As a Sydney girl, I’ve always been a little hard on Melbourne. There’s an often loudly spoken rivalry between the two cities. But the truth is they are both a foodie and fitness enthusiast’s dream. This really is a narrow snapshot of the southern city’s culinary goodies. There is such a long list of bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from. Of course, I swing towards the clean, sustainable, slow or conscious food options but this guide to the city includes a good range of healthy cafes in Melbourne.
Top Paddock is undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s most beloved cafes with plenty of healthy choices for the conscious eater. Image © Skye Gilkeson
10 Must-Try Healthy Cafes in Melbourne
Top Paddock | 658 Church St, Richmond
Everyone told me to check out Top Paddock. One friend said it’s the best breakfast they’ve ever had. Aussies take breakfast very seriously (almost as seriously as dinner), so that’s a pretty big call. I wasn’t disappointed. We were greeted by the busy, but very friendly staff and a wood fire.
It was a beautiful warm welcome coming straight from an early morning flight in the winter chill.
The menu offers something for the Paleo or gluten-free diner, to the traditionalist. There are simple eggs any way on toast for about $10 to the Top Paddock (below) for about $20.
There is single-origin coffee too if you need a heart starter and a cabinet full of naughtiness if you’re stopping in for a sweet treat.
Soft, creamy scrambled eggs and trout make for breakfast perfection at Top Paddock, Melbourne. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Seedling Cafe | 275 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
Seedling Cafe was the perfect find while I wandering the famous laneways (or other fun free things in Melbourne) on a cold winter afternoon.
A hole-in-the-wall cafe with a few cosy seats inside, what Seedling lacks in size it makes up for in friendliness and some very delicious food.
The menu is all gluten-free with a Paleo persuasion. Get in early for their salads as they run out the door. Make sure you try a bulletproof or a matcha latte to keep you fuelled to continue an afternoon of shopping.
The must-try Bulletproof coffee at Seedling Cafe, Melbourne. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Laneway Greens | Shop 2, 242 Flinders Lane Melbourne
A go-to for a quick, delicious lunch every time I am in Melbourne city now, Laneway Greens was exactly what the city needed.
You’ll find balanced nutrient-dense macro-style bowls of vegetables with protein like salmon or chicken with lots of vegetarian or vegan alternatives.
The smoothies are super tasty and deceptively filling so opt for one or the other. A must try in Melbourne.
One of the delicious and very filling bowls at Laneway Greens, Melbourne. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Feast of Merit | 117 Swan St, Richmond
Feast of Merit is really the definition of conscious eating. It’s a communal dining house with a menu built on local, sustainable and ethical ingredients – slow food. Their philosophy goes a little deeper though. It’s based on a tradition out of Nagaland in far North-eastern India.
If someone comes into wealth they can choose to share it with the rest of the community by holding a feast of merit, so everyone can benefit from their windfall. At Feast of Merit, all the profits raised go to funding youth education and leadership programs at home and in Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Cambodia. The menu is equally thoughtful.
From the locally cultured butter and jam, to slow-cooked pulled lamb and Shakshouka eggs on the breakfast menu. For lunch and dinner, you’ll notice pickled veggies and locally sourced chicken and beef, not to mention lots of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The menu warms you just by reading it.
Feast of Merit is a Melbourne restaurant with heart. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Seratonin Eatery | 52 Madden Grove, Burnley 3121
Pulling in the plant-based crowd Seratonin Eatery serves up a creative and colourful menu featuring everything from their version of smashed avocado to beautiful Nutrition Bomb bowls full of healthy vegetables, eggs, nuts, seeds and ferments for a balanced brunch.
We love that they also have a healthy kids menu which can be hard to find around town. Don’t leave without taking home a raw treat.
Combi | Shop 1/140 Ormond Road, Elwood
Combi is a clear favourite for the Melbourne vegan and raw crowd. It’s no surprise they have now expanded with a gorgeous sister store in Byron Bay. Think superfood bowls, colourful smoothies, chia pots all perfectly plated for that perfect Instagram update.
Matcha Mylkbar | 72A Acland St, St Kilda
The brainchild of lawyer-turned-influencer Sarah Davidson and her husband, Nic, Matcha Mylkbar launched on to the Melbourne healthy cafe scene just as matcha was gaining traction on Australia’s Insta-feeds.
The Melbourne cafe is now a plant-based institution offering a vast menu, dotted with its signature Japanese Matcha green tea. Starr your day with some Smashes Avocado, wholefoods bowl or superfood smoothie, stop in for something more substantial for lunch. Or, grab an afternoon Matcha latte pick-me-up.
Paleo perfection at Seedling Cafe, Melbourne. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Hunter’s Harvest | 1/92 Charles Street Seddon VIC
The fitness-set will love Hunter’s Harvest. Stop in for a cup of broth, a vegan smoothie or choose one of their super nutrient-dense bowls that is sure to keep you powering through to the afternoon. The key at Hunter’s Harvest is to maintain a balanced, mindful diet; with their menu items and make-your-own bowl option including carbs, protein, vegetables and fats to choose from. There are plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options on the delicious menu.
Nutrition Bar | 121 Swan St, Richmond
On the hunt for a green smoothie or Acai bowl? Nutrition Bar is a great pit stop. Their cabinet is stocked with lots of ready-made meals from salad to raw protein or cacao balls and cold drip coffee. They can whip up smoothies and fresh juices while you wait too.
Dukes Coffee Roasters | 169 Chapel Street, Windsor
It’s a busy joint and the food and coffee are amazing so everyone wants a piece of the action. Despite the heavy waiting time warnings online, we risked it on a Saturday and took a seat in about 10 minutes. The staff is super friendly and as trendy as the place itself. No surprise there, as it’s up the road from the shopping district. I chose the charred greens with chorizo and labneh.
It tastes as good as it looks. The Hubby inhaled the almond milk porridge with rhubarb and honey. If you’re not keen to wait around for a table, the cabinet is full of takeaway options and they offer a number of coffee options, including single-origin and a V60 pour over brew.
Wandering the Melbourne streets in search of healthy fare on a chilly winter’s day. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.