Most of you know I adore breakfast. Many of you also know I have developed a frustrating amount of allergies over the past few years that seriously interfere with my wining and dining (which is now tea-totalling and clean eating). The most devastating of these is probably my unfortunate intolerance to gluten as bread is my absolute FAVOURITE. I lived in Paris a while back and my diet was 99% gluten – it was a truly glorious time. BUT, luckily Melbourne is one of those wonderful places where we are spoilt for choice when it comes to food that is delicious AND nutritious. Even for the most picky or limited eaters, Melbourne’s food scene will always deliver (sometimes even literally! Hello convenience!) There are so many cafes and restaurants that allow you to stick to a healthy regime or work around dietary limitations without compromising on flavour or quality. Hats off to the chefs around town for being so innovative and adaptable!!

I tend to eat breakfast out more than a socially acceptable amount and people often turn to me for recommendations. Particularly with my recently developed dietary requirements (and also our new business in the health and wellbeing space, Matcha Maiden), I am often asked more specifically about my favourite healthy, allergy-friendly hotspots in Melbourne. I have quite a few regulars that I absolutely adore, so I thought I’d whip together a quick list of the dishes I order most regularly. I’m that person who always has to peruse the entire menu (even if I know it backwards, have already visited that week, and have already chosen anyway). Most of the chefs behind these dishes would know what to do if they heard I had arrived – the dishes are just so delicious, I can never go past them! Apologies to anyone who happens to be dining with me though – I taste test the rest of the menu through stealing from other people’s plates. Oink!

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Nutrition Bomb, Serotonin Dealer – poached egg, broccoli, alkalising greens, sprouts, roast pumpkin and sweet potato and hummus (and I always add extra roasted mushrooms)

Sautéed greens, Tall Timber – sautéed kale, asparagus and green beans with poached eggs, almonds and feta on quinoa loaf (I skip the loaf so I can load up on more greens and often add mushies)

Brekky Greens, St Edmonds – dressed mix of raw broccoli, shredded kale, buckwheat kernels, pistachios and fresh chili with two poached eggs (and I add roasted mushies – see a common theme here?)

Paleo breakfast, Palate –  build your breakfast from 1 protein and 4 or delicious healthy sides (with very decent serving sizes). My go-to is chilli garlic prawns with pumpkin, mushrooms, asparagus and smashed avocado.

Superfood breakfast salad, Urban Projuice – Two poached eggs on seasonal greens with mushrooms, avocado mash and sprinkle of super seeds (and guess what I order as a side?)

Paleo brekky, Magic on Ferrars – Two eggs, bacon, roasted field mushrooms, roast tomato, spinach and avocado.

Nourish Bowl, Trei Cafe – pickled cabbage, avo, pumpkin hummus, mushies, roast sweet potato, sesame kale, tomato, brown rice w. turmeric & tahini dressing

Breakfast salad, Barry – raw broccolini, kale, avocado, black pearl barley, chili, basil, activated almonds, coriander, pepitas, chili, and a soft-boiled egg.

Paleo Green Salad, Frank and Ginger – Kale, avocado, white beans, roast cauliflowers, toasted almonds, seeds and a poached egg

Superfood Breakfast Bowl, Sardi Cafe – asparagus, kale, avocado, buckhinis, chives, lemon & parsley w. poached eggs & almond dukkah

Hope you enjoyed!!!!! There are SO many more on my list, but I’ll limit myself to 10 or I’ll be here all day. And would love to hear any other suggestions!

To follow these wonderful places on Instagram –

1. @serotonindealer
2. @tall_timber
3. @stedmonds
4. @palaterestaurantbar
5. @urbanprojuice
6. @magicferrars
7. @treicafe
8. @barrycoffeeandfood
9. @frankandginger
10. @sardicafe

And me, @spoonful_of_sarah!