The Hardware Société

The menu was unique and everything we tried was delicious. I ordered an oat flat white with the Big White Rabbit beans, and the coffee was outstanding. Even though it was a white coffee, the tasting notes were very clear and well balanced. It was honestly one of the most memorable flat whites I have ever had.

What a gem! This quirky and inviting cafe has completely won me over. I came for a treat and discovered what might be the best hot chocolate I've ever had (bold claim, but maybe even the best in Australia!). Everything here is top-tier: the food and service are both flawless—a solid 10/10. If you're looking for a great cafe experience, this is it. Cannot recommend it highly enough!

Visited in Nov 2025 Hardware Societe is one of the most popular breakfast/brunch places in MEL as per multiple online lists. So decided to try it out during my recent trip to the city. We did not have a reservation and did a walk in, and were able to get a table in 5 mins. If you can, I think it’s best to make a reservation as we saw a 15-20min wait queue forming outside while we were eating. For food we ordered the Croque Madame, the Fancy Roast Chicken Sandwich and the Benedict of the Week. The Benedict of the Week came with scallops and was my favourite of the 3 items we ordered. For drinks we ordered some iced coffee and cold pressed juice. All the food items we ordered were decent in taste/flavour, and the portion sizes were spot on for brunch/breakfast. Service was excellent. Kudos to the team here for ensuring good service with the quick rotation of tables, prompt order taking, and low wait times for the food to arrive. Overall a very decent brunch/breakfast place but not the best I’ve tried in MEL.

This is my absolute favourite place to go, usually for birthdays. The food is always great, service is excellent. It is often very busy but fast. The coffee is market lane coffee and is very good. I often have the French toast and they do change their menu every quarter. Staff has been there for a long time so I would also guess it’s a good place to work. I cannot fault them. Just be prepared to wait for a table if you arrive too late.

Great cafe spot with lots of seating and a quirky vibe. Service was excellent and we got seated straight away when we came during a weekday, it seems like weekends are definitely busier. The Croque Madame was good, had a lot of Gruyère and a good amount of ham too but nothing too special. The coffee was excellent and you can tell they take it seriously, as they serve Market Lane coffee. Definitely add to the list of cafes to visit while in Melbourne and aim to come during a weekday!

Went there for brunch. Got the bacon slab and chicken sandwich. Plus an iced coffee and a Oat Mocha. The Oat Mocha was a stand out, so tastey. Food came out fast and it was great and filling. On the pricier side. But otherwise a great time. Also great bangers for music.

checked out the hidden branch on Katherine Place, it has a super chill vibe and a much more extensive menu compared to their Hardware Street location🤩 🍳Baked Eggs with Baguette (AUD 28) 🍔Benedict of The Week (AUD 30) 🥃Cold Drip (AUD 6.5) 🍵Matcha Maiden Green Tea Latte (AUD 6.5) The food were perfect and the baked egg was very impressive, this week they have scallop benedict which wasn’t too bad 😉 The cold drip was quite refreshing with a slice of lemon, and the matcha latte was right on the spot 😍

In a small lane, not far from Southern Cross, morning commuters stop in for coffees. A vibrant atmosphere and a pleasant waitress welcome us to a table. The coffee mugs are cute, a perfect Magic and Oat Matcha latte picks up our day. There are NO traditional eggs on toast. I have a baked egg Deux with baguette, awesome. Scrambled tofu with smoked eggplant, tastes good with blended flavours. Good choice for breakfast.

This review is for the original location on Hardware Lane but leaving it here cause I couldn't find the listing! Make sure to check out Hardware Societe for delicious Australian brunch and lovely service! The Hardware Lane location is a lot smaller than the other one but it's the original location. Highly recommend and it's also right by a hilarious Trump mural. I've also been to the larger location which is also great but definitely less cozy.

If nothing else the theme here is eggs which are just about in every offering. I had the ham croquettes with an egg on top (given the egg prices you may wonder why) . Service was friendly and the place does have that French cafe vibe. All in all it was a nice place especially for brunch or breakfast. If you are looking more for lunch fare I do not think this is the place.

Came here for breakfast after deciding not to wait at a neighboring business and very glad we did. We got seated immediately onto a communal table with other patrons. Didn't necessarily mind that, but the restaurant was rather cramped to squeeze behind others. Additionally it was a bit warm because they had an open kitchen, with no separation to the seats. That being said though, it was cool to see them prepare our food. The food was amazing, I got the tofu scramble and the portions were generous! Food was great, coffee was great--would recommend!

Really terrific food and service! The coffee was okay but that's likely because we are used to sweeter drinks. The toast on the croque madame is perfectly done and flavors were top notch. Plenty of seating and a cool sign in the back too it all off!

This Place is Great! Staff is Amazing! Food was delicious! The coffee was so good! Loved all of it!!!

HANDS DOWN THE BEST BREAKFAST SPOT IN MELBOURNE; service was impeccable and the food was just divine. Felt welcomed and cozy in the small cafe, will definitely be visiting regularly!

The food was so delicious. For lunch, it is a great place. Nice and cozy. Definitely a good place to go

Best breakfast in Melbourne. Creative, delicious and delightful. Not your typical breakfast and that is hard to do. Breakfast/brunch is all they do and they are open til 3pm which I appreciated, being a visitor still struggling w the time change.

Great food with a great ambience! The gin and tonic tasted great and looked beautiful!

This place is adorable. I actually had two visits here because it was so good, i had to return. Service was fast on the weekdays and of course a little bit slower on the weekends when it is jam packed. Be prepared to wait on sat or Sunday. It is definitely worth it. It is cool because you order everything online and don't have to wait while you sit. Staff are easily available to help you with anything or questions on the menu. They also have locations in Paris and Barcelona. Recommended if you are in any of these cities! Both of the flatwhite and chai latte were delicious. On the two visits, I had the croque madam and tofu scramble, and both dishes were huge portions that I had to take away.

a lovely spot a little hidden away. food was good (average to higher cost for a cafe). service was casual but focused and accommodating. good coffee, small. environment was relaxed and pleasant.

Delicious breakfast and coffee! We loved everything about this cute brunch for a full day of walking around the city!

Cute place for breakfast or brunch. Note 1: the corner table outside might get a wif of the garbage cans around the corner, depending on wind direction. Note 2: there is another place with 'Hardware' in the name. Make sure you're in the e right one (we missed the first time). Coffe super tasty! Grilled mushroooms and Crab Benedict awesome too. Additional plus is butter and jams on all the tables to finish up your meal with.

Amazing! One of the best breakfasts I've ever had! If you're in Melbourne, go! Worth it.

There's a lot of hype for this place but with good reason. I've never ordered multiple meals as a solo diner just to sample different things, but I was tempted to do so here. But like most others, I defaulted to the baked eggs. Definitely did not disappoint, though the only negative was that it did take quite a while. There's going to be a line, but it moves exceptionally quick. Just go. You won't regret it.

Beat fried eggs outside of my own kitchen. Wonderful twist on nearly every choice on the menu. To bad I couldn't have tries more.

This place is rated as the best brunch place on many tourist guides, so I gave it a shot. I ordered what it's known for: the lobster benedict. Oh yes, it was so soft and fresh but also..so cold. Would order again? ...Maybe not. There actually were a lot of other options I was tempted to get instead of the benedict, but given the short amount of time I was in town I just went with the standard. I also absolutely loved the green tea latte. It's very strong for the matcha lovers. There's always a long line, so plan ahead!

The taste was amazing and the bun was spectacular. I am definitely coming back. Last call is 2:30pm

Breakfast/Brunch - doesn't matter what you want, this place has you covered. I recommend the Baked Eggs Deux, they have a few other baked egg options that will hit the spot. The place can get quite packed, but it's a short wait if you are a small group.

Great place! You literally can pick anything on the menu and you can't go wrong. Capuchino and double whites are delicious. In USA double whites are not widely available, so I would always get extra cup :) love it:) The place is small and very popular, so you might will have to wait for a little while, but it all worth it. The atmosphere is very cool and staff is very friendly. All dishes were very fresh and super tasty, and food presentation was awesome. Recommend it! Cheers :)

Food is delicious. For lunch with friends, this is the best place to go. The staff were polite and professional. Customer service was great. My friends and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. The quality and taste of the food was extraordinary - it really made the entire experience of the lunch truly memorable. It is a place I would like to visit again and again if I ever return to Melbourne.

If you are into Brunch, You should not miss eating at The Hardware Societe! We arrived on a weekday before the lunch rush and there was no wait for a table for 2. Menu selection is really good and of course it took us awhile to decide on what to order. Our waiter was really friendly and gave us several recommendation. We shared: Baked Eggs Deux ($18) Seared Scallops and Tuna Millefeuille ($26) Matcha Maiden Green Tea Latte ($5) Artisanale Limonade by Hansi ($4.50) The Baked Eggs with Chorizo was just so good and comforting! Love all the components in the dish! But that Seared Scallops dish probably one of the best brunch food I ever ate! I love the scallops and the tartness of the tartar from apple and yuzu alioli. The menu has so many choices includes wagyu beef, pork belly, duck confit and even lobster! And there is always quite a few vegetarian options. I still dream about having Scallops and Tuna for brunch...............

I've heard so many things about Hardware Society that it became one of the first places on my must try list when I arrived at Melbourne. Unfortunately, perhaps it was a bit too hyped for me, this place is actually not on my top places for brunch. Baked Eggs - The flavours were there and the entire dish tasted tangy from the tomatoes yet mild and well blended. That being said, I might have misheard the waitress but because I thought she said to not mix the egg, it started to harden and I ended up not having the nice gooeyness that would've made the dish perfect. Perhaps I am a bit biased in that sense, but I didn't think it would deserve that price. One other thing was that my bread was a tad too hard and over toasted, so it was hard for my mom to bite into even when dipped in the dish. Tuna Millefeuille - when I went they had the tuna rather than salmon mille feuille. Being a foodie that loves pastries, I decided to give it a shot. Overall light and tuna taste was evident and fresh. That being said, I don't think I necessarily enjoyed the texture of the tuna. Again it was pleasant but not necessarily amazing. Scrambled eggs - their eggs were runny and creamy, just the way I like my eggs. full of flavours and you can taste each note described on their menu. This was my favorite dish for sure. Overall I would love to go back to Hardware Société as it's such a popular place. The prices are steep though so I won't go regularly, but they change their menus from time to time and have weekend specials. You can never have too much brunch here in Melbourne!

I'm giving this place a full score due to both restaurant presentation of their food and the taste!!!! First the long black was really good even though I usually find all black coffees taste the same, but here it was different, good different. Next the lobster benedict was amazing! The bun, the hollandaise and the eggs were all greatly combined together. The mocha was also good but from the reviews I read thought it would be better.

This prominent and well-attended alleyway brunch cafe offered a menu in French. It took me way too long to realize that the English translation was on the opposing page, so heads up on that. Their options were predictably somewhat of a struggle from my vegetarian perspective, but I nonetheless found happiness with their fried brioche, a fluffy creation with an appealing ensemble of fruits. The setting was what I take to be archetypically Melburnian; a quasi-European cafe in a alley used as a pedestrian thoroughfare. I'd go back.

There's a reason why there's a constant queue (and it's a long one) out this shop! The food is great, the coffee is great, the setting is great! You basically cannot go wrong to visit this joint if you are a foodie! While the setting is no first date romantic, it is a trendy place where you can get a nice setting with great food! The food there is generally more fusion, where you get interesting combinations and overall it's just pure brilliance! I reckon just looking at he menu and discussing what they are is already a fun game! Food as expected is great, so I won't discuss much here. Go experience it yourself! Note, it is not exactly cheap, and yes you better get there early to avoid the minimum 1 hr queue.

Interesting and imaginative combinations of food to suit all sorts of preferences. The parking and seating is difficult at times but in season that can definitely be worth it!

The Hardware Societe is wonderful! In Melbourne cafe scene, their popularity is second to none and no matter which day of the week, you would always see lines. It actually took me 3 trials to finally score a seat in this place. Located inside the iconic Hardware Lane, this petite cafe offers a different vibe that I instantly fall in love with; rustic decor combined with colorful butterfly wallpapers - pretty! Also, this isn't exactly a quiet or peaceful cafe... instead the inside is somewhat chaotic and the energy is on!! The food selections here are mainly Australian - French inspired breakfast and brunch menu, quite adventurous and their food will pamper all your senses. * The baked egg w/ chorizo ($19): what they are famous for and it doesn't disappoint. The baked egg consists of chorizo, potatoes, egg and sprinkle with almonds. Taste-wise, it was absolutely delicious, flavorful and melt in your mouth. Served with few pieces of toasted baguette on the side, which goes beautifully with the fluffy egg texture - addicting! * Matcha latte: I love everything matcha, but I was kinda disappointed with this one. The latte was very grainy and a tad watery, but I do like the fact that it was not overly sweet. * Mork hot chocolate: Rich and delightful, presentation was unique, as it was served with chunks of melted chocolate inside and stirred it with warm milk. * Pork belly and fried eggs ($25): I'm loving this one. A breakfast combo that never fails! Consisting two mashed potato croquettes, a thick slab of crunchy pork belly (tender and fatty but in proper amount) and over easy fried egg on top of toasted bread - Definitely a go! In all, The Hardware Societe is a culinary gem, the food was worth the hype and the effort to get here. One of my fave cafe in the city!!

We came here at about 11:30am on Wednesday and was quickly seated. This place was recommended by several people. It had a very hip vibe and the decor mirrored the vibe. We ordered the lobster benedict, iced latte and green tea latte. Lobster benedict - The flavors went well with each other and the bun dipped in the oozing egg yolk was delicious. I did feel like it was a little short on the lobster since I forgot it was a lobster benedict until I had a bite of the lobster after eating almost half of it. Green Tea Latte - this drink was good. The foam really tasted like matcha while the latte itself was semi sweet. Iced latte - nothing special above your average iced latte. It was good.

Delightful and pleasant. We got here before it got slammed. He had baked eggs with chorizo. I had eggs Benedict with pork rillettes. Gentle well-made coffees. Oh how I do like this place.

We wanted to go for a while and finally got in on the weekend this winter... It was raining (see photo). We Put our name on the list for a 25 minute wait. No one left the queue, but it was well managed and moved along. Once inside service was friendly, prompt and attentive, the whole place was pleasant. Hot drinks were fast and rich. Hot chocolate here was top 3 I've had in the state- Mork was #1. The food (breakfast) was savory, top quality, well prepared and beautiful. We ordered a second course late to share. I'd wait in the winter rain again for this one.

We saved the best cafe of our trip for last, and it most definitely did not disappoint! Hardware Societe, another laneway cafe in Melbourne on my fooding list, isn't quite a dime a dozen. From their country-side ambience to its to-the-point yet cordial service - not to mention their food - this place serves up a delicious frenzy! I have never seen two chefs in Australia working at such top speed... There was quite the line when we arrived at Hardware Societe at around 10am, and though we did wait for a little bit in the chilly weather, the warm, moist banana bread made up for it! The Banana and Coconut Loaf (15) was probably one of the best - if not the best - banana bread I've ever had, even though I don't like bananas that much. Now that is saying something. The bread had whole chunks of caramel banana in it, and although I don't think it added anything to it, it didn't take away either. The salted caramel marscapone was "cherry on top," moistening the bread further while adding some sweetness - making this dish a perfect 10! The only downside? Getting really full after finishing a whole loaf! The Baked Eggs with Chorizo Sausage, Piquillo Pimento Sauce, Crunchy Almonds, and Queso de Cabra Goats Milk Cheese (17) was also delicious. The dish was nice and steamy, making it a perfect breakfast item for a chilly morning! The egg was baked and overly well done, which made it the perfect spread texture for the baguette that came with it. The baguette was also fresh and crunchy, and not at all stale or scratchy - the main reason I typically don't like baguettes. There are very few dishes I would ever order twice at a cafe - and Harware Societe has successfully created two! I'd have to say - even I am quite impressed. As for their latte - it wasn't anything outstanding, but the hot chocolate looked even better! I was slightly envious of Jo's steamy pot of it...

This is the original location of the branch in Paris I have come to know and enjoy. I decided to try something different from what I would normally see in Paris and got the "Roasted Mushrooms" (which had roasted mushrooms, poached eggs, toast, goat cheese and hazelnuts and some drizzled pesto) and it ended up being a bit like dinner for breakfast. Some heavy, earthy flavors that somewhat successfully worked together but might benefit from some editing. It's a really wonderful space with an open kitchen right next to the large communal table. They also have excellent coffee.

Tucked in the back of a little alleyway is this fantastic cafe. We must have showed up an exactly the right time because we were seated immediately. (The place was full when we arrived and a long line had formed by the time we left). To start, I ordered a soy flat white which absolutely perfect - it was so good that I ordered a second! I had the lobster Benedict which was one of the best benedicts I've ever had. The egg had a beautiful runny golden yolks which mixed with the lobster and the squid ink brioche bun perfectly. The service was friendly and efficient and the food and coffee were excellent.

My sister and I got to sit up on the counter which usually I wouldn't enjoy but in this case it was a lot of fun. We got to watch and enjoy all the action in the kitchen of the cooks preparing all the plates. It was pretty enjoyable. Although there was a line, it moved pretty quickly. We ordered this chorizo egg dish which was our favorite, a peach yogurt item (don't order), and the lobster Benedict (which was okay). We also got the matcha latte and hot chocolate both of which were really good and definitely would go back just for the hot chocolate. I thought there was so much hype to this place and I was a little let down. The presentation was great but wish I enjoyed more of the stuff we ordered. Overall if you come here, get the hot chocolate and egg with chorizo dish.

Walked 25 minutes to have breakfast here and got there with the long line up. They took our names and asked to wait on the other side of the street so we won't get wet. It started to rain but got in pretty fast. Got a compliment for the Raptors hats my hubby and son wearing. All the waiters are Raptors fan in Melbourne! Wow! Well, we ordered our breakfast and they were just beautifully plated. Quite expensive but worth it. We had the pork belly breakfast $26, lobster Benedict $26, plate of bread with preserves, seared tuna and cappuccino. Truly enjoyable!Highly recommended!

One hundred percent I would recommend this to all my family and friends. It is an experience and something you should do if you are in Melbourne. Not only was the food great, the ambience and even standing around in the queue added an experience which makes Hardware Lane an unforgettable brunch destination. I recommend ordering the Roasted Mushroom and their baked eggs! For a more detailed review, please see my blog.

I had a counter seat and witnessed the kitchen staff pumping out one beautiful dish after another. The lobster benedict is the best benedict dish I've had anywhere. The lobster salad is packed with dill and parsley, a winning combination that would make Northern Germans drool. The hollandaise is really, really special.

French style cafe in the alley! Continuing Melbourne's creative uses of laneways, this place is located down one of them - just look for the rooster statue out front. We came by on a Tues morning and inside was full already. We opted for an outside table and the server was kind of enough to turn on the external heater for us. We ordered the baked eggs uno and the poached eggs with roasted mushrooms. The baked eggs seemed unique as they come in a cast iron pot topped with scallops and crisp ham while there is a side of bread drizzled with basil oil. Be careful as it very hot! Scallops were sweet and paired with the salty ham and eggs. Bread is awesome for sopping up the runny eggs. The poached eggs were great as the mushrooms were nicely roasted. We also ordered a croissant to try - big and fluffy with crisp outside and soft inside Overall, loved the food, service and atmosphere. We will definitely come back to try more.

A bit pricey, but that was expected. One of the best breakfast places I've ever had ever.

The fact that the manager was Irish in no way influenced my very positive view of Hardware Societe. No way. Came here on a warm Wednesday morning for brunch. Tiny place, long communal table, plenty of young people both locals and visitors like us. We were seated after a very short wait. My female companions shared French toast and I opted for the croque Madame. Both excellent and enough to feed 4 people to be honest. Iced lattes and regular lattes were also excellent. Recommended.

This place is exceptional in all aspects. It is a quaint place with excellent food and service. When we arrived there was a line but it was a very short wait. We were lucky enough to eat at the bar we were able to watch the kitchen staff make picture perfect plates one right another. They operated like a well oiled machine. We had the special Brioche Toast and Pork Belly & Eggs w/Martha Maiden Green Maiden Green Tea Latte and House made Ice Tea. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the latte made with/matcha, ice cream, milk and a spoonful of honey. Amazing. The Brioche Toast w/mascarpone, peaches and marcona almonds was a perfect blend of flavors. The Pork Belly & Eggs was also fantastic. The only disappointment was that I was not able to sample every dish. I plan on returning before we leave Melbourne.

The Hardware Societe is around the corner from where we were staying. I had heard that Melbourne has a reputation for brunch, just like SF, where I live. We got to The Hardware Societe at 8:30am on Friday morning and the place was buzzing with activity. Luckily, we did not have to wait at all to get seated. I had studied the photos in advance and had a good idea of what the popular dishes were. When I got to there and started looking around at other people's meals, everything looked so delicious and it made the choice extremely difficult. My friend ordered the Baked Eggs Deux (with Chorizo) that everyone raves about. It was served with a few pieces of a baguette. It looked so yummy and he enjoyed it very much. After conferring with the server, I settled on the Pork Belly dish. It came with two eggs, sunny side up, jamon, potato cakes, and pork belly. The presentation was a feast for the eyes. The sauces that were on the plate were perfect complements to the dish. The funny thing is that my least favorite portion of the dish was the pork belly. The egg and everything else were spectacular. I also had a the famous thick hot chocolate, which was served with a mini donut. I was stuffed and extremely happy with our breakfast choice.

Imagine my surprise when I sat down at the table in this restaurant to discover that the menu was in French. Actually, it really surprised me because the one thing that I did not expect to see in Australia was a menu in another language. Okay, for those of use that can't speak, or read, French they do have the English on the facing page, but I have to admit that it was pretty awesome, especially since I do know a little French. Mind you, don't try ordering in French because from what I gathered speaking French is not a requirement to work at this cafe. Anyway it is hugely popular, especially at lunch because there is always, without fail, a waiting list. In fact that is also the case in the morning, but I suspect that has a lot to do with it's classy, French atmosphere.

Cutesy place but very busy. There's always a line, mostly tourists I gather. But nevertheless my brunch was cooked very well. I got the fried brioche which is their delicious version of French toast. It was nicely caramelized on the outside so it cracked like a crème brûlée but it was soft and tender on the inside. My companion got one of the cheesy eggs -- too cheesy for me. I like eggs but this dish was mostly cheese (which I also like but was just not what we were expecting). We also got the mochas which was DIY. We got espresso shots and separate bowls of warm chocolate to pour into the coffee, so you have control over the sweetness of your coffee. Would I go back? Probly not. There are just as good places with less of a line.

Always love a good cup of coffee, with my usual baked eggs with chorizo! But today, I decided to try the roasted mushrooms and it was amazing !

Like every other nice restaurant in Melbourne this is in a random alley way. So keep your eyes peeled. The baked eggs with chorizo are AMAZING!! Cheesy and so flavorful. If you get the hot chocolate like me make sure you stir the pot as well. Apparently all the chocolate is on the bottom...

An amazing place for breakfast! I had the bircher and a flat white. Unbelievably good. So delicious and fresh. Light, creamy and not at all heavy. The coffee comes with a little donut bite which was fresh and a perfect taste. Best coffee I've had in Melbourne this visit. The service was brilliant, so friendly and happy. Very engaging and pleasant. A lovely atmosphere. Busy but not overly loud. Will recommend and be back for sure!

Waited on line about 30 minutes (party of 5) around lunch time. This place seemed pretty hyped up. With a modern/artsy interior design, it was a cozy little spot. I got the sweet French toast special with green tea panna cotta. It was very light and delicious. A few friends had the pork belly, and I enjoyed stealing bites of that. I had their flat white, apparently a must have coffee. It was pretty good. Overall a solid choice if you are in the area, not too sure if I would wait in the line again though.