Ever since I visited Melbourne 7 years ago, I have envied the lifestyle here. Shopping and eating usually came tops but after NYC, I found that exploring the little lane ways that divides the city into small navigable plots was an even more enjoyable thing to do as a tourist as you never know what lies behind the next corner. Putting likes aside, my most recent trip here is proof to why Melbourne is easily the brunch capital of Australia. If you plan on visiting Melbourne, this 3-part breakfast/brunch post is WenY's verdict on the city's 3 hot spots! With queues out of the door by 8 at most of them, you have been warned. Go or not to go? Your choice ;)!
Hardware Société at Hardware Ln, Melbourne CBD
My first stop at 7.30 in the morning was Melbourne’s top brunch spot, the Hardware Société. I scanned the little eatery and found that it was no surprise that this place had hour long queues during weekends as it only seats 30-40 people. However, solo dining in this “French” spot is a breeze at that time and I was immediately seated at the bar.
My breakfast was quick to arrive that morning and no it was not their famous baked eggs (too boring!). Instead I opted for a dish of crisp pork belly . Damn it was good. For starters, the pork belly had the right seasoning and was soft through with its the skin crisp just right. It did not have that bubbled crackling but a smooth crisp shard which had no intention of sticking between your teeth. For presentation which I press hard at times, the eggs were picture perfect with its runny yolk trickling down ever so slowly onto the plate. Damn it was a sight to behold. But ultimately, pinching bits of the plate and having them together was simply yums.
Pork belly, polenta hash, fried eggs, caramelised onions and aioli $18.
A delicious breakfast and a pot of tea was the right kick-start to my first morning. But fancy apostrophe naming paired with gargantuan publicity also meant that by 8.20, queues were out of the door. As Melbourne’s favourite spot, was it all hype? Definitely not. But if I had to queue for a long time, I would rather not.
Looking for Brunch? Check out my Melbourne Brunches in 2014
WenY
