Bendigo’s cafe culture has been steadily growing over the last few years, and many of its beautiful heritage buildings are now filled with bakeries, brunch spots and an array of great spots for coffee lovers. A real mix of old-fashioned cafes, serious temples to coffee and minimalist Scandi-style eateries make Bendigo a great place for a relaxing drink or a bite to eat.
El Gordo (the fat one!) is a delightful little slice of authentic Spain tucked away down Chancery Lane. A cafe by day, with a great brunch and coffee from Melbourne, and a seriously genuine Spanish tapas bar by night. Don’t miss the patatas bravas, or its great selection of bocadillos. Also one of the friendliest places you’ll find in the city. Open Monday from 8am to 2pm, and Tuesday to Saturday 8am to 4pm, with late opening on Saturday from 6pm to 11pm.
Old Green Bean is a cafe and micro-roastery with a dynamic feel to it, largely driven by its energetic owners Zoe and Chris Waddington. Coffee is roasted in small batches out back, and the menu is a mouthwatering breakfast-through-lunch delight, with classic brunch items jostling with more eclectic options like bahn mi or smashed peas with dukkah. Housed in an old YMCA building, this is a gem in Bendigo’s developing cafe scene. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Get Naked delivers a serious shot of coffee obsession to all caffeine addicts in Bendigo.The owner, Jesse Gollan, has a laser focus on high quality, perfectly prepared coffee, and serves up espresso and filter pours to coffee connoisseurs. The cafe itself is a delight, all recycled wood and bar seating, small but perfectly formed. Open Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 2pm, and Saturday 8am to 12pm. Closed Sunday.
Inspired by the Danish concept of hygge (hoo-gah) which celebrates warmth, cosiness, connection and well-being, this wonderful little Scandinavian cafe is a true respite from worldly concerns. Sit down, take the weight off your feet and tuck in to cinnamon buns, Danish pastries, and a delicious menu of healthy yet comforting light meals. Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm, and Sunday 9am to 3pm.
Percy and Percy, named after previous owners, has an interesting and varied history. A grocer’s from the 1930s, and a milk bar from the 80s, it now serves a fabulous breakfast menu focusing on locally sourced produce, and great tasting coffee from Coffee Basics in Castlemaine. The decor of old black-and-white photos of the cafe over its long history makes for a lovely atmosphere too. Open Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm, and weekends from 8am to 3pm.
Located right in the beating heart of Bendigo’s Arts Precinct, Harvest is part cafe, part deli, part wine bar and an all-round joy for foodies. Open from 8am five days a week, it’s a perfect place to enjoy breakfast, or grab a coffee and croissant to takeaway and bask in the sunshine of the nearby Conservatory Gardens. Harvest’s croissants have such a reputation, in fact, that the pastry chef has opened up the kitchen for regular ‘master class’ events. Over 3 hours, ticket holders learn how to roll savoury croissants and pain au chocolat, whilst sipping on Aussie wine — bliss! Open Tuesday to Thursday from 8am to 4pm, Friday 8am to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm, Saturday from 8am to 4pm, closed Sunday and Monday.