The laudable French concept of ‘service continu’ (continuous service) is honoured at this Euro-slick Flinders Lane newcomer, where you can rock up for breakfast and roll out after a late-night supper. Reasons to visit in the AM include the signature Austrian-style scrambled pancake known as kaiserschmarrn (add yoghurt and blueberries and consider most of the food groups covered), and there’s no shame in ordering a pre-midday steak frites sanga with cheese sauce and Dijon mayo. And the classics, you ask? They’re covered, too: witness the eggs benedict revving hard with bacon steak and brown butter hollandaise on a golden rosti. 1/238 Flinders Ln, Melbourne | eliosplace.com.au/

The Melbourne cafe kings behind Terror Twilight, Tinker and Ophelia, among others, have planted their flag in the north-west, and the brunch gods are pleased. The vast venue opposite Queens Park packs in the crowds for an eclectic menu that sees smashed avo tarted up with miso carrot puree and black sesame yoghurt, while Turkish eggs loll in the company of hot red pepper butter and dill pickle. The words ‘cinnamon scroll pancakes’ also ought to float your pre-lunchtime boat. The venue’s glam good looks justify hitting a brunchtime cocktail – increase your vitamin C with a mimosa or Bloody Mary. 109 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds | convoymooneeponds.com.au/

Brunch turns into a south-of-the-border party at this Collingwood favourite on Saturdays, with its ‘Bottomless Fiesta’ menu. The set menu is bright with the Latin American lean of freshly shucked oysters with tiger’s milk (a slurpable, citrussy marinade), rugged balls of cheese bread known as chipa with jamon, and lamb tacos with classic chilli-spiked tomato salsa. And don’t forget the gooey-centred cheese and corn empanadas, along with chorizo anticucho and potatoes Provençale. Drinks hold up their part of the bottomless deal for this occasion, whether you’re after a passionfruit and prosecco spritz, chilli grapefruit margarita or Stone & Wood Pacific Ale. 59 Cambridge St, Collingwood | pinchodisco.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/

There are few more satisfying ways to start your day than a beautifully considered teishoku – Japanese set meal – at this lauded cafe and restaurant anchoring Brunswick’s Nightingale development. Choose from the likes of grilled kingfish collar or fried tofu with all the trimmings (rice, miso soup, pickles and greens). Add an onsen egg or chicken nanban (fried chicken in tangy sauce), and chase it with an elegant pot of perfectly brewed matcha tea. Ima owners James Spinks (ex Supernormal, Quay and Sake) and Japanese interior designer Ako Miura also bring an ethical, minimal-waste philosophy to this brilliantly executed brunch party. 1 Duckett St, Brunswick | imaproject.co/asa-yoru

The Nigella Lawson-approved anchovy, boiled egg and salsa verde on toast became the cult dish that other brunch spots can only dream about, but Napier Quarter has plenty of other strings to its bow. Part cafe, part wine bar and entirely suave, the corner bluestone hits pleasure receptors from morning to night. Few things can rival grabbing a fat cardamom bun and a coffee to soak up the morning sun at the kerbside tables, while a sophisticated take on simplicity extends to roe-jewelled folded eggs on a golden crumpet and juniper-cured ocean trout with a riot of herby greens. 359 Napier St, Fitzroy | napierquarter.com.au/

Spice up your life with a visit to this unassuming cafe punching above its weight, thanks to the talents of two former Long Chim chefs. Rolling out of bed straight into the arms of creamy pork congee with a soft-boiled egg and Chinese doughnuts is an excellent idea – ditto the signature khao khai khon, a cloud of scrambled eggs with garlic soy prawns and chilli lime fish sauce. Cakes and desserts get their own special billing – pandan chiffon cake with coconut icing and salted coconut is like an east-west fever dream for sweet tooths – while coffee is by Proud Mary. 477 King St, West Melbourne | roslynthaicafe.com.au/

Get your art fix with a side order of brunch at the Heide Galley cafe. The modernism-inspired glass-walled cube and its sheltered courtyard make a glorious canvas for the talents of the Mulberry Group (Hazel, Lilac Wine and many more). Brioche cinnamon French toast arrives with preserves originating from the on-site kitchen gardens, while ’nduja-spicy scrambled eggs make an equally good case for the garden herbs. Stay golden with the virtuous brown rice bowl with miso mushrooms and sauteed greens, or go all out with the rosti benedict. Make time for a postprandial walk to explore the sculpture-dotted gardens. 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen | heide.com.au/kitchen/

After winning West Melbourne’s heart with kimchi jaffles and cloud-like sandos, Eun Hee An and Mei Onsamlee have 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/

Proving that a Melbourne brunch doesn’t have to include smashed avo, this carnivalesque 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/