Every Melburnian knows that the search for a great coffee near Southern Cross Station is a daily ritual. The station might be a hub for trains, trams and taxis, but it’s also surrounded by cafés that range from “it’ll do” to “why did I just pay for that?” Finding a cup that consistently hits the mark shouldn’t feel like a lucky dip.
That’s where we come in. Spencer Coffee sits right on the corner of Spencer and Latrobe Streets, just a short walk from Southern Cross Station. We’re the café locals, commuters and office workers turn to when they want Melbourne-standard coffee without the attitude.
Melbourne’s Morning Rush, Spencer Street Style
Between 7 and 9 a.m., Spencer Street is alive with people streaming from trains, buses and Ubers. Some are racing into offices along Bourke and Collins; others are police officers from across the road grabbing their first caffeine hit. In that rush, you need a café that gets it — fast service, friendly faces and coffee that’s always on point.
Amran D: “A pleasant convenience. Quick stop for a tasty wrap for lunch to make it on time for work. Friendly service. Coffee blend on point and made to perfection in terms of milk temperature and taste.”
That’s exactly what we aim for — efficiency without losing the warmth of a neighbourhood spot.
What Makes Our Coffee the Best near Southern Cross Station
We don’t take the word best lightly. In Melbourne, good coffee is the baseline; great coffee takes consistency. Every cup we serve uses a carefully balanced blend and milk that’s steamed to the right texture and temperature — never too hot, never flat.
Hiromi: “I had a latte, and it was delicious. The friendly staff greeted me with a smile from the start of the day.”
Pasit Foobunma: “The coffee was excellent… the staff members were welcoming and friendly.”
That’s the sweet spot: excellent coffee, genuinely friendly people, and a vibe that starts your day right.
A Café with Character, Not Chains
There’s no shortage of places around Southern Cross where you can get caffeine fast, but most of them feel the same — takeaway cups, faceless counters and generic playlists. Spencer Coffee feels different. We’re independent, local and proud of it.
Winnie Sim: “Amazing food with amazing coffee here in Spencer Coffee Melbourne. Situated near the police station, the ambience is good.”
Our little corner of Docklands is a mix of corporate energy and local community. Regulars chat with the baristas, new customers become familiar faces by the end of the week, and there’s always a bit of friendly banter at the counter. It’s the kind of café that reminds you why Melbourne’s coffee culture is famous in the first place.
More Than Just Coffee
Coffee might be the hero, but we take food just as seriously. We do proper breakfasts — the kind that keep you fuelled past the mid-morning meeting — and grab-and-go lunches that don’t taste like compromise.
Alice Walker: “☕✨ Coffee is consistently EXCELLENT. 🍪✨ Quite possibly the most delicious freshly baked chocolate chip biscuits in Melbourne.”
Pasit Foobunma: “I recently visited for lunch, the coffee was excellent, they offered a diverse selection of breakfast and lunch items including tempting muffins. The staff members were welcoming and friendly.”
Fresh pastries, wraps, salads and muffins come out daily, and if you’re the type who likes to plan ahead, you’ll be pleased to know we cater, too. (More on that below.)
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
Melbourne cafés come and go, but the ones that last earn their following. At Spencer Coffee, our regulars range from Victoria Police staff to nearby office teams, and we treat everyone like part of the family.
The friendliness you see in the reviews isn’t marketing — it’s our culture. Every morning starts with hellos, first-name greetings and a few jokes behind the counter. That’s why reviews like Hiromi’s mention being “greeted with a smile from the start of the day.” It’s also why so many of our regulars have followed us since we reopened under the Spencer name.
We think good service is as memorable as good coffee. Maybe that’s why people don’t just stop by once; they build us into their daily routine.
Easy to Find — and Worth the Walk
We’re not hidden down a laneway or tucked behind glass towers. You’ll find us on the corner of Spencer and Latrobe Streets, right opposite the Victoria Police building and a few minutes’ walk from the Southern Cross Station concourse. If you’re coming from the platforms, it’s a straight shot north on Spencer — you can practically smell the espresso from halfway up the street.
Whether you’re catching a train, heading into a meeting or wrapping up your shift, Spencer Coffee is the perfect pit stop. Quick takeaway, dine-in brekky or a relaxed lunch — whatever your pace, we’ll meet you there.
Beyond the Morning Rush
If you’re responsible for keeping an entire office caffeinated, we can help with that too. Our corporate catering packages cover everything from morning teas to boardroom lunches, all with the same quality you get in-store. Explore our full menu of corporate catering in Docklands & Melbourne CBD and see how easy it is to keep your team fed and focused.
The Locals Have Spoken
You don’t need to take our word for it. Between the “coffee blend on point,” the “friendly staff” and the “delicious freshly baked muffins,” the reviews speak for themselves.
So next time you’re wandering around the CBD wondering where to find the best coffee near Southern Cross Station, skip the guesswork and head straight for the corner of Spencer and Latrobe.
After all, in a city that takes its coffee this seriously, it pays to follow the locals — and the locals start their day at Spencer Coffee.