I heartily subscribe to the idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, although I think it’s more of an excuse to explore new breakfast places. Fortunately Melbourne didn’t disappoint from the first day and I’m glad that I turned down the hotel’s offer to extend a special breakfast rate.

The frist place I tried was down a little alley way off Collins Street (parallel to Queen/King Street) called Barista Express. I’m sure this is one of those little micro-chains but given the number of people and the wonderful interior, complete with Italian deli hangings and a decent looking breakfast, I was more than happy to try it out.

As you can see, they got the coffee pretty spot on and I even surprised myself by how quickly I got rid of it.

Next up was the breakfast items, one of my favourites being the Eggs Hollandaise. Instead of an english muffin, they used an oversized toasted brioche, something I was a little sceptical until I cut in and reaslied they’d toasted it perfectly – enough to keep the crunch but without turning it bitter or drying it out. The eggs and ham were perfect as well – super fresh and my only complaint was really the lightness of the sauce, something I’m guessing has more to do with the yellowness of the yolks rather than the recipe itself.

It’s a breakfast place you order your coffee, breakfast, taking your number and setting to a table although they have a communal table full of newspapers for those people waiting for their takeaway coffee or something else.

A flat white and the eggs benedict rings in a cheap AU$12.10