Hap Cafe

693 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054, Australia

+61 3 9967 5226

$$$ Cafe , Breakfast restaurant , Brunch restaurant , Coffee shop , Lunch restaurant , Restaurant , Sandwich shop , Vegan restaurant , Vegetarian restaurant

(105 Reviews)

Price Range $20–40

About Hap Cafe

Welcome to Hap Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Carlton North, VIC. This charming cafe is not just a place to grab a quick coffee; it’s a vibrant gathering spot that celebrates flavors and community in equal measure.

As you step into Hap Cafe, you’re immediately enveloped by a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With its inviting outdoor seating and cozy interior, it's an ideal setting for casual catch-ups or a quiet moment with a book. The friendly staff make every guest feel at home, ensuring a perfect start to your day.

Hap Cafe offers a unique and flavorful menu that truly sets it apart. Drawing inspiration from diverse culinary traditions, it's particularly known for its Build Your Own Board concept, which encourages diners to create a breakfast experience tailored to their taste. Choose from a luscious Smashed Avo adorned with halloumi, hot honey, radish, and cherry tomatoes on sourdough for a vibrant start ($22.50). Or indulge in the exhilarating Chilli Scramble, a dish featuring fluffy scrambled eggs infused with chorizo, fresh chili, and a touch of parmesan, also on sourdough ($23.00).

If you’re a fan of classic brunch staples, the Eggs Benny will impress with poached eggs and miso hollandaise, while letting diners personalize their dish with choice toppings. Each bite at Hap Cafe is a tantalizing delight, rich with flavor yet never overwhelming. In fact, customer Will Afon aptly called attention to their delicious cinnamon scrolls and sandwiches that are “awesome” without being overly rich, making each visit a satisfying experience.

For those who crave adventure beyond breakfast, indulge in the authentic flavors during their themed nights, particularly their Filipino night. Guests rave about the Pork Lumpia and Chicken Barbecue skewers, exploding with taste and authenticity, especially when accompanied by unique offerings like banana ketchup ($12 or three for $30). As Julia Ellul notes, it’s an exceptional introduction to Filipino cuisine that you won’t find easily elsewhere.

Let’s not forget the coffee! The baristas at Hap Cafe are skilled in serving up some of the finest brews, making it the perfect pit stop for caffeine enthusiasts. Regulars, like Jack Hope, consistently highlight the great coffee and friendly atmosphere, suggesting the chicken schnitty sandwich as a must-try—especially with their famed chilli jam that ties it all together.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Hap Cafe is ready to impress with its delectable offerings, inviting ambiance, and friendly faces. Don’t miss out on discovering this culinary haven on Rathdowne Street. Your taste buds will thank you!

Features

From the business

Identifies as women-owned

Service options

Outdoor seating

Kerbside pickup

On-site services

Takeaway

Dine-in

Highlights

Great coffee

Sport

Popular for

Breakfast

Lunch

Solo dining

Good for working on laptop

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Assistive hearing loop

Offerings

Alcohol

Beer

Cocktails

Coffee

Happy-hour drinks

Happy-hour food

Healthy options

Organic dishes

Prepared foods

Quick bite

Small plates

Spirits

Vegan options

Vegetarian options

Wine

Dining options

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Catering

Dessert

Seating

Amenities

Bar on site

Gender-neutral toilets

Toilet

Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

Casual

Cosy

Crowd

Family friendly

Groups

LGBTQ+ friendly

Transgender safe space

Planning

Accepts reservations

Payments

Credit cards

Debit cards

NFC mobile payments

Credit cards

Children

Good for kids

High chairs

Kids' menu

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Free parking lot

On-site parking

Paid parking lot

Paid street parking

Parking

Pets

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed outside

Photo Gallery

Location & Map

Openings Hours

Monday

06:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

06:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

06:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

06:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

06:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Guest Reviews

105 Reviews

Will Afon

07 Oct 2025

Great spot in Carlton North. Went in for the cinnamon scrolls and ended up getting a sandwich as well. Awesome flavours and not too rich like some other sandwiches in Melbourne. Coffee and cinnamon scrolls were so good as well.

Eva Wojciechowski

02 Oct 2025

Lovely service and they have a nice seating area outside. Had the best tasting Rueben sandwich here, loved it!

Jessica Allan

14 Sep 2025

Stumbled across this gem on a hot day, thirsty I saw an iced tea and decided to stop for a drink( earl grey tea shot of mint and lemon with ice). While sipping the refreshing Iced tea I read over the menu and came back the next day for lunch. The lumpia and Turon are legit and a must try. The atmosphere is relaxed, seating comfortable. Service was attentive and they made us feel welcomed. The owner welcomed us at the door and made sure all our needs were meet.

Julia Ellul

02 Sep 2025

Hap Cafe, Carlton North - 4.4 ⭐ out of 5. I visited Hap Cafe for the first time to try their Filipino night! This was such a special first for me because I have not tried Filipino food before and absolutely loved the burst of flavour!! Pictured is the: Pork Lumpia ($15) Chicken Barbecue skewers with lemongrass (yum) and banana ketchup (what??, $12 or 3 for 30) I was very generously given 3 skewers after ordering one, which I was very happy about as they were delicious. Banana ketchup was something I was a little scared but very intrigued to try, but it was not too overpowering and I enjoyed it! I absolutely loved the Lumpia, they were crispy on the outside, flavourful inside, and came with crispy kale which I LOVE. I hope they do a Filipino night again soon! The menu was available for takeaway and is next to a gorgeous park, or they had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. A perfect venue for warm summer nights. Overall 4.4 ⭐ out of 5.

Jack Hope

10 Aug 2025

Absolutely love this place! Friendly staff, great coffee and always feel so welcome. Such a lovely vibe and has become my regular coffee spot! Ps. Try the chicken schnitty sandwich, that thing is next level, don’t even get me started on the chilli jam. Keep up the great work team! See you tmr

Mel B

21 Jul 2025

Honestly the sweetest people that are creative and love feedback. Always wanting to improve. Their cookie milk latte was to die for - probably one of the best coffee I’ve had. It’s infused but it’s not too sweet, it’s nutty and hella smooth. To add to that, one of the best cookies I’ve had too. They bake their desserts in house, and they sell out quickly. Scrolls need work but got plenty of that authentic ube paste all over.

Ime W

30 Jun 2025

We had our Saturday brunch herestaff were really friendly and the food was amazing, full of flavour

J T G Nielsen

25 Jun 2025

Rathdowne Street has always been a lovely village street but has now become a new hub for exciting new cafes and restaurants with plenty of excellent cafes to choose from! Hap Cafe is for sure one to try offering a bit more variety and specialty coffee! A great little menu served with a smile and very tasty servings. Go for a walk the neighbourhood and drop in before or afterwards for a nice experience! Enjoy