Joe Otway is a Chef Director and Co-creator of notable Manchester establishments Higher Ground and Flawd Wine. He is also actively involved in Cinderwood Market Garden, growing produce for his restaurants, and is...
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Last updated: 6/30/2026, 4:50:26 PM
Key Information
Higher Ground is an iconic all-day dining establishment located in a beautifully converted heritage power station in Melbourne's CBD. Spanning five levels, it offers a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance, known for its evocative design that blends modern aesthetics with historic touches. It's a popular spot for brunch and specialty coffee, offering unique event spaces.
Customer Perception
Customer perception is generally positive, with many praising the great atmosphere, energetic city vibes, and the quality of coffee and food. Dishes like the chilli scrambled eggs and fried chicken croffle receive high marks for flavor and texture. However, some reviews mention an 'overhyped' or 'mid' experience, citing issues with service (described as hostile or basic), long wait times, and some dishes being average or dry for their price point. The signature hot cake is noted for its large portion but can be dry, and the iced mango matcha has been criticized for lacking matcha flavor.
Additional Details
Higher Ground is part of the Darling Group. Its unique setting in a heritage power station across five levels makes it a distinctive dining and event space in Melbourne.
Higher Ground is an all-day dining venue, but it is particularly popular for brunch, especially on weekends. Expect significant wait times during peak lunch hours on weekends. Booking is highly recommended for larger groups to avoid long waits.
I really enjoy places that keep their old architecture alive, and Higher Ground is definitely one of those special spots. If you find yourself in Melbourne, I highly recommend checking it out. My husband kindly made a reservation for my birthday, and the experience was wonderful. The food was fantastic, and the coffee was truly divine. Since we mentioned it was a birthday celebration, they surprised us with the cutest red velvet cake to mark the occasion. The portions are quite generous, and we both found it hard to finish our dishes—those hotcakes (absolutely a must-try) and the mango pudding (so refreshing). Luckily, they provided us with takeaway containers for our leftovers, so we could enjoy more later.
Super busy when I arrived, but the server greeted me warmly and seated me straight away. The interior was modern with subtle historic touches that blended beautifully together, creating a space that felt both stylish and welcoming. They also offer cocktails and coffee, making it the perfect place to sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
I ordered the chilli scrambled eggs and the fried chicken croffle, paired with an iced long black and a glass of pinot grigio. The drinks arrived quickly, followed shortly by the food.
The chilli scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly. The house chilli and banana peppers added a tangy, spicy, savoury flavour, while the smoked yoghurt balanced the heat beautifully. The fried chicken croffle was an explosion of flavour and texture, the croffle base was incredibly crispy, topped with sweet and spicy chicken, while the smoky cream cheese added a rich creaminess that cut through the heat of the jalapeños and gochujang perfectly.
I was genuinely impressed by both the hospitality and the food, and I’ll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu. If you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time, I’d absolutely recommend this spot as a must try!!
2
It was overhyped tbh. Pretty mid experience. The wait was expected because it was lunch time on a weekend but the service was horrible, we didn't feel welcome at all and pretty hostile. There was no convo or small talk, the drinking glass was all scracthed up and foggy, with the price we would expect a good drinking glass. Now the food, for the price point it was really average, i truly would not come back for anything.
-Avocado Pretzel: just unsmashed avo on a toasted Pretzels and Ricotta. Dry and underseasoned.
-Signature hot cake: a really big portion (3-4 people), super extra thick batter, the amount of syrup did not help with the dryness.
-Wagyu brisket: it was very well cooked, flavourful and tender. We wouldn't go out of our way to come back and try it but it was good.
-Iced mango matcha: a big no,the colour was very light green. We can't taste the matcha at all, then after mixing in the mango puree, it was just a mango drink. If it was promoted as authentic ceremonial matcha then we would expect to taste it.
Do not reccomend, we're pretty sure there are better options out there for breakfast.
5
Amazing atmosphere, crazy busy as well, booking recommended. The prawn toast benedict was the highlight of my meal and had amazing traditional Hong Kong elements to it whether it be the prawn toast or the Chinese doughnut. Just amazing. The expresso cloud was great too.
5
Here's a short one:
Higher Ground is a stunning space — soaring ceilings, industrial-chic vibe, and great natural light. Coffee is consistently excellent and the food menu punches well above your average cafe (the corn fritters are a standout). Service can be a little slow when it's busy, but it's worth the wait. A Melbourne CBD favorite for good reason.
