The Best Brunch in Richmond
Richmond’s brunch scene doesn’t try to out-Fitzroy Fitzroy. There’s no race to put the weirdest thing on sourdough or to create a dish that photographs better than it tastes. What Richmond does well is brunch that actually fills you up, at prices that don’t require a second mortgage, in spaces where you can hear yourself think. It’s a working brunch suburb in the best sense — places that respect the meal without turning it into performance art.
Here’s where to spend your Saturday and Sunday mornings in 2026.
1. Thorne Street Kitchen — 33 Thorne Street, Richmond
Thorne Street Kitchen is the kind of place you discover through word of mouth, not Instagram. It’s tucked on a quiet residential street that doesn’t look like it has any business hosting one of Richmond’s best brunch operations, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
What to order: The seasonal plate ($24) changes based on what’s coming out of their kitchen garden. It usually involves some combination of poached eggs, roasted vegetables, good bread, and a sauce that ties it together. The house-made granola ($16) is also excellent — crunchy, not too sweet, with seasonal fruit and thick yoghurt. Coffee is from a rotating local roaster ($5 flat white).
The vibe: Quiet, garden-adjacent, unhurried. A small indoor space with a few tables and a patio that catches morning sun. It feels like eating at a friend’s house if that friend was an exceptionally good cook. Bookings recommended on weekends.
Accessibility: Narrow doorframe, steps at entry. Challenging for wheelchair users.
2. Becco — 302 Swan Street, Richmond
Becco is better known as a dinner spot, but their weekend brunch program has been quietly excellent for years. The Italian influence shows up in the brunch menu without being gimmicky — this isn’t “bruschetta for breakfast” territory, it’s genuinely considered Italian-Australian brunching.
What to order: The eggs Benedict with prosciutto ($23) uses a house-made hollandaise that’s richer and more savoury than the usual version. Their frittata of the day ($22) is whatever’s seasonal and always comes with a solid side salad. If you want something lighter, the ricotta toast with honey and pistachios ($17) is simple and perfect.
The vibe: Warm, polished, and slightly more upscale than your average brunch joint. The Swan Street location means it fills quickly — book ahead or expect a 20-minute wait on Saturdays. Good for groups.
Accessibility: Step-free entry. Ground floor dining.
3. Stagger Lee’s — 357 Swan Street, Richmond
Stagger Lee’s earns a second appearance on this list because their brunch game deserves it. Where their coffee is the weekday draw, the weekend brunch menu is what keeps people coming back with friends. It’s unpretentious, generous, and reliably good.
What to order: The Stagger Lee’s fried chicken and waffle ($24) is the signature — crispy brined chicken, buttermilk waffle, maple, and a poached egg on top. It sounds like a lot and it is. If you want something lighter, the smashed avo ($21) is well-executed with pickled radish and feta.
The vibe: Already described in our coffee guide — moody, warm, bar-like. On weekend mornings it shifts to a more brunch-forward energy with bigger groups and slower service. Pet-friendly outdoor seating.
4. Apte — 59 Swan Street, Richmond
Apte is a vegetarian brunch spot that doesn’t make a big deal about being vegetarian, which is exactly why it works. The food is creative and flavourful without relying on the usual avo-and-eggs formula, and it attracts a mix of vegetarians and meat-eaters who just want good food.
What to order: The mushroom toast ($20) is a house favourite — roasted field mushrooms on sourdough with whipped goat’s cheese and herbs. Their seasonal bowl ($24) is a rotating mix of grains, roasted vegetables, fermented elements, and a tahini dressing that ties it together. The chai ($5.50) is made in-house and worth trying.
The vibe: Light, green, and calm. The space has a natural-materials aesthetic that’s restful without being precious. Popular with young families on Sunday mornings. Outdoor seating on Swan Street.
Accessibility: Step-free entry. Outdoor seating accessible.
5. Omelette — 352 Church Street, Richmond
Yes, Omelette is on the coffee list too. But their brunch menu is strong enough to warrant inclusion here independently. The name is literal — they do exceptional egg dishes — but there’s more going on than just well-cooked eggs.
What to order: The signature omelette ($21) is always filled differently — it might be mushroom and gruyère one week, ham and chive the next. The consistency of execution is the point. Their pancake stack ($19) with seasonal compote and mascarpone is also a strong move if you’re after something sweet.
The vibe: Compact and popular. Weekends mean waits, but turnover is quick given the small space. It’s worth the squeeze — the food is consistently a cut above.
6. The Corner Store Cafe — 220 Swan Street, Richmond
The Corner Store Cafe does double duty as a reliable coffee stop and a legitimate brunch destination. Their weekend menu expands beyond the weekday offering and includes some of the best value brunch on Swan Street.
What to order: The big breakfast ($26) is generous without being excessive — good eggs, proper bacon, house-made hash browns, sautéed mushrooms, and sourdough. The corn fritters ($22) with avocado, chilli jam, and a poached egg are also a solid pick. Coffee is included in the weekend brunch deal for an extra $3.
The vibe: Cosy, slightly hidden, and local. It doesn’t have the hype of some Swan Street spots, which means you’re more likely to get a table. A reliable neighbourhood choice.
7. N. Lee Bakery — 426 Victoria Street, Richmond
Brunch doesn’t have to mean a sit-down cafe with table service and a $30 plate. N. Lee Bakery on Victoria Street is the counter-argument — a Vietnamese bakery doing a breakfast that’s faster, cheaper, and arguably better than half the brunch menus in the inner east.
What to order: A bánh mì with egg and ham ($7.50) is Richmond’s most underrated breakfast. The bread is crispy, the fillings are fresh, and the whole thing costs less than a single smashed avo at most cafes. Add a cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee, $6) and you’ve got a brunch that’s unique, affordable, and genuinely delicious.
The vibe: Grab-and-go, no seating to speak of. This isn’t a “sit and linger” brunch — it’s a “buy, walk, eat, explore” brunch. Victoria Street is one of the most vibrant strips in Melbourne and walking it with a bánh mì in hand is its own kind of weekend morning ritual.
Budget: Under $15 for a full brunch. Yes, really.
The Prices at a Glance
| Venue | Signature Dish | Price | Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Street Kitchen | Seasonal plate | $24 | $5.00 |
| Becco | Eggs Benedict | $23 | $5.00 |
| Stagger Lee’s | Chicken & waffle | $24 | $5.00 |
| Apte | Mushroom toast | $20 | $5.00 |
| Omelette | Signature omelette | $21 | $5.00 |
| Corner Store Cafe | Big breakfast | $26 | $5.00 |
| N. Lee Bakery | Bánh mì with egg | $7.50 | $6.00 |
Prices as of early 2026. Weekend brunch prices have crept up across Melbourne — Richmond is still more reasonable than Fitzroy or South Yarra.
What We Skipped and Why
Chains and franchise cafes: No value to a local guide. You know where they are and they’re the same everywhere.
Hotel breakfast buffets: The Pullman on Church Street does a solid buffet, but hotel brunch isn’t really what this guide is about. If you’re visiting, you’ll find it yourself.
MCG-area cafes on event days: The pop-up food around the ground is fine for a quick bite before the footy, but it’s not brunch. Brunch implies sitting down, taking your time, and making a morning of it.
Cross-Suburb Brunch Comparisons
If you’re brunching beyond Richmond’s borders, these guides have you covered:
- Best Brunch in Abbotsford — Quieter, leafier, with some hidden neighbourhood gems
- Best Brunch in Collingwood — Smith Street brings the big guns
- Best Brunch in Cremorne — The corporate area’s best-kept weekend secret
🗳️ What’s your ideal brunch move?
- Savoury all the way — eggs, mushrooms, the works
- Sweet stack — pancakes or French toast, please
- Something light — granola, yoghurt, done
- The big breakfast — I want it all
Vote in our weekly suburb poll →
📊 Richmond Vibe Score This Week: 88/100
Brunch culture keeps Richmond’s weekend scene humming. Swan Street is the epicentre.
See the full Vibe Score breakdown →
💬 Where’s your go-to brunch spot?
We know we haven’t covered everything. Richmond has depth. Tell us where we should eat next.
Drop a comment below or email us at hello@melbz.com.au
📖 More from Richmond
- Best Coffee in Richmond — fuel for the brunch mission
- Neighbourhood Guide to Richmond — everything else you need to know
- Date Night in Richmond — because after brunch comes dinner planning
This guide was researched and written by the MELBZ team in March 2026. We visited every venue, paid for every meal, and received no sponsorship or compensation from any listed business. Prices and availability may change. If something’s wrong, tell us — we fix things fast.
MELBZ — Melbourne’s neighbourhood intelligence. Written by locals, for locals. Not AI-generated. Not outsourced. Real people in real suburbs.
