If you’d told me a year ago that I’d wait 30+ minutes for brunch at a vegan cafe, I would have choked on my poached eggs. I’m pretty dependent on a classic flat white + poached eggs + avocado combo on a Saturday morning, but I was rewarded when we branched out for a super healthy brunch in St Kilda at Matcha Mylk Cafe on the weekend. I don’t spend nearly enough time in St Kilda, I realised this weekend. We went to Matcha Mylk Bar for brunch, so once we put our name down on the 30+ minute waitlist, we went for a wander down Acland St looking for a coffee. Long waits for a brunch table are common in Melbourne, but I like using the extra time as an excuse to wander the surrounding streets and familiarise myself with different parts of the city.

We found a table in the sunshine at Abbey Road and people-watched over a couple of flat whites. Abbey Road is a cafe by day and bar by night, and from the look of the eclectic interior and the diversity of the customers, it’s a bit of a local institution. One of the owners buzzed about, chatting with customers and making sure everyone was having a good time.

St Kilda feels so much more down to earth than South Melbourne & Richmond, where we often find ourselves on a Saturday morning. As much as I love our usual hangouts, it was refreshing to be somewhere a little more laidback! Less activewear, more boyfriend jeans (although, there was plenty of active wear with straightened hair and a full face of Saturday night-strength make up when we were at Matcha).  I was drooling over the famous cake cabinets along Ackland Street and vowed to grab a takeaway sugar fix after brunch…but I was so full afterwards, I couldn’t even think about more food!

PS – Planning a trip to Melbourne? Check out my Melbourne Travel Guide.

The food at Matcha Mylk Bar is almost too pretty to eat! I love being able to eat a big, colourful breakfast that is delicious AND makes me feel good – as much as I love my sourdough and poached eggs, I rarely feel amazing afterwards. Matcha has yummy dragonfruit and matcha breakfast bowls, which we tried, but next time I’m definitely sampling something from their Blue Zone menu! Scientists have identified pockets of the planet where people live the longest and healthiest lives, and named them “Blue Zones.” Inspired by the diets in these regions, Matcha has offered a dish to represent each region. Yum!

I was so excited to see dragonfruit on the menu, since it is hard to find in Victoria. We used to get it from the markets quite often when we live in Brisbane, but the fruit is harder to find (and often not as tasty) in Victoria.

I had the matcha & coconut bowl, which was full of tasty orange pieces and crunchy museli. These breakfast bowls are so much yummier than acai bowls, with more interesting flavours and plenty of crunchy and chewy bits and pieces. It’s pretty hard for me to find a brunch that beats some avocado and poached eggs, but I’m already planning to go back next weekend!

Where’s your favourite brunch spot?