How We Chose the Best Brunch Spots Near Brighton

1. Carter Lovett, Elsternwick – Best overall

Why it is number one: Carter Lovett combines the ease of a neighbourhood café with the polish of an all-day hospitality venue. Set in a historic corner building on Glen Huntly Road, it feels characterful rather than formulaic. The kitchen moves comfortably between familiar breakfast ideas and more considered seasonal cooking, while the coffee program and warm service make it equally convincing for a quick weekday visit or a leisurely weekend brunch.

For Brighton diners, the short trip north is rewarded by a venue with genuine personality. It is my personal favourite in this guide and our strongest all-round recommendation for food, coffee, atmosphere and repeat appeal.

• Address: 329 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick VIC 3185
• Best for: destination brunch, couples, coffee and a polished neighbourhood atmosphere
• Website: Carter Lovett

2. Pantry, Brighton – Best Church Street institution

Pantry has long been part of the rhythm of Church Street. Its broad appeal is the point: locals can stop for coffee, meet friends for brunch, bring the family or turn a late breakfast into lunch. The central location near Middle Brighton station also makes it one of the easiest choices for visitors exploring Brighton without a car.

The atmosphere is lively and social, especially at peak weekend times. Choose Pantry when your group wants a recognisable Brighton address, a wide-ranging café menu and the option to linger in the heart of the shopping precinct.

• Address: 1 Church Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: groups, families, people-watching and a classic Brighton brunch
• Website: Pantry Brighton

3. The Little Ox, Brighton – Best relaxed local brunch

A Brighton institution since 2009, The Little Ox occupies a sunny corner at New and Cole streets. It delivers what many people actually want from a local café: dependable coffee, approachable breakfast and lunch choices, friendly service and an easygoing room that does not try too hard.

Outdoor tables make it a useful stop for cyclists and dog owners, while the light-filled interior suits catch-ups and casual family meals. It is close enough to the beach precinct to combine brunch with a walk, without being caught in the busiest Church Street strip.

• Address: 452 New Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: locals, casual catch-ups, cyclists and outdoor tables
• Website: The Little Ox

4. Merrymen, Hampton – Best for families and groups

Merrymen is tucked just off Hampton Street and is especially practical when you want space, a friendly atmosphere and an option that works across generations. Its neighbourhood setting feels removed from the traffic of the main strip, yet it remains easy to reach from central Hampton.

The venue suits a longer brunch with friends, parents meeting with children and groups whose tastes range from simple breakfast staples to fuller lunch-style dishes. Its nearby outdoor and family-friendly environment strengthens its appeal for relaxed weekend plans.

• Address: 2 Small Street, Hampton VIC 3188
• Best for: families, groups and relaxed weekend gatherings
• Website: Merrymen Hampton

5. Zeppelin Kitchen, Brighton – Best contemporary café dining

Zeppelin Kitchen brings a composed, modern café experience to Bay Street. Its stated focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce translates into globally influenced café cooking that feels a little more deliberate than a basic breakfast stop. The room is smart without becoming formal.

It is a strong choice for a business catch-up, a presentable brunch with visiting friends or diners who want contemporary food in North Brighton. The venue also lists wheelchair access to its entrance and bathroom, a useful practical distinction.

• Address: 368 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: contemporary menus, business catch-ups and accessible dining
• Website: Zeppelin Kitchen

6. MAZI, Brighton – Best Mediterranean-inspired brunch

MAZI occupies the former Brighton Schoolhouse site and offers a character-filled alternative to the standard shopping-strip café. Its Mediterranean influence, leafy outdoor space and heritage setting make it particularly appealing when atmosphere matters as much as the coffee.

The menu provides options for mixed groups, including vegetarian and vegan diners, while the courtyard lends itself to a slower brunch in suitable weather. Choose MAZI for a social meal, a sunny outdoor table or a brunch that feels more like an occasion.

• Address: 15 St Andrews Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: Mediterranean flavours, outdoor dining and mixed dietary needs
• Website: MAZI Brighton

7. Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird, Gardenvale – Best specialty coffee

Omar is the coffee specialist in this list. The Gardenvale café is connected to a careful roasting operation that has been learning, sourcing and brewing since 2010. That focus makes it the logical pick for drinkers who care about origin, roast style and a consistently well-made cup.

The food supports rather than overwhelms the coffee-led identity. Come here for a purposeful morning stop, to explore beans or brewing, or to meet someone who will notice the difference between an average coffee and a thoughtfully handled one.

• Address: 124–126 Gardenvale Road, Gardenvale VIC 3185
• Best for: specialty coffee, coffee enthusiasts and early starts
• Website: Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird

8. Brother Brew, Brighton East – Best neighbourhood newcomer

Brother Brew gives Brighton East residents a convenient neighbourhood option on Hawthorn Road. The venue balances coffee, breakfast and lunch with a relaxed, community-minded style, making it useful for everyday visits rather than only special-occasion brunches.

Outdoor seating and clearly identified plant-based choices broaden its appeal. It is a sensible pick when you want to avoid Brighton’s busier retail strips, meet locally or settle in for a casual weekend breakfast. Brother Brew replaces Saint Martin in this updated shortlist.

• Address: 763 Hawthorn Road, Brighton East VIC 3187
• Best for: Brighton East locals, casual meetings and vegan-friendly choices
• Website: Brother Brew Cafe

9. Olie & Ari, Brighton – Best Were Street Village café

Olie & Ari remains one of Were Street Village’s most recognisable café addresses. The corner setting and residential surroundings give it a distinctly local feeling, while its long history in Brighton adds confidence for diners who prefer an established operator.

The appeal lies in a menu that can move beyond standard eggs and toast, supported by coffee and a calm, design-conscious setting. It works well for an early breakfast, a one-on-one catch-up or brunch followed by a walk through the village.

• Address: 133–135 Were Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: village atmosphere, early coffee and a quieter Brighton brunch
• More information: Olie & Ari

10. The Hamptons Bakery, Hampton – Best for bread and pastries

The smell of bread and pastries is part of the experience at this bright Hampton Street bakery-café. Its in-house baking gives it a point of difference from cafés that simply buy in their cabinet selection, and it works particularly well when some people want a full brunch while others prefer coffee and something baked.

It is a walk-in venue, so allow flexibility at popular weekend times. The combination of artisan bread, pastries, breakfast and lunch makes it one of Hampton’s most versatile daytime stops.

• Address: 427 Hampton Street, Hampton VIC 3188
• Best for: pastries, artisan bread, coffee and mixed appetites
• Website: The Hamptons Bakery

11. Paperboy Coffee Bar, Hampton – Best casual coffee stop

Paperboy is a straightforward local favourite on Hampton Street, well suited to people who value coffee, familiarity and a relaxed pace. It feels more like an everyday neighbourhood café than a highly staged brunch destination, and that is precisely its strength.

Choose it for an informal breakfast, a catch-up that does not need ceremony or a coffee before exploring Hampton’s shops. Its central location also makes it convenient for locals on foot.

• Address: 370 Hampton Street, Hampton VIC 3188
• Best for: casual brunch, takeaway coffee and Hampton Street convenience
• Website: Paperboy Coffee Bar

12. Black Squirrel, Sandringham – Best village atmosphere

Black Squirrel sits close to Sandringham station and the Bay Road village, making it an easy meeting point before or after a beach walk. It offers the familiar pleasures of a local café: coffee, an approachable daytime menu and a setting that feels connected to the surrounding community.

This is a practical choice for Sandringham residents, train travellers and visitors wanting brunch near the foreshore without dining directly on the waterfront.

• Address: 20 Bay Road, Sandringham VIC 3191
• Best for: village brunch, train access and pairing with a coastal walk
• Website: Black Squirrel

13. Brighton Soul, Brighton – Best colourful brunch

Brighton Soul is the most visually exuberant café in the guide. Its colourful dishes, murals, neon details and multiple dining areas create a high-energy alternative to Brighton’s more restrained cafés. The venue has grown from modest beginnings into a large, well-known Church Street operation.

Families are well catered for, and the broad menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. Pick Brighton Soul when your group wants generous café food, a playful setting and dishes designed to deliver visual impact as well as flavour.

• Address: 129 Church Street, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: families, colourful dishes, groups and dietary choice
• Website: Brighton Soul

14. The Colonel’s Son, Black Rock – Best Beach Road stop

Directly opposite the Black Rock foreshore precinct, The Colonel’s Son offers a convenient pause on a coastal drive, ride or walk. Its café menu has been known for adding Indian influence to familiar breakfast and lunch territory, giving it a different personality from a conventional beachside café.

The location is the strongest reason to include it: brunch can be followed by the Black Rock shops, the beach or the Bay Trail. Check current service details before travelling, as published information varies between platforms.

• Address: 299 Beach Road, Black Rock VIC 3193
• Best for: coastal outings, cyclists and brunch with Indian-inspired touches
• Map: Find The Colonel’s Son

15. Beach House Brighton – Best beachfront setting

Beach House Brighton has the location no other café on this list can reproduce: directly beside Dendy Street Beach and Brighton’s famous bathing boxes. The casual café and kiosk are designed around the setting, so this is less about a cutting-edge brunch menu and more about coffee, an easy meal and an unmistakably Melbourne coastal view.

It is particularly useful for visitors, families and anyone planning a beach walk. On fine weekends, arrive early and expect the precinct and its on-site parking to be busy.

• Address: 133 Esplanade, Brighton VIC 3186
• Best for: Brighton Bathing Boxes, beach walks, visitors and waterfront views
• Website: Beach House Brighton

Which Bayside brunch spot should you choose?

• Best all-round experience: Carter Lovett.
• Best central Brighton institution: Pantry.
• Best easygoing neighbourhood café: The Little Ox.
• Best specialty coffee: Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird.
• Best for families or groups: Merrymen or Brighton Soul.
• Best for baked goods: The Hamptons Bakery.
• Best for a beach outing: Beach House Brighton.
• Best for accessible contemporary dining: Zeppelin Kitchen.

If you are visiting the area, combine brunch with our guide to things to do in Brighton and Bayside Melbourne. Travellers staying locally can also compare Brighton Beach accommodation and hotels, while diners planning a more formal meal can explore our Melbourne dining guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best brunch café near Brighton?

Carter Lovett in Elsternwick is our best overall brunch pick near Brighton. Pantry ranks second for its central Church Street location and broad appeal, while The Little Ox ranks third for its relaxed local atmosphere.

Where can I get brunch in Brighton itself?

Strong Brighton choices include Pantry and Brighton Soul on Church Street, The Little Ox on New Street, Zeppelin Kitchen on Bay Street, MAZI on St Andrews Street, Olie & Ari in Were Street Village and Beach House Brighton beside Dendy Street Beach.

Which Brighton brunch cafés are best for families?

Merrymen and Brighton Soul are especially useful for families and groups. Pantry has broad multigenerational appeal, while Beach House Brighton is convenient when brunch forms part of a beach outing.

Where is the best specialty coffee near Brighton?

Omar and the Marvellous Coffee Bird in Gardenvale is the standout coffee-led venue in this guide. Carter Lovett, The Little Ox and Paperboy are also good options when coffee is central to the visit.

Which Bayside brunch spot has the best view?

Beach House Brighton has the most distinctive outlook because it sits beside Dendy Street Beach and the Brighton Bathing Boxes. The Colonel’s Son is another convenient choice close to Port Phillip Bay in Black Rock.

Do I need to book brunch in Brighton?

Booking policies differ. Some venues accept reservations, while others operate mainly or entirely as walk-ins. Weekend and public-holiday demand can be high, so consult the venue’s official website for its current policy and opening hours.

Editorial note: This guide is independently prepared for Brighton Savoy. Inclusion is not a guarantee of availability, pricing, menu items or trading hours. Verify details directly with the venue before visiting.