Whether you’re in need of a virtual office, meeting place or just somewhere to hang and surf with a steady flow of coffee and tasty eats, it seems there’s a hungry demand for cafes and bars with free WIFI in Melbourne.
Here are my top picks for generous venues around Melbourne CBD offering free wireless to inner city peeps.
Streat Cafe (McKillop)
Simple but fresh and satisfying eats, just out of the tourist trap on McKillop Street. In case you're not familiar with their story, Streat is the only not-for-profit coffee roaster in Australia. The social enterprise dedicates 'every spare cent' from operations towards youth training programs to help break the cycle of homelessness. AND they offer free wifi. Legends!
McKillop Street
7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
http://www.streat.com.au/food/mckillop
Café de Tuscany
Nestled on the border of the legal district and in an area where it's busiest between Monday to Friday is Café de Tuscany. You'll find tempting breakfast options, like 'The Fritz' (pan fried zucchini, ricotta and corn fritters stack with smoked salmon, poached eggs and tomato relish *drool*), a decent coffee and a cosy, quaint space perfect for a spot of work or writing. Excellent gluten free bread. They're open til late weekdays for a cheeky after work vino, too.
429 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Breakfast, lunch & tapas
7am to late Monday to Friday
http://cafedetuscany.net.au/
Knock Knock Café
Update: Knock knock is now closed. Another cafe has opened in its place also with wifi. We are yet to review this venue.
3/200 Queen Street, Melbourne
Hairy Little Sista
Smack bang in the middle of the city, Hairy Little Sista offers comfy couches, tables for small to largish groups, indoor and outdoor seating plus service with a stylish smile. Great spot for a meeting, a drink, food, coffee, and of course, free wifi.
218-240 Little Collins St, Melbourne
Mon-Fri: 7.30am – 3am
Sat: 9am – 3am
Now also open Sundays
www.facebook.com/HairyLittleSista
Trunk Diner
These friendly, funky guys are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, inside, outside, diner or restaurant, while supporting local artists, Rooftop Honey Bees, and city dwellers of all shapes and sizes…is there anything this place doesn’t do?
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
7 days a week
Gluten free friendly
www.trunktown.com.au
Two Pocket Cafe
Very sweet, sunken and kudos-building café serving up free-trade coffee out of the hustle and bustle and away from the elements. Also now serving up food like bakery quality bread including gluten free, this spot is quiet and relaxing yet conveniently placed right outside of Melbourne Central. Take some time to check out their free-trade, ethical gifts too.
277 Little Lonsdale Street
Monday - Friday : 7:30am - 5pm
Saturday : 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday : 9:30am - 5pm
Gluten free friendly
www.twopocket.com.au
Thousand Pound Bend
Café, bar, gallery space
Not quite what it used to be (no more quick toasties and not as wallet friendly), but still being awesomely convenient nonetheless with gluten free options, wifi with purchase, good tunes, and an open space which helps open the mind.
Thousand Pound Bend
361 Little Lonsdale Street
Breakfast, lunch, drinks, dinner
7 days a week
Gluten free friendly
www.thousandpoundbend.com.au
T-Roy Browns
Cafe
This is a fab spot for sitting in the sun and enjoying the breeze (albeit whilst feeling slightly guilty as gym-bunnies and fitness fanatics emerge from the neighboring Doherty's). Troy is always around for a natter and it's humbling to see the hands on work he puts into the little cafe. GREAT wifi. Limited choice for glutards, but the food looks very good.
T-Roy Browns
Vault 1, Banana Alley, Flinders Street
www.twitter.com/teeroybrowns
Handy, honourable mentions
- Federation Square
- Bar Nacional
- Bar Ampere
- Cookie
- BearBrass on Southbank