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It’s no secret: Melburnians take coffee seriously. Following World War II, coffee culture was brought to Melbourne alongside waves of Italian and Greek immigration. As the years went on, Australians developed their own coffee culture, including the signature Flat White.
Just a few minutes from vibrant St Kilda, life in the neighborhood of Balaclava centres on vibrant Carlise Street. Home to small boutique concept stores and old Jewish bakeries, you’ll unsurprisingly find some excellent coffee and brunch in Balaclava.



I have called this area home for much of my childhood. And now I’m sharing my thoughts on the best cafes in Balaclava, Melbourne.
1. All Things Equal
All Things Equal may be the most memorable cafe in Balaclava. With the deliberate objective to provide training and meaningful employment to adults with disabilities, All Things Equal is a cafe with a full heart.
While everyone will agree that the vision behind All Things Equal is worthy of the cafe’s inclusion on any list of the best cafes in Balaclava, let’s talk about the food for a minute. Taking cues from the best of Melbourne brunch cuisine, All Things Equal offers some of the best breakfast on Carlisle Street. My regular order is the ‘Roasted Mushrooms‘, set on a hearty sourdough with homemade almond cream and pickled enoki mushrooms. The house shakshuka and barramundi fishcakes are also extremely popular.



Beyond being a bridge between communities (and some excellent breakfast), All Things Equal proudly share that one hundred per cent of proceeds go towards providing meaningful and inclusive employment.
If you are a Balaclava local, it’s worth keeping in mind that All Things Equal offer world-class catering services and a great, after-hours venue to host a private dinner.
2. Monk Bodhi Dharma
Monk Bodhi Dharma is the epitome of an excellent Melbourne brunch cafe. Set off busy Carlisle Street in the corner of a seemingly disused car park, you’ll find a small red brick building surrounded by some excellent street art. It is here, in the grungiest corner of Balaclava where you’ll find Monk Bodhi Dharma. The space is small, intimate and feels extremely well loved.



While Monk Bodhi Dharma offer a completely vegetarian and vegan menu, I strongly encourage all non-vegetarians to stop past (I promise you won’t even realize). In fact, I’d say the brunch menu at Monk Bodhi Dharma is among the best in Melbourne (which is why Monk Bodhi Dharma features on our list of the best brunch in Melbourne). If you’re after something particularly filling, I’d recommend the ‘Umami Mushroom‘ which is made with 3 types of mushrooms in a creamy sauce with either goats cheese or almond feta. Best of all, this masterful fungus concoction sits a hearty piece of home-made pumpkin polenta bread.
For something a little lighter, don’t miss the zucchini and mint fritters served with a very fresh beetroot relish. As you’d expect, the coffee selection at Monk Bodhi Dharma is world class while the fresh juices are the perfect accompaniment to one of Melbourne‘s best brunches.

3. Wall Coffee
I’ll be honest, I’ve been calling this place the ‘Hole in the Wall’ for many years. You can just imagine how surprised I am to find out this cafe in Balaclava is actually just ‘Wall Coffee‘.
In a busy neighborhood like Balaclava, the first good sign of an excellent Melbourne cafe is a solid crowd. And Wall Coffee is always busy.
For about 15 years, the Wall has been my go-to place for a takeaway coffee in the area. Set in a former Kosher butcher, the Wall leans into its local historic character with a fused heritage and modern design. With an ordering window onto Nelson Street and a prime position across from Balaclava station, the Wall is likely to be the best cup of coffee this side of Carlisle Street.



If I’m being honest, I rarely come to the Wall for breakfast. That’s not to say the food here isn’t excellent. Rather, for me, the Wall tends to be a coffee and cake kind of place. If you are after a bite, keep an eye out for the specials on the wall, which often include Melbourne-style Vietnamese salads and sandwiches to go.
4. Las Chicas
Like all true Melbourne neighborhoods, over the years Balaclava has seen cafes come and go. Yet every neighborhood has those cafes which stand the test of time. Much like the Wall below, Las Chicas is very much an institution among the best cafes in Balaclava.
The menu here is both typically Melbourne, while still paying homage to Las Chicas’s Balaclava roots. If you’re hungry, you’ll want to go for the Breakfast Burrito which is full of flavor (and eggs). Perhaps a quiet nod to heritage bagelier Glicks just up the road, the Smoked Salmon Bagel at Las Chicas seems to just hit the spot perfectly.
Unlike other cafes on the list, the menu at Las Chicas is particularly large. Vegetarians and the gluten-free among us will have an enjoyable time sorting through their extensive options.
5. Miss Mat
Formerly Mr. Mat, Miss Matt offers one of the most reliable cups of coffee in Balaclava. With a window directly onto Carlisle Street, you can’t go wrong with a coffee-on-the-go from Miss Mat.
If you’re after something to eat, Miss Mat have a solid menu featuring some excellent toasties (because who doesn’t love grilled cheese). Keep an eye out for the specialis on the white board behind the counter, and if the pistachio pancakes are available then Miss Mat has made your ordering decisions for you.



For those looking for a quick bite on the way to the train, Miss Mat’s donuts are made in house and worth every single calorie.
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