best garden cafes

Where Are The Best Garden Cafes In Melbourne?

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    The only thing better than eating or drinking coffee outside in a garden cafe is doing so when the weather is nice. Beautiful places to visit abound in Melbourne, making it difficult to decide where to go.

    Melbourne is known for its laid-back cafe culture, and there's no better way to take in the city's green spaces than with a coffee and snack from one of the many garden cafes located throughout the metro area. We've included some of our top picks below.

    These cafes provide a one-of-a-kind experience that can't be found anywhere else, whether you're looking for a quiet place to meditate in the woods or a productive place to get some work done while taking in the scenery.

    If you're in Melbourne and looking for something out of the ordinary, then you should visit one of these places.

    The Best Cafe Courtyards in Melbourne

    When the weather is nice, nobody wants to be inside. Perhaps it's because Melbourne's terminology is so vague, but there's no guarantee that the sun will shine for more than the time it takes to finish a cup of coffee.

    The arrival of spring brought with it the prospect of sunny mornings and balmy afternoons, so we set out to locate the best cafe gardens where one could enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold one in the sunlight.

    The Stables of Como

    Como House in Prahran is home to the picture-perfect Stables of Como, which is widely considered to be the most idyllic setting for a Sunday brunch in all of Melbourne. In July, Melbourne cafe entrepreneur Jason Jones opened this pristine, white, and pastoral establishment. Breakfast and lunch at Jones are highly regarded for their quality.

    Dine on bircher muesli, eggs, or the restaurant's signature marinated feta, and torn basil on whole wheat toast for $17.90 while sitting under an umbrella. For four dollars, you can buy a baguette or a Noisette pastry to enjoy as you wander the grounds. For $45 per person, guests of The Stables can order takeout picnic baskets complete with cutlery, a blanket, and a cheeseboard to enjoy on the grounds.

    Farm Cafe

    Children's Farm and its adjacent Farm Cafe are within walking distance, and Abbotsford Convent hosts many film, art, and music events during the warmer months. Enjoy your meal at one of the tables in the garden or in the large covered area of this rustic paradise, provided you don't mind eating close to the chickens.

    Try the Ploughman's Lunch ($17.50; ham off the bone, pickles, cheddar, apple, pork scratchings, bread and butter) or the organic produce sausage roll (served with herbed slaw as well as house relish; $12.50). Its secluded location, delicious food, and cute animals make it the perfect place to spend a warm spring afternoon.

    Pope Joan

    Pope Joan was formerly recognised as the woman who did pass as a man on Nicholson Street, before she rose to prominence as the queen of Nicholson Street. Customers of the Bishop of Ostia, a popular Brunswick bar and restaurant, can enjoy their meals and drinks in the bar's and restaurant's shared courtyard.

    Now open for dinner on weekdays, in addition to main meals seven days a week, the restaurant features appetisers like crispy prawn dumplings ($4 each), salads, and entrees like steam-baked Chatham Island cod with fennel and braised white onion ($26).

    Enjoy your midweek meal in the fresh air whenever the mood strikes you, day and night.

    Trunk Bar and Restaurant

    One of the largest as well as leafiest courtyards in the Central Business District is the Trunk courtyard on Exhibitors Street. Both the indoor dining room and the outdoor courtyard at Trunk are popular spots for workers to grab a chorizo quesadilla ($10) or a Cuban baguette ($10.50) for lunch and an after-work drink at 5 o'clock. On a warm summer night, with a few glasses of artisanal beer, pizza, or antipasti in hand, you might even start to wonder where you are.

    Sebastian's Food & Wine

    In Bayside, residents love to take advantage of the beautiful weather by spending time outside, and Sebastian's Food and Wine will be no exception. In the warmer months, Sebastian's is easy to find due to the noise emanating from the large outdoor courtyard that is adjacent to the Hampton station.

    Lunch can be ordered at the counter or straight from the kitchen if you come a little later in the day. You can swap out your coffee for a glass of red wine once breakfast is over thanks to the cafe's large umbrellas and leafy trees, which take advantage of the extra space only encountered in the suburbs.

    best garden cafes

    Kanteen

    Bicyclists, early risers, and daytime strollers along the Yarra will find Kanteen to be an oasis on their way from Abbotsford to the CBD. Due to its out-of-the-way area, the café is easily noticeable from anywhere along the winding waterway that serves as a divider between the two halves of the city.

    Thanks to the floor plan's versatility, you can enjoy the outdoors while staying dry. Get as close to the water as possible.

    Porgie + Mr Jones

    This is the place to go for brunch, lunch, or if you just want to relax and zone out for a while. No matter the day of the week, a table in the "secret garden" at Porgie + Mr. Jones is where you want to be.

    The herb and cheesy toast with eggplant kasundi ($11.90) is best enjoyed with coffee, the weekend paper, and some sun on the restaurant's spacious outdoor garden terrace, an oasis in a bustling section of Hawthorn.

    Howler

    Howler, a multi-purpose eating, drinking, and cultural space in Brunswick that isn't as cosy as a cafe, does a good job of reflecting the area's grungy past and industrial surroundings. Howler features two indoor bars and a massive outdoor area where drinks and Asian hawker fare are served daily between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

    Come in the afternoon to groove to the DJ sets and gnaw on juicy bao pillows and steamed dumplings ($8).

    Industry Beans

    Industry Beans is a cafe that has overflowed onto the sidewalk of Rose Street, a normally peaceful neighbourhood. The well-utilized space is a spacious warehouse with an attached cafe, roastery, and cupping lab.

    The open courtyard is what attracts customers, despite the fact that the spotless, high-ceilinged interior is also very nice. Check out the deep-fried panko-crusted eggs for $15 or the creamed lemon tofu breakfast Brulee for $14. They also have a rich house blend that you should try.

    Chez Dre

    It's possible to pass Chez Dre on Coventry Street and not even notice it. This patisserie and boulangerie, hidden behind the bustling South Melbourne strip, comes as a very pleasant, if not overpowering, surprise.

    Chez Dre has a selection of cakes, pastries, and macarons that would put Willy Wonka to shame. When things get hectic on the weekend, take a break and enjoy some of your finds in the peace and quiet of the courtyard. In either case, you should order something savoury to counteract the sweetness.

    FAQs About Melbourne Cafes

    The English term café, borrowed from the French, derives ultimately from the Turkish kahve, meaning coffee. The introduction of coffee and coffee drinking to Europe provided a much-needed focus for the social activities of the sober.

    A café is a type of restaurant that typically serves coffee and tea, in addition to light refreshments such as baked goods or snacks.

    Generally speaking, a restaurant refers to any establishment that serves food and beverages. Meanwhile, cafes are places that serve different types of coffee and drinks. Following that logic, all cafes are restaurants – but not all restaurants are cafes.

    "Cafe" is a restaurant that does not offer table service. Customers order their food from a counter and serve themselves. A cafe menu traditionally offers coffee, espresso, pastries, and sandwiches. Cafes originated in Europe and are strongly associated with France.

    A Relaxed Social Space

    One of the primary reasons why coffee shops have become so popular over the last decade is the feeling of comfort and relaxation they can provide. This feeling is especially prevalent when comparing coffee shops to other competing locations, such as restaurants, pubs and fast-food chains.

    Melbourne's Best Cafes in Plant Nurseries

    What could be better than spending the morning among lovely flowers, wonderful friends, and delicious refreshments? Any of these wonderful café nurseries is a great place to start if you're in need of gardening advice while sipping coffee or are in search of supplies for your vegetable garden.

    Coffee shops in horticultural centres are often hidden gems with the potential to significantly enhance the pleasure of visiting such establishments. Where else can you get some tasty java and a naughty fiddle-leaf fig in the same outing? In a nutshell, that's Melbourne!

    Poyntons of Essendon

    Situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, this multi-tiered garden offers the avid green thumb everything they could possibly desire. You can stop by The Boulevard Cafe (there's a fenced playground outside for the kids) for brunch or lunch after you've finished shopping for containers, seeds, and potted plants; wine is optional but highly recommended due to the quality of their cellar.

    Even though it's primarily a garden central hub, the restaurant's extensive menu makes it well worth a visit, if only for the atmosphere. Take in the breathtaking view of the city below as you dine on apple kasha, avocado on toast.

    Since 1936, the community of Essendon has relied on the services of Poyntons Nursery, located at 98 Vida St. Because the nursery's thriving 3.5 acre property resembles a miniature botanical garden, its motto reads "Poyntons Nursery, your botanic gardens" (or something similar).

    Over the years, the nursery has amassed a remarkable collection of rare and exotic plants, making it a prime location for discovering truly unique examples of Australia's flora. When you're ready for a break from walking around the massive site, stop by the Boulevard café, perched high above the grounds below. Enjoy a meal from the seasonal menu as you look out over the city below.

    Warran Glen Garden Centre and Cafe

    The seasonal and ever-changing dishes at the Warran Glen Cafe are of exceptional quality, and the restaurant is very kid-friendly. There is a playground and the peacocks, chickens, and ducks will eat right off your hand. This is a fantastic journey, and the plants and gifts are fantastic as well.

    The lush grounds and picturesque setting on the banks of Jumping Creek at Warren Glen Garden Centre and Café (373 Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte) make it a gardener's paradise. The café takes advantage of its picturesque location by offering outdoor seating next to a plant nursery and a selection of gardening supplies for purchase.

    The food at the café is exceptional, but it's not particularly well-known; why not take advantage of this little-known gem by planning a special outing for you and your loved ones?

    Kew Nursery and Cafe

    Breakfast is available all day and there is a wide selection of lunch options at Kew Nursery & Café [2 Gladstone St, Kew]. Extensive and thoughtfully crafted dishes can be found on the menu.

    Smashed avocado with crumbled Danish feta, cherry tomato, poached eggs, and dukkha on sourdough is our favourite item, though there is a little something for everyone on the menu. We're talking about one of the best-kept secrets in a neighbourhood full of great cafes.

    Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll through the nursery to take in the many exotic and domestic plant species available for purchase.

    Have a cup of tea or coffee with your scotch fillet steak sandwich, pumpkin cake, chia pudding, bacon and egg Turkish roll, or buttermilk pancake.

    best garden cafes (3)

    Yarra Edge Nursery Cafe

    On the heritage grounds of Melbourne Polytechnic's Fairfield campus, the Yarra Edge Nursery Cafe welcomes families with delicious lunch options, great coffee, and homemade pastries.

    This nursery has a glasshouse full of beautiful houseplants, and they focus on the types of old-fashioned plants that your grandmother would have enjoyed.

    Coffee and scenic views go hand in hand at the Yarra Edge Café [Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield]. Every day of the week, you can find us at Melbourne Polytechnic's Fairfield Campus, where we serve up delicious coffee. Try some of the food at the café and see why everyone is talking about it.

    If you haven't already, you should try a smoothie. You can choose from over twenty unique flavours. Perhaps you shouldn't spend too much time in doors. Beyond the threshold lies a world of lush vegetation. The nursery is a great place to find affordable local and exotic plant species. When you're done, why not take a stroll along the river and enjoy one of Melbourne's most picturesque areas?

    Ceres Environment Park

    Northerners are likely familiar with this place. On-site at this working farm is both the eco-friendly Merri Cafe and the farm's organic grocery store, where kids can play with chooks, Tonka trucks, and olive trees.

    The carefully tended garden plots full of vegetables, fruit, and even chooks are one of the first things newcomers to CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) [Stewart St & Roberts St, Brunswick East] will notice. People in your community will likely be happy to advise you on how to garden sustainably if you just ask. CERES, situated on an expansive 13-acre plot, is home to a thriving organic market and shop, nursery, café, market garden, and renewable energy displays.

    To have a more immersive experience and to show off to your friends and family, CERES is the place to go. Although the natural beauty is undeniable, it is the visitors who give this place its unique character.

    Paperbark Cafe at Kuranga Native Nursery

    Kuranga Native Nursery has the best selection of local flora, and its adjacent Paperbark Cafe is a lovely spot to eat and people-watch along verandahs overlooking Olinda Creek. Seasonal ingredients are featured prominently, and a delicious native bushfood flavour is infused throughout the menu.

    Acorn Nursery, Surrey Hills

    The Acorn Nursery has been a neighbourhood favourite for over 30 years. The company is proud of the high quality of its products and the excellent service it provides. Visit the nursery and ask for Tony, the manager, who will be happy to assist you with all your gardening needs.

    Check out his gardening advice if you're looking for some basic information to get you started. Stop by Acorn's lovely café any time of day for breakfast (served all day) and lunch (from 11 am) to meet the helpful and welcoming staff and have a cappuccino.

    Bay Road, Sandringham

    The Bay Road establishments boast that they offer the best of everything, and we're inclined to agree. The beautiful garden centre also features an in-house landscaping division, a giftware department, and a licenced café.

    Discover the best plant for your garden, or get ideas and advice to make over your outdoor space. Come on in, have a look around at all the different kinds of plants they have, and then relax in the café. It's located in a charming Federation cottage with sunny outdoor courtyards and serves up delectable, modern cuisine using only the finest, locally sourced ingredients.

    The artwork of local artists is on display in the 24-hour café, which is available for purchase at the cash register as you leave. Be sure to grab some of the homemade jams and preserves on your way out; you won't be sorry.

    Conclusion

    Cafe culture in Melbourne is very relaxed, and enjoying the city's parks is one of the best ways to spend time there. You won't find anything like the unique atmosphere of these cafes anywhere else. Abbotsford Convent features frequent film, art, and music events, and the nearby Collingwood Children's Farm and Farm Cafe are also convenient options. Lunch and drinks after work are popular times to visit Trunk Bar and Restaurant's indoor dining room and outdoor courtyard. If you are in search of gardening advice or supplies for your vegetable garden, a stop at the cafe inside a plant nursery is a good first step.

    It's possible to stroll between the Warran Glen Cafe, the Kew Nursery & Cafe, and the Yarra Edge Nursery Cafe. Undiscovered gems in a community brimming with excellent eateries. There are organic markets, shops, a nursery, a cafe, a market garden, and exhibits on renewable energy sources all located at CERES. There is a beautiful view of Olinda Creek from Paperbark Cafe. For over three decades, Acorn Nursery has served as a Surrey Hills institution.

    Along with its stunning landscaping service, unique gift shop, and legal coffee shop, the garden centre can do it all. A number of businesses along Bay Road in Sandringham, Australia, make grand claims about having the best of everything.

    Content Summary

    • The only thing better than eating or drinking coffee outside in a garden cafe is doing so when the weather is nice.
    • Melbourne is known for its laid-back cafe culture, and there's no better way to take in the city's green spaces than with a coffee and snack from one of the many garden cafes located throughout the metro area.
    • When the weather is nice, nobody wants to be inside.
    • Children's Farm and its adjacent Farm Cafe are within walking distance, and Abbotsford Convent hosts many film, art, and music events during the warmer months.
    • Customers of the Bishop of Ostia, a popular Brunswick bar and restaurant, can enjoy their meals and drinks in the bar's and restaurant's shared courtyard.
    • No matter the day of the week, a table in the "secret garden" at Porgie + Mr. Jones is where you want to be.
    • The lush grounds and picturesque setting on the banks of Jumping Creek at Warren Glen Garden Centre and Café (373 Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte) make it a gardener's paradise.
    • The café takes advantage of its picturesque location by offering outdoor seating next to a plant nursery and a selection of gardening supplies for purchase.
    • Yarra Edge Nursery Cafe welcomes families with delicious lunch options, great coffee, and homemade pastries.
    • CERES, situated on an expansive 13-acre plot, is home to a thriving organic market and shop, nursery, café, market garden, and renewable energy displays.
    • To have a more immersive experience and to show off to your friends and family, CERES is the place to go.
    • Visit the nursery and ask for Tony, the manager, who will be happy to assist you with all your gardening needs.
    • The beautiful garden centre also features an in-house landscaping division, a giftware department, and a licenced café.
    • Discover the best plant for your garden, or get ideas and advice to make over your outdoor space.
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