Uniquely themed and centrally located – these cafes in Melbourne are eagerly awaiting your visit!

It’s safe to say Melburnians are spoilt for choice when they’re hankering for a coffee. With over 2000 cafes across the city, sometimes it’s not enough to simply make just a ‘good’ coffee, or something tasty to nibble on; they have to offer something unique.

Thankfully, there are a handful of unique cafes in Melbourne that are eager to show off the city’s creative streak with stand-out snacks, distinctive drinks, and eccentric themes. So, if you’re looking for the quirkiest, the most Instagrammable, the best and the most unique cafes in Melbourne of 2024, this list is for you!

<strong>Bakemono Bakers</strong>
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Bakemono Bakers

A converted city garage, Bakemono Bakers looks like a private parking spot when the roller doors are down. But, when opened, the space transforms into a Japanese hole-in-the-wall cafe and bakery – complete with a wooden façade and rich doughy aroma – reminiscent of those found in Kyoto or Osaka. That inspiration carries onto the menu: popular items like their Korean-style garlic bread or Shokupan (milk bread loaf) are hard to come by in Melbourne. Time is of the essence at Bakemono Bakers with their pastries often selling out by midday – so plan to get there early if you’re keen to try one of the most uniquely themed cafe in Melbourne.

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273 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
<strong>The Budapest Cafe</strong>
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The Budapest Cafe

Also making our list as one of the Best Brunch Spots in Melbourne, The Budapest Cafe feels like walking through the lobby of the Grand Budapest Hotel. Inspired by director Wes Anderson’s penchant for symmetry, clean lines and pastel colours, every fine detail at The Budapest Cafe has a handcrafted feel that can only be described as cosy. A selection of Japanese staples such as soupless udon and omurice make for the perfect brunch experience that’s paired elegantly with top-notch coffee. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Budapest Cafe also stocks the film’s iconic pink ‘Mendls’ boxes, filled with tasty desserts to enjoy.

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498 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC 3053
<strong>Cafe Colores</strong>
Photographed by Larisa Blinova. Image via Shutterstock.

Cafe Colores

Cafe Colores may bring a little colour into your life. Considered as one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammable cafes, Cafe Colores has made a name for itself with a bright idea: the whole space is lined with LED panels that change colour every month. While every new combination changes the mood and feel of the cafe, their South American styled snacks and coffee are consistently excellent. Of note are the pasteles, square-shaped pies popular in Colombia, which are filled with either chicken, beef, or eggplant.

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783 High St, Reservoir, VIC 3073
<strong>Cat Cafe Melbourne</strong>
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Cat Cafe Melbourne

In one of Melbourne’s many picturesque alleyways lies the purr-fect place to hang out with friends: Cat Cafe Melbourne. Australia’s first cat cafe, this two-storey coffee shop is littered with fluffy feline friends for you to snuggle up with while sipping a warm coffee. As uniquely themed as it is Instagrammable, many of the cafe’s pawed residents come from rescue shelters, giving them time to recover while looking for a new home. If you’re looking for one of the best themed cafes in Melbourne, share a bite with some of the city’s fuzzier patrons at the Cat Cafe Melbourne.

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30 Guildford Lne, Melbourne, VIC 3000
<strong>Easey’s</strong>
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Easey’s

One of the most original cafe concepts in Melbourne, Easey’s almost defies the laws of physics. On top of a multi-storey complex in Collingwood sits three train cars, rusting and tatted with street art. Undeniably, this quirky and unique cafe in Melbourne is just as cool as it is vintage. With the trains feeling as if they are hanging over the city, as if placed there by a feng shui King Kong, inside the carriages have been decked out to mimic a classic American deli, with booth chairs and sauce dispensers. Enjoy drop-dead delicious burgers, fries and hot-dogs while gazing over Melbourne.

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3/48 Easey St, Collingwood, VIC 3066
<strong>Eggholic</strong>
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Eggholic

Eggholic operates by a simple philosophy: do one thing and do it well. The newly launched sandwich eatery offers customers mouth-watering Korean-style egg sandwiches. For those unfamiliar, imagine two thick slices of toasted brioche bread, crammed with an egg and a variety of fillings. With four locations, Eggholic is considered as one of the best cafes in Melbourne; and this street food staple pairs egg-celently with their Korean lattes, or even a bubble tea from one of Melbourne’s best boba shops. But you better crack on before their delicious creations are sold out!

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Various Locations
<strong>Hopetoun Tea Rooms</strong>
Photographed by Paul Philipson. Image via Visit Victoria.

Hopetoun Tea Rooms

While most cafes come and go, some have stood the test of time. Just like one of the best cafes to visit in Melbourne: Hopetoun Tea Rooms. With decadent cake displays and period specific décor, Hopetoun feels frozen in time from when it first opened its doors all the way back in 1892. The vintage charm carries over to their sophisticated selection of teas, scones and cakes that will have you raising your pinkie in glee. One of the most audacious high tea experiences Melbourne has to offer, this Instagrammable cafe will ensure that you spoil yourself silly with this ageless institution.

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421 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
<strong>Krimper</strong>
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Krimper

Tasked with taking over a former sawmill and cabinet factory, the team at Krimper wanted to preserve as much of the original charm and interior as they could. The result is a rustic, vintage cafe in the heart of Melbourne that captures the feeling of an industrial warehouse, with bare brick walls, lofty ceilings and weather wooden tables. Just as quirky as it is beautiful, take a snap of that history in between steaming coffees and a standout brunch menu.

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20 Guildford Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3000
<strong>Marche Board Game Cafe</strong>
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Marche Board Game Cafe

Victory has never tasted so sweet at Marche Board Game Cafe. Right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, this boutique cafe offers the chance to eat delicious Taiwanese cuisine to the clitter clatter of Monopoly pieces. Dozens of board games are on offer including everything from classics like Catan and Cards Against Humanity, to any number of obscure tabletop adventures. For the more musical fans out there, Marche Board Game Cafe also doubles as a karaoke bar, letting you belt out classic tunes to your heart’s content. Now it is your turn to try this unique experience for yourself!

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63 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
<strong>One Plus Piece Cafe</strong>
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One Plus Piece Cafe

Calling all anime fans: the One Plus Piece Cafe will catch you hook, line and sinker. Step inside to find one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammable cafes brimming with merchandise and collectibles from the beloved pirate themed anime series One Piece. There’s even a mural on the back wall dedicated to the show like an anime Last Supper. Between chunky themed burgers, decadent milkshakes and One Piece latte art, this American-Japanese fusion cafe will have your tastebuds sailing the high seas. One of the best cafes in Melbourne for 2024!

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266 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn, VIC 3103

Still searching for Melbourne’s best and newest cafes? Why not take a peek at our list of The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Melbourne. Or, prepare yourself for a sugar hit at these 10 Best Patisseries in Melbourne!

Feature image: Photographed by Xochi. Image via Unsplash.
This article was first published on November 15 2021. It was updated and edited by Hunter and Bligh on April 24 2023.