Burnside

Smith Street junction. Big, airy floor-to-ceiling windows watching the world go by. Burnside is that rare breed—a bustling Melbourne espresso bar with zero Fitzroy snobbery. The morning rush here is legendary. Pavement-spilling crowds get sorted with lightning speed, while the friendly staff pump out flawless Seven Seeds coffee without breaking a sweat. The word on the street? You come for the expertly dialed-in caffeine—whether a punchy espresso, a clean batch brew, or a curious chai-spiked matcha—and stay for the top-tier sangas. Think proper bacon and egg breakfast rolls and gooey ham and cheese toasties, complete with solid gluten-free bread options. Relaxed, businesslike, and relentlessly consistent. Grab a low stool, soak in the decent playlist, and watch the inner north wake up.