Frankston’s cafe scene has quietly become one of the best on the bayside. A few years ago, you’d struggle to find a decent flat white south of Mordialloc. Now there are spots down here that rival anything in Fitzroy or the CBD, with the added bonus of beach proximity and actual parking.
This guide covers the cafes worth going to, what to order at each one, and the honest truth from people who actually eat there regularly. No filler, no sponsored mentions, just the ones that are genuinely good.
Contents
- The Best Coffee
- Best for Brunch
- Family-Friendly Picks
- Quick Bites & Takeaway
- Beachside & Waterfront
- Practical Tips
The Best Coffee
Commonfolk Frankston
Address: 43 Playne Street, Frankston (recently relocated)
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-3pm, Sun 8am-3pm
Website: commonfolkcoffee.com.au
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (400+ reviews)
Instagram: @commonfolkcoffee
Commonfolk is not just the best cafe in Frankston. It was recently crowned Victoria’s Best by the Good Food Guide. They roast their own beans at the original Mornington roastery, and the Frankston location serves them at their absolute best.
The Godfather blend is the house standard, with clear notes of chocolate and caramel. If you’re into single origins, ask what they’re pouring that week. The espresso tasting board lets you try multiple styles side by side, which is a great move if you’re a coffee nerd.
The food has levelled up since the move to Playne Street. Remixed brunch classics, solid sangas, and a half-serve option on meals that’s genuinely brilliant for when you want good food but not a mountain of it. They also do beer and lo-fi wines if you’re on the boozy brunch train.
20 cents from every coffee sold goes to The Cup That Counts, their initiative supporting overseas coffee producers. You can buy beans to take home, and they’ll give you a discount if you bring your own container.
What to order: The Godfather blend flat white. For food, the eggs Benedict with a twist or the seasonal mushroom dish. Every 10th coffee is free with a loyalty card.
What people are saying on Google: “Probably the best speciality coffee in the Peninsula. Single origin is dialled in to perfection. I’ve visited multiple times and never disappointed.” Another reviewer: “I came for breakfast here with my family and oh my goodness it was FANTASTIC. The service was amazing, the coffees were both delicious and the food was magnificent.”
The honest take: It gets busy on weekends and the space, while bigger than the old location, still fills up fast. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot. The coffee is genuinely among the best on the Peninsula, and the staff are consistently friendly. This is the cafe that put Frankston on the coffee map.
Mr Frankie
Address: 25 Norman Avenue, Frankston
Hours: Tue-Sat 7am-2:30pm, Sun 8am-2pm, Mon closed
Website: mrfrankie.com.au
Google Reviews: Read reviews on Google
Coffee: Industry Beans
Mr Frankie is what happens when a couple of locals decide their suburb deserves better. Converted from an old newsagency into an architecturally designed fit-out, it’s the kind of cafe you’d expect in Richmond or South Yarra but with Frankston prices and Frankston parking.
They use Industry Beans coffee, which is a serious choice. The fit-out is vibrant with geometric designs and attention to detail that makes it photograph well without feeling try-hard. The menu is Melbourne-inspired with quality sourced produce, and they do seasonal wine by the glass.
The cafe runs occasional “Mr Frankie by Night” events during summer with happy hour and evening menus, which is a nice touch for a suburb that mostly shuts down after 3pm.
What to order: Whatever the daily special is. The brunch menu rotates with seasons and the kitchen clearly has ambitions beyond standard cafe fare. The coffee is consistently excellent.
What people are saying: “Created for locals by locals. A little slice of Melbourne delivered to your doorstep.” The Australian Good Food Guide highlights the architecturally designed fit-out and quality sourced produce.
The honest take: Mr Frankie is the cafe that makes Frankston locals proud to bring friends from other suburbs. It’s doing what the best Melbourne cafes do: taking food and coffee seriously without taking itself too seriously. Closed Mondays.
Best for Brunch
One Pear Tree
Address: 372 Nepean Highway, Frankston
Website: onepeartree.com
Google Reviews: 4.5 stars on Google
One Pear Tree is housed in a beautifully restored weatherboard house on Nepean Highway, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger. The interior is classic black and white with abundant natural light, and there’s a garden area out back that’s perfect on sunny mornings.
The menu runs fresh and seasonal with daily specials. The halloumi fritters are a regular favourite, and the truffle mushrooms have a loyal following. They’ve recently finished an outdoor alfresco area, which is ideal for summer.
What to order: Halloumi fritters, the seasonal special, or the classic bacon and egg roll if you’re keeping it simple. The cheesecake is apparently excellent.
What people are saying on Google: “Excellent, excellent, excellent cafe and food! I don’t live anywhere near here, but I’m already keen to come back. The food is absolutely amazing and the service came with a genuine smile.” Another reviewer: “This place is perfect for groups to enjoy a meal together. Loved it, loved it, loved it.”
The honest take: A short stroll from the town centre and genuinely charming. It’s the cafe you take your mum to, and she’ll love it. The vibe is warm and unhurried, which is exactly what you want from a suburban brunch spot. Pet-friendly outdoor area.
Crackerjack Beachfront
Address: Frankston Foreshore, near the pier
Google Reviews: Read reviews on Google
Crackerjack sits right on Frankston’s beachfront, and on a warm morning with the bay in front of you, there aren’t many better spots for a coffee in the entire southeastern suburbs. The views are the main draw, but the food and coffee hold up.
It’s a solid all-rounder for breakfast and lunch with a menu that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Classic cafe fare, done well, in a location that elevates everything.
What to order: Anything off the breakfast menu with a view of the water. Keep it simple and enjoy the setting.
The honest take: You’re partly paying for the location, and that’s fine. On a sunny morning, this is one of the best value experiences in Frankston. On a grey day, there are better cafes for food alone.
Family-Friendly Picks
Two Boys One Beagle and a Coffee Shop
Address: 59 Kareela Road, Frankston (Karingal area)
Phone: (03) 9785 9239
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (150+ reviews)
Facebook: @twoboysonebeagle
Coffee: Commonfolk Coffee
The name is ridiculous and wonderful. It’s named after the owners’ two sons and their beagle, Penelope (who also has a dish named after her on the menu). The cafe is unashamedly pink. The La Marzocco machine is custom-painted pink. The high chairs are pink. It works in a kitsch, charming way.
But don’t let the Instagram aesthetics fool you. The food is serious. Chef-owner Jamie Bowman has genuine skills, and the Herald Sun noted the cafe has “knockout food” that “shows you can’t always judge a book by its cover.” The croquettes have cult status. The build-your-own breakfast concept (start with eggs on sourdough, add smoked bacon, mushrooms, croquettes, sausages) is clever and lets you control portion and price.
They use Commonfolk beans, which means the coffee is excellent. The staff know their regulars by name and order, and the outdoor courtyard with umbrellas is great on sunny days. There’s a playground nearby, making it a natural stop for families.
What to order: The croquettes (cult favourite), corn and jalapeno fritters, or the build-your-own breakfast. For something sweet, the Penelope waffles (fennel and lemon-infused with wood-smoked bacon, maple butter, whiskey and banana jam, vanilla ice cream).
What people are saying on Google: “Every meal at this cafe is made by a chef who really loves food and cares about how dishes are presented and balanced. Your eyes pop when your food arrives and then your tastebuds go to heaven.” A local regular: “Our favourite cafe. We moved to Frankston just over 3 years ago and were very happy to discover this gem was in walking distance. Countless perfect coffees and the breakfast burgers have got us through some challenging mornings when our toddler gets us up at 5am.”
The honest take: The space is small and can get loud, especially on weekend mornings. Multiple reviewers mention the noise as the one drawback. But the food quality, the family-friendly setup, and the genuine warmth of the place more than make up for it. Hidden in a quiet strip of shops in Karingal, so parking is easy. Dog-friendly outdoors and they do puppuccinos.
Quick Bites & Takeaway
A Coffee Shop
Area: Beach Street, Frankston
Sometimes you just want a proper coffee and a simple bite without the full brunch production. A Coffee Shop does exactly what the name suggests, and does it well. No frills, good beans, fast service.
Momentum Cafe
Address: Cranbourne Road, Karingal Hub
Inside Karingal Hub shopping centre, Momentum is a solid option for a coffee and a quick meal between errands. It’s not going to win design awards, but the coffee is consistent and the food is fresh. Good for a shopping centre cafe.
The Laughing Lark Cafe
Address: Clyde Street Mall, Frankston
Google Reviews: Read reviews on Google
Tucked into the Clyde Street Mall, The Laughing Lark is a fun, funky spot with a slightly quirky personality. Good for a quick coffee and something sweet. The vibe is relaxed and the staff are friendly.
Beachside & Waterfront
Frankston’s foreshore has improved dramatically in recent years, and the cafe and dining options along the waterfront reflect that.
Beyond Crackerjack (mentioned above), the waterfront strip along Kananook Creek and the pier area has a growing number of options for a coffee with a view. Sofia Frankston on the pier promenade is worth noting for a slightly more upscale waterfront experience, though it leans more restaurant than cafe.
The best free experience in Frankston is grabbing a takeaway coffee from Commonfolk or Mr Frankie and walking down to the beach. It’s a 10-minute walk from either, and on a clear autumn morning with the bay stretching out in front of you, it’s hard to beat.
Practical Tips
Getting there: Frankston is at the end of the Frankston train line, about 50 minutes from the CBD. The station is a short walk from the main cafe strip. If driving, parking is generally easy, especially compared to inner-city suburbs. Most cafes have free street parking nearby.
When to go: Weekday mornings are quieter at all of these spots. Weekends from 9-11am are peak brunch hours and the popular cafes (Commonfolk, One Pear Tree) will have waits. Early bird or late morning is the move.
The Frankston cafe crawl: If you’re making a day of it, start at Commonfolk for coffee, walk to the beach, then head to One Pear Tree or Mr Frankie for brunch. Finish with a walk along the foreshore. It’s a genuinely pleasant half-day that most Melbourne people don’t know exists.
Dog-friendly: Most cafes listed here have outdoor areas that welcome dogs. Commonfolk, Two Boys One Beagle, and One Pear Tree are all dog-friendly in their outdoor sections.
Beyond Frankston: If you’re heading further down the Peninsula, the Mornington cafe scene is also excellent. Commonfolk’s original roastery in Mornington is worth the extra 20-minute drive if you’re serious about coffee.
This guide is updated regularly. Last updated: March 2026.
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