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Restaurant

West 48

48 Essex St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

Recommended by 49 people

Updated

Find West 48

48 Essex St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 473 147 775
HoursMonday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM Thursday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM Friday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About West 48

Tucked into an old Footscray milk bar, West 48 delivers spice-forward morning plates alongside serious espresso. Green plant walls and vintage ammunition boxes set a relaxed tone while the kitchen pushes past cafe routine—spicing eggs benedict with Turkish sujuk and ladling coconut sambal across chilli scrambled eggs. Coffee runs deep, from batch cold brew to proper oat milks, served up by a crew that treats every customer like an inner-west regular.

  • Spiced Brunch Twists: Classic eggs benedict gets an upgrade with Turkish sujuk, alongside sambal-spiked chilli scrambled eggs and rich shakshuka.
  • Rustic Milk Bar Setting: The former milk bar pairs indoor greenery and repurposed hardware with attentive hospitality from familiar faces.
  • Precision Coffee: Generous pours and careful brewing anchored by fruit-forward cold batch brews and local morning favourites.
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What's On at West 48

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose West 48

Discover why Footscray locals choose West 48 for weekend breakfast, specialty coffee, and relaxed catch-ups.

  • Inventive Breakfast Twists

    West 48 elevates morning classics with bold Turkish sujuk and spice-forward accents on signature dishes.

    the sujuk added a great twist, but they also offer bacon, smoked salmon, or sausage if you want something different.

    Tracy F

  • Flavor-Packed Food Quality

    Every brunch plate balances distinct flavors, textures, and thoughtful presentation that satisfy hungry weekend diners.

    The food was cooked to perfection with awesome combinations of flavors and textures that just felt divine.

    Abhinav Viswambharan

  • Generous Specialty Coffee

    Baristas serve proper large cups and expertly pulled espresso to power everyday neighborhood routines.

    If you're a coffee lover, you'll appreciate that when you order a large cup, you actually get a large cup—no surprises there!

    Nandeesh L S

  • Paced & Efficient Morning Service

    The kitchen and floor staff operate with seamless timing so hot meals and drinks land on tables simultaneously.

    The service was impressively fast. I ordered a coffee first, then my food about 5–6 minutes later, and both arrived together, which was very convenient.

    Alvin Kh

  • Warm Personal Familiarity

    Staff foster a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere by greeting repeat customers and tracking regular orders.

    They remember me and my usual orders from previous visits, which adds such a personal touch to the experience.

    Senada Redzovic

  • Relaxed Botanical Setting

    Abundant green foliage and a chilled-out former milk bar setup create a restorative weekend sanctuary.

    The restaurant’s vibe is super chill, lovely pot plants everywhere, and staff are very friendly.

    Derek Dinh

Signature brunch dishes that define the West 48 experience

  • Eggs Benedict

    i had the breakfast benny with sujuk, and it was perfect. the hollandaise sauce was rich, smooth, and didn’t stray from that classic benny flavour i love.

    Tracy F

  • Chilli Scrambled Eggs

    As a self appointed Chilli Scrambled connoisseur who has sujuk running through his veins, I can tell you that this is THE BEST in Melbourne... By far...

    Umie

  • Shakshuka

    Their Shakshuka deserves a special mention — it’s arguably the best we’ve tasted, with perfectly balanced flavors and beautifully presented.

    hibi

  • French Toast

    The French toast is also a wonderful composition of savoury and sweet.

    Derek Dinh

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and quirky interior touches that define West 48

  • Ammunition Box Cutlery Holders

    Cutlery is set on tables in repurposed rustic ammunition boxes, reflecting the cafe's converted milk bar heritage.

  • Owner Storytelling at the Table

    The owner personally takes time during lunch service rushes to connect with guests and share the historic building's background.

  • Remembered Regular Orders

    Baristas and front-of-house staff proactively remember returning patrons and their exact usual drink orders.

  • Study Care & Attentive Check-Ins

    Floor staff provide continuous check-ins and welcoming support for guests staying to study or read over long hours.

Before you head over

Practical tips on timing, bookings, parking, and seating for your visit to West 48.

  • Reserve Ahead on Weekends

    Weekend brunch gets very busy; diners suggest booking in advance or being prepared for a short wait if walking in for a table.

  • Check Side Streets for Parking

    Parking on Essex Street can be difficult during peak hours, but spots are typically available along the surrounding neighborhood streets.

  • Consider Heated Outdoor Seating

    Outdoor seating is equipped with heaters, making it a comfortable dining alternative when indoor tables fill up or during cooler weather.

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