The Best Daylesford Cafes For Brunch And Coffee

From hearty breakfasts to indulgent sweet treats, here are the best cafe spots to fuel your Daylesford adventure.

With so many incredible things to do in Daylesford, starting your day with the right fuel is essential. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a decadent brunch, or just a quick coffee to get you going, this picturesque pocket of Victoria has you covered.

Here’s a round-up of some of the best cafes to visit during your visit to Daylesford.

1. Cliffy’s Emporium

food and drinks at Cliffy’s Emporium, Daylesford — Dine on Cliffy’s numerous breakfast options. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Brimming with vintage charm, Cliffy’s Emporium has been a Daylesford institution since the 1950s, offering a relaxed yet character-filled brunch outing. Inside, rustic corrugated iron walls and weathered timber evoke the history of this beloved spot, where crowds gather for top-notch coffee and delectable dishes.

Start your day with the famed ‘Cliffy’s Benedict’ or branch out with their eclectic breakfast options, like laksa scrambled eggs or tasty French toast. Farmers still deliver fresh produce here, stocking the deli shelves with local bread, pies, and cakes, so don’t leave without grabbing a few treats for the road.

Address: 30 Raglan St, Daylesford

2. Wombat Hill House

the exterior of Wombat Hill House, Daylesford — Enjoy the fresh country air at Wombat Hill House. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Tucked within the lush Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, the Wombat Hill House cafe offers a peaceful retreat for brunch enthusiasts. With a seasonal menu that showcases local produce and fresh ingredients from their own Dairy Flat Farm, every dish highlights the region’s flavours. Indulge in slow-fermented sourdough and viennoiserie, paired with ST.ALi coffee, while soaking up the garden’s tranquillity.

In the warmer months, enjoy alfresco dining under one of the heritage-listed trees or at a nearby picnic table. When the temperature drops, the inviting warmth of the fire inside provides a cosy spot to relax while admiring the stunning natural surroundings.

Address: Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford

3. Bad Habits Cafe

Bathed in natural light, Bad Habits Cafe inside The Convent Daylesford offers a serene and sundrenched setting for breakfast or lunch. The turquoise walls and glass-fronted atrium provide a charming, sun-drenched backdrop for enjoying a locally inspired menu, featuring daily specials alongside beloved classics like calamari, croquettes, or the pie of the day.

For an extra special sitting, reserve their two-hour High Tea, which begins with a mimosa on arrival, followed by an exquisitely arranged three-tiered stand filled with freshly baked scones, savoury bites, and decadent sweet treats. Enjoy your treats in the sunlit atrium with views of the gardens, or in a private room surrounded by art. As an added bonus, this booking includes access to the Convent Gallery, Chapel, and Museum.

Address: 7 Daly Street, Daylesford

4. Pancho Cafe

lunch at Pancho, Daylesford — Rock up for an early breakfast or mosey down for lunch.

Set against stripped-back interiors featuring exposed brick, an elegant wrought iron staircase, and ivory walls, Pancho Cafe is wonderfully laid-back. With a concise yet expertly crafted menu, it’s a steadfast favourite in Daylesford. Melbourne’s Wide Open Road coffee beans and milk sourced from Western Victoria ensure every coffee is a treat, and for those who prefer something stronger, there’s an enticing range of cocktails, beers, and cider.

Taking a hands-on approach, the cafe makes its own yoghurt, pickles, sauces, and cakes in-house, giving the menu its distinctive flavour. Whether grabbing an early breakfast of apple and buckwheat fritters or sitting down for a roast beef roll at lunch, this place delivers. On sunny days, the cute, dog-friendly courtyard is the perfect spot to relax.

Address: 117 Vincent Street, Daylesford

5. Larder Cafe

a table-top view of meals at Larder, Daylesford — Choose from an enticing menu of brunch classics.

Bursting with creativity and local flair, Larder Cafe is a Daylesford main street staple, serving up hearty brunch classics. With its eclectic interiors, designed in collaboration with local artists, this cafe embodies the artistic spirit of the region. The extensive menu includes tried-and-true favourites like baked eggs, a big breakfast, and eggs Benedict, but it’s the specials board that steals the show. Expect inventive dishes such as panko-crusted eggs with an Asian fennel salad or a yoghurt panna cotta with rhubarb.

Whether you’re craving a bespoke DIY breakfast or a lunchtime treat like the famous chicken burger with sriracha mayo or a B.L.A.T., Larder delivers. Pair your meal with their single-origin cold drip coffee or specialty tea for the ultimate brunch fare.

Address: 57a Vincent Street, Daylesford

6. Harvest Cafe

For a feel-good, nourishing meal that celebrates local produce, Harvest Cafe is an essential stop in Daylesford. Catering to vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diners, this cosy cafe offers a menu that champions fresh, feel-good options. The interior’s shelves are stocked with pantry staples and local goods, further enhancing the cafe’s welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.

Breakfast keeps it simple yet satisfying, with choices like eggs on toast, acai bowls, and granola. Lunch steps it up with a range of vibrant offerings, including spicy lentil patties, frittatas, savoury tarts, and crisp salads. Be sure to pair your meal with one of their freshly blended smoothies or juices for an added boost of goodness. Or, grab a wrap, roll, or pie for a quick yet wholesome meal.

Address: 9 Albert St, Daylesford

7. The Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company

For those with a sweet tooth, The Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company is bound to deliver a sugar rush. Nestled inside a gorgeous white cottage on the village edge, this cafe exudes warmth and indulgence with its decadent menu and homely space. The rotating selection of pastries is sure to tempt, offering treats like jam doughnuts, chocolate fudge brownies, and strawberry chocolate croissants—perfect for pairing with their signature beverages.

The standout here is the Parisian Hot Chocolate Experience, where a luscious chocolate ganache is served with dollop cream and a warm, crispy croissant for dipping. For an extra sweet touch, you can even request an additional cup to share this delight with someone special.

Address: 22 Raglan Street, Daylesford

8. Trentham General

the cafe exterior of Trentham General, Daylesford — The relaxed outdoor setting is the perfect spot for an al fresco meal. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Just a short drive from Daylesford lies Trentham General , a personality-packed cafe in the neighbouring town of Trentham, housed in the beautifully restored old Bank of Australasia. Start your day with the Trentham Happy Hens Eggs Your Way, served on Zeally Bay sourdough toast, or try the flavorful Dukkah Eggs with beetroot hummus, walnut dukkah, and Meredith goat’s cheese.

For lunch, the Halloumi Burger is a standout, featuring fried halloumi, Istra bacon, and fresh mixed leaf lettuce in a Zeally Bay brioche bun. Whether you choose to relax inside its brilliantly restored interior or outside on the sunlit streetscape, you’ll enjoy fresh regional produce, excellent coffee, delicious cakes, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Address: 37A High Street, Trentham

Discover the best wineries in Daylesford and beyond.

The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park — Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay — A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento — Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

Playing there

an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

Eating there

Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.

A guide to the best Daylesford cafes for brunch and coffee