Restaurant
Monkey Can Fly Café
519 Highett Rd, Highett VIC 3190, Australia
Find Monkey Can Fly Café
519 Highett Rd, Highett VIC 3190, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Monkey Can Fly Café
Highett locals rely on Monkey Can Fly Café for morning coffee, generous focaccias, and a leafy backyard garden. Come nightfall on select evenings, the kitchen flips into Chinese Mama’s Kitchen—serving up steaming handmade dumplings, bao buns, and Malaysian beef curry alongside happy-hour drinks. Pull up a chair out back for a bacon-and-egg focaccia, or stop in after dark for curry puffs and warm pork dumplings straight from the steamer.
- Evening Chinese Mama’s Kitchen: Transforms into Chinese Mama’s Kitchen on select evenings with dumplings, bao buns, curry puffs, and happy-hour drinks.
- Garden Courtyard Seating: Features a relaxed open backyard garden alongside street-front tables and indoor dining.
What's On at Monkey Can Fly Café
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Visit Monkey Can Fly Café
From everyday cafe rituals to evening dumplings and leafy backyard seating in Highett.
Consistently satisfying cafe staples
Locals rely on dependable espresso craft and generous morning fare from eggs Benedict to focaccias and wraps.
My family and I have tried many cafés in the area but always return to Monkey because they are so consistently good.
Michael Pearce Dependable morning coffee flavour
Morning routines benefit from reliably balanced espresso and familiar daytime choices served day in and day out.
coffee flavour is good and always the same despite who makes them - consistency
Rajiv Hotchand Evening Chinese Mama's Kitchen concept
Select evenings feature Chinese Mama's Kitchen, serving authentic dumplings, bao buns, and happy hour specials right on Highett Road.
They’ve recently started opening certain nights as Chinese Mama’s Kitchen, offering a small but authentic selection of Chinese dishes alongside happy-hour drinks.
David Button Casual Friday night dumplings and curry
Friday night dining easily transitions from cafe to dinner with hearty curries, dumplings, and early evening happy hour specials.
Authentic Chinese dumplings and yummy curry puffs to start. Followed with a tasty Malaysian beef curry and rice.
Elly Podiman Secluded backyard garden dining
A dedicated rear courtyard offers a sunny, open space away from the street front for a peaceful outdoor sit-down.
Loved the backyard, we’ll be back most likely
Aniko K. Flexible indoor and outdoor spaces
Guests can choose the setting that suits their visit, spanning inside dining, front street tables, and outdoor garden areas.
Beautifully clean place with good choices for where to sit: inside, street tables, back yard tables.
Susan Moore
Most popular items
Favorite daytime cafe classics and evening specialties
Dumplings
The dumplings were delicious — warm and juicy
David Button Pancakes
the pancakes are a hit with my son!
Michael Pearce Bacon and egg focaccia
Bacon and egg focaccia is as good as it gets.
Tiff Ricotta corn fritters
Will definitely come back for the ricotta corn fritters!
Jill Sims
Other favorites
Freshly baked afternoon treats and evening appetisers
Scones
the best scones and a pot of tea I have ever had anywhere in the world
Dr.Victoria Kearney Muffins
Lovely coffee and muffins
Susanne Holcombe Curry puffs
yummy curry puffs to start
Elly Podiman Spring rolls
we loved indulging in the fried chicken, spring rolls, bao buns, and fried rice
David Button
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor and backyard seating options are available?
Yes, the cafe features multiple seating areas, including indoor tables, street-side seating out front, and a dedicated backyard garden dining area down the back.
Do they serve dinner or evening meals?
On select evenings (notably Friday nights), the venue operates as Chinese Mama's Kitchen, offering authentic Chinese dumplings, curry, bao buns, fried rice, and happy-hour drink specials from 4–6pm alongside beer and wine.
Is the cafe suitable for kids and fussy eaters?
Yes, the breakfast and lunch menus feature family-friendly staples like pancakes, as well as milkshakes, muffins, focaccias, and chips.
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