication.
The menu has a Middle Eastern slant, featuring dishes such as a Moroccan spiced cauliflower, chickpea and kale fry up with hummus and poached eggs, and a pulled Middle Eastern lamb shoulder salad.
Happy dining, Bayside! The C&G team implore you to remain safe, patient and respectful as we all navigate our new post-lockdown surroundings.