If I worked in the city I would take all sorts of my imaginary clients to this place for 'breakfast meetings'. Coffee: great. Breakfast menu: mmmmm. Decor: non fussy, well lit, lots of big share tables that you can easily spread out on or slip on to as a two or a one. Service: easy, friendly, perfectly timed. Cost: a little on the pricey side (probably to cover rent). Menu reads really well and taste pretty darn good too. I got the tortilla with a side of avocado. It needed the av and maybe a dash of extra lime but all in all super tasty. And a nice generous serving size too. The corn fritter dish, although I am not a fan of breakfast deep-fry, had a seriously tasty tomatoes/labne/herb thing going. And the benny eggs lasted not even 5 minutes on my mate's plate (that plate was down and we didn't hear from her until the plate was semi licked clean). I take that as a good sign. Think parking is ok to find around that place too. Or take advantage of the free city trams! read more

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This place is my local, its clean, casual and bright. This time around I went with a friend who had the hearty curried beans with chorizo and she lapped up every drop of it. I had the match crumpets, everything on this plate looks too pretty to eat, its great as its not too sweet, but I found the crumpets a bit too dry, the kaya sauce helps but I would have like the crumpets to be a little more fluffier. Coffee is always great here, doesn't hurt when the barista is cute too. The yuzu matcha latte is interesting, a bit to sweet for my liking tho. Quite disappointed that the sweet potato frites are not on the menu. read more

Operator25 - Hearty and gorgeous - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Omg. So kawaii. I can't even. I've been meaning to get to Operator25 for at least two years now. It's been in my bookmarks for months and months, and somehow every Melbourne trip, I miss it. I was determined not to do so this time. Thank heck I did, because it filled our brunch holes to perfection. The food menu is fun. I'm normally a savoury breakfaster but there was something about the kaya french toast on O25's menu that had me putting my hand up (probably the kaya bit, because I'm fascinated by kaya and have yet to try proper kaya toast... or maybe it was the peanut butter caramel sauce). The food menu, however, was well and truly trumped (in my opinion) by the drinks menu. THE DRINKS MENU. I'm normally a three drinks kind of girl, I'll admit that right now. At brunch you'll regularly find me with my water, my coffee, and my cold beverage. Operator25 made me a five drinks kind of girl. I needed my coffee and my water, but I needed the Blurple Iced Tea (lavender, oolong rose, butterfly pea, and honey with lemon). I also needed the Iced Peanutella (peanut butter, Nutella and chocolate milk, with banana foam and popping candy). But you know what? I couldn't leave without trying the coffee spritzer (iced filter coffee, tonic water and peach puree). I'm not sure how I managed to fit five beverages AND french toast in my tummy (let's just say amen for the free tram zone) but I don't regret it for a second, and I promise to visit again soon. Maybe just not on a vegetarian day, because non-meat savoury dishes aren't really rampant. Literally the only negative! read more

Chic little place with an Asian flavor that goes together really nicely. HAD eggs with thick cut bAcon (that was great!) and mushrooms and it was delicious. Coffee was really good too. Well recommended if over this side of the CBD read more

Wow this place was packed when we got there. Luckily we got the two spots by the barista. People had the other bigger tables reserved. This sure is a popular place. Once we got seated more people started coming in and they had to wait to get a table. The breakfast portions are buy! We just got a matcha latte ( too sweet for my liking ) and English breakfast tea... it was ok. I just wanted the bear art in my latte. read more

Operator25 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Tried our first Australian Melbournian breakfast here at Operator25 and it didn't disappoint. We had the BBQ Pork and Benedict and Matcha Waffles, and topped it off with an Avocado Coffee, which was pretty unique. Tasty, refreshing, and the blend of coffee and Avoca and ice cream made the morning blues go away. Excellent service in a super relaxed atmosphere makes Operator25 a great breakfast/coffee establishment. read more

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Strolled in here for brunch, wait was about 15 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. The decor is modern and clean, with some exposed brick on some of the walls and nice natural light flowing through. Ordered the blurple iced tea and kaya French toast, my friend got the pork burger. My iced tea was okay, citrusy with refreshing but didn't taste much green tea. The French toast was really quite good, fluffy and light with the cold strawberry ice cream hit the spot. My friend's burger was decent, pork was tender but a little lack of flavor for my preference but she enjoyed it. read more

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I met a friend at Operation25 for a quick breakfast. The decor is bright and inviting. We both had the fruit toast with coconut jam. My roommate had recommended this place and the coconut jam specifically. The jam didn't have as strong a coconut flavor as I was expecting, but it was very good. The fruit bread itself was delicious and had large chunks of apricot (and figs I think). The slices were quite thick and soft. Along with a drink it was a perfect size breakfast if you're not super hungry for one of the big meal options. If you're a little more hungry you should add an egg as an extra (it ends up being cheaper than ordering the stand-alone menu option of Eggs & Toast). For drinks I had the Penutella, which the waiter explained they make by mixing Nutella and peanut butter and melting it in the milk served hot with a chocolate covered marshmallow on the side. My friend had the Hojicha Latte (a roasted green tea latte that had a very unique and yummy taste, you can definitely taste that it is roasted). The Penutella was very good-hearted for PB and Nutella lover like me! The only downside to this place was that we flagged down the waiter to remind him to come take our order and they brought us the wrong jam at first. I would say these are minor things compared with the pros of this place. Definitely would recommend a visit! read more

Operator25 - Fruit toast with coconut jam and Hojicha iced latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Operator25 was our first brunch while visiting in town, and on the weekend, sure enough it was pretty busy - there was a decent number of folks waiting for a seat when we showed up, but the server's estimate of 15-20 minutes to get a pair of chairs was pretty spot-on. The cafe is in a building that used to house a telephone switchboard service, hence a lot of the telephone/communication-oriented catchphrases hanging on the wall art. There's some outdoor seating, as well as (mostly) shared tables that you will probably end up sitting at dim sum-style; as an example, we sat at a round table that seated 6, and we shared it with two other parties of 2. Despite that, most folks tend to be minding their own business (or posting on Instagram, as this place seems to be quite popular for that), so it wasn't a big deal. The service wasn't all that personalized, but our food came out quickly, so I had little to complain about. My pineapple juice was out of a bottle - a bit disappointing, as I assumed it would be fresh - but it was still refreshing, whereas my wife's very lightly lavender-infused iced tea was quite excellent. While the decor of this place is cool, the food here is no joke either. The brunch menu has sweet and savory options, and my wife's pork sandwich was pretty good - the pork tasted pretty good, and all the spices and herbs that make it 'Balinese' gave it a boatload of flavor alongside a fluffy brioche bun. I'm pleased with my choice a little more, though - the French toast, as others have written, is knock-your-socks off good. In fact, I'd say that the folks here in Australia seem to have a lot better idea of how to make things like French toast and pancakes relative to what we have here in the U.S. The toast in this case was two slices of brioche bread cooked with a very nice glazed crisp on top of one another, with a really nice and light coconut cream spread combining with the peanut butter / caramel sauce to make each bite phenomenally delicious without being overly sweet (or, in the case of much U.S. versions of the dish, needing a drenching of maple syrup to add any flavor). The strawberry ice cream is definitely another new aspect that is done here, but that was really nice - it added a cold, concentrated dash of fruit with each bite. Who says you can't eat ice cream at breakfast? Operator25 is definitely a popular spot, but I would definitely make my way over here for a meal or two again when I am back. The food is creative and delicious, and no matter what you order, it seems like there's a party happening on your plate - but none of the food or sides is extraneous. Another fantastic restaurant / cafe to start your day here in Melbourne! read more

Very nice brunch, especially the layout... sorry marketer always focus on superficial things. Recommend the frenc

This is my new favourite breakfast spot in the CBD. The food is always delicious and so fresh, great coffee and lots of options for fussy eaters. It's a lovely place to sit and try the different coffees (the matcha latte is pretty good too). It can get quite busy with coffee orders around 9am Mon-Fri read more

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Awesome place! Good service, great vibe and the food and coffee are flawless. One of the best breakfasts I've ever eaten (eggs Benedict and folded egg with chorizo). Will be back here regularly! Highly recommended. read more

Operator25 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Good breakfast but i have to say i've seen better. Their green tea was a regular one in sachets and their options not as original as the rest of the food scene in melbourne! read more

A bunch place in the city. An eggs brunch place in the city. An eggs brunch place in the city, that is *also* open weekends. That is an overdue addition to the CBD, where the great places are often closed on the weekend. Or lack a kitchen. Or both. This end of the city is burgeoning with new apartments. Lucky the place is deceptively large, because I'm sure it's going to fill up quick. One to check out, citykids. read more

I've heard many good things about this place and decided to try out their matcha latte - their version is yuzu matcha latte. I have a personal favorite but wanted to continue to try other cafes to open up my options. It was a little steep on price at $5... Putting price aside we tried the hot version and the iced version. The hot one tasted nice but the matcha wasn't strong enough. The iced one was refreshing but the matcha flavour wasn't so prominent either. It was both enjoyable and if I was nearby I would still stop by for a matcha latte. I hope to try their brunch menu next visit too read more

We picked this place off the "Hottest in Melbourne" list provided by UrbanSpoon and I can see how it's reputation has spread. Our group of four adults and a toddler was seated promptly on a share table of six - a little squeezy but certainly not a disaster. Coffee came out fast and had a solid flavour (long macchiato). Juices followed suit and were equally as tasty. Four of our dishes came in a timely manner, however the Eggs Benedict was very late, the table had eaten most of their meals by the time this dish was served. Staff were apologetic about the delay. The menu boasts Asian-Fusion inspired meals and would cater to the local market well - there is still something for everybody and you definitely don't feel like you're in a Shanghai back alley eating the braised Ox Tongue (delicious). Presentation was on point and prices were very reasonable considering the quality of the meal. Aces - would recommend. read more

My niece ordered the avocado matcha and she loved it! The sourdough toast I had was perfectly toasted and delicious. Since neither of us drink coffee, cannot comment on that, but judging by the foot traffic it must be good! read more

Took my family here for Mother's Day breakfast and Wow , the food was beautiful we all loved our meals. Service was great and will be going back read more

Situated on the quiet Wills St, this cafe was a pleasant surprise for me. Tried the pulled pork benedict and it was fantastic. Ingredients were fresh and the taste was well balanced on the palette. Had a flat white that didn't disappoint as well. Overall it seemed like a well kept and maintained place. Would recommend to go try and I'll definitely go back. read more

Food is delicious, service is really friendly, coffee is good and setting is lovely. Very efficient without feeling like they were rushing you out the door. We came on a weekday for brunch with our baby in the pram and they were lovely and accommodating. read more

Operator 25 is a revelation cafe set in a former telephone exchange located in the legal district in the Melbourne CBD. The place is pumping with interesting dining spaces full of patrons, featuring an intergenerational crowd. The World Loves Melbourne decided to visit this cafe in a heritage building having heard rave reviews. We were not disappointed. Operator 25 has made an effort with its fit out with exposed brick walls, quality furniture, funky blackboard and top class artwork throughout... The World Loves Melbourne enjoys a cafe with a decent drinks list, including a local favourite pale ale... In summer heat they delivered with their own spiritzer - Operator's Spritzer - cold drip coffee, maple syrup, lemon, poached pear, mint, tonic water and sweet micro herbs. The menu was compelling from ex Bacash chef Valerie Fong, with extra class in options that are not the usual Melbourne brunch fare. On recommendation we chose what proved to be one of the dishes of the year - Sweet corn fritters, fried duck egg, tomato salad, goats curd, and herb oil. Spectacular presentation and spectacular taste. Ticking all the boxes, this dish provided generous portion of fritters and the fritters themselves were fresh and moist and full of flavour. Complementing was the oozy duck egg - together with the fritters so rewarding! The salad wasn't a token but fresh and crisp. A welcome addition to the equation is the goats curd, creamy and delectable. The balance of this dish is superb and a cacophony of culinary delight! Kudos to Head Chef Felipe Guedes. Yes we are raving but this dish was a highlight in terms of brunch for the year. The menu also offers compelling dishes such as Breakfast Tortilla filled with Scrambled Egg Mixed Mushrooms, Aged Cheddar and Green Harissa, or the House Benedict ‒ Potato Rosti, Grandmother Lamb Ham, Poached Eggs, Mustard and Tarragon Hollandaise. For lunch try the Beer Battered Soft Shell Crab, Thai Style Salad, Toasted Peanuts, Tamarind Dressing and Sesame Rice Crackers or the Balinese Pulled Pork Burger ‒ Pulled Pork, Fried Egg, Cabbage and Carrot Slaw, Chilli Mayo, Coriander on Brioche Bun with Sweet Potato Wedges. Says the website - "Set in a heritage listed Melbourne building, with a modern rustic ambience, Operator25 cafe serves breakfast, lunch and everything in between, daily. Conveniently located on the Melbourne CBD fringe within minutes of the leafy Flagstaff Gardens, there is something for everyone at Operator25. We also cater for vegetarians, gluten-free, have a kid friendly menu, and serve specialty coffee using the finest beans from Melbourne's own Code Black Coffee Roasters." Operator 25 is an exceptional cafe in the Melbourne CBD, with strong points across the board and prices affordable. Fun and finesse. Highly recommended. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed my brunch here. I ordered the kingfish and a freshly squeezed glass of orange and carrot juice. While the kingfish is listed under the breakfast section, I'm not sure it should be; it seemed more like something I'd eat at lunch or dinner. Nevertheless, I won't complain because it was absolutely delicious and looked like a piece of art. It was sort of like a large deconstructed sushi roll. Flavors meshed together really nicely. Would definitely recommend! read more

Operator25 - Kingfish for breakfast. Was like a large deconstructed sushi roll. Delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

House Benedict with Ham. Well presented and plated. Tasted great. Fast service Slightly noisy when the venue is full. Overall great place with good food. read more

Had a pour over single origin. Really good! Nice quiet place with a lovely vibe, too. read more

Operator25 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I've visited a few cafes in Melbourne over the years, but this was my favourite, by far! The service was great and the coffee and breakfast menu was second to none! read more

Operator25 - The frittatas were amazing - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This is a miss for me as it wasnt up to my expectation. I heard a lot from my friend about this place and finally i got to try their food. I ordered a matcha hot cakes (their most favourite one) and a latte. The cake wasnt moist enough and it wasnt anything special that could make me woww, and the latte i could get better late somewhere else. I guess it isnt my taste thu. Too bad. read more

Great brunch spot. A well thought out menu with all the breakfast classics you'd expect, but with a twist. It also has very good coffee, so be prepared to sit there for cup after cup. It's set out with big shared tables, but they're big enough that you don't feel like you're at breakfast with randoms. Definitely worth a try! read more

Good place for brunch. Food looks good and fresh. We like the duck dish quite much. Environment clean and cozy. Staff friendly. read more

Operator25 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Absolutly delicious food, such a nice atmosphere with amazing staff and the presentation with all the flavours was just amazing!

Lovely place and ambience, with cool staff to keep you warm and cool. Coffee is great with good food to match. One of the few coffee joints in the CBD to remain open on a Saturday. This is tight next to Flagstaff Garden and the QVMarket read more

Stunning breakfast here. One of the few places who recognised the shortage of cbd breakfast/ brunch places open on the weekend. Coffee was certainly up to standard too. read more

Great service, artisan gorgeous food and a wonderful setting. As the coffee shop at the foot of my building I am extremely fortunate. A must visit read more

This place Is a well presented brunch spot near Victoria Market near flagstaff. I ordered the crumpets - I was expecting something overly sweet but it wasn't at all which was great! Also try the breakfast Cous Cous it looked amazing. The coffee was solid and so were the selection of juices - definitely would recommend! read more

Great ambience, awesome good food. The staff were attentive and helpful even with a crowd in the store.

I am always a fan of the simple things done well - so from the outset, this place may have been a poor choice for me. Attended based on a local food blogger recommendation (she herself had not yet attended). The coffee was of high quality, smooth, strong and well extracted - kudos on the brew. My disappointment came from a menu which over promised and under delivered. The menu was a complicated one with several complex and well worded brunch options. I chose the breakfast Reuben which promised all things offered by the classic deli sandwich as well as poached eggs. The eggs were poached well enough and the serving was ample. However, the key element of a Reuben sandwich is a punchy and tangy Russian dressing, something that this Reuben was clearly lacking. Quite bland overall. By all means, give it a go but be warned, price does not equal satisfaction in this case. Happy brunching. read more

Authentic, cute and little cafe with quality food highly recommend! Friendly staff and good service, true to the heart of Melbourne.

Operator25 bestowed on me one of the more memorable meals of my Melbourne trip. And to be honest, it was the most haphazardly planed. While staying at the Pegasus apart'hotel, El Hub and I realized we had 40 mins tops to get some delicious food in our rumbling tummies before heading back to the airport. Lo and behold the Yelp wizards pointed me in the direction of Operator25 and off we went. We were seated immediately, and served by an incredibly enthusiastic and friendly gentleman (from Spain?). I went with the Malaysian spiced pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, while El Hub got the breakfast tortilla with a side of marinated field mushrooms (best $3 add-on EVER). My sandwich was incredibly simple but so... SO good, with a nice foundation of creamy slaw supporting a good amount of lemongrassy pork, and adorned with a flourish of cracklin crumbs for some crunch. Truly Yum. El Hub's tortilla consisted of flaky tortilla filled with scrambled eggs and other deliciousness and topped with a fresh basil oil which really elevated everything. Despite its low review count, I would totally recommend you try this place out. read more

We happened upon this funky, industrial style place for brunch yesterday in Melbourne's CBD and could not have been happier with our experience, start to finish. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and although we as Canadians were hesitant about the communal tables (we like our personal space) the size of the tables meant that we actually were able to enjoy a degree of privacy. The service was prompt and attentive without being intrusive, and we cannot recommend highly enough the house eggs Benny, served on a potato roe sit with lamb ham and a wonderful mustard and tarragon hollandaise sauce. We'll be back for sure next time we're in Melbourne. read more