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Restaurant

The Kettle Black

Fifty Albert, 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Recommended by 67 people

Updated

Find The Kettle Black

Fifty Albert, 50 Albert Rd, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9088 0721
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 7:00 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 The Kettle Black

South Melbourne mornings converge on a restored Victorian terrace framed right inside a modern high-rise tower. Regulars bypass routine breakfast staples for the kitchen’s beef brisket pastrami benedict, stacked over a crisp potato rosti with pickles and rich hollandaise. Plates lean bold and inventive—think chilli scrambled eggs, flaky prawn croissants, and seasonal sweet croffles layered with earthy matcha custard and hibiscus-steeped fruit. Behind the counter, baristas calibrate Synesso group heads with Five Senses beans, pulling balanced flat whites alongside light-roast iced long blacks that finish clean and nutty. Outdoor tables catch a cool breeze, while the dining room hums without tipping into chaos. Advance bookings keep table waits pain-free for weekend groups settling in over batch brew and salted maple cold brew.

  • Victorian terrace setting: A restored Victorian terrace encased directly within a modern high-rise tower creates a striking architectural backdrop.
  • Beef brisket pastrami benedict: Tender beef brisket pastrami paired with poached eggs, pickles, and hollandaise over crisp potato rosti.
  • Specialty espresso program: Multi-group Synesso machines pull Five Senses beans for textured flat whites, nutty iced long blacks, and batch brew.
  • Inventive brunch menu: Creative signatures span chilli prawn scrambled eggs, buttery prawn croissants, and seasonal croffles.
  • Weekend table bookings: Advance weekend reservations let parties secure seating smoothly without long sidewalk queues.
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What's On at The Kettle Black

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Visit The Kettle Black

Discover why South Melbourne locals and visitors seek out The Kettle Black for specialty brunch and coffee.

  • Inventive Brunch Signatures

    Signature dishes like the Beef Brisket Pastrami Benedict pair house-made potato rosti with seasoned brisket, poached eggs, and hollandaise.

    The pastrami isn't too salty, and it pairs perfectly with the potato rosti, egg benedict, and avocado.

    Rachelle Yao

  • Specialty Espresso and Filter Programs

    The espresso bar operates commercial-grade multi-group Synesso and Mazzer setups running specialty Five Senses roasts and curated single origins.

    Beans roasted by Five Senses, with espresso and batch brew on offer.

    Randy

  • Polished and Relaxed Atmosphere

    Attentive hospitality and an easygoing pace prevent the typical weekend rush from compromising guest comfort.

    It’s a polished, sophisticated spot that manages to avoid the usual brunch chaos.

    Rebecca Buxton

  • Genuinely Caring Hospitality

    Guests are greeted warmly and looked after attentively from the moment they step onto the property.

    The girl serving us made us feel really special, not just like another customer.

    nuray s

  • Victorian Terrace Meets High-Rise Architecture

    The dining space preserves an ornate white Victorian terrace encased directly inside a sleek high-rise skyscraper.

    the way the ornate Victorian terrace is framed by the modern skyscraper is very Melbourne.

    Rebecca Buxton

  • Distinct Heritage and Contemporary Dining Spaces

    Diverse interior seating zones and sunlit outdoor tables offer visually striking settings across every corner of the venue.

    Different rooms and outdoor sections offer diverse seating options, from solo to communal.

    Justas Pipinis

Signature savory mains and Melbourne cafe favorites

  • Beef Brisket Pastrami Benedict

    The food is fantastic, especially their beef brisket pastrami benedict with avocado – pure heaven! 🥑 The pastrami isn't too salty, and it pairs perfectly with the potato rosti, egg benedict, and avocado.

    Rachelle Yao

  • Breakfast Roll

    Lastly, regarding the mains, the Breakfast Roll was a filling, and comforting meal, with its simplicity standing out as its reasoning for its character.

    Jeryshan Xavier

  • Korean Crispy Chicken Burger

    The Korean Crispy Chicken Burger is the perfect counterpoint, with a dark, intense glaze and a serious crunch.

    Rebecca Buxton

  • Prawn Croissant

    The croissant was buttery, flaky and crispy in the right spots, and the portion of prawns allocated to it was definitely generous enough.

    Jeryshan Xavier

Other favorites

Specialty drinks, desserts, and sweet accompaniments

  • Cheesecake Croffle

    The Cheesecake Croffle is a standout, using pandan cream and hibiscus-poached strawberries to create a balance that isn't too sweet but is still incredibly indulgent.

    Rebecca Buxton

  • Black Forest Waffle

    Finally, for a dessert we got the Black Forest Waffle to share. The berry sauce on the side was quite sour and tart, which I thought was a balanced addition to the sweetness of the creams on the waffle

    Jeryshan Xavier

  • Salted Maple Cold Brew

    Salted Maple Cold Brew (AUD 8)

    weisikmui

  • Bon Bon

    for something different we also enjoyed the bon bon - a combination of espresso with condensed milk which was surprisingly super nice.

    Terry Reidy

Before you head over

Practical planning advice for reservations, parking, and ordering

  • Book Ahead for Peak Times

    Weekend visits and prime brunch hours fill up quickly; secure an advance table booking online to ensure group seating and bypass peak wait times.

  • Navigating Metered Parking

    On-street metered parking is available right outside on Albert Road, but spots fill up on weekends—display your meter ticket clearly or take public transit to Anzac station.

  • Request Sauces on the Side

    Dressings and rich sauces can be intense on dishes like the Bang Bang Chicken Salad, so consider requesting sauces on the side if you prefer a lighter touch.

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