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Restaurant

The Espressonist

108 River Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

Recommended by 53 people

Updated

Find The Espressonist

108 River Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 4514 0804
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Espressonist

Perched on the Yarra’s Edge promenade, this Docklands waterfront perch pairs serious specialty coffee with sweeping marina views. Regulars drop in early when morning sunlight cuts through the indoor garden lightwell—an easy match for a flat white, cold-pressed ruby grapefruit juice, or creamy berry-topped porridge. The kitchen delivers reliable daytime flair, from spicy chorizo benedict on house-made hash browns to pink pavlova French toast and crisp-skinned salmon. Come evening, twilight shifts the mood toward dockside tables, wagyu skewers, and bottles of wine.

  • Marina garden setting: Waterside seating along the river promenade with morning sunlight filtering through an indoor garden lightwell.
  • Elevated brunch staples: Plates span pink pavlova French toast, smashed avo, and spicy chorizo benedict with cold-pressed juices.
  • Twilight grill and wine bar: Wednesday through Saturday evenings bring wagyu skewers, fresh pasta, and wine by the docks.
RestaurantBrunchCoffeeCafeBarRestaurantWine Bar

What's On at The Espressonist

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose The Espressonist

From sunlit waterside brunch to an intimate marina wine bar and grill

  • Waterfront Brunch & Cold-Pressed Juices

    Freshly prepared breakfast staples like Pink Pavlova Toast and smashed avocado are paired with diverse cold-pressed juice options.

    Loved the Pink Pavlova Toast, French Toast, and Smashed Avocado. The cold-pressed juices were so refreshing and there were plenty of options to choose from.

    Anoushka Padukone

  • Thoughtfully Curated Daytime Dining

    Guests enjoy elevated brunch favorites overlooking the Docklands harbour from inside the dining room or outside on the promenade.

    enjoy your brunch whether it’s with the harbour view outside or inside in their beautiful dining setting.

    Hungry Piglet

  • Twilight Transition to Evening Grill

    As daylight fades over the marina, the venue transitions into a cosy wine bar and grill serving dinner Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

    This classic Melbourne brunch restaurant & Cafe during the day and a cosy wine bar and grill by night.

    Harmony Tr

  • Harbourside Cocktails & Bespoke Dinners

    Overlooking Yarra’s Edge marina, diners can unwind with cocktails at dusk before settling into an evening meal by the water.

    Twilight Perfect for cocktails and then onto a wonderful dinner in a magical bespoke restaurant.

    Jenny kimber

  • Inspiring Light & Restorative Calm

    Morning sunlight filtering through the indoor garden creates an uplifting atmosphere where diners can unwind and feel inspired.

    In my opinion it’s a place where you can enjoy great food, slow down, and leave feeling inspired.

    Petra Rubar

  • Peaceful Waterside Retreat

    Positioned directly along the riverfront, the cafe provides a serene setting to step away from the urban rush and recharge.

    The Espressonist promises a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle.

    Dennis H

Signature breakfast and lunch creations enjoyed along the Yarra River promenade

  • Eggs Benny

    Had the chorizo eggs and Benny and it was delicious.

    Kael & Caden Creative Fun Boys

  • French Toast

    Loved the Pink Pavlova Toast, French Toast, and Smashed Avocado.

    Anoushka Padukone

  • Smashed Avocado

    We tried the Pink Pavlova French Toast, Smashed Avocado, and Twice-Cooked Pork Belly, and everything was absolutely delicious.

    Reshma Rodrigues

  • Crispy Skin Salmon

    The crispy skin salmon was another highlight

    Petra Rubar

Other favorites

Complement your waterfront dining with curated beverages, sides, and desserts

  • Cold-Pressed Juices

    The cold-pressed juices were so refreshing and there were plenty of options to choose from.

    Anoushka Padukone

  • Specialty Coffee

    The interior is very inspiring and speciality coffee outstanding.

    GetEmspired

  • Sweet Potato Fries

    sweet potato fries

    we.eat.travel &love

  • Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Tart

    Everything was delicious and I would definitely re-order the beef skewers, linguine and deconstructed lemon meringue tart.

    Harmony Tr

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and distinct atmosphere touches that elevate your dockside visit

  • Indoor Garden Light Well for Creators

    Natural light filters through an indoor garden well during the morning, creating distinct shadows and an accommodating atmosphere for guests capturing photography, videos, and creative work.

  • Attentive Custom Order Accommodation

    The front-of-house team readily tailors menu orders, pays close attention to individual preferences, and warmly supports content creators and guests with specific meal requests.

  • Hassle-Free Split-Bill Service for Groups

    Group breakfasts are accommodated with straightforward itemised split-bill payment at the table, removing friction for social gatherings.

  • Artisan Latte Art and Coffee Care

    Baristas serve thoughtfully finished specialty coffee complemented by delicate, picture-perfect latte art across morning services.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is dinner served, and does the breakfast menu change during the day?

The Espressonist operates as a daytime cafe daily from morning until 2:30 PM, serving an initial breakfast selection before opening up the full menu after 10:30 AM. From Wednesday to Saturday, it also reopens for dinner service from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Can you make a reservation or book a table?

Yes, bookings can be made for dinner or dining visits via their website or Instagram, and the cafe is also reservable. Walk-ins can be seated indoors or outdoors, though reserving ahead is encouraged for evening dining.

Is there outdoor waterfront seating available?

Yes, there is plenty of outdoor waterfront seating under umbrellas along the river esplanade, offering direct views over the Yarra's Edge marina alongside comfortable indoor dining areas.

Can groups split the bill when dining together?

Dine-in groups can comfortably catch up, share dishes, and easily split the bill across multiple cards at the end of the meal.

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