Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Poke the Bear Cafe

2A Mitchell St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Poke the Bear Cafe

2A Mitchell St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9481 5554
HoursMonday: 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Poke the Bear Cafe

Tucked off High Street in Northcote, this cheerful corner delivers serious breakfast comforts and unmatched care for dietary crowds. Regulars swear by the quick morning banter and strong dark-roast espresso, while tables fill fast over plates named in unapologetic bear puns. Order the Papa Bear—poached eggs with hollandaise stacked over crisp potato cheese hash—or grab a jalapeño chicken toasty pressed hot. For plant-based diners, a dedicated vegan menu skips the usual guesswork with dedicated burgers, tacos, and seasoned potato skins, alongside strict kitchen protocols that keep coeliac orders rigorously separated.

  • Dedicated vegan menu: Plant-based eaters get an entire separate lineup featuring burgers, tacos, and breakfast plates without modification hassle.
  • Bear-themed comfort plates: Morning staples revolve around cheeky names like the Papa Bear benedict on potato cheese hash and the Grin and Bear chilli scramble.
  • Coeliac-aware prep: Kitchen crew members follow strict gluten-free safety practices, wiping prep stations and changing gloves for coeliac orders.
RestaurantPokeRestaurantCafe

What's On at Poke the Bear Cafe

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Northcote Locals Choose Poke the Bear Cafe

From hearty bear-themed breakfasts and verified allergy care to genuine neighbourhood warmth.

  • Generous Bear-Themed Brunch Signatures

    Enjoy substantial, savoury breakfast creations such as chilli scrambled eggs, potato and cheese hash, and eggs benedict served with crisp potato skins.

    Delicious food, had the Papa Bear eggs benedict and the Humphrey bacon and egg roll. Both so yum and filling.

    Georgia Thompson

  • Strong and Dependable Daily Coffee

    Start the morning with dependable, smooth coffee and specialty roast options poured quickly for locals and commuters.

    Coffee is strong and satisfying, perfect for busy mornings, and the atmosphere feels casual and upbeat.

    The Nik Take

  • Extensive Dedicated Vegan Menu

    Plant-based diners can order effortlessly from a complete, separate vegan menu featuring plant-based burgers, tacos, and loaded sides.

    I love there is a dedicated vegan menu (that is huge), this is certainly not the norm in most cafes so it makes eating there so well catered and easy.

    Belinda C

  • Rigorous Coeliac Safety Handling

    Diners with coeliac disease can eat with confidence thanks to attentive kitchen protocols including glove changes and dedicated clean prep areas.

    I am coeliac and they were very knowledgeable, changed gloves and cleaned surfaces to make sure my meal was as safe as possible.

    Belinda Mcnamara

  • Warm Banter and Morning Community Rituals

    A welcoming team and lively banter transform routine morning visits into an engaging neighbourhood gathering.

    Coming to poke the bear is the best part of my day. The coffee is amazing, and I always enjoy the banter with any of the barristers or the owner.

    Joel Borwick

  • Local Hospitality That Feels Like Family

    Warm hospitality and genuine attentiveness give the cafe the comfortable, relaxed feel of a welcoming local living room.

    Visiting here feels like stepping into a loving family home.

    Poppy Carroll

Favourite brunch classics and signature dishes from our themed menu

  • Poke Bowl

    The poke bowl was super fresh and healthy - amazing!

    Em

  • Papa Bear

    loved their ‘Papa Bear’ dish in particular (similar to an eggs benedict except on a cheese hash).

    Mandie L.

  • Grin and Bear

    It consisted of chilli scrambled eggs on toasted sourdough bread with rocket, caramelised onions, and feta cheese. It was so delicious and I'm definitely returning to order this dish again

    Mark Harb

  • Bear Arms

    Also got “Bear Arms”- tasty meal with their potato and cheese hash and generous serve of haloumi.

    Andrianna H

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful dietary care, playful menu details, and attentive cafe touches in Northcote

  • Coeliac Cross-Contamination Protocols

    Kitchen staff take extra precautions for coeliac diners by changing gloves and cleaning preparation surfaces specifically to avoid cross-contamination.

  • Dedicated Full Vegan Menu

    Rather than simple ingredient substitutions, plant-based diners receive an expansive, standalone vegan menu catering specifically to their dietary choices.

  • Thematic Bear-Puns on Menu

    The menu features clever, playful bear-themed naming for its dishes, including items like 'Papa Bear', 'Grin and Bear', and 'Bear Arms'.

  • Inspirational Quotes with Coffee

    Coffee orders come accompanied by an unexpected inspirational quote served alongside the cup.

Before you head over

Helpful advice on dietary ordering and arrival to ensure a smooth visit to Poke the Bear Cafe.

  • Coeliac-Safe Kitchen Protocols

    Those ordering gluten-free meals can dine with peace of mind—staff are well trained on cross-contamination, regularly wiping down surfaces and changing gloves when preparing food for coeliacs.

  • Request the Dedicated Vegan Menu

    Ask specifically for the standalone vegan menu at the counter, which provides a dedicated, full plant-based lineup rather than relying on dish modifications.

  • Convenient Nearby Parking

    If driving, you can skip street-hunting on High Street by heading straight to the nearby car park off Mitchell Street, located about 20 metres from the cafe.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Browse all Melbourne venues