Cumulus

Still great after so many years, this place should be a Melbourne institution by now. The floor is always busy, the food innovative and inspired and staff energetic and highly professional.

There’s nowhere better in Melbourne. Cumulus is absolutely divine. We were seated at the counter so we could see every meal being prepared, and the effort and time that goes into the presentation is just outstanding. They really nailed it on the head here. My highlight was definitely the lamb shoulder or the cauliflower. Their dessert wines are also incredible and may even be better than the actual desserts themselves.

Skipping hotel breakfast and then rounding a couple blocks to this place instead seemed like a better way to start a typical rainy Melbourne morning. Like many of the breakfast/​brunch cafes in town, this was very indie with a touch of industrial. The high ceilings and rogue timber metal furniture was a usual touch. What I like most about this establishment was there were two bars opposite the room from each other. One housed the bars for drinks and the other was the kitchen, and you could eat at both. So it was very literal translation of open kitchen… like, it’s right thurr.
It was also incredibly, incredibly busy. However they had a two seater available for us as we arrived, but we noticed many were having to wait in their free water section.
Their menu was non customisable and me being the customisation psycho I am, took me a while to find something that would satisfy despite it being a small one page menu.
We ended up with the The Full English (farmhouse slab bacon, blood sausage on toast, fried eggs & smoked tomato), Shakshouka (baked eggs with roasted peppers and shanklish) and Bircher muesli, grated granny smith apple and almonds. Shocking them, we did not order any coffee as it seems to be the beverage of the day at this café. Not everyone drinks coffee.
Our food was delish admittably, though I preferred the muesli to the fried egg dish, definitely skipped the blood sausage part, my partner enjoyed that. Overall it was a decent start to the day, despite all the noise and lack of music to drown out the indie crowd chatter.

This place is really good. I was there for lunch — it was bustling and lively without feeling sceney. We arrived a bit later in the afternoon and got the only open table right away. The atmosphere is bistro-​like, big bright windows, casual seating. There are light european style cocktails on an apertif-​like menu to lead the drink list, and they all seemed fresh and perfect to start a lazy lunch with. The menu is complex yet simple: tuna tar tar with english peas mash, crispy broccoli florets, oysters, and one of our favorites, a fresh prawn inside a zucchini flower and tempura-​flash-​fried. I really liked the atmosphere and service, it’s casual while attentive, and it didn’t feel like I had just spent $ 120 on lunch… which i did…
delicious. would eat here often if I lived in melbourne!

A stand out experience sitting at the kitchen bar, a beautiful open kitchen begets a menu of lovely local Yarra valley produce, including our starter a fried-​to-​perfection zucchini. The stand out that afternoon was the beef tongue that had been smoked and cooked sous-​vide and sliced thinly, almost pastrami-​like flavour but a softer texture. Excellent service staff, lovely meal

Came in for a quick breakfast. It’s a cute place with a very industrial look.
I had the crumpets and honey and a latte. Very simple but nice breakfast.
I will have to come back some time to try the lunch or dinner because it had such great reviews.
Overall, a decent place for breakfast. It’s worth checking out.

Oh my God the food was devine. No photos but trust me breakfast trout on potato rosti the best i have ever had at $ 17 bargain. In perth you would have to pay $ 28. We will have this as our go to breakfast place

What a great place. Loved the open kitchen and watching all the rest of the menu that I couldn’t try made in front of me. Tried the clams, pigs head croq, filled zucchini flowers and the bean salad. Heavenly.

Can’t fault this place except that it’s so popular you often have to wait. The sides and vegetables are very creative. And never ever pass up in the madeleines!

This place has an open kitchen where you can see what the chefs are cooking up. I’ve come here for breakfast a couple of times but to me it’s pretty average and I didn’t enjoy the coffee either. However, i have had dessert here and it’s absolutely amazing. The desserts are simple but the flavours pack a punch. Definitely recommend coming for a late night dessert. I would sleep walk here to eat dessert if i were a sleep walker

Super helpful chef! Unique breakfast menu. Food and coffee were delicious! Definitely recommended visiting if you’re near Flinders Lane in Melbourne! :)

Heavenly Cumulus!
On my last day in Melbourne, I experienced a lunch that was not only one of my best ever, but more importantly, my most memorable one in the city!
I came here with a friend for a lunch date and luckily for us, despite the high popularity of this place, we got seated right away — yay to that because sadly they don’t take reservations! The restaurant’s space wasn’t that big but I absolutely adore the casual-​chic atmosphere and bright lighting from the huge windows. The menu is also straightforward and listed some classic Australian cuisines which tasted fresh and modern — Love it!
The two of us ordered and shared:
+ Grilled octopus, romesco and fennel ($ 18): Winner! These taste amazing, every component of the dish was on point and the freshness of the octopus is unbeatable. It’s a must try!
+ Tuna tartare and crushed green pea salad ($ 32): The chunks of raw tuna were fantastic, it was fresh and I do get a hint of citrusy marinate in it… yum! However, I was not really digging the cream cheese based, as it tasted more like goat cheese to me (which is not their fault, just a personal dislike).
+ Wagyu beef rump, smoked onion and horse radish ($ 36): Delicious, presentation was beautiful and beef was done perfectly medium pink and seasoned flawlessly.
In addition to their prodigious dishes, the service here is top notch. Our dishes were served individually by the chef as he explained what’s on it. Since it was an open kitchen, you can watch and observe how meticulous they are with the food preparation!
Overall, if you’ve only had one day and one meal in Melbourne, definitely give Cumulus a try! The food here oozed of sophistication and elegance. Easily, this is the most unforgettable lunch experience I’ve had to date!

I’ve spent about 6 weeks in Melbourne and I went to Cumulus on most mornings because it’s such a great way to wake up. Excellent coffee, delicious huge breakfast menu, and a great atmosphere to catch up on the news or chat with friends. Tucked away on Flinders Ln on the outskirts of the CBD, it’s a pretty vintage Melbourne experience, so make sure you give this place a try.
The only bad thing that’s ever happened here is that one time I accidentally put salt into my latte instead of sugar. But that’s because I’m a moron.
Food: ⁵⁄₅
Value: ⁴⁄₅
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Atmosphere: ⁵⁄₅

This one is simple. Contemporary Australian cuisine which means borrowing and modifying from anywhere using local ingredients. The food is insanely good down to the smallest details. Bread? Wow. Clam chowder? Move over Boston. The grilled snapper was the best that i can remember ever eating. Sure I was hungry but tonight’s food was a meal for the record books and its been a LONG time since I’ve felt that way.
I stumbled on this place by accident and had no special expectations. Right around the corner from my hotel on a cold night and open late and looked hip. I’ll be back!

The most delicious pork belly roll I have ever had. Legit the best and I want more. Please. All the pork roll goodness.
I’m a real sook when it comes to bread products. I like them soft. Little baby duck soft. I don’t enjoy super crunchy, crumbly bread products. Even with soup I like it soft and sensitive. The roll that accompanied my pork, apple sauce and salady goodness was so delicate and soft. With barely a crumb ending up on the table.
I’ve been to Cumulus a few times now but this was the first time I had paid and hadn’t gone with work or on a business meeting. Every time I’ve been here for a work style eating session the service has been wonderful and the food great. This visit saw me rushing in to grab a gift certificate and take away lunch.
I love that there is a small coffee counter with rolls, sandwiches and cakes. Next on the list to try– salted caramel tart.

Every time I’m in Melbourne I have to come here for Brunch! It is always amazing and super fresh– Home made crumpets are a must! My Fav is the shakshuka Coffee is also amazing & staff are very professional & friendly!

This is my second visit to Culumus Inc on Flinders Lane in Melbourne’s CBD and the experience was just as good. I love the Euro-​bistro fit out and styling in this modern Australian eatery. There’s a long bar along the left as you enter, the open kitchen to the right, and tables in between as well as along the back wall.
Four of us shared five dishes, although the waitress suggested we share seven or eight. We’ll start with five and see how we go, thanks.
I ordered a Clare Valley Riesling by the glass, and then ordered a small carafe of it, which was enough to give four of us a small glass each. There were limited choices of wines by the glass, one of each of the main varietals, which also came in 375 ml carafes.
This time I was sticking to my paleo way of eating (no grains, no sugar, limited dairy and legumes). There were plenty of paleo friendly choices on the menu, some vegetarian and gluten free choices too.
Tuna tartare with crushed pea salad and yoghurt was beautiful and fresh. It felt very clean to eat.
A special for the night, figs with goat’s cheese and dill was pleasant however didn’t taste as amazing as it sounded. It was the quail that was a real highlight thanks to perfectly married textures and flavours — the crunch of the fresh cabbage, the tender juicy gamey quail and the sweetness of the white peach that came with it. I could eat that again and again.
The roast pumpkin, pine nuts and sheep’s curd cheese was divine, caramelised sweet roast pumpkin, slightly salty creamy curd and toasty pine nuts. Those flavours are classic and marry really well.
The flank steak with leek, miso and grilled witlof was another highlight. The steak was seriously tender and juicy with sweet leek, slightly bitter witlof and the salty miso.
As it turns out, I could have accepted the waitress’ recommendation to share seven or eight dishes, because I felt I could still eat, and that’s probably because I didn’t eat any bread.
The service was efficient, if a little clipped. The atmosphere is of a typical city eatery, every table was full and tables turned over relatively quickly. Overall, a very enjoyable eating experience and one I’d repeat. (I especially enjoyed a night out with my sister and catching up with my cousins Stephanie and Lauren)
Verdict: ⁸⁄₁₀

Cumulus. First and foremost, it’s another best of Melbourne so I had to try it. We came here for breakfast before we headed to the rain forest. It’s located on Flinders Lane where a lot of stuff is located like cars, streets, parking structures, advertising signs and trees.
We sat at the kitchen bar and watched the chefs do their thing. The place was packed at 9am and it made me wonder if Aussies believed in working. I came to the conclusion that Aussies don’t work very hard or hardly work after my cousin told me about their holiday time policy. What a bunch of lazy w*nkers?!?
Anyway, I went with the Full English. It included smoked bacon, blood sausage on toast, fried eggs and a smoked tomato. I have to say that it’s probably one of the best breakfast I had in my life. The bacon was thick and seared on the outside. It wasn’t salty and I didn’t get the feeling of sodium overload like how I usually do when I drink a bottle of soy sauce.
The blood sausage was spread on the toast and the bread was soft. I don’t usually eat tomato but I ate this one cause it was smoked. Yes, definitely one of the best tomato I’ve had if not the best. The fried egg was partially sunny side up and once broken it oozed all over the bacon. It was a great sight like Kanye West being banned from all the award show.
The coffee wasn’t as strong as I have hope but still tasty. The organic OJ tasted fresh and clean. It didn’t wasn’t drenched in sugar and was very refreshing.
Overall, I definitely recommend Cumulus Inc. It’s definitely one of the best breakfast meals I’ve ever had. The food wasn’t oily or greasy and it was a great way to start off the day like having morning s**.

Omg! I have died and gone to foodie heaven! This place is simply outstanding.
We came here for brunch and were thoroughly satisfied. For two of us we had;
Mozzarella bruschetta
Gazpacho with crab
Pigs head croquettes
Wagyu bresaola
Quail peach & bitter greens.
All of it outstanding although my personal favourite was the quail.
All of this was enjoyed seated at the bar observing the kitchen, in my opinion the best seats in the house.
Can’t say enough about the food, service, atmosphere. Cumulus is definitely one for the bucket list.

On my recent trip to Melbourne, several people told me that I just HAD to eat at Cumulus. So while they don’t take reservations for groups less than 7, I thought I would head over and try my luck at getting a seat.
Well my luck was working on the night I went, as they had room at the bar or at a communal table near the door. What I didn’t know is that there is an entirely different restaurant and experience upstairs at «Cumulus up». So know before you go that there are 2 restaurants in the same building.
I chose to sit at the bar and was glad I did as Michael the bartender, and Aleesha the server, did a great job in taking care of us. I started with some of the fresh oysters (they had 3 different kinds on the night I was there) and my friend had the chefs choice charcuterie plate. All was very tasty!
For my entrée I had the chicken and my friend had the meat special of the day which was a sliced steak. Again, both were quite good. The food here is made to be shared so they suggest that you order 3 – 4 items per person but we ordered more as individuals and it worked out fine as well.
Know that this is not a cheap date. Dinner for two with drinks was around $ 275 ($ 56 was the steak special of the day) but given the great service and food, it was worth the money paid.
I also loved the ambiance. .. .it was an old refurbished factory like building and I loved that I could sit at the bar, look out the window and watch the world walk by as I enjoyed my dinner. And they also had a great cocktail list that featured some very interesting sounding cocktails.
All in all one of my favorite meals I had while in Melbourne!