Brunswick’s Jewell Station Village offers up a gem in sunny all-day cafe and luncheonette Beautiful Jim Key. Priyam Chovhan and her partner Josh Murphy, formerly chef-owner of Footscray pizzeria Harley & Rose and chef at McConnell venues including Cumulus Inc and Moon Under Water, offer a brunch menu of elevated takes on classic dishes like bircher, the big breakfast and sausage muffin (with optional hash brown), that rolls effortlessly into the afternoon and a more substantial, bistro menu. 7 Wilson Avenue, Brunswick; beautifuljimkey.com.au

Anyone who has fallen for Japan’s next-level convenience stores, or konbini, should seek out this Cremorne deli-meets-cafe, and its distinctly Melburnian take on the genre. From the crew behind popular Japanese restaurant Future Future, Suupaa offers grab-and-go brunch and lunch options, such as onigiri, Japanese melonpan buns and fried egg sandos. A newly introduced breakfast service plates up stellar starts to the day such as shokupan toast with miso nutella; and a breakfast bun with teriyaki chicken pattie and a just-cooked egg. To drink, think brews of the moment such as banana cold brew, Hōjicha and matcha the traditional way or cold and foam-topped. Shop 1/65 Dover St, Cremorne; suupaa.au

After winning West Melbourne’s heart with kimchi jaffles and cloud-like sandos, Eun Hee An and Mei Onsamlee moved to an equally bijou spot in South Melbourne (there are just 15 seats inside; prepare for a wait). Their knack for memorable Korean and Japanese dishes remains very much intact, including the housemade rye shokupan ballasting a parade of deliciousness including smoked king salmon rillettes cut through with green tomato pickle; or toasted with honey butter, creme fraiche and yuzu. Amp up the comfort factor with soulful seafood congee, and remember that no good coffee is complete without a matcha macaron. 315 Clarendon St, South Melbourne | moonmart.com.au/

Few things hit the spot the morning after a big night out than the hearty dishes at this community-minded Carlton cafe. A congee-esque silken rice with braised wagyu brisket, a goopy poached egg and the all-important chilli oil is just what the doctor ordered. Plenty of the dishes here nod to co-owner Nesbert Kagonda’s Zimbabwean heritage (goat curry for breakfast, anyone?), anchored in produce grown on the cafe’s own organic farm. Take your Fenton love further by joining the cafe’s running club (pro tip: don’t eat breakfast before hitting the streets), or checking out its regular evening events. 158 Rathdowne St, Carlton; fenton-farmhouse.com

So popular that the queues snaking down the street have made headlines, this warm and welcoming Rathdowne Village spot packs the crowds in at its marble-topped tables for the kind of confidently pared-back Euro fare that Parisian dreams are made of. Expect tartines (open-faced sandwiches) going seasonal with toppings like marinated zucchini, macadamia cream and fried capers; gooey-centred herb and Gruyere omelettes; and gorgeously rugged salads. If heading northside is a bridge too far, the owners have also opened South Melbourne sibling eatery Juniper, where things swing slightly more Asian (hello, mushroom congee) while still hitting all the coffee KPIs. 617 Rathdowne St, Carlton North | floriancarlton.com.au/

Proving that eggs on toast aren’t central to a satisfying breakfast (and driving the point home with their cookbook, No Eggs on Toast), these sibling Parisian-style city-slicker cafes bring the goods with brunch cocktails and French elan. Start the day the first arrondissement way with a breakfast bellini and duck merguez sausage on a bed of orange & fennel salad. Hardware Societe’s play on the continental also satisfies the big brekkie theme with its perfect assembly of a pistachio and chocolate breakfast trifle, mortadella, stracciatella, basil, and Via Porta croissant with a petite OJ to round things out nicely. 123 Hardware St, Melbourne & 10 Katherine Pl, Melbourne; hardwaresociete.com

There are few better ideas on a sunny Melbourne day than grabbing a streetside table at this backstreet bluestone bolthole. Where the hours will take you is anyone’s guess, although the small plates and small producers ethos is a north star, backed by a wine list that provides an ever-shifting study in the definition of ‘interesting’. Espresso and golden crumpets topped with house ricotta and honeycomb rule the AM, while things shift up a gear to the likes of soulful pastas from midday. The always-spot-on playlist and the spectacle of cyclists whizzing along the Napier Street bicycle superhighway add their own charms. 359 Napier St, Fitzroy; napierquarter.com.au

From bright and early until the dusty evenings, Antara is an all-day venue, starting in the morning at 8am on weekdays with pastries, sourdough and viennoiserie which feature in a short sharp menu that tiptoes the line between brunch and dinner. The team has hand-selected some of the best seasonal produce from around Victoria to throw together elegant plates that feature local seafood, cured meat, local cheese, pickles, fresh crisp vegetables, leaves and house-made bakery items. 128 Exhibition St, Melbourne; antara.melbourne.

We need to talk about Neds. Specifically, the bakery cabinet at Neds locations across South Yarra, Armadale, Albert Park and Middle Park, where daily baked creations like sticky date croissants or seasonal danishes sit alongside permanent staples like cinnamon scrolls and sourdough loaves. While pastry is a staple of the Neds experience, to be sure, but we also wouldn’t look past the scrambled eggs with spicy chilli ‘nduja; or French toast stacked with caramelised banana and lemon curd. Various locations; nedsbake.com.au.

What started as a no-frills coffee roastery has blossomed into a series of labs, roasters, and importantly – cafes. You’ll find brunch classics like smashed avo, and the ubiquitous corn fritters, but we suggest the more experimental signature menu. Here you’ll see artistic dishes of porcini-dusted poached eggs in a nest of crisp potatoes and wild mushroom duxelle; and a particularly lush lobster roll with nori, beurre noisette, caviar and house-made salt and vinegar chips. 70 – 76 Westgarth St Fitzroy; industrybeans.com.

Fly to Phuket on the wings of Roslyn’s regional specialty of boiled rice porridge punked up with wedges of caramelised pork belly, nubbles of spicy pork mince, prawns and an onsen egg. You’ll get a bowl of clarified pork broth on the side and chilli oil to dose as you please. The entire menu at this super-cute West Melbourne hangout will get your synapses zinging and your sinuses cleared – try the pan-fried eggs with Chinese sausage and pork mince. Add an iced coffee that goes to the next level with coconut ice cream and caramelised popcorn – it’s almost a breakfast in itself. 477 King St, West Melbourne; roslynthaicafe.com.au

Think of Aunty Peg’s as somewhat of a cellar door to Proud Mary Coffee Roasters: a one-on-one, intimate barista-led experience where the beans do the talking. Named after owner Nolan Hirte’s Scottish nanna, Aunty Peg’s is all about warm hospitality and genuine connection over exceptional coffee. Cold brew poured from kegs, single-origin espresso extracted at a dedicated bench, and shelves stacked with every brewing device you’ve ever fantasised about. Roll in on a Saturday at 10.30am for free weekly cuppings of seasonal blends and staff favourites. This is serious coffee without the sermon. 200 Wellington St, Collingwood; proudmarycoffee.com.au

If the words ‘breakfast ramen’ don’t get your heart beating just a little faster, you don’t deserve to visit this delightful Japanese brunch spot in Alphington. Think noodles in a soulful broth with pork sausage, roasted tomato, mushrooms and a fried egg. It’s the love child of a Western big breakfast and ramen (you can expand your mash-up horizons further with the Kissaten Poke Bowl or avo on toast, which comes with avocado and edamame pea smash on toast.). Take your dog to brunch and grab a seat in the heated covered courtyard out back. 538-540 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington; kissatenalphington.com.au

Proving that a Melbourne brunch doesn’t have to include smashed avo, this Bollywood-esque eatery near Edinburgh Gardens rocks a weekend brunch celebrating the flavours of the Indian subcontinent, throwing in a few curveballs along the way. The fried cauliflower is all kinds of naughty and nice with its tangy tomato-chilli sauce, while thali trays are a flavour colour wheel with the likes of rich butter chicken and a ridiculously fragrant and complex slow-cooked dhal. But you might not be able to look past the IFC – Indian fried chicken. Fancy a drink? The bottomless offering covers selected beer, wine and cocktails. 167 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North | hornplease.com.au/

For the seventh year of American Express delicious. Month Out, the American Express Card Member offer is back. The month-long campaign has activated across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, giving food lovers the chance to score cashback at thousands of the nation’s best cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars throughout May. To get 20% back on dining, up to $25 per Card, at more than 65,000 participating venues from April 28 to May 31, simply save the offer to your eligible Card*. *Exclusions, T&Cs apply.