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Restaurant

Penny Farthing Espresso

206 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Recommended by 64 people

Updated

Find Penny Farthing Espresso

206 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9482 2246
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 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 Penny Farthing Espresso

Penny Farthing Espresso treats coffee with obsessive care, pairing meticulous brews with an unhurried, leafy backyard courtyard away from High Street noise. Locals rely on it for dialed-in espresso, precise V60 pour-overs, and a breakfast menu stripped of gimmicks. Grab a secluded table out back for sweet potato rosti, scrambled tofu, or thick-cut fruit toast served with soft room-temperature butter.

  • Dialed-in specialty brews: Baristas brew dialed-in espresso and single-origin V60 pour-overs that draw dedicated coffee drinkers across Melbourne.
  • Secluded backyard courtyard: A tranquil outdoor garden space tucked away behind the main room, offering relaxed seating without loud music.
  • No-gimmick morning menu: Unpretentious breakfast staples spanning smoky morning plates, sweet potato rosti, and vegan-friendly scrambled tofu.
RestaurantCoffeeBrunchCafeRestaurant

What's On at Penny Farthing Espresso

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Penny Farthing Espresso

Why regulars and coffee lovers choose Penny Farthing for their daily brew and relaxed courtyard dining.

  • Specialty Coffee Standard

    Dialed-in espresso and filter coffees crafted with consistency that regulars and coffee enthusiasts actively travel for.

    Penny Farthing definitely makes the best coffee in the area.

    Jeet Billan

  • Unpretentious Breakfast Staples

    Straightforward, wholesome morning meals prepared cleanly without gimmicks or fuss.

    Really appreciate that there’s no gimmicks and you can just have a delicious no fuss breakfast.

    Alex L

  • Secluded Courtyard Dining

    An outdoor backyard dining retreat providing an open-air escape suited for duos or long group lunches.

    Love the backyard dining area, and find the place well suited to either brunch for two or larger groups enjoying a long lunch.

    Cathryn Ross

  • Versatile Zoned Spaces

    Multiple dedicated zones across streetfront, indoor, and courtyard areas that adapt easily to different group dynamics.

    Deceptively large, with 3 different areas to relax.... streetside, quieter indoor area for 4+ groups, & outside in the courtyard.

    Susan Gilmore

  • Tranquil, Music-Free Retreat

    A genuinely tranquil outdoor setting devoid of intrusive, loud cafe soundtracks.

    Lovely ambience out the back and quiet. No music blasting - bliss!

    Kate Beckwith

  • Warm, Personal Hospitality

    Attentive team members who remember personal orders and deliver welcoming hospitality.

    the owner and his wonderful staff couldn’t be more accommodating to my ever changing coffee orders and they had our back all through lockdown.

    maria healey

Signature dishes celebrated for quality, clean flavours, and dietary variety

  • Sweet Potato Rosti

    sweet potato rosti was so good

    Jessica Moon

  • Avo Smash

    Must try Avo Smash!!!

    Jeet Billan

  • French Toast

    Quite possibly the best French toast I’ve ever had. Chocolate sauce with banana and fruit custard and blueberries…divine!

    Cody Rodriguez

  • Scrambled Tofu

    I think this is the best scrambled tofu in Melbourne - delicious.

    lynn mowson

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you sit, and is there outdoor dining?

Penny Farthing features multiple spots to sit, including streetside seating, an indoor area suited for groups, and a quiet outdoor backyard courtyard away from blasting music.

Are there vegetarian options on the menu?

Yes. The cafe serves vegetarian food with options like scrambled tofu, avocado smash, and sweet potato rosti, catering well to plant-based diets.

What is the parking situation like nearby?

While High Street is often busy, visitors note there is free street parking available down this section of the street.

How easy is the cafe to spot from the street?

The cafe is situated directly next door to another coffee shop along High Street, so look closely at the shopfront signage to spot Penny Farthing.

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