Research by bookings platform OpenTable reveals one third of Australians consider hospitality venues to be their dedicated “third place” – a space separate to home and work – leading to higher demand for cafes that stay open past the typical 3pm closing time. It’s why many cafes now double as wine bars and remain open until the evening, creating a place for customers to walk in and enjoy a drink and a snack without committing to a three-course menu.
Fitzroy cafe and wine bar Napier Quarter has successfully used this model for nearly 10 years. Now others are following its lead, maximising their trading hours by swapping coffee for wine, and eggs for share plates come evening.
While many cafes embrace the day-to-night transition after initially operating solely during the day, Clifton Hill cafe-wine bar Raffy’s cut to the chase, opening with extended hours and community events last year.
“We figured pigeon-holing ourselves to one or the other would have been a wasted opportunity,” Raffy’s co-owner Isobel Summers says. “Sadly, not everyone has the coin to casually indulge in both day and night experiences … Bridging the gap gives more freedom for customers to support the industry in the way they can afford to.”
Commonfolk
This 50-seater – all warm tones, music on vinyl and generous windows – is the latest from long-running roaster Commonfolk. Half-serves make breakfast wallet-friendly, and spicy sambal fried eggs eschew toast in favour of roti and fried rice cakes. Nerd out with a Yin Yang coffee duo: same roast, two drinks. On Fridays and Saturday nights, the music flips from easy listening to hip hop and old-school jazz for Franga Nights.
Best for: Power lunches, weekend brunches and evening hangs.
43 Playne Street, Frankston, commonfolkcoffee.com.au
Fenton Farmhouse
Fenton balances breakfast with bigger missions: food security, community connection and celebrating culture. Daytime fare is fresh and familiar – chilli scrambles, loaded toasties, fruit-topped porridge – with a subtle African and Indian skew (chana masala baked eggs, anyone?). By night, the space comes alive with pop-up events and chef collaborations.
158 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, instagram.com/fenton.farmhouse
Marios
Is there anything more Melbourne than rocking up to Marios on a Thursday night and negotiating for a table with a battle-proud waiter? The trick here is to pick the dishes the kitchen does well and stick to them. Almost all pasta dishes are reasonably good, in the old-school Melbourne way. The lasagne? Legendary. Marios embodies the soul of the northside, of Melbourne Italian: its origins and its present and, God willing, its future, too.
Must-order: Penne all’amatriciana, a comforting chilli-and-bacon carb bomb. Sure, you could make it at home, but isn’t that why you’re here?
303 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, marioscafe.com.au
Matilda
A tribute to European cafe culture that avoids caricature, this family-friendly spot runs a menu that swings from rich (croque madames, three-cheese mushroom toast) to wholesome (overnight oats). House-made cakes such as a courgette and pistachio loaf are superb; better still is bottomless filter coffee, kids’ toasties and picnic rugs for the adjacent lawn. Plus, Matilda now transforms into a wine bar on Friday and Saturday evenings with happy hour between 3pm and 5pm.
Good to know: Neighbouring sister venue Petite handles takeaway and lends picnic rugs.
15 Arcade Road, Mont Albert North, matildamontalbert.com.au
Moon Mart
Brilliantly creative, this cafe is treasured by Melburnians who happily cross town for house-made bulgogi sausage breakfast muffins and other items remixing Korea, Japan and Australia. Lunch could be a prawn katsu sando on the go or a rice bowl with hearty sides eaten at the window bench. Friday and Saturday dinners dial things up with shared snacks like steamed dumplings, fried rice cakes and potato pancakes, plus ssam, Korea’s deconstructed lettuce wraps.
Must order: The thick-cut char siu bacon milk bun, with a gooey fried egg and cheese. Herbaceous green chilli and fermented plum mayo adds X-factor.
315 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, moonmart.com.au
Napier Quarter
How does one tiny corner so comprehensively capture how Melbourne likes to eat and drink, from am to pm? Morning kicks off with Euro-leaning breakfasts such as anchovy and egg on toast – a modern classic – continental share plates and cardamom buns from Iris The Bakery. As the day rolls on, Napier seamlessly switches gears, adding focaccia, charcuterie and pasta, made with beautiful produce.
Best for: Solo or one-on-one breakfasts that are about quality over quantity.
359 Napier Street, Fitzroy, napierquarter.com.au
Ophelia Westgarth
This lush corner site (from the team behind hit cafes Terror Twilight, Hi Fi and Convoy) has DJs playing vinyl, serves brunch-ready dishes with aplomb and is also open for dinner. By day, get your coffee as a miso butterscotch iced latte and dig into a buckwheat galette with rocket pesto; after dark, come for pasta, steak night and focaccia-friendly snacks with happy hour-priced drinks. It’s yet more proof that today’s cafes do much more than eggs and coffee.
Good to know: Those cakes you’re loving by the slice? Also available to order whole.
85 High Street, Northcote, opheliawestgarth.com.au
Oppen
The inspiration here is Denmark with an Aussie slant. Breakfast boards nod to Scandi simplicity with picky bits such as eggs, house-cured Tasmanian salmon, rye and pickles. Ham hock eggs Benedict takes inspiration from the Danish breakfast hash biksemad, traditionally prepared with leftover meat and potatoes.
Good to know: Oppen shifts from day to night three nights a week. On Thursdays, try the $25 special of steak on carbonara, which started as an insider favourite. You can also get the pasta on its own – one of three on offer – alongside wine bar-style plates.
Unit 20/2 Maddock Street, Windsor, oppen.com.au
Raffy’s
In a world of cafes made for social media, Raffy’s is refreshingly stripped back. By day, it serves perfectly pressed sandwiches, local baked goods and coffee – much like a spruced-up version of your ’90s neighbourhood cafe. By night, it morphs into a wine bar and community hub, hosting everything from chef takeovers to speed-dating alongside regular weekend DJ sets.
Must order: The cauliflower and whipped tahini melt for a well-dressed dose of veg.
656 Smith Street, Clifton Hill, instagram.com/raffys___
Sabi Sounds
Plenty of cafes are turning into wine bars by night, but not many offer a sober space for evening coffees and chill hangs. Hawthorn listening cafe Sabi Sounds is the day-to-night counterpart to nearby Bar Selecta, serving Ona coffee, Japanese matcha and hojicha, alongside a selection of Japanese and Korean-inspired snacks.
By dark, lights are dimmed, mocktails are shaken and four listening booths open up. Book one free of charge and explore Sabi’s record library (also available to purchase), courtesy of Northcote’s Rathdowne Records – or bring your own vinyl. Chat, listen, play a game of chess and take in the calm.
Good to know: Community events are frequent – check theSabi Sounds Instagram for live acoustic sessions, run clubs and more.
717 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, sabisounds.co
Pellegrini’s
There is perhaps no cafe that defines Melbourne more than this charming Italian time capsule. The recipes and decor remain unchanged after 70 years. There’s no menu (besides a faded wooden board overhead), no pricing, no liquor, and no itemised bills – and it’s all part of the charm. Orders land in front of diners in minutes: pleated spinach and ricotta ravioli scattered with powdered parmesan, old-school lasagne – made the same way since day one – and surprisingly welcome buttered white bread.
Good to know: Try snagging a spot inside the kitchen – yes, in the kitchen – or perch at the bar to watch white-shirted waitstaff slap down strong coffee, home-style cakes and icy watermelon granitas.
66 Bourke Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/pellegrinisespressobar
Can’t see your favourite cafe? Chances are it’s in another category. Explore the full list of the 100 Essential Cafes and Bakeries of 2026 in the Good Food app. It’s available as a standalone subscription and is included in premium digital Sydney Morning Herald subscriptions. Download it from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Good Food reviews are visited anonymously and paid independently. A venue can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the 100 Essential Cafes and Bakeries guide.
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