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Restaurant

Birdcage Altona Cafe

7 Harrington Square, Altona VIC 3018, Australia

Recommended by 69 people

Updated

Find Birdcage Altona Cafe

7 Harrington Square, Altona VIC 3018, Australia

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+61 3 9398 8924
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 Birdcage Altona Cafe

Tucked away in Harrington Square, this Altona spot shakes up routine morning dining with bold globally minded plates and relaxed neighborhood warmth. Mornings revolve around signature Benedicts built on crisp potato rosti with slow-cooked ham hock and chipotle hollandaise, alongside fragrant shakshuka and Japanese salmon pancakes. Out back, a sheltered courtyard welcomes families and four-legged companions with dog bacon, water bowls, and warm blankets on crisp mornings. Between beach runs and train trips past Westona, locals swing by for strong flat whites, dirty chais, and zucchini fritters packed with avocado and salsa.

  • Rosti-Based Benedicts: Crisp potato rosti stacked with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked ham hock, poached eggs, and smoky chipotle hollandaise.
  • Courtyard Pet Hospitality: Sheltered outdoor courtyard space featuring dedicated dog bacon, water bowls, and warm blankets for chilly mornings.
  • Globally Spiced Brunch: Inventive breakfast choices spanning Japanese salmon okonomiyaki, shakshuka, and Spanish paella alongside morning staples.
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What's On at Birdcage Altona Cafe

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Birdcage Altona Cafe

Discover why Altona locals and visitors head to Harrington Square for inventive weekend brunches, family-friendly courtyard seating, and barista-made coffee.

  • Crispy Potato Rosti Benedict Signature

    The signature Birdcage Benedict swaps out standard English muffins for a crispy potato rosti base, topped with slow-cooked ham hock and smoky chipotle hollandaise.

    Crispy potato rosti as the base, stacked with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked ham hock, perfectly poached eggs and a smoky chipotle hollandaise

    Debi Slinger

  • Globally Inspired Fusion Dishes

    Departing from predictable cafe staples, the kitchen crafts inventive fusion dishes like Japanese okonomiyaki benedicts, Spanish paella, and Shakshuka.

    Really tasty and original dishes, unlike the standard cafe drivel you get all over Melbourne.

    HD

  • Dedicated Pet Hospitality in the Courtyard

    The courtyard accommodates dogs and owners with shaded seating adjustments, dedicated water bowls, blankets, and early table-side bacon treats.

    Huge credit to the owners for creating such a gorgeous, dog-friendly little gem

    Miranda Rose

  • Family-Focused Welcoming Atmosphere

    Warm, attentive table service ensures families dining with energetic young children feel welcomed, turning busy outings into relaxed meals.

    They’re so great with our kids, making every visit surprisingly stress-free.

    Elaine OConnor

  • Convenient Station & Coastal Refueling

    Situated right by Westona train station and close to Altona Beach, the cafe delivers barista-crafted coffee and hearty meals for weekend routines.

    I highly recommend visiting this busy little cafe next to the Westona train station.

    Daniel Williams

  • Thoughtful Year-Round Comfort Amenities

    With thoughtful touches like pet water bowls, warm customer blankets, and prompt service, the venue reliably handles morning rushes with care.

    The cafe is dog friendly, and have water bowls for dogs, which is a plus! Blankets are also available for customers to use on a cold day. Love the extra touches!

    Truc Tran

Inventive breakfast and lunch signatures crafted with bold flavours

  • Birdcage Benedict

    The Birdcage Benedict arrived looking far too good to share. Crispy potato rosti as the base, stacked with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked ham hock, perfectly poached eggs and a smoky chipotle hollandaise that I happily chased around the plate.

    Debi Slinger

  • Zucchini, corn and halloumi fritters

    Then the zucchini, corn and halloumi fritters arrived and honestly… chaos in the best possible way. Crunchy fritters, fresh tomato and cucumber salsa, black beans, avocado, corn chips for extra crunch, poached eggs and a chipotle mayo that tied the whole delicious mess together.

    Debi Slinger

  • Shakshuka

    I ordered the Shakshuka, absolute flavour bomb!

    Miranda Rose

  • Spanish Paella

    Great little cafe with delicious food, had the Spanish Paella and it was delicious. They even leave the roe on the scallops.

    Matt Gamble

Other favorites

Specialty beverages and thoughtful side additions

  • Side of bacon for dogs

    They even brought out our side of bacon just for him before our meals arrived, which made his whole day.

    Miranda Rose

  • Dirty chai

    Even the way my dirty chai was presented was unique, and so so tasty!

    Miranda Rose

  • Matcha latte

    Lovely little cafe, I enjoyed my food and matcha latte.

    S R

  • Strawberry milkshake

    The strawberry milkshake is not too thick or sweet which is great.

    Kelly Ng

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality details that make dining relaxed, welcoming, and memorable

  • Pre-Meal Bacon Service for Dogs

    When dining with your pet, staff thoughtfully bring out a side of bacon specifically for them before human meals arrive.

  • Courtyard Blankets for Chilly Mornings

    The outdoor courtyard offers warm blankets to keep patrons comfortable while dining outside during chilly weather.

  • Proactive Table Rearrangements for Shade

    Staff actively reconfigure courtyard furniture to ensure diners and their dogs remain shaded and comfortable on hot days.

  • Artfully Presented Specialty Drinks

    Specialty warm drinks like the dirty chai are served with artful, distinctive presentation rather than in standard mugs.

Before you head over

Practical tips on peak times, pet-friendly courtyard seating, and signature dishes.

  • Time Peak Morning Visits

    Weekend mornings fill up quickly with parkrun and local beach crowds by 9:30 AM; arrive earlier or plan around peak hours for faster table seating.

  • Courtyard Seating for Dogs

    Request shaded seating in the rear courtyard if bringing pets; staff provide water bowls, blankets on chilly mornings, and can serve dog bacon before main dishes.

  • Order Signature Rosti Dishes

    Instead of standard bread or muffins, swap conventional brunch picks for signatures like the Birdcage Benedict over potato rosti or the Japanese okonomiyaki specials.

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