Higher Ground: The Iconic Ricotta Hotcake in a Melbourne Power Station

650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Some cafés become institutions. Higher Ground is one of them.

Housed in a dramatic converted power station on Little Bourke Street, Higher Ground has been Melbourne's most-photographed brunch destination since it opened. Sky-high ceilings, exposed brick, cascading plants, and natural light flooding through enormous windows — it's a room that earns its reputation before you even look at the menu.

The Ricotta Hotcakes

Let's not bury the lede. The ricotta hotcakes are the reason people queue. Thick, pillowy, slightly crisp at the edges — served with whipped mascarpone, seasonal fruit, and honeycomb butter. They're the hotcakes other hotcakes aspire to be.

Order them on your first visit. Order them again on your second.

The Full Menu

Beyond the hotcakes, the all-day menu is genuinely ambitious. Expect grains, roasted vegetables, house-made pastries, and protein-forward dishes that go well beyond the typical brunch template. The kitchen takes its food seriously — sourcing is thoughtful and the execution is consistent.

The coffee programme is equally strong. Single origin filters, precise espresso, and a team that clearly knows what they're doing.

When to Go

Higher Ground draws a crowd every day of the week. Weekday mornings are your best chance at a shorter wait. Weekend brunches can see queues out the door — worth it, but plan accordingly.

Hours: Mon–Fri 7am–4pm | Sat–Sun 8am–4pm Bookings: Walk-in only

If you've never been, go. If you've been before, you already know why you're going back.