Paragon Cafe

Paragon Café delivers Melbournians with yet another modish café in which to embrace quality coffee. 

Under the guidance of new owner Oliver Pope the iconic Carlton North cafe has now opened with a heart-warming brunch menu. After a spate of accidents and a fire that caused the cafe to close for seven months the cafe (which boasts a 30 year history) has been rejuvenated with a new light airy feel which retains a rustic charm. 

Located on the corner of Rathdowne Street and Newry Street the corner location offers plenty of outdoor seating in the sun and with large umbrellas overlooking the Curtain Park and gardens. Coffee is by the award winning Sensory Lab of St Ali fame and complemented by house baked  muffins and brownies. We ordered a couple of milk coffees to get our caffeine fix for the day, and as expected, it contained a perfect layer of silken froth, complete with a flawless rosetta, and tasted terrific. 

Although the food menu is somewhat limited in size, you will find a broad range of items to suit most palates. Both the grain salad and the hot cakes were ordered were lovely. We loved the eatery's use of market fresh ingredients which shone through.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights the cafe transforms into a wine bar, offering patrons an extensive range of wines beers, spirits and cocktails. A Tapas menu along with main meals complement the wine bar.

With excellent coffee and good food, Paragon Café and Bar is a quintessentially Melbourne coffee hot spot.

Location: 651 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Phone: 03 9347 7715
Cuisine: Cafe, European