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Restaurant

Juniper

269 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Recommended by 30 people

Updated

Find Juniper

269 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

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HoursMonday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 8:00 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 Juniper

Coventry Street regulars put their names down, grab a flat white, and pace the pavement until a table opens up. The draw is an unpretentious cafe serving elevated morning staples with real culinary intent. Food lovers line up for the cold-cut chicken sando—stacked on crusty Astro Bakery bread that bites back, slicked with sharp salsa verde and garlic mayo. On colder mornings, regulars lean toward the mushroom congee, an earthy rice porridge layered with pickled mushrooms, custardy soft egg, chilli oil, and savory furikake. Others pair their morning filter with botanical house-cured trout, balanced over dill labneh, capers, and chewy sourdough.

  • Cult-Favorite Chicken Sando: Layered with house salsa verde and garlic mayo on sturdy, crusty loaves from Astro Bakery.
  • Signature Mushroom Congee: Comforting rice porridge topped with pickled mushrooms, soft egg, chilli oil, and furikake.
  • House-Cured Trout Plate: Botanical-cured ocean trout served alongside dill labneh, capers, and toasted sourdough.
  • Coventry Street Energy: A buzzing South Melbourne Market neighbor with attentive staff and an easy local rhythm.
RestaurantBrunchCoffeeCafe

What's On at Juniper

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Juniper

Discover why locals flock to Coventry Street for signature fusion brunch dishes, prompt market-day counter bites, and warm neighborhood hospitality.

  • Signature Savory Congee with Distinctive Fusion Depth

    Juniper's signature savoury porridge pairs earthy mushrooms, rich soft egg, furikake, and chilli oil for an elevated, satisfying breakfast.

    The food really impressed us, especially the congee, which had a beautiful fusion flavour and a chilli oil that was absolutely the highlight

    weisikmui

  • Botanical House-Cured Trout and Fresh Labneh

    In-house juniper and fennel cured ocean trout is combined with dill labneh and capers to deliver a fresh, refined morning centerpiece.

    We ordered the mushroom congee and smoked trout dish which were both divine. Haven’t had an inspiring breakfast in a long while.

    Milika Nation

  • Prompt Market-Side Baguettes and Counter Fare

    Serving as an effortless pause right by South Melbourne Market, the cafe offers quick artisan counter items like fresh ham baguettes and coffee on busy shopping runs.

    Absolutely LOVED the frappe and the ham baguette! Went on a Friday and got a table pretty much straight away. Being a pre-made baguette the food was brought to us straight away.

    Chelsea Hutson

  • Convenient Daily Espresso Stop along Coventry Street

    Strategically positioned on Coventry Street, the espresso bar serves fast, top-tier coffee and daily takeaway salads for seamless weekday market visits.

    Best coffee and food on Coventry street by far. Food is casual and quick and is good for a quick coffee when visiting the market.

    Cameron Miller

  • Welcoming, Patient Hospitality in a Busy Dining Room

    Even during peak rushes with customer lines out the door, the front-of-house crew remains warm, attentive, and welcoming to all guests.

    Counter food was awesome, and the folks serving were friendly and patient with the girls - even though they had a full house.

    Barry Woolford

  • Neighborhood Warmth and Classic Melbourne Cafe Charm

    The venue radiates a beloved community feel where genuine personal care and attentive table service complement the lively morning buzz.

    A solid 10/10 cafe. The breakfast plate paired with soy cap is a quintessential melbourne brunch experience and Juniper execute it perfectly ❤️ The warm hospitality from Louisa and Harry is the cherry on top!

    Tamara Tjipta

Signature cafe plates and deli-style staples beloved by South Melbourne locals.

  • Mushroom Congee

    I got the mushroom congee that was highly raved about and it didn’t disappoint - warmed me right up!!

    tired office worker

  • Juniper & Fennel Cured Trout

    The cured trout was very fresh and paired well with the capers and sourdough.

    Anneliese

  • Chicken Sandwich

    Bread was excellent, flavours were different in a good way

    Christopher Wu

  • Ham Baguette

    Absolutely LOVED the frappe and the ham baguette!

    Chelsea Hutson

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit to avoid a wait?

Juniper tends to fill quickly on mornings and weekends. Arriving before 10:00 AM helps avoid the wait, though you can also put your name down on the door list and take a walk nearby. Outdoor seating is available if indoor tables are full.

What should I know about the mushroom congee before ordering?

The mushroom congee is made with greens, a soft egg, pickled mushrooms, furikake, and chilli oil. The house chilli oil carries noticeable heat, and the pickled mushrooms add a distinct tartness. If you prefer milder food, be aware of the spice and sour notes before ordering.

Can I grab a quick coffee or takeaway food on the go?

Yes. The cafe keeps ready-made baguettes, sandwiches, and pastries in the counter display, and takeaway coffee is readily available for visitors passing by or heading to the nearby South Melbourne Market.

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