Social Enterprises in Melbourne

by Dan Cunningham and Holly Bodeker-Smith

Updated May 12th, 2022

Running a restaurant or cafe is tough. Decent staff is hard to find. Margins are razor-thin. Attractive fit-outs are expensive and need renewing every five to 10 years.

That's why we're impressed by the venues on this list. In addition to foregoing profit to help those in need, they operate in one of the toughest, most competitive industries around.

Each spot works to a slightly different model - from training refugees in-house, to simply donating profits - but all deserve your business.

Looking for something specific?

Tradeblock Cafe
Cafe
Training deaf year 11 and 12 students in hospitality.
Long Street Coffee
Cafe
Featuring refugees and asylum seekers behind the coffee machine.
Cromwell STREAT
Cafe
More than 500 disadvantaged youths have trained at these cafes since 2010.

Book a Table
Wild Timor Cafe Coburg
Cafe
Buy a coffee, support farmers in Timor-Leste.
Wild Timor Cafe Carlton
Cafe
Spot number two for four soldiers turned philanthropists.
All Things Equal
Cafe
This inclusive cafe gives people with a disability a chance to work in a supportive hospitality environment and earn a sustainable income in a dignified way. It’s fun, energetic and serves crowd-pleasing brunches that’ll keep you coming back.
Book a Table