Famed for its abundance of laneways and a coffee culture so serious it closely resembles a religion, Melbourne is crammed with cafes perfect for meetings – of the business or leisure variety.
Wherever your base, Melbourne’s best cafes serve up a decent cup of joe and cool digs to get some face time with clients or friends.
St Ali
12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
Like most things in Melbourne, St Ali possesses cool and quality in equal measure. The coffee here is on point thanks to St Ali’s pedigree as a pioneer in the city’s speciality coffee space. And in a city obsessed with coffee, that’s saying something. Find it tucked into an unassuming warehouse in South Melbourne, serving locals and visitors alike seven days a week.
Alimentari
251 Brunswick Street
, Fitzroy & 302-304 Smith Street, Collingwood
A Melbourne institution since 1998, Alimentari (aka the Little Deli) is known for its traditional Italian vibe, quality food and excellent coffee. Literally translating as ‘good food and camaraderie’ there are now two cafes to get your fix at – the original in Fitzroy and most recent in Collingwood. The cafe slash deli great for a quick meet and greet or a longer lunch meeting with something from the impressive deli cabinet.
Top Paddock
658 Church Street, Richmond
Slick service and a sleek fit out combine to make Top Paddock a Melbourne fave. Add to that a standout menu (seasonally updated, naturally), award-winning coffee and a strong paddock to plate, locally-sourced ethos, Top Paddock is a coffee spot with serious soul.
Proud Mary Cafe
172 Oxford Street, Collingwood
Pride isn’t just in the name at Proud Mary, it’s a way of life. From food to fit out and coffee, the crew behind Proud Mary take the good things in life very seriously and they want to share it. With their own roastery, a coffee college and what they call a coffee cellar door (Aunty Peg’s), rest assured that your daily hit will be next level good. The food menu isn’t outdone either, with a tidy selection of moreish eats available until 3pm each day.
The Espresso Room
410 High Street, Northcote
If you find yourself in Northcote in need of a meeting location, then make your way to coffee die-hard haunt, The Espresso Room. Serving single origin brews (from beans roasted onsite) and a creative food menu, there are plenty of tables and a relaxed vibe, perfect for a remote office or a quick on-the-go meeting.
Dead Man Espresso
35 Market Street, South Melbourne
If you’re stationed at Southbank, visit Dead Man Espresso for a good cup of coffee and some delish eats between 7am and 4pm. Frequented by the suited and booted business set, as well as friends on casual catch ups, Dead Man Espresso is a solid option for south-side meetings with a generous side of quirky-cool.
The European
161 Spring Street, Melbourne
Channelling the old world charm of the grand European wine bars and eateries, The European has three locations across Melbourne, all home to one of the best coffees in Melbourne. Open seven days a week, keep The European up your sleeve for a prospective client that needs to be wined and dined in style.
John Gorilla
49 Pearson Street, Brunswick West
Art is everywhere in Brunswick and John Gorilla, is no exception. With art-adorned walls, quirky homewares, pops of greenery and lashings of natural light, this community focused fave serves up hearty all day breakfast and lunch plus a meticulously curated selection of brews.
Market Lane Coffee
Six locations throughout Melbourne
With six locations at all points of the compass around the CBD, Market Lane Coffee is a boutique coffee roastery and retailer that takes the city’s coffee obsession up a notch. World-class baristas sling quality cups of single origin beans (roasted expertly and in small batches onsite)that have been sourced from growers around the world, by a team of passionate coffee lovers focused on transparency and sustainability. Now in its 10th year of business, Market Lane is ideal for impressing clients who care about supporting businesses doing good.
CUMULUS INC
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Just like this cafe’s cloudy namesake, bright, airy and classic is the name of the game at CUMULUS INC. Andrew McConnell, one of the city’s best chefs is at the helm of this popular Flinders Lane eatery, which explains the restaurant’s spot on The Age Good Food and Wine List for nine years running. If a coffee meeting turns into a cheeky wine meeting, head upstairs to CUMULUS UP, the establishment's equally impressive wine bar.
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