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Restaurant

Operator San

121 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 7 people

Updated

Find Operator San

121 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9687 4441
HoursMonday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Operator San

Just steps from Queen Victoria Market, Operator San flips Melbourne morning ritual on its head with sharp kissaten energy and Japanese comfort cooking. Regulars zero in on the Katsu Curry Benedict stacked with pork spam—rich, crisp, and anchored by a savory curry kick. Onigiri sets arrive balanced with warm miso soup, while thick brioche French toast comes loaded with matcha crème diplomat and crunchy pistachio knafeh. Behind the counter, the drink roster branches into strawberry matcha, chilled mango yakult, and hot Earl Grey capped with houjicha foam. The dining room moves fast under thoughtful floor staff, leaving just enough room to finish on a spoonful of silky purin.

  • Inventive Yōshoku Brunch: Western morning staples reimagined with Japanese flavors, from Katsu Curry Benedict with pork spam to seasoned onigiri trays.
  • Matcha French Toast: Thick brioche French toast dressed with rich matcha crème diplomat, fresh strawberries, and crisp pistachio knafeh.
  • Specialty Teas & Sips: Signature Japanese beverages including cold houjicha foam over hot Earl Grey, layered strawberry matcha, and mango yakult.
RestaurantBrunchCoffeeCafe

What's On at Operator San

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Operator San

Discover why diners choose Operator San for distinct Japanese-inspired morning dining and specialty drinks.

  • Japanese-Inspired Brunch Classics

    Classic breakfast staples are reinterpreted through Japanese recipes, pairing dishes like Katsu Curry Benedict with fluffy onigiri and balanced savory sets.

    The Katsu Curry Benedict was also well rounded and a nice spin on the classic Benedict.

    Marina

  • Balanced Set Meals

    Mornings feature comforting traditional combinations, offering savory fillings, soothing warm miso soup, and seasonal sets.

    The set came with pickle cabbage, mixed spinach and a lovely warm smooth miso soup.

    Kelly Tran

  • Creative Sweet & Savory Plates

    Artfully crafted hotcakes, rich matcha creams, and classic kabayaki preparations bring satisfying Japanese cafe aesthetics to Melbourne brunch.

    The hotcake felt like a creative take on a Japanese soufflé pancake, light, fluffy and beautifully presented.

    Abhishek Roy

  • Specialty Foam Teas & Matchas

    Crafted cold tea foam tops layered brews, pairing hojicha, lavender, and rich matcha blends beyond conventional cafe offerings.

    what sets Operator San apart is its other specialty: Japanese and Japanese-style drinks, particularly Matcha and Hojicha.

    Colin Kynoch

  • Warm, Attentive Hospitality

    Hospitality shines through thoughtful and attentive staff who accommodate guests and provide personalized care throughout the meal.

    They were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming throughout my visit. Their hospitality made the whole dining experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.

    Yu Chen

  • Comforting Japanese Cafe Vibe

    The dining space delivers a relaxed and comforting atmosphere that brings the cozy familiarity of modern Japanese dining to life.

    Japanese taste and vibe, honestly feels like being back in Japan.

    Jackson S

Signature Japanese-inspired brunch and savory sets near Queen Victoria Market

  • Onigiri Set

    The onigiri salmon set was super tasty (pictured)- decent portion and well balanced in flavour.

    melbfoodstories

  • Katsu Curry Benedict

    The Katsu Curry Benedict with pork spam was incredibly flavorful and perfectly balanced.

    KH Choi

  • Unagi Tamagoyaki

    I ordered the Unagi Tamagoyaki, and it was absolutely delicious. The eel was prepared in the classic kabayaki style, which happens to be my favorite. It was tender and flaky, coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce that paired wonderfully with the rice.

    Yu Chen

  • Mentaiko Udon

    The Mentaiko Udon was creamy and had great texture with the mentaiko without either being too overpowering, the crispy seaweed provided a great crunch to balance out the meal.

    Marina

Other favorites

Specialty cold foam teas, signature matchas, and Japanese sweets

  • Earl Grey Hojicha

    The Earl Grey Hojicha was the standout for me and easily my favourite.

    City Bites S.

  • Lavender Matcha

    She ordered the signature lavender matcha (thumbs up) for me and tried the strawberry matcha herself, along with 2 brekkie a la carte. It was unexpectedly pleasing, delectable and bursted with flavour.

    Jazz Jazz

  • Purin

    Purin: which is a Japanese flan. It was so decadent, smooth and just sweet enough. We could eat hundreds of these in one go.

    Kelly Tran

  • French Toast

    We finished with the French Toast loaded with matcha sauce, which was rich, indulgent, and absolutely amazing.

    KH Choi

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches and distinctive Japanese service details that elevate the cafe experience.

  • Pup-Friendly Welcomes & Surprise Pup-Cinos

    Guests arriving with dogs are treated with immediate outdoor care, including water bowls and complimentary surprise pup-cinos from the staff.

  • Digital Waitlist Notifications for Market Browsing

    Staff handle bustling waitlists by registering walk-in guests via OpenTable and sending digital alerts, allowing visitors to explore nearby market shops while waiting.

  • Cold Hojicha Foam Layering on Hot Tea

    Cold-foam tea preparations feature distinct temperature and texture contrasts, such as chilled savory-sweet hojicha foam floating atop hot Earl Grey tea.

  • Complete Multi-Side Japanese Teishoku Accoutrements

    Traditional set meals come thoughtfully composed on wooden trays complete with house-prepared tsukemono pickles, seasoned spinach gomaae, and warm miso soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the waitlist and booking process work?

Walk-ins are managed digitally: staff register your details via OpenTable so you receive an alert when your table is ready, letting you wander nearby shops while waiting. Online reservations are also available for tables and groups.

What specialty Japanese drinks are popular?

Beyond espresso coffee, the cafe specializes in Japanese tea concoctions such as cold-foam Earl Grey Hojicha, unsweetened matcha, and specialty drinks like lavender or strawberry matcha.

What food items are recommended for first-timers?

Well-known options include Japanese breakfast sets like the Onigiri Set with salmon fillet and miso soup, savory brunch dishes like Katsu Curry Benedict and Unagi Tamagoyaki, creamy Mentaiko Udon, and sweet options such as Mont Blanc hotcakes.

Is there outdoor seating and pet-friendly dining?

Yes, outdoor seating is available and staff accommodate dogs with water bowls and pup-cinos. Street parking is available nearby, which is especially convenient on days when Queen Victoria Market is closed.

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