Written by Alexandra Cherk and Adapted from the ‘Being Guide’ Published by the LSS
5 Melbourne Cafe Study Spots:
Moots to Mocha
Melbourne’s vibrant cafe culture, where barristers and baristas meet alike, emerges as a backdrop for focused study and great eats, conferring a range of productivity and social benefits. I’ll delve into some of Melbourne’s best cafes, uncovering their delicious menus and suitability as study spots.
1. Ichigō – Melbourne CBD
Wifi: ? | PTV: 4/5 | Seating: 4.5/5
Ichigō is a Japanese-inspired brunch cafe serving great matcha and a range of sweet and savoury bites. On weekends this cafe may be a little busy, however on weekdays it is a quiet, sunlit sanctuary for focus and study. The light and airy minimalist decor helps to clear and invigorate the mind, whilst its delicious menu helps to keep you refreshed.
Menu recs: Ichigō shortcake, Kinako soy latte
2. Axil Coffee Roasters – Melbourne CBD, Hawthorn, Burnley
Wifi: ╳ | PTV: 5/5 | Seating: 5/5
With multiple locations both in the city and the suburbs, Axil is a relaxed and lively space to have an early morning study session and brunch. Founded by Australian barista champion Dave Makin, you know the coffee has to be good. The cafe also offers a range of classic brunch foods, including an amazing eggs benedict, and buttermilk waffles.
Menu recs: Buttermilk waffles
3. Palette. – North Melbourne
Wifi: ? | PTV: 5/5 | Seating: 4/5
Palette aims to bring the colours of Korean and Australian culture together, inspiring its name. By day, Palette specialises in Korean-style brioche sandwiches, yet by night it offers a night dessert cafe, operating between 7-11 pm between Tuesday to Saturday. If you’re a late-night studier like me, this is a great option
Menu recs: Brioche bread with ice cream
4. Little Rogue – Melbourne CBD
Wifi: ? | PTV: 5/5 | Seating: 3/5
Only a minute’s walk from Melbourne Central, this cafe serves great coffee and beautiful creative cakes. If you’re having a particularly rough week and feeling overwhelmed, the backroom at Little Rogue is a dimly lit and cosy spot to gather your bearings and catch your breath. Located in the iconic Drewery Lane, this cafe can get a little busy – try to visit on a weekday!
Menu recs: Matcha latte (it’s said to be the best in Melbourne!)
5. 279 Cafe – West Melbourne
Wifi: ? | PTV: 4/5 | Seating: 3/5
This little corner cafe is just up the road from Queen Victoria Market. While studying, you can grab a traditional Japanese lunch consisting of onigiri (rice triangles), ten-musu (tempura prawn and vegetables) and great tea and coffee, imported from specialty sources.
Menu recs: Yuzu Karaage Bento
Varying study spaces is an immense tool for enhancing concentration, preventing burnout, and fostering meaningful connections. Changing environments stimulates the mind, mitigating monotony and encouraging focus. Different spaces cater to diverse study preferences, with spaces offering tranquillity for deep concentration or invoking a cosy atmosphere for collaborative group sessions. It's a holistic strategy, and I think recognising the right ambiance can be a catalyst for both individual focus and enriching social interactions.