Updated Nov 2026
Some of Melbourne’s prettiest edible-flower dishes are at Rustica, The Kettle Black, Moby, Flovie Florist Cafe and Matcha Mate 100. Here’s where to go, what each café is known for, and the edible flowers you’re likely to spot on the plate.
Photo by Ella Olsson from Stockholm, Sweden on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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Edible flowers have become all the rage in Melbourne cafes and restaurants over the last few years. Previously they only appeared in fine dining restaurants but are now seen on almost every Melbourne menu.
The delicate garnishes including Violas, Pansies, Marigolds and Nasturtiums adorn everything from breakfast dishes and salads to cocktails and cakes. Their popularity has grown with the rise of Instagram. Customers not only want to eat the tastiest meal but to document the prettiest too for their friends and followers. Many Melbourne establishments have found fame through Instagram simply due to their beautifully garnished dishes.
We went looking for Melbourne cafés that still put edible flowers front and centre. Menus change with the seasons, so check what’s on before you go.
Rustica
Photo by Eszter91bp on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
This well-known Melbourne bakery and café is known for pretty, fruit-filled breakfasts such as yoghurt pannacotta with granola and poached fruit, finished with edible flowers. Prefer savoury? Their salads often come with flowers too.
Locations:
Rialto, Collins Street, CBD
South Yarra (Chapel Street flagship)
Brighton
Highpoint Shopping Centre
Melbourne Airport, Terminal 1
The Kettle Black
Photo by Andy Li on Wikimedia Commons, CC0
The Kettle Black sits in a Victorian terrace wedged between modern buildings and is a favourite with locals and visitors. It’s known for its ricotta hotcake topped with berries, cream and edible flowers. It’s busy on weekends, so arrive early.
Location:
50 Albert Road, South Melbourne
Moby
Photo by Herson Rodriguez on Wikimedia Commons, CC0
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Armadale café Moby, with dusty-pink walls and bold teal and emerald tiles, is an Instagrammer’s dream. The food is as photogenic as the décor, especially the ricotta hotcake with berries, mascarpone and edible flowers. Bircher muesli and porridge often come crowned with flowers too.
Location:
1150 High Street, Armadale
Flovie Florist Cafe
Part florist, part café, Flovie in Carlton is full of fresh blooms, and edible flowers show up on its drinks and desserts. It’s an easy pick for a flower-filled brunch near the University of Melbourne.
Location:
261–263 Queensberry Street, Carlton
Matcha Mate 100
This Collingwood matcha café is known for Japanese-style sweets, including hana konyaku jelly topped with edible flowers. Pair it with one of their matcha drinks.
Location:
100 Langridge Street, Collingwood
Notable mentions:
Tall Timber, Prahran
Darling Café, South Yarra
Industry Beans, Fitzroy
Tips for Your Flower-Filled Brunch
Go early: weekend queues at popular cafés can run 30 minutes or more.
Sit by a window. Natural light makes edible flowers pop in photos.
Ask nicely. Some cafés will add flowers to a dish if you request them.
Check menus first, as seasonal changes can mean fewer flowers in winter.
Eat the flowers! Most taste mild, peppery or slightly sweet.
Edible Flowers You’ll See on Melbourne Menus
The most common garnishes are violas, pansies, marigolds, nasturtiums, cornflowers and borage. They add colour and a light peppery or sweet flavour. Want to try them at home? Our guide to flowers you can eat covers which blooms are safe and how to use them.
Prefer flowers you can keep? Send a bouquet with Flowers Across Melbourne, with same-day delivery when you order before the daily cut-off.