Verdant Lane
Closed · Opens 7am (03) 9123 4567

Carlton · Est. 2018

The earliest cafe
on the strip.

Boutique cafe offering Veneziano Coffee, juices, smoothies, shakes and delicious light meals.

See the menu 23 Verdant Lane, Carlton
  • Open from 4 AM
  • Seven days a week
  • Really good coffee

Come say hi

Find us, call us, stop in.

Get directions
Verdant Lane
23 Verdant LaneCarlton VIC 3053
Closed · opens at 7am
Street parking Wheelchair access Outdoor seating Dog friendly
Address
23 Verdant LaneCarlton VIC 3053
Phone
(03) 9123 4567
Trading hours
Closed now
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday 7am – 3pm
  • Wednesday 7am – 3pm
  • Thursday 7am – 3pm
  • Friday 7am – 11am · 5pm – 9pm Brunch + bookings-only dinner
  • Saturday 8am – 2pm
  • Sunday 8am – 2pm
We're open until 3pm through August.

Our story

Built around the coffee

Verdant Lane is a small-batch roaster and brunch spot on the edge of Carlton. We opened in 2018 after a year of weekend pop-ups, and we've kept the menu deliberately short ever since. Everything we serve is built around the coffee. The brunch menu is intentionally narrow so our kitchen can hold a higher bar on the things we do offer — and so our team can spend the bulk of their time on the bar.

The team

The faces behind your 4 AM.

Six locals, one obsession with consistent coffee. Most days you'll meet at least three of us behind the bar.

  • Rae behind the espresso machine

    Rae Whitfield

    Owner & head barista

    Opened Verdant Lane in 2018 after a decade pulling shots in Newtown. Believes the early start is the best part of the day.

    rae@verdantlane.example.com.au
  • Tom by the roaster

    Tom Marin

    Roaster

    Runs our supplier relationships and most of the bean-curiosity experiments on the back bar.

  • Priya in the kitchen

    Priya Singh

    Kitchen lead

    Brought the shakshuka recipe over from her aunt's kitchen in Surry Hills. Insists on hand-baking the banana bread daily.

  • Marcus pouring a latte

    Marcus Cole

    Weekend bar

    Sunday surf crew regular. Best latte art on the team — fight us in person to prove otherwise.

  • Sienna with tray of pastries

    Sienna Park

    Pastry

    Wakes up earlier than the espresso machine. Responsible for the croissants you queue for.

  • Ben on the floor

    Ben Olufsen

    Floor & coffee subs

    Manages our subscription bag program and knows every regular's order before they speak.

    subs@verdantlane.example.com.au

Good to know

Common questions

Things people ask us most mornings.

Where can I park?

Street parking out front from 6 AM (free for 2 hours). There's a free public lot directly across the road next to the surf club — usually empty before 8 AM.

Are there vegan options?

Yes — the smoothie bowl, the avo toast, and our banana bread are all vegan. Just ask if you want oat milk in your coffee (we never charge extra).

Are dogs welcome?

Always. The outdoor seating is dog-friendly and we keep a water bowl by the door. Inside seating is for humans only — local council rules, sorry.

Do you take bookings?

For breakfast / brunch — no, walk-ins only. For our Friday night dinner service — yes, email us at least 24 hours ahead.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes, free. The password's on the chalkboard above the espresso machine. We do ask laptop users to head to the back room after 10 AM so the bar stays free for breakfast traffic.

Kind words

The regulars said it best.

Best coffee on the Coast, full stop. The staff remember your order after one visit — that's what makes this place.
S
Sarah M. Local regular · 2 weeks ago
Shakshuka is unreal. 4am start on a surf trip and these legends had us fed and caffeinated before sunrise.
J
James T. Visiting · 1 month ago
The soup kitchen Friday is such a beautiful thing. This cafe is genuinely the heart of our little stretch of road.
P
Priya K. Local regular · 3 months ago

On the ‘gram

@verdantlane

Morning light, latte art, and whatever Chef's dreaming up this week.

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Our menus

Browse the full list.

Menu

All day, every day.

Brekky, lunch, sweets, drinks — all in one place.