Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Docklands

"One of Melbourne’s most Instagrammed cafés, The Kettle Black, is now accepting reservations for breakfast and lunch. Cosy up in one of their sun dappled tables and order all the brunch classics you’ve been missing – we’ll be heading straight for their famed ricotta hotcake, colourfully scattered with a rainbow assortment of berries, petals, seeds and nuts. 50 Albert Road, South Melbourne"

"Few cafés can lay claim to being featured in Vogue Living, but Kettle Black can. The space is a designer’s dream – sophisticated, light-filled and warm, soft oak furniture is contrasted with brass accents and a stunning marble bar. Their famed ricotta hotcake, scattered with a rainbow of berries, petals, seeds and nuts, is one of Melbourne’s most Instagrammed dishes."

"The Kettle Black aims at something above and beyond the usual brunch fare. Take the chilli scrambled eggs with cured Flinders Island wallaby, feta and seasonal leaves, for example. The house-made coconut yoghurt comes topped with a sprinkling of gluten-free grains, seeds, nuts, citrus powder, dried strawberries and petals."

"Everything about city diner Bowery to Williamsburg is designed to take you back to those New York subway stations, from the industrial feel to the oh-so simple menu. Sandwiches, classic American sides like mac and cheese, pretzels, 5 & Dime bagels and sweet pies (like pecan and pumpkin) are the order of the day—and unlike most US diners, the coffee’s great, too."

"Located a short stroll away from Hobsons Bay, Pier 71 Bar e Cucina showcases traditional wood-fired pizzas and housemade pastas in a family-friendly environment. With Altona Pier just minutes away fro... Order OnlineBook Now"

"Brunetti's recent revamp of its flagship store in Carlton has transformed it into an enormous, mosaic wonderland of Italian desserts. With a gelati bar at one end and curvaceous cabinets framing an array of pastries peeling up to the other, Brunetti is a Melbourne staple that still knows how to deliver the goods, like frittole (doughnuts with pinenuts and sultanas), custard-filled panzerotto, and bigne di San Giuseppe, full of strega chantilly cream. Take home a cake, such as the chocolate money-bag Bacio, for an impressive dessert."

"Easily Melbourne's largest and most popular beach, a day out at St. Kilda beach is always a mixed bag in terms of what to expect. Popular with people from all walks of life (especially during the summer months) including those with kids, it is always a major drawcard for a ton of tourists, especially in comparison with some of the other beaches listed here, and is basically Melbourne's equivalent to a Manly or Bondi of Sydney beach fame. While St. Kilda beach has a fairly "seedy" reputation, many steps have been taken over the past decade or so to clean up its image and improve on the public perception, especially in terms of catering to families with kids, with the beachfront having been recently redeveloped."

"The calm waters of Elwood Beach make it great for swimming, and sometimes there’s enough surf for some boogie boarding. There’s the Bayside Trail bike and running track if you fancy a walk or cycle, plus cafes a’plenty. Getting there: Elwood Beach is 9km from the city centre."

"A little bit further south, Elwood Beach comes with plenty of parking and is less crowded than its famous neighbour St Kilda. Elwood has a great beachside vibe with quaint little shops and cute cafes. The promenade is great for prams and scooters."

"Just the name of this place will appeal to the kids – even if they are still a little wary of eating seaweed!. Chocolate Buddha is located in Melbourne’s fabulous Federation Square precinct – an excellent location for kids as there is always something happening there. What's more, Chocolate Buddha has just undergone a major renovation and now features Melbourne's first high-speed shinkansen (sushi train)!"

"It's not as weird as it sounds, and in fact is super-refreshing. The design forces 12 jets of water onto separate muscle groups while a cascade of rain-like shower and steam comes from above. Chuan at the Langham also offers a spacious salt-water jacuzzi with views over Flinders Street Station, a cleansing sauna, and steam room, all designed to create an ambience of tranquillity for both contemplation and inspiration."