VICTORIA

Cobb Lane, Yarraville: Asparagus, baked polenta, soft poached egg, watercress & house made salad cream ($16.50)

More like a dinner at an upscale restaurant, this dish will please the gourmands as well as the just plain hungry.

Ladro, Prahran: Breakfast ‘Colazione’ pizza with speck, bufala mozzarella and a freshly cracked egg ($16)

The pizza pros at the Greville Street favourite have extended their reach to your morning meal, combining possibly the two best meals in the world (bacon and eggs and pizza) to create the ultimate comfort brekkie.

Ladro’s breakfast pizza

Acland Street Cantina, St Kilda: Breakfast tacos with coddled eggs, chopped chorizo, salsa picante and queso fresca ($12)

Who needs bacon when you have chorizo? This trendy Mexican diner dishes up two satisfying tacos containing all the essential breakfast ingredients and then some.

Prospect Espresso, Camberwell: Warm coconut rice with lime “air” and mango ($14)

For those wanting a lighter option to wake them up, this tropical offering is a breath of breakfast fresh air.

Prospect Espresso’s coconut rice

NEW SOUTH WALES

New Shanghai, Chatswood: Fried egg pancake with pork floss ($4.50)

As many yum cha lovers know, dumplings are a perfectly acceptable breakfast food. The folks at the Lemon Grove branch of the Chinese chain have taken it to the next level with a designated breakfast menu featuring dishes like this salty and sweet delight.

New Shanghai’s egg pancakes

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Zahr Mezze Café and Bar, Hyde Park: Labneh balls coated in chopped pistachio with sourdough and honey ($9.50)

Labneh, a cheese made by straining yoghurt through a filter, is ideal for adding some Middle Eastern flair to your morning meal. Like a thick version of yoghurt, it works well in savoury dishes but is equally as delicious when enjoyed with sugary sweet toppings.

Zahr Mezze’s Labneh balls

Bar 9, Parkside: Australian blue swimmer crab in Thai green curry scramble with Asian greens ($17)

A surprisingly successful combination of wholesome fresh seafood, Asian edge and breakfast mentality. Ideal for those adventurous eaters for whom French toast simply doesn’t cut it.

Bar 9’s blue swimmer crab dish

QUEENSLAND

Café O-Mai, Annerley: Pork meatballs in rich tomato sauce with quail eggs served with warm baguette ($13)

Billed as the Vietnamese equivalent of mince, this savoury dish is a hearty, flavourful way to wake yourself up.

Cafe O-Mai’s breakfast meatballs