The first meal of the day in Melbourne has become a major institution, especially when it morphs into brunch. Annabel Ross in Travel Insider sussed out a handful of the best pre-lunch places in town …
Mammoth in Armadale: “You can still get smashed avocado at Mammoth but chances are you’ve never had it like this before. Served with cashew pesto, heirloom radish-and-buckwheat salad, pickled kale and black sourdough, it’s one of the simpler dishes on a menu that includes ginger-cured salmon with black-sesame French toast, yuzu caviar, brûlée egg and lemon-lime gelato, a chicken katsu salt-and-pepper doughnut burger with green mango and papaya slaw.”
Rudimentary in Footscray: “This Footscray café is housed in a set of repurposed shipping containers (where else?) and its all-day menu boasts curiosities spanning passionfruit crumpets with lemon balm and crystallised nuts to barley porridge with grilled octopus, pickled vegetables, soft egg and rice crisp ...”
The Kettle Black, South Melbourne:** “The elegant, elaborate menu – which includes chilli scrambled eggs with house-cured kangaroo, feta and leaves, and Port Phillip snapper in a brioche roll with green papaya salad, citrus mayonnaise, chilli jam and lime – is available as a breakfast degustation served in the private upstairs dining room.”
Lights in the Attic, Hawthorn East: “Scotch eggs sit atop a nest of shredded potato, free-range kransky, chilli beans and grated parmesan in a treat for the eyes and tastebuds ...”
Bowery to Williamsburg, city: “Featuring American favourites from bagels with ‘schmear’ to a short stack of griddle hot cakes … the Good Morning Cubano sandwich comes with ham hock, a fried egg, pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese on Jewish challah bread ...”