One of the great parts about staying in Melbourne’s CBD? The fact that you have ready access to many, if not some of the best, cafés & brunch spots in the city.
Higher Ground was located just a short walk away from our hotel, in the heart of the CBD. It is located in a heritage-listed powerhouse and boasts a fantastic interior.
According to Higher Ground’s website, six connected levels wrap around the perimeter of the original brick building. This creates a suite of intimate tiered platforms for the cosiest of café vibes.
We visited near lunch time, expecting that it would be less crowded. But we couldn’t be more wrong! The place was very packed despite being a weekday. I suppose many locals come here to have a cuppa with their colleagues?
What to order and eat at Higher Ground
Now, even though it seems natural to visit Higher Ground for brunch, the place is actually an all-day dining destination that operates from morning through to late afternoon.
Hence, you’ll find that their menu offers very solid options. Even if you’re up for more filling and substantial meals, you’ll be happy to know that you have those to pick from.
From what I understand, their top-sellers include fiery Chilli Scrambled Eggs, Avocado Pretzel, and the Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcakes.
I went straight for the Chilli Scrambled Eggs (herb & garlic flatbread, smoked yoghurt, banana pepper, saltbush, house chilli) and my partner ordered the Cheeseburger (wagyu, aged cheddar, smoked scamorza, black garlic dressing).
Drinks-wise, we both got their specialty brews.
When the food arrived, I couldn’t help but marvel at how aesthetically-pleasing the plating was. I can’t help but get hungry again looking at the photos!
I have to admit: due to pregnancy dietary restrictions, I was wildly sick of eating scrambled eggs for almost every brunch I had. As much as I love eating eggs, I really only prefer having them half-boiled or poached. I’m not the biggest fan of boiled eggs, and the only other options I had were sunny-side-ups and scrambled eggs.
I was a bit worried that I might not enjoy the Chilli Scrambled Eggs much because by then I had developed some scrambled-eggs-fatigue.
However, my worries were unfounded! Higher Ground’s eggs were very well-seasoned and cooked in a way that they taste buttery. This is much better than those that have been cooked too long and end up dry & rubbery.
I find that the addition of smoked yogurt is also very delightful. Plus, I appreciate the extra protein!
I’m neutral to the sourdough flatbread. It’s quite chewy, but I feel that the star of the dish still belongs to the scrambled eggs.
Coffee-wise, I don’t have a good point of comparison as I normally order magic (as much as I can!) or tea, in lieu of my caffeine restrictions. However, I could tell that the coffee beans used were of great quality and well-brewed. The fruity flavours of the beans really came through, making this a nice and light cup that I enjoyed.
Is Higher Ground worth visiting?
I’m not a fan of the crowds at Higher Ground. In fact, I really wished cafés everywhere could be less crowded and provide more ‘space’ between diners.
However, I do think their menu is really extensive and offers amazing options at reasonable prices. I had nothing to complain about the taste and quality of the food served. In fact, I feel they served the best scrambled eggs I had in Melbourne!
If you can manage to come earlier or a time where it’s not so crowded, I feel that you’ll enjoy dining here for sure. You can also visit later in the day for non-brunch options!
DIRECTIONS
Address: 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Related Posts:
- Lune Croissanterie: best croissant in the world?
- Operator25: friendly Asian-fusion café in Melbourne
- Pinchy’s Lobster & Champagne Bar: seafood fine dining in Melbourne
- The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne (That Locals Actually Love)
PIN THIS!
Leave a Reply