All across Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs people are enjoying the beautiful warmth of summer days! Our moods are buoyant and the future is looking better with every passing day. With joie de vivre coursing through our veins there are few things more apt to celebrate our return to living than a stupendous, long, languid brunch in the glorious outdoors of some of Melbourne’s finest café’s! To take away some of the guess work in this we have compiled a list of some of our finest outdoor dining partners in Melbourne and beyond.
Old Man Drew
Ascot Vale VIC | @old.man.drew
Despite the name, Old Man Drew is still a relatively fresh venue in the heart of Ascot Vale. At 2 years old, this beautiful venue is ticking all the boxes in terms of fit out, menu and coffee but the real gem of this grand cafe is the awe-inspiring garden and dining area. To say this garden is a labour of love for the team is an understatement. Take a seat and you will be surrounded by a profusion of seasonal produce, flowers, fruit trees and the odd vintage Bedford truck. It’s somewhere you can easily while away a morning sipping on a delicious coffee and feasting on the classic brunch menu or a tasty selection of house made cakes. Extra marks for the very warm welcome of our four legged dining companions as well.
Montalto
Red Hill South VIC | @montaltovineyard
The Mornington peninsula wine region is packed with high quality, beautifully designed wineries serving up some seriously tasty menus. Near the top of this list is Montalto Estate. Anyone who has visited the cellar door at Montalto will remember walking through the door into the Piazza and being confronted with some of the most amazing views of rolling, vine covered hills, bountiful produce gardens and amazing sculptures. Take a seat at one of the many tables in the Piazza and garden and sample some of beautiful wines, outstanding, woodfired Pizzas and a delicious coffee. If sitting down isn’t your thing, Montalto also do some of the most decadent picnics you can find. Pre-order ahead and you won’t be disappointed.
Myrtle Wine Cafe
Footscray VIC | @myrtlefootscray
Myrtle Wine Cafe is a super new venue from Ellen Turner whose first venue, Willow Wine Café in Kingsville, has quickly become a local champion for the coffee and wine starved masses of the inner west! Myrtle Wine Café is housed next to the Footscray Community Arts Centre in a heritage listed bluestone building. Inside is airy, light and comfortable but its the outside seating options that really add that extra dimension. Though there are only a few tables on the covered area outside, the lawn is truly where the action happens. Get some take away coffees and treats and spend some time relaxing on the bean bags, or simply lolling on the grass. There is lots of room for little ones to play, so that afternoon coffee may very easily turn into a cheeky glass of Riesling whilst the kids cartwheel and leap frog themselves into a state of exhaustion.
Edina Waterfront Café
Portarlington VIC | @edinawaterfrontcafe
The view from the front deck of Edina Waterfront Café is something that needs to be seen to be believed. Located on the waterfront in Port Arlington, Edina has quickly become the go to for locals and day trippers alike. It’s commanding, 270 degree views from the towering You Yangs through to Melbourne City and around to the Mornington Peninsula are hard to beat as a dining companion and are a suitable reminder of how much we have missed getting out and about over the past few months. Grab a coffee or lunch on the deck or grab a TA snack and take up a spot on the lawn below.
Gather Food Coffee & Co
Berwick VIC | @gatherfoodcoffee.co
Unless you’re a local, you could be forgiven for never knowing that the Wilson Botanic Gardens in Berwick existed. Tucked away off Berwick’s main street, you follow a tree lined avenue into what can only be described as a hidden gem. The gardens comprise beautiful ponds, secret playgrounds and plenty of paths that wind themselves through manicured gardens. They all lead to a beautiful lake filled with swimming turtles and families of ducks. Perched on a rise, overlooking this beautiful vista, is Gather: Food, Coffee & Co. The crew here pump out delicious coffee and tasty treats to armies of walkers and joggers Monday to Friday and on the weekend it’s day trippers and raucous family get togethers. The owners, Ryan and Brent, may look familiar as well. They are the champions behind another local stalwart, Little by Little, which is just a stone’s throw away.
Honourable Mentions
Of course we can’t fit everyone that we want to on a list like this so some honourable mentions need to be made:
Le Capucin
@lecapucin_portsea
A favourite of the Portsea community, Loic and Kirsty serve beautiful coffee and delicious, French inspired food. Grab a TA and wander over the headland for some seriously beautiful views.
Albert & Co
Lakes Entrance VIC | @albert_and_co_catering
This expansive venue is located directly on the waterfront promenade and is a short stroll from all that Lakes Entrance has to offer.
