The Top Brunch Spots In The Northern Suburbs

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Rivers of Yarrambat has operated as a nursery since 1981 and has since expanded to include a cafe, health and well-being center, function room, and gift shop. Sitting adjacent to the pond, Rivers Cafe has both indoor seating and an outdoor veranda where you can spot ducks and turtles from your table. Open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, Rivers Cafe offers a wide range of savory and sweet dishes made with locally sourced produce. Try the cheese and fresh herb pot bread (served in a flower pot), buttery scones, or a gourmet burger. For chocolate lovers, there’s the decadent European hot chocolate.

Built in the 1890s, Turners is a charming boutique bakery in Mernda which serves a selection of pies, pastries, cakes, and other homemade dishes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and high tea. Original owners Charles and Stephenson Turner traveled far and wide to sell their homemade bread, and the Scotch oven they once used is still operational today and used to bake the signature sourdough bread.

Located on a quiet street in Reservoir, Lady Bower serves all-day brunch, lunch, sandwiches, and sweets. Lady Bower is always packed, and owner Renee encourages locals to bring their home-grown produce so that the team can use the fruits and vegetables to make jam and preserves. Among the spreads for sale are tomato chutney and plum jam. Try the pulled pork and green mango sandwich, melon bircher, and the Lamington hand-shaken milkshake.

Just off Plenty Road, Two Beans and Farm is a restored farmhouse dating back to 1861. The Carome Homestead is located in Mernda, about a 50 minute drive from the CBD, and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a slightly Spanish feel. There are separate dining rooms, allowing for privacy and providing spaces for functions. Two Beans and a Farm has a ‘garden to plate’ approach, and its seasonal menu includes tapas, brioche buns, and organic and vegetarian options to enjoy in the company of some friendly kangaroos.

Tancks Corner is a weatherboard building situated on the site of the historic post office. Tancks Corner has a refined menu, including Moroccan spiced cauliflower salad, ‘shrooms and kale; and toasted banana and coconut loaf. The owners use local produce and sell Australian-made products in their boutique in support of local businesses.

Dexter does buns, not burgers, and is a must-know, anything-goes eatery for Melbourne’s most carnivorous. Situated on High Street in Preston, Dexter’s wacky lunch menu includes Kentucky fried cauliflower, pig’s head croquette, bone marrow mash, hot meat donuts, and a liquid nitrogen and chocolate biscuit creation titled ‘milk and cookies.’ On-tap beers by Temple Brewing are also available.