Melbourne's coffee scene continues to evolve with the opening of seven new cafes and shops in early 2026, offering innovative roasts, specialty drinks and house-made pastries. From electric roasting in Brunswick East to Chinese-inspired brews in the CBD, these spots highlight sustainability and creativity in the city's caffeine culture.
Melbourne's coffee landscape is expanding with fresh venues catering to diverse tastes, as detailed in a Broadsheet guide published on March 6, 2026. The new establishments range from eco-conscious roasteries to family-run bakeries, blending traditional espresso with experimental beverages.
Contraband Coffee Traders in Brunswick East is the second outlet for Jesse and Chris Legge, who began roasting 10 years ago and opened their first stall in 2018. Featuring Australia's first all-electric Probat P12E roaster, visible to customers, Chris Legge noted, “Climate change is making it harder for farmers to produce coffee. We wanted to minimise our carbon footprint as best we can, plus it’s a sparkling machine that’s fun to watch.” The menu includes espresso, pour-overs, cold brew and a cascara spritz, paired with pastries from Ocab Bakery and Cake House Collective. Beans are available in bulk from two blends and 10 single-origin options at 312–314 Lygon Street.
In the CBD, Four Kilo Fish expands from Hawthorn, where Yi Chen and Sijin Yu introduced Chinese specialty coffee in 2018. Their new spot at 2/15 Collins Street uses Yunnan beans for standard drinks, allonge espresso and a tamarind americano. Grab-and-go items include avocado toast and pastries from Austro Bakery, Publique Bakery and Sot by Mork. Chen said, “Even in the middle of a busy workday, we want people to grab a good, thoughtfully made coffee.”
More Coffee in Hawthorn, opened in December by award-winning barista Junnie Phyu, features her 2024 competition-winning osmanthus lemonade black coffee alongside a salted honey iced latte, Dirty Peach and Refresher. Pastries come from Madeline de Proust, with a custom blend developed with Locale at 351 Burwood Road.
August in Seddon, led by chef Eugene Lavery and Anthony Cozzella, occupies the former Common Galaxia space at 3/130 Victoria Street. Coffee from Industry Beans pairs with cold brew topped with orange cream, while the menu offers house-cured ocean trout gravlax and cauliflower fritters. Cozzella stated, “I’ve always wanted to create something for my local community.”
Acoffee's second location at Shop 2/130 Russell Street in the CBD, by Byoung-Woo Kang since his 2017 Collingwood debut, emphasizes simplicity with the Dansaekhwa blend highlighting Brazilian chocolate notes. Batch brew arrives in beer bottles.
Treble in Fairfield at 21–23 Railway Place, run by Vicky and Ari Avgerinos, showcases house-made pastries like almond rose teacakes and cruffins, with Genovese coffee and drinks such as banoffee lattes. Ari said, “Doing this with Mum is a dream come true.”
Donna’s Coffee in Richmond, relaunched late last year at the London Tavern Hotel's window (opened 2020 by Bill Perry), uses Clark Street beans for lattes and the Cherry Cloud drink. Takeaway options include toasties and pies at 238 Lennox Street.