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Restaurant

279

279 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

Recommended by 70 people

Updated

Find 279

279 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 401 343 310
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 279

Forget standard eggs on toast—morning regulars head to this West Melbourne counter for breakfast reminiscent of a quiet Osaka kissaten. Calm, methodical, stripped of cafe commotion. Staff mold warm rice balls to order—packing grains around crisp tempura flakes or rich tuna and wasabi. Diners anchor their trays with bowls of pork miso soup and sweet soy-glazed potato cakes, lingering over coffee roasted on-site.

  • Made-to-Order Musubi: Warm rice balls prepared to order with savory fillings like tempura-flecked Tanuki and rich Negi Toro.
  • In-House Roasts & Teas: House-roasted specialty coffee served alongside balanced, carefully whisked matcha and roasted hojicha lattes.
  • Comforting Tonjiru: Savory pork miso soup simmering with tender root vegetables and deep umami broth.
  • Chewy Mochi Sweets: Chewy monthly mochi donuts and sweet soy-glazed imo-mochi potato cakes crafted with restrained sweetness.
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What's On at 279

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why 279 Redefines Your Morning Routine

Discover authentic morning comfort in West Melbourne with hand-pressed onigiri, rich tonjiru, and house roasts—reserve your table today.

  • Made-to-Order Musubi & Onigiri

    Handcrafted to order with seasoned sushi rice and rotating fillings like umami-rich Tanuki, Negi Toro, and tempura prawn, replacing standard brunch eggs with crisp, savory Japanese comfort.

    everything was freshly made to order so it was worth the wait.

    Barry

  • Hearty Tonjiru & Ochazuke Broths

    Slow-simmered pork miso soup and delicate green tea dashi poured over rice dishes deliver grounding, hearty nourishment designed for warming morning sustenance.

    The warm broth is so soothing; just one sip warms you up from the inside out. It’s the ultimate comfort dish.

    Maru

  • In-House Roasted Specialty Coffee

    Dedicated self-taught coffee roasting yields complex, nuanced batch brews and espresso options that stand out among Melbourne's competitive specialty coffee counters.

    The batch brew here is undoubtedly the best coffee I've had in Melbourne (including milky brews and specialty coffees), due to the complex fruity flavours that linger on the pallette without feeling heavy.

    Akanksha Eats

  • Flawlessly Balanced Matcha & Hojicha

    Carefully whisked Japanese matcha and roasted hojicha strikes an exacting ratio that preserves vegetal depth and roasty sweetness without becoming diluted by dairy.

    out of all the matcha lattes I've tried in Melbourne, it's my absolute favorite. If I lived nearer, I'd probably go here for my matcha fix every single day. Not too milky but just right!

    NotTeaButMagic

  • Transportive Osaka-Inspired Morning Ritual

    A transportive breakfast ritual reminiscent of Kansai kissatens and traditional Japanese morning spreads, grounding diners in authentic food traditions.

    279 really brought back memories of our trip to Japan. The breakfast atmosphere instantly reminded us of the hotel breakfasts we had in Osaka.

    SB

  • Calming Sanctuary & Warm Hospitality

    Unpretentious, deeply considerate service and an intimate dining room provide an unhurried sanctuary to unwind over soothing comfort food.

    The café has a cute, cosy vibe that instantly makes you feel at ease, and the service is consistently warm and welcoming.

    P_C

Signature food and drink highlights praised by diners

  • Mochinut

    The mochinut is pure cuteness on a plate! 🍡 Soft and chewy with a little sweetness from the chestnut sauce on top 🌰—who could resist?

    Maru

  • Tonjiru

    it was a hearty pork miso soup with a savoury depth of flavour and plenty of meat and vegetables

    Barry

  • Matcha Latte

    Matcha latte - out of all the matcha lattes I've tried in Melbourne, it's my absolute favorite.

    NotTeaButMagic

  • Ochazuke

    The Chazuke is another favourite 🥹 The green tea broth was so good!

    Anson Wing

Other favorites

Comforting accompaniments and Japanese-inspired confections crafted alongside the counter staples.

  • Imo-Mochi

    the potato disks are deep fried giving it a nice crispy exterior and are soaked in a tasty sweet soy glaze. It has a similar texture to hashbrowns but very soft and fluffy inside

    Barry

  • Miso Brownie

    The miso brownie was so unique, haven’t had anything like it anywhere else before!

    Katsu Don

  • Mochinuts

    it had a pleasantly chewy mochi texture and was not too sweet. The subtle roasted houjicha flavour paired well with the pecan nuts on top

    Barry

  • Warabi Mochi

    Soft yet chewy, nutty but just sweet enough - this is a dessert that is great to share

    Akanksha Eats

Before you head over

Essential advice on morning arrival times, seating capacity, and counter ordering for your Japanese morning ritual. Book your visit today to guarantee your place at the counter.

  • Arrive Early for Daily Sets

    Daily breakfast sets are strictly limited each morning, and made-to-order musubi take time to craft during peak rushes. Arrive early to secure popular sets and allow time for fresh preparation.

  • Keep Dining Groups Small

    The intimate dining room fills rapidly during morning services. Visiting solo or in small parties makes finding a table much faster, while outdoor sidewalk seating provides overflow when the counter is full.

  • Inquire at the Counter for Sweets

    Popular daily pastries and warabi mochi can appear sold out on the digital ordering platform even when still available behind the counter. Always ask the staff directly before missing out.

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