Operator San — Restaurant in Melbourne

Operator San brings a fresh take to Melbourne’s brunch scene, blending Japanese flavors with café classics in a vibrant, welcoming space. With a warm and attentive team, it’s the kind of place you want to love—but how does the food stack up?

🍄 Mushroom Tamagoyaki (6/10)

A creative dish with lovely flavors, though the balance might lean a little sweet for some. The shokupan, while soft and fluffy, soaked up a bit too much moisture from the omelette, making it soggy. The tempura mushroom had great potential but ended up more oily than crisp. A few small tweaks, and this could be a standout.

🍛 Katsu Curry Benedict (6.5/10)

A bold spin on the classic eggs Benedict, featuring a katsu base and curry hollandaise. While the execution was solid, the curry-forward twist wasn’t quite my thing—but for those who love a fusion-style dish, it could be a winner. The elements were well-prepared, and the katsu had a satisfying crunch.

☕ Drinks • Melon Soda Espresso – A fun idea, but the melon flavor was quite subtle once mixed. Still an interesting concept worth trying if you’re curious. • Iced Latte – A straightforward, no-fuss coffee option.

⭐ Overall: 6.5/10

The service? Fantastic—genuine, friendly, and attentive. The atmosphere? Spot on—great energy and a well-designed space. While some elements of the food didn’t fully hit the mark for me, there’s a lot to appreciate about the creativity behind the menu. With a few refinements, Operator San has the potential to be a real standout in Melbourne’s competitive brunch scene.

Would I come back? Possibly! With a menu full of interesting ideas, I’d be keen to try something...

✨ Japanese-inspired Cafe near QVM ✨

A welcome addition to our CBD cafe scene, the renowned Operator group has launched a third cafe, combining Japanese flavours with Melbourne-style brunch.

We had: 🍙 Onigiri Plate $29 🍜 Breakfast Ramen $24 🍄‍🟫 Mushroom Tamagoyaki $21 🍞 Matcha Toast $22 🍵 Matcha Latte $7 🍵 Iced Matcha Latte $8 ☕️ Hojicha Latte $7 ☕️ Latte $5

All the savoury dishes were brimming with umami flavours!

The grilled and glazed onigiri added depth and texture, while the accompanying salmon was generously portioned and exceptionally tender. The pickled vegetables provided a satisfying crunch and tangy flavor as a contrasting element.

Breakfast ramen was satisfying and hearty, featuring miso glazed Kaiserfleisch bacon and flavourful broth.

Mushroom tamagoyaki was equally flavourful seasoned with soy mirin, chives and chilli oil for that kick, paired with fluffy toasted shokupan.

As for the Matcha Toast, it was quite sweet, featuring plenty of red bean and topped with matcha soft serve. I preferred matcha with strawberries, as the peach added an unexpected sourness that didn’t complement the dish well.

The biggest surprise was the matcha drinks, having had it for takeaway before it was rather mild. However dining in the hot and iced versions had a distinct clean, refreshing matcha taste with no seaweed aftertaste or added sugar to mask the flavour. Just...

Operator San is one of the best Japanese-inspired brunch cafes in Melbourne, offering a unique fusion of traditional Japanese flavors with modern café culture. Located in a bright, minimalist space, it’s the perfect spot for a casual weekend brunch or a midweek treat.

We tried the chirashi bowl, and it did not disappoint — a generous portion of sushi rice topped with fresh salmon, tuna, tamago, tobiko, avocado, and pickled vegetables. The ingredients were fresh and well-seasoned, and the bowl came with a comforting miso soup.

Another standout dish was the yakitori chicken tacos — juicy grilled skewers wrapped in soft taco shells, garnished with pickled onions, scallions, and a touch of chili. It’s a fun fusion dish that shows off their creativity.

But the true star was the Matcha French Toast — thick, golden slices of toast topped with smooth matcha cream, black sesame crisps, strawberries, grapes, and matcha syrup. It was beautifully presented and not too sweet, which made it even more enjoyable.

The drinks were also on point, with options like Japanese iced tea, lattes, and house-made syrups.

The staff were friendly, the service was quick, and the presentation was Instagram-worthy. This place ticks all the boxes: flavor, atmosphere, and creativity.

If you’re looking for a Japanese brunch spot in Melbourne that goes beyond the ordinary, Operator San is...